PROTECTED LAND & WILD PLANTS
Portugal
03-2025 – 06-2024: I had travelled the Portuguese coast many times over the past seven years, but it was only on that last trip that the idea for this map began to take shape:
1) I'm standing somewhere along the cliff of the Costa Vicentina Nature Park. Looking along the coastline. Deeply appreciating the existence of protected land. No hotels, no houses — just the occasional beach bar and countless kilometers of vegetation and wildflowers.
2) I am on a camp side in the Algarve; having a conversation with an older women. She tells me the story about the Carob Tree / Karat – which I had never heard of before. We talk about native plants, about how knowledge is passed on, and the importance of storytelling.
These moments sparked a curiosity in me where else I could find untouched landscapes and the stories of the plants I was sourrounded by.
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Festas de Sao Joao, Aug 11, 2009
Every June 23rd, Porto throws a party like no other. It’s loud. It’s wild. It smells like grilled sardines. And while nowadays people tap each other with little plastic hammers, this tradition originally involved using WILD LEEK (Allium ampeloprasum).
Back then and nowadays, the reason is the same: blessing + good fortune.​​
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​​​​​​SOURCES
- Allium ampeloprasum. Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allium_ampeloprasum
- First Nature. (n.d.). Allium ampeloprasum – Broadleaf wild leek. https://www.first-nature.com/flowers/allium-ampeloprasum.php
- Santos, A. (n.d.). The history and Portuguese cultural heritage of Oporto’s Saint
John’s night. Medium. https://medium.com/@artursantos.com.pt/the-history-and-portuguese-cultural-heritage-of-oportos-saint-john-s-night-85f415eedd0f
- Portoalities. (n.d.). Everything about the São João festival in Porto. https://portoalities.com/en/everything-about-sao-joao-festival-in-porto/
- Canto de Luz. (n.d.). São João festival in Porto: A guide to the city’s celebration. https://cantodeluz.com/sao-joao-festival-in-porto-guide-to-the-citys-celebration/
- CoolTour Porto. (n.d.). São João festival in Porto: Tradition, party & fireworks. https://cooltouroporto.com/blog/festival-st-john
- Thrillist. (n.d.). São João is Porto’s craziest and wildest festival. https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/sao-joao-porto-summer-solstice-festival
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​​​​​​Photo: https://americanportugal.com/festivals-in-portugal/
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VW3e8hMaC0 by
aardvarkbutcommontro
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Vintage poster for the Festas de Sao Joao with drawings of Wild Leek.
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1) Homemade Aguardente de Medronho
As the world slows down during fall and winter, the STRAWBERRY TREE (Arbutus unedo) bursts into life with blossoms and fruit coexisting on the same branch.
From these fruits, rural families in southern Portugal have long distilled Aguardente de Medronho, a fiery spirit produced in traditional copper stills. Until the 21st century there were no large-scale plantations of the Strawberry Tree; instead, berries were gathered by hand in the wild and processed in private.
Few had official licenses for distillation, yet the practice was tolerated by authorities as a way of protecting this Portuguese specialty.​
SOURCES​
- Arbutus unedo. Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arbutus_unedo
- Medronho. Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medronho
- 3Bee. Strawberry tree: An evergreen shrub with a thousand properties. https://blog.3bee.com/en/arbutus-an-evergreen-shrub-with-a-thousand-properties
- Casa do Medronho. Casa do Medronho.
https://casadomedronho.com/en/casa-do-medronho/
- Arbutus unedo (Portuguese).
