Echium creticum L. subsp. coincyanum (Lacaita) R.Fernandes
Diagnostic description:
An erect or ascending, simple or branching annual or biennial. Stem to 70 cm tall, covered in stiff bristles. Basal leaves narrowly oblong, to 15 cm long, covered with stiff bristles arising from basal swellings. The upper leaves oblanceolate, sessile, 2 to 5 cm long. Flowers blue-violet, broadly funnel-shaped, hairy, 2 to 2.5 cm long, in a branched spike. Only 1 or 2 stamens projecting from the corolla. Calyx lobes linear, 8 to 11 mm long.
Distribution:
Local:Very common and widespread throughout Gibraltar, especially around coastal areas.
Global: Found throughout the Mediterranean region and south Portugal.
Ecology:
Flowers from March., April, May to June (July).
Habitat:
Grows in clearings, waysides and waste ground.