DAY 147 (30 AUGUST) – Common mullein (Verbascum thapsus) (El Palmar)
At this time of year, it’s hard to find plants in these parts that aren’t dead and crispy. At least these are quite sculptural, dotted at the back of the beach. Alternative common names are Adam’s rod, shepherd’s club and, rather disturbingly, cowboy toilet paper.
Each plant has hundreds of capsules, and each of these contains more than 700 seeds – which take quickly in dry, sandy and gravelly ground.