WILD FLOWERS OF THE ALGARVE
SOUTHERN PORTUGAL

Friar's Cowl
Arisarum vulgare

Fedia cornucopiae

Centaurea pullata

Early in JanuarY under trees and along stone walls the bright green shining leaves of the Friar's cowl, Arisarum vulgare, spread their heart shaped blades. Later in the month, part the leaves and admire the flowers whose elegant cowls are faintly stripped purple and pale green.

On waste land, the Soft Stork's bill will also begin to flower. This plant is closely related to the Geraniums.

The grassy fields are studded with the purple of Fedia (Fedia cornucopiae) a low growing plant with a cluster of tiny long-tubed purple pink flowers.

The freestone walls of the countryside provide a habitat for a variety of creepers. One of the less conspicuous is Aristolochia baetica. This may grow two to three metres in length. Its heart shaped leaves are about 2cm across and its upturned trumpet-like flowers, purple brown within and paler greenish purple on the outside, are about 5cms long and very slender.

The area is home to many thistles. One of the first to bloom is Centaurea pullata with its pink-lilac flowers and pale grey-green leaves.

Soft Stork's bill
Erodium malacoides

Aristolochia baetica