Flora

Portugal’s forested central region is rich in evergreen oak, cork oak, chestnut, and poplar. Pine, eucalyptus and olive trees dominate the Alentejo region. In some regions, extensive deforestation lead to secondary vegetation predominantly consisting of macchie. Portugal’s dry soil even supports vineyards. There is a wide range of wild flowers and shrub species including lilies, orchids, French lavender, curry plant and the introduced Hottentots fig. The area around the Cabo Sardão, Lighthouse boasts various species of Rockroses including the rare and protected Cistus palhinhae with its sticky heavily aromatic dark green leaves and big white flowers. Sea Lavender (Limonium sp.), Sea Pink, 3 different species of Heather, and various Gorse species are also others worth mentioning.

In the Natural Park the Mediterranean flora is spread over an extensive and varied landscape. The Atlantic flora also appears, although only in a small area, and shows evidence of past climates. The flora varies according to the three great areas in witch the Natural Park is divided: the coastal plateau, the coastal hills and the western barrocal.