Genista

Genista spartioides ssp. retamoides

Genista is a genus of legumes which includes many species of broom. Many of these brooms are notorious as noxious weeds. Many of the species have flowers that open explosively when alighted on by an insect, the style flying through the upper seam of the keel and striking the underside of the insect, followed by a shower of pollen that coats the insect. The Royal line of Plantagenet is derived from this genus, being a corruption of “planta genista”.

Century plant

Agave americana

This is an agave originally from Mexico but cultivated worldwide as an ornamental plant. It was introduced into Europe about the middle of the 16th century and it has since naturalised in many regions and grows wild in SE Iberian Peninsula. The name "century plant" refers to the long time the plant takes to flower. Tequila is made from certain species of agave.

Butterworts

Pinguicula mundi

Pinguicula is a genus of carnivorous plants that use sticky, glandular leaves to lure, trap, and digest insects in order to supplement the poor mineral nutrition they obtain from the environments. It grows on vertical and wet walls and it is an endemic species in the south of Albacete province.

Maltese fungus

Cynomorium coccineum

It is a parasitic perennial flowering plant in the Cynomoriaceae, a family consisting of only one (or perhaps two) species. A rare or local species, it grows in dry, rocky or sandy soils, often in salt marches or other saline habitats.

Earth Day 2012

Earth Day is a day early each year on which events are held worldwide to increase awareness and appreciation of the Earth's natural environment. Earth Day is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network, and is celebrated in more than 175 countries every year. In 2009, the United Nations designated April 22 International Mother Earth Day. Earth Day is planned for April 22 in all years at least through 2015.

Moving

Esparto grass

Stipa tenacissima

Lygeum spartum

Stipa tenacissima is a perennial grass grown in northwest Africa and the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula employed for crafts (cords, baskets, espadrilles, etc. It is also used for fiber production for paper making.). Lygeum spartum, another species of grass, is also used in combination with true esparto, and is also sometimes called "esparto grass" or albardine. In the last century the manufacture of esparto was very important in Hellín.