December 13, 2015

Curry Plant


High temperatures in November and December incited many plants to start a second flowering. This little bush, the Curry Plant (Helichrysum stoechas), shows some yellow flower heads. Stems and leaves are greyish because they are coverd with short silky hairs.




It is a mediterranean species and it loves sunshine and drought, so in Perigord you only find it on south-exposed hillsides on calcareous soil.







Last summer's withered leaves are still visible. If you rub a flower between your hands a strong kitchen smell appears. Yes, it smells like curry!




Will the night frost stop the flowering?