Tolpis barbata - European Umbrella Milkwort

Phylum: Magnoliophyta - Class: Equisetopsida - Order: Asterales - Family: Asteraceae

This very attractive member of the Daisy family and can be found throughout the Mediterranean region including Spain, Portugal, Sicily and Greece; and also in parts of north Africa. It flowers from March until May and is most common in sandy and gravelly ground close to the seashore, although it can also be found beside paths and other dry, rocky places.

This specimen was photographed in the Algarve, Portugal, in April.