Mediterranean wildflowers put on a dazzling seasonal show across sun-baked dunes, salt-lashed cliffs and wildflower-rich hills, from Turkey and Greece to Malta, north Africa, Italy, France, the Iberian peninsula and Portugal. Almost 25,000 species of flowering plant grow around the Mediterranean coastline, and a remarkable 60% occur nowhere else on Earth.

This pocket guide brings together 212 of the most commonly seen Mediterranean wildflowers, chosen to help holidaymakers and curious ramblers put a name to the blooms they pass on seafronts, dunes and inland hills. Each colour-coded entry pairs a clear photograph with a detailed description, making identification straightforward even for complete beginners.

Beyond identification, the guide is a treasure trove of cultural history and folklore, exploring how these plants have fed, healed, scented and inspired the people of the Mediterranean for thousands of years – from ancient Roman remedies to traditional gastronomy passed down through generations.

• Identify over 200 Mediterranean wildflowers, from dune-loving Sea Rocket to the shrubby Mastic Tree, with colour-coded entries for quick reference
• Clear photography and detailed descriptions make this guide ideal for holidaymakers, hillwalkers and anyone with a curiosity for wild plants
• Covers Mediterranean wildflowers across the coastline and hinterland from Turkey and Greece to Malta, north Africa, Italy, France, the Iberian peninsula and Portugal
• Explores centuries of traditional herbal medicine, gastronomy and folklore, from Roman remedies to Bedouin cooking and Venetian glassmaking
• Explains the survival techniques Mediterranean plants use to endure scorching sun, salt spray and shifting sand dunes
• Introduces the Latin naming system and the fascinating stories behind plant names, from Greek myths to pioneering botanists
• Includes a handy Flowering Calendar so you know exactly what to look for, whatever time of year you visit
• A genuinely pocket-sized companion, perfect for slipping into a bag for a day at the beach or a ramble in the hills

Written by a passionate non-expert with a curious eye, this book turns any Mediterranean holiday into an opportunity for discovery. Slip it into your bag and start noticing the dazzling blooms, ancient stories and hidden uses of the flowers all around you.

Mediterranean Wildflowers, quick facts:

Guide name: Mediterranean Wildflowers
Location: Mediterranean coastlines and hinterland, including Turkey, Greece, Malta, north Africa, Italy, France, the Iberian peninsula and Portugal
Species covered: 212 commonly seen Mediterranean wildflowers
Format: Pocket-sized identification guide with colour-coded entries, photography and descriptions
Content: Identification notes plus cultural history, folklore, traditional herbal medicine and gastronomy
Habitats covered: Sand dunes, rocky coasts, salt marshes, meadows, hills and mountains
Best season: Spring for peak bloom, with some species flowering year-round
Audience: Holidaymakers, walkers and anyone curious about Mediterranean plant life

Author Highlight

“In the forbidding face of scorching sun and blasting salt-ridden winds, the flora of the Mediterranean puts on a remarkable show.”

–Gillian Price, author of Mediterranean Wildflowers

Seasons

The vast majority of Mediterranean plants flower from early spring through to summer. Geographical location influences timing, and plants in southernmost countries bloom earlier than those in the north. A minority of Mediterranean plants bloom in autumn and even winter.

Centres

No single centre. The guide covers Mediterranean coastlines and hinterland, including Turkey, Greece, Malta, north Africa, Italy, France, the Iberian peninsula and Portugal.

Difficulty

Easy. Suitable for beginners, holidaymakers and anyone interested in identifying wildflowers.

Must See

Spring wildflowers across Mediterranean dunes, rocky coastlines, salt marshes and hills, from Sea Rocket to the Mastic Tree.

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