https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arbutus_unedo
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Photo 1: Didier Descouens / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo 2: Bruno Aleixo / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
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2) Simultaneous flowers and fruits of the Strawberry Tree
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In Portugal, QUAKING GRASS (Briza media) is also known as bole-bole. It plays a subtle yet important role in local ecosystems, especially in dry meadows and calcareous grasslands. Even the gentlest breeze sets its heart-shaped spikelets trembling, swaying, or quaking, creating a shimmering, almost musical motion across the plant. This unique movement distinguishes it from other grasses and is the origin of its common name.​
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SOURCES
- Euro+Med PlantBase. Briza media L. https://ww2.bgbm.org/EuroPlusMed/PTaxonDetail.asp?NameCache=Briza+media&NameId=&PTRefFk=&Print=1
- Missouri Botanical Garden. Briza media. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinder
Details.aspx?kempercode=v350
- NatureSpot. Quaking-grass
https://www.naturespot.org/species/quaking-grass
- Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Briza_media
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Photo
- Briza media sl6.jpg by Stefan.lefnaer, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Briza_media?uselang=de#/media/File:Briza_media_sl6.jpg
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Although PORTUGUESE LAVENDER (Lavandula latifolia) is not officially the national flower of Portugal, it's seen as it's floral symbol. Lavender has a deep cultural presence in Portugal and its connection reaches back to Ancient Rome, when lavender was valued as a medicinal herb and beloved for its fragrance. Romans, fond of their thermae (public baths), often added lavender to the water for its soothing and relaxing qualities. The name Lavandula reflects this use, derived from the Latin lavare — to wash.
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In rural Portuguese traditions, sprigs of Lavendel were burned or hung in homes to ward off evil spirits, placed under pillows to invite love or peaceful dreams, and used in midsummer festivities (Santos Populares) to symbolize purification, protection, and renewal.​
​SOURCES
- Lavandula latifolia (Portuguese Lavender). Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavandula_latifolia
- Lavender – Cultural Uses in Ancient Rome. Encyclopedia Britannica
https://www.britannica.com/plant/lavender
- Lavender in Roman Baths. Ancient History Encyclopedia (World History Encyclopedia)
https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1730/roman-baths
- Etymology of Lavandula. Merriam-Webster Dictionary
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lavender
- Traditional Uses of Lavender in Portugal. Portuguese Flora & Folk Traditions (Instituto da
Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas) https://www.icnf.pt
- Lavender in European Folklore and Midsummer Traditions. European Ethnobotany Journal
https://journalethnobotany.org/
- Lavender Symbolism in Mediterranean Culture. Gardenia.net
https://www.gardenia.net/guide/lavender
- Lavender and Protection Rituals in Iberian Folklore. Oxford Dictionary of Folklore
https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-dictionary-of-folklore
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Illustration: Public Domain
Sprigs of Lavendel were burned or hung in Portuguese homes to ward off evil spirits
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The Baja California
rattlesnake
AGAVE AMERICANA blooms only once in its lifetime, typically after 10–30 years. The flower marks the end of the life of the plant and it channels all its stored energy into a single stalk that can grow up to 15–20 cm per day and reach as high as 9 meters.
Its flowers open at night, releasing a sweet, musky scent perfectly timed to draw nectar-feeding bats—its main pollinators in native regions of Mexico.
In Portugal, where bats are largely absent, finches, bees, and wasps take over as pollinators. Although Agave Americana is not native to this region, you can see it anywhere in the country – especially in the Algarve.
Side note: A close relative, the sisal agave, is being used to create eco-friendly surfboard blanks. The company Grow Blanks, based on a major sisal farm in Kenya, transforms agricultural waste into renewable surfboard cores while providing local communities with training and income.
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​SOURCES
- Agave americana. Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agave_americana
- Agave americana (Century Plant) – Bloom Cycle. U.S. Forest Service
https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/agave_americana.shtml
- Agave americana – Flowering and Lifespan. Royal Horticultural Society
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/600/agave-americana/details
- Agave in Portugal (Historical Introduction). Flora-On (Portuguese Botanists’ Database)
https://flora-on.pt/#1Agave%20americana
- The Natural History of Agaves. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
https://www.desertmuseum.org/kids/oz/long-fact-sheets/agave-americana.php
- Sisal (Agave sisalana). Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agave_sisalana
- Grow Blanks – Sustainable Surfboards from Sisal Fibers
https://www.growblanks.com/
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Image Right: by H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:H._Zell_Image.jpg
Image Left: https://ecosurfsupply.com
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The flowers produce copious amounts of sugary nectar — up to 1 liter per flower cluster per night.
