
Biznagas are man-made flowers said to be unique to the city of Malaga, Spain. Buds of jasmine
(Jasminum) flowers are stuck onto what are described as the spikes of dried thistles (possibly St Benedict’s thistle, Centaurea benedicta) where they open to form a ball of scented flowers. However, it seems that the ‘thistles’ could, in fact, be a member of the Carrot Family, Apiaceae. It is said that during La Feria de Malaga in August fresh biznagas can be ‘found everywhere’, but at all times of the year ceramic models and illustrations are easy to find.
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All photographs taken February 2026.