In September, a slight increase in humidity brings forth the appearance of the yellow-flowered Aromatic, or Sticky Inula, which is similar in appearance to Ragwort. It’s not the most beautiful of plants, but it brings some welcome colour back to the otherwise bleached brown landscape ahead of the eagerly anticipated autumn rains and provides a good source of nectar for butterflies.
Aromatic Inula-Dittrichia viscosa- Sotogrande beach edge
Aromatic or Sticky Inula Dittrichia viscosa
Aromatic Inula – Dittrichia viscosa – the flowers are similar to those of ragwort
Numerous yellow flower heads and sticky leaves are characteristics of this plant.
Flowers in the late summer-autumn months in a variety of habitats, on woodland edges, along roadsides, in uncultivated fields and as in my photographs, even at the back of beaches.
As its name suggests it has a pleasant aroma, a bit like camphor, and the plant was traditionally used as a dye of a greenish yellow shade.
nightingale trails 