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Native to Portugal’s sandy coasts, BUNNY TAIL GRASS forms soft, fluffy seed heads that look like rabbit tails.
Often one of the first plants to colonize bare sand, its dense roots help stabilize shifting dunes, reduce erosion, and prepare the ground for other plants to take root.
​SOURCES
- Endemic sand dune vegetation of the northwest Iberian Peninsula. Journal of Coastal Research
https://doi.org/10.2112/05-0610.1
- Perennial vegetation of coastal sand dunes in northern Portugal. Acta Botanica Gallica
https://doi.org/10.1080/12538078.2006.10516088
- Coastal dunes: Ecology and conservation. Springer
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5603-4
- Coastal dunes. Progress in Physical Geography
https://doi.org/10.1177/030913338300700402
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Illustration by Henry A. Dreer, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Henry_A._Dreer_Illustration.jpg
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In Portugal, this tiny wildflower is known as relógio-das-chuvas — the “rain clock.” Farmers once watched the Scarlet Pimpernel (Lysimachia arvensis) carefully to anticipate storms: its red or blue petals open in sunlight and fold closed at the first hint of clouds or rain. This delicate dance is driven by subtle changes in turgor pressure within the flower’s cells, a living barometer in motion.
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​​SOURCES
- Wikipedia contributors. Lysimachia arvensis. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lysimachia_arvensis
- LuontoPortti. Scarlet Pimpernel.
https://luontoportti.com/en/t/1819
- Plants for a Future. Anagallis arvensis.
https://pfaf.org/User/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Anagallis+arvensis
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- Photo: Illustration of Rain-Sensitive Flowers / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
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About 20.5% of mainland Portugal is under protection, forming a vibrant mosaic of natural treasures. As this map illustrates, national parks, nature reserves, and Natura 2000 sites span the country, safeguarding forests, mountains, rivers, wetlands, and coastal habitats. Each protected area contributes to Portugal’s biodiversity, ecological resilience, and cultural heritage. From the rugged peaks of Peneda-Gerês National Park in the north to the rolling plains and wetlands of the south, these zones provide refuge for endangered species, preserve unique habitats, and maintain essential ecosystem services such as clean water, fertile soils, and carbon storage. Beyond conservation, they support sustainable tourism, scientific research, and environmental education, fostering connections between people and nature while highlighting the enduring value of Portugal’s remarkable landscapes.
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SOURCES
- European Environment Agency (EEA). Terrestrial Protected Areas in Portugal. https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/europe-environment-2025/countries/portugal/terrestrial-protected-areas
- Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Country Profile: Portugal. https://www.cbd.int/countries/profile/?country=pt
- Wikipedia contributors. Peneda-Gerês National Park. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peneda-Ger%C3%AAs_National_Park
- Wikipedia contributors. Serra da Estrela Natural Park. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serra_da_Estrela_Natural_Park
- Visit Portugal. Serra da Estrela Natural Park. https://www.visitportugal.com/en/node/156085
ResearchGate contributors.
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- Map of the National Protected Areas Network in Portugal. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Map-of-the-National-Protected-Areas-Network-in-Portugal_fig1_364156249
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Approximately 85% of Portugal's population resides in coastal regions.
The reason for this is simple: Portugal’s inland is quite mountainous. Therefore less suitable for larger agriculture or urban development, so people preferred to live along the coast.
Portugal’s mainland may not have mountains like the Alps, but still is home to some impressive peaks >>>
From North to South:
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1546 - Nevosa Peak
Located in the Serra do Gerês mountain range. This peak lies near the border with Galicia, Spain, and is part of Peneda-Gerês National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve renowned for its rich biodiversity, scenic landscapes, and cultural heritage. A specific legend claims that a rich treasure is buried somewhere on Nevosa Peak, left by Moors fleeing Christian forces centuries ago. Only a person pure of heart, or one who can decipher the signs of nature—such as certain flowering plants or the direction of the wind—can hope to find it.
