Wildflowers in Portugal: Paraserianthes Lophantha


I spotted this unusual plant while walking in the Western Algarve. Eventually I managed to identify it via the Portugal Wildflower FB group. I was surprised, once I discovered its name, that it was not listed in my area on the flora.pt website map. The Paraserianthes Lophantha is registered as an invasive plant in Portugal, which is... Continue Reading →

Wildflowers: Sedum Sediforme (Jacq.) Pau (Pale Stone Crop)


It never ceases to amaze me how these plants survive. It's mid-August in the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina, and it's hardly rained for months. As you can see, it grows in poor, rocky soil. All these photographs were taken from the road, so if you can't hike into the countryside like... Continue Reading →

Wildflowers in Portugal – Helichrysum Italicum (or curry plant)


I love the Helichrysum Italicum, or as I sometimes refer to it, the 'curry plant', because of its curry-scented leaves. According to Wikipedia, other common names include Italian strawflower and immortelle. It grows on rocky or sandy ground and can reach up to 60cm high. After picking, the yellow flowers retain their colour and can... Continue Reading →

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 →

Weekly Photo Challenge: Path


This weeks WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge is Path... One afternoon in early March I was feeling decidedly listless. I wandered aimlessly round the house and garden looking for inspiration, but I was uninspired. Fortunately, I don't experience many days like this as I am a "creative" person by nature and usually there are not enough... Continue Reading →

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