WILD FLOWERS OF THE ALGARVE
SOUTHERN PORTUGAL

This sketch shows a delightful flower which is seldom noticed in the hot dry fields and road verges in late July and August. The Algarve pink has long thin stems and tiny inconspicuous leaves. Flowers at the end of the the stem are delicate and sweet smelling. Each flower is 2-3 cm in diameter and each petal is bears long fringes.

This bright pink stemless thistle appears in August blooming brightly close to the ground among a circle of dead frond like leaves. Atractilis gummifera flower heads are often 5-7 cm in diameter but in drought years are much smaller.

Along streams and on river banks the oleander starts blooming in July. Nerium oleander is widely grown in gardens and along roadsides: its thick leathery leaves enabling it to withstand long periods of drought and its attractive pink, white and red flowers producing colour in the dry summers.

SUMMER: BLUE FLOWERS
SUMMER: YELLOW FLOWERS
SUMMER: WHITE & GREEN FLOWERS
SUMMER: PURPLE, LILAC AND VIOLET FLOWERS