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1415 – Serra do Marão
Located on the border between the Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro and Douro Litoral regions, it is the sixth highest mountain range in continental Portugal. The summit is home to the Marão Geodetic Vertex and the Marão Astronomical Observatory. The range serves as a significant natural barrier between Porto and Vila Real, influencing local climate and vegetation.
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1381 / 1116 – Serra de Montemuro / Serra di Ribeira Located in the Viseu region, this mountain range is known for its untouched nature and picturesque villages. The highest point is called Alto do Talefe, situated at 1,381 meters above sea level.
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1071 – Caramulo
The Caramulo region is renowned for its clean air and natural beauty, which historically made it a popular destination for sanatoriums, particularly during the early 20th century. Today, it remains a tranquil area, attracting visitors with its scenic landscapes and cultural heritage.
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1991 – Torre
The highest point on mainland Portugal, located in the Serra da Estrela. Its rocky summit offers panoramic views, unique flora and fauna, and occasional snow in winter, creating a rare alpine-like landscape in Portugal.
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1418 – Pico da Cebola
The highest point of the Serra do Açor mountain range. This peak is notable for its prominence and isolation, making it a significant landmark in the region.
The area around Pico da Cebola is known for its schist villages, which are traditional settlements built with local stone. These villages, such as São Jorge da Beira, offer a glimpse into the rural life and architectural heritage of central Portugal.
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1227 – Pirâmide
The highest point of the Serra da Gardunha in central Portugal, reaching about 1,227 m. Locally called Pirâmide because of its pointed, pyramid-like shape, it offers wide views over the Beira Baixa region. The Gardunha range is geologically rich in granite formations and serves as a transition zone for northern and southern flora, making it both scenic and ecologically diverse.
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902 – Foia
From the summit, visitors can enjoy sweeping views of the Algarve region. On clear days, the Atlantic Ocean is visible to the west, and the coastline stretches towards Faro in the east. The Miradouro da Foia (Fóia Viewpoint) provides a 360-degree panorama, making it a popular spot for photography and sightseeing. Rising above the Serra de Monchique, Fóia’s summit was long a natural lookout. Its panoramic views helped locals spot smugglers, bandits, and rival travelers, while hidden caches and secret trails allowed goods and people to move unseen. Today, hikers can still trace remnants of this rugged, clandestine past, where the mountain silently guarded centuries of stories.
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598 – Serra do Caldeirão
Stretching across the Algarve’s inland between Loulé, Tavira, and São Brás de Alportel. While it doesn’t reach the higher altitudes of Serra de Monchique (with Fóia at 902 m), it is one of the most important upland areas of the Algarve.​​​​​​​​​
SOURCES
Nevosa Peak – Serra do Gerês
- Peneda-Gerês National Park. Pico da Nevosa. https://www.pnpgeres.pt/2018/04/20/nevosa/
- Hiking Around Adv. Pico da Nevosa – Serra do Gerês. https://www.hikingaround.pt/informa-es-do-evento-e-registro/pico-da-nevosa-serra-do-geres
- CataVino. Portugal's Unknown Treasures: Peneda Gerês National Park. https://catavino.net/peneda-geres-national-park/
Serra do Marão
- Wikipedia. Serra do Marão.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serra_do_Mar%C3%A3o
Serra de Montemuro / Serra da Ribeira
- Wikipedia. Serra de Montemuro.
https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serra_de_Montemuro
Caramulo
- Visit Caramulo.
