Dittrichia viscosa, otherwise known as aromatic inula or sticky fleabane, is a common plant throughout the Mediterranean. It is a very tough plant, very resistant to adverse conditions, and is an important food for the caterpillars of certain butterflies and moths. Despite the fresh-looking green colour of its leaves and its attractive inflorescence, this plant is sticky and has a certain smell that most people find unpleasant. It contains an essential oil and has been used in traditional medicines since ancient times, especially as an astringent. A well known Catalan proverb reads…..the grapes are ripe when the yellow fleabane blooms.
V's 1-7 are various butterflies and critters that I photographed during a half hour walk through this meadow, V.8 is a montage of all the butterflies seen and captured enjoying the inula.
Tags: Butterflies
Wildlife
Nature
Macro
General
Flower
Close-up
Flowers and plants
Close-up and macro
Wildlife and nature
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