-
this charming perennial is found in the rocks fo the taurus mountains. It resebmbles Arabis, but has smaller leaves.
-
Maresia pulchella is a cute little annual growing in the sandy coastal plain of Israel.
-
Biscutella didyma is a shy and very common annual in Israel. It has tiny flowers that are mainly self-pollinated. The fruits are cymbals-like.
-
Matthiola arabicais a rare desert perennial in South Israel. In Sinai (Egypt) it is commoner. WE had a rare October rains that produced lovely blooming p-lants in the South Arava Valley in Israel, now it is to see whether these plants will survive as perennials or not.
-
A common annual in the Middle East. Here u can see two forms - naked and hairy.
-
I posted a closeup up of this flower the other day. Here u can see the whole plant.
-
This plant belongs to the mustards family. Unusually, its anthers are so tine that it looks almost artificial flower.
-
These are fruits of Matthiola arabica, a desert perennial that is endangered in Israel. In Sinai (Egypt) it is very common. This year it was dry in its site, so no germination, the seeds will wait in the fruit and on the ground for the rains to germinate. This can take several years or even more.
-
Brassica cretica is a coastal species, belonging to a group of Mediterranean species from which the garden cabbage was cultivated. In Israel it is found in a single population in lower Mt Carmel, just near the famous prehistoric man caves. In grows on a limestone cliff. Today we found the population (100-150 plants) in full bloom. It is a local endangered species, although it is found in a nature reserve on an inaccessible cliff.
-
This is the fruit of Matthiola arabica, a desert perennial that is endangered in Israel. In Sinai (Egypt) it is very common. The seeds are protected in the coiled fruit, waiting for the next rain which might arrive only in a few years.
-
This is a seedling of Brassica cretica, a Mediterranean perennial, close to the cultivated cabbage.
-
A local endangered desert plant. It is a short living perennial, annual in harsh years.
-
Brassica cretica is a Mediterranean perennial, one of the progenitors of cultivated cabbage. Here you can see its fruit.
-
This is the curly fruit of this local endangered desert plant. It is a short living perennial, annual in harsh years.
-
Bunias orientalis is a weed in the Caucasus.
-
Matthiola fruticulosa is a perennial herbaceous plant, common in the mountains of Morocco.
-
A coastal succulent perennial herb. Flower pinkish pale, petals 4. Fruits composted of 2 parts, that are dispersed separately. In this picture you can see the dry fruits before dispersal.
-
"This is the ""skeleton"" of Matthiola longipetala. The plant is dead, but is full with living seeds that are waiting for the rain to spread and germinate."
-
This is a half broken typical fruit of Cakile maritima.
-
Matthiola longipetala (=M. livida) is a common and variable desert annual.
-
Calepina irregularis is a Mediterranean annuals, scattered thoughout central and northern Israel.
-
Matthiola maroccana is a slender and beautiful plant found only in Morocco. Besides its delicate flowers it has long simple (not horned) fruits.
-
a charming annual growing alonf the Mediterranean coasts. The fruit (on the left) has 3 horns at the edge.
-
This is the tiniest flower, I managed to capture it with the maximum 1:1 magnification and my ring flash. It is covered with starry felted hairs that decrease water loss. It is an extreme desert shrublet, growing in Israel only in Eilat Mts.