Flora of the

Picos de Europa

  The Picos de Europa, Cordillera Cantábrica and valleys of Liébana are home to an amazingly rich and diverse range of plant species.
More than 45 species of orchid alone have been recorded in the Picos. Between the lower meadows and high alpine pastures the opportunity for botanising is endless, partly due to the local's use of traditional methods of land management - tractors and combine harvesters being useless on small, sloping patches of ground.

                                   
     As the snows recede from the mountains three pretty little species of narcissus appear; Asturian daffodil (Narcissus asturiensis), Hoop-petticoat daffodil (Narcissus bulbocodium) and Angel's tears (Narcissus triandrus).

Narcissus asturiensis

Narcissus bulbocodium

Narcissus triandrus

Spectacular Giant orchids (Barlia robertiana) appear early on poor, scrubby ground.....

High pastures are the habitat of half a dozen species of gentians, including the Trumpet gentian (Gentiana acaulis) below...

Following are some more orchids and other flowers that you may be lucky enough to see on your visit to the Picos de Europa.

Pasque flower

(Pulsatilla rubra ssp. hispanica)

above and below

Burnt-tip orchid (Orchis ustulata)

Pyrenean lily (Lilium pyrenaicum)

Martagon lily (Lilium martagon)

Tassel hyacynth (Muscari comosum)

Water aven (Geum rivale)

Dog's tooth violet bud

(Erythronium dens-canis)

go to

Picos de Europa Birds

Picos de Europa Mammals

Picos de Europa Butterflies and Moths

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Picos de Europa Homepage