Cork oak is the Mediterranean native species whose bark, cork, shows perfectly its ability to protect the tree against the fire. Cork is a fire retardant and insulates the trunk allowing the tree to survive through the fire. Notice many healthy cork oaks with black/burnt bark by the road side. Rockroses are also well adapted and even help spread the fire with their scented oil leaves. Eucalyptus although native to Australia and introduced to Portugal in the 60’s by an English family is similarly well adapted. All along the way, naked and dead trunks of eucalyptus with new shoots coming out of them can be seen. This species benefits from fire that helps the seed to germinate and boast a strong new growth from root and stem.