A short while ago, I came across this Sea Daffodil (Pancratium maritimum) for the first time ever in over twenty years of living here in Mallorca. The flower is also known as Sand Daffodil, Sand Lily and the Lily of St. Nicholas. This wild flower is an endangered member of the Amaryllidaceae family and as thus, is protected. Do not pick it if you see one.

Fittingly, three days ago was the day of Sant Nicolau de Tolenti (September 10th). Although, with so many saints sharing the same name, I cannot be sure that this maritime plant is linked to the patron saint of Ca’s Concos d’es Cavaller. Today is the main day of this year’s festivities of this pueblo near Felanitx. The 2ª Fira de Sant Nicolau promises lots of arts and crafts, classic cars and young horses, food and panets (bread biscuits). The Banda de Música de Felanitx will play tonight at 21h30.

Anyway, the beautiful Pancratium maritimum grows along the Mediterranean sea shore just above the high tide mark and in sandy dunes. The flower has a pleasing, exotic and very subtle lily scent, which only becomes apparent during still, windless summer nights that allow its delicate fragrance to become perceptible. In Catalan, the flower is called Assutzena d’arenal, Lliri d’arenal or Lliri de mar, whilst in Castellano it is called Azucena marina, Nardo marino or Amor mío. The lovingly named Amor mío’s leaves often die back during hot summers as was the case with this flower photographed at the beach between Platja Es Dolç and Platja Ca’n Curt, near Colònia de Sant Jordi.

The word Pancratium is Greek in its origins meaning all-strength. Apparently, Pancratium was the best liked of all the ancient Olympic contests, a combination of boxing and wrestling between two heavily oiled, naked bodies.

The photo was taken near Colònia de Sant Jordi, Mallorca, Baleares, Spain. The date: August 20th, 2009. The time was 13:33:00.