# Mediterranean Phagnalon (*Phagnalon saxatile*)

The Mediterranean Phagnalon is a special plant that grows in sunny, rocky places. It has beautiful yellow flowers that bloom in the warm months, making the landscape look bright and cheerful.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Coastal areas

![Mediterranean Phagnalon](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Phagnalon_saxatile.JPG&width=800)

Photo: Xemenendura, CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Phagnalon_saxatile.JPG)

## Appearance

The Mediterranean Phagnalon is a low-growing subshrub with dense, silvery-grey, woolly leaves. Its small, round flower heads are bright yellow, appearing singly or in small clusters, creating a vibrant contrast against its muted foliage.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Asterales
- **Family:** Asteraceae
- **Genus:** Phagnalon

## Interesting facts

- Its fuzzy leaves make it look like it's wearing a tiny wool coat!
- Its tiny seeds are often carried far by the wind to find new homes.
- Some ancient cultures used this tough plant for traditional herbal remedies.
- This plant can amazingly sprout right out of cracks in ancient walls!

## Special abilities

- **Woolly Water Shield:** It has woolly leaves that trap moisture and reflect sunlight, helping it survive harsh, dry conditions.
- **Rock Gripper:** It can grow strong roots, anchoring itself firmly into rocky crevices to find stability and essential nutrients.
- **Extended Bloom:** It produces flowers over many months, which helps attract diverse pollinators throughout a long blooming season.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 10-30 cm
- **Spread:** 15-40 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Spring to summer
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Attracted to its yellow flowers for nectar and pollen.
- **Pollinates:** Painted lady butterfly (*Vanessa cardui*) — Visits the flowers, aiding in reproduction.
- **Pollinates:** Buff-tailed bumblebee (*Bombus terrestris*) — An important pollinator for its small blooms.

## Traits

- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
- [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
- [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch plants unless you know they are safe.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Mediterranean Phagnalon?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Mediterranean Phagnalon?

10-30 cm

### How wide does Mediterranean Phagnalon spread?

15-40 cm

### How big are the flowers on Mediterranean Phagnalon?

0.5-1 cm

### When does Mediterranean Phagnalon bloom?

Spring to summer

### Is Mediterranean Phagnalon edible?

No

### Is Mediterranean Phagnalon toxic?

None

### What is Mediterranean Phagnalon's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Cabrera Archipelago National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cabrera-archipelago-national-park) — Spain, ES · National Park

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Mediterranean Phagnalon: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mediterranean-phagnalon)