The Cistus Ladanifer can be seen across Portugal during May and June. It is a sticky shrub (as I discovered when I wandered off the track to take closeups). The sticky resin covering the stem and leaves is called laden and contains healing properties. It is also used in the cosmetic industry to fix perfumes.... Continue Reading →
Garden Diary: The Fruit Tree Challenge
For my Six on Saturday this week I have focused on our fruit trees which usually normally offer more challenges than fruit. Most people here have an abundance of produce from the popular almond trees, plums, apples, oranges, lemons, advocados, figs, olives etc,, but not us. Nope, we struggle and although I am reliabily informed:... Continue Reading →
Wildflowers: Centaurea Sphaerocephala (Knapweed)
Wildflowers in the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina, Portugal Reference: floresdoareal.blogspot.com and https://flora-on.pt/index.php#/1centaurea+sphaerocephala Do you enjoy taking photographs of wildflowers, bugs, birds, snakes and other curiosities found in the wild? Every Wednesday I will be sharing a photograph of wild flora or fauna in my local area. Who will join me ?
Wildflowers: Bartsia Trixago (Bellardia) or flor-de-ouro
This week my search for wildflowers growing in the Western Algarve resulted in finding this little beauty which I discovered purely by accident when I grabbed a wall for support because an owner failed to control her frisky dog. After they left I looked down and there was this beautiful flower! Bartsia trixago The Bartsia... Continue Reading →
Wildflowers: Ophrys Tenthredinifera – Sawfly Orchid
This has to be my favourite wildflower! A friend posted a picture of the wild orchid on our local gardening FB group so the next day I was out taking photographs. Lucky I was wearing trainers because unlike most of the photographs I take of flowers growing near the side of the road, these were... Continue Reading →
Wildflowers: Lotus Creticus (Southern Bird’s Foot Trefoil)
Lotus Creticus - Southern Bird's Foot Trefoil I have photographed the Southern Bird's Foot Trefoil, also known as the Trevo-de-Creta, in flower from November through to February and it is still flowering into March. It grows in gravel, in the crevices of pathways, and on the cliff tops near our house in the Western Algarve.... Continue Reading →
Wildflowers: Acacia longifolia – Mimosa longifolia
Acacia longifolia REF: Acacia longifolia and Plants for a Future Another useful reference to identify plants is The Plant List Do you enjoy taking photographs of wildflowers, bugs, birds, snakes and other curiosities found in the wild? Every Wednesday I will be sharing a photograph of wild flora or fauna in my local area. Who... Continue Reading →
Wildflowers: Fumaria officinalis
Also known as : common ramping-fumitory Fumaria is a genus of about 60 species of annual flowering plants in the family Papaveraceae. The genus is native to Europe, Africa and Asia, most diverse in the Mediterranean region, and introduced to North, South America and Australia. Fumaria species are sometimes used in herbal medicine Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fumaria_officinalis... Continue Reading →
Wildflowers: Bermuda Buttercup
As I enjoy taking photographs of nature I decided to create a MEME called #WildWednesday. Every Wednesday I will be sharing a photograph of wild flora or fauna in my local area. Who will join me? How it works: Simply post a photograph to your blog with some relevant blurb if possible. Include the words... Continue Reading →
Wordless Wednesday: Winter Colour – Growing Hibiscus in Pots
For WordlessWednesday, I will let the hibiscus speak for themselves * * * * *