Ruta chalepensis - Fringed Rue - (Rutaceae)

Ruta chalepensis

Fringed rue is an odd-looking flower which can have four or five scoop-shaped petals with a fringe of fine, long hairs around the edges. The divided leaves have a strong and unpleasant smell when crushed. When not in flower, this woody, evergreen shrub has a somewhat blue-grey overall appearance.

fringed rue

Fringed Rue, a member of the Rue family (Rutaceae), is found throughout the Mediterranean region, and the specimens above were photographed in the Algarve in Portugal in May.