https://www.visitcaramulo.pt/en/history/
- Center of Portugal. Caramulo: A Fascinating History. https://www.centerofportugal.com/article/caramulo-a-fascinating-history
Torre – Serra da Estrela
- Wikipedia. Torre (Serra da Estrela).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torre_(Serra_da_Estrela)
- The Best Viewpoints. You Need to Know About the Highest Point of Portugal – Torre. https://www.thebestviewpoints.com/2024/12/15/portugal-torre/
- No Road Long Enough. Experiencing Torre in Serra da Estrela. https://noroadlongenough.com/blog/experiencing-torre-serra-da-estrela-mainland-portugals-highest-mountain.html
Pico da Cebola – Serra do Açor
- Wikiloc. Trilha Pico Cebola (Picoto Cebola) Meãs.
https://pt.wikiloc.com/trilhas-trekking/pico-cebola-picoto-cebola-meas-5624344
Pirâmide – Serra da Gardunha
- Wikipedia. Serra da Gardunha.
https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serra_da_Gardunha
Foia – Serra de Monchique
- AllTrails. Foia Viewpoint – Serra de Monchique.
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/portugal/faro/miradouro-da-foia-gr13-monchique
Serra do Caldeirão
- The Perfect Tourist. Serra do Caldeirão.
https://www.algarve.theperfecttourist.com/?p=3688
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- Photo: “Nevosa Peak” by Alta Planicia, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nevosa_Peak.jpg
- Photo: “Serra da Estrela – Torre” by RitaMoreira2011, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Serra_da_Estrela_-_Torre.jpg
- Photo: “Caramulo” by Vitor Oliveira, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Caramulo.jpg
- Photo: “Torre – Serra da Estrela” by Joseolgon, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Torre_Serra_da_Estrela.jpg
- Photo: “Serra da Gardunha, Portugal. View from near the top to south” by Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Serra_da_Gardunha.jpg
- Photo: “Fóia, the highest mountain of South Portugal (902 m)” by Felix König, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Foia_Serra_de_Monchique.jpg
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Lusitania was the Roman province that covered most of today’s central and southern Portugal, as well as part of western Spain. Its people, the Lusitanians, are remembered for fiercely resisting Roman conquest under their leader Viriatus.
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Because of this, Lusitanian (or lusitanica) is still used in scientific names, literature, and culture to mean from Portugal or of Portuguese origin.
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For example, LUSITANIAN FRITILLARY literally translates as the fritillary from Lusitania / Portugal. These wildflowers are often considered elusive: thriving in rocky or scrubby habitats and appearing in sparse populations. For botanists and hikers, spotting one is a quiet and special moment.
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SOURCES
- Wikipedia contributors. (2023, October 25). Fritillaria lusitanica. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fritillaria_lusitanica
- First Nature contributors. (n.d.). Fritillaria lusitanica. First Nature. https://www.first-nature.com/flowers/fritillaria-lusitanica.php
- GBIF contributors. (n.d.). Fritillaria lusitanica Wikstr. Global Biodiversity Information Facility. https://www.gbif.org/species/5300414
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- Map: “Lusitania-karte 3-1275x1575.png”, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lusitania-karte_3-1275x1575.png
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1) Carob trees can live for over 200 years and grow up to 15 meters tall.
The seeds of the CAROB TREE (Ceratonia siliqua) are so uniform in weight — about 0.2 grams — that it became the standard for measuring gemstones and gold.
Their secret? A hard, dense coat and tightly packed nutrients that keep each seed consistent in size—unlike other seeds that swell, shrink, or grow irregularly.
In Greek, these seeds were called kerátion, and traders would count them to weigh small amounts of gold. Over time, this practice spread and by the 19th century, the carob seed’s weight was formalized as the carat, the unit still used today in the gemstone world.
In southern Portugal, carob trees—known locally as alfarrobeira—have been so valuable that their dark, glossy pods were called ouro negro (“black gold”), providing a reliable, storable food source for people and livestock during droughts or crop failures.
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SOURCES
- Wikipedia contributors. Carob.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carob
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. The carat and historical weights: carob seeds as a standard. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1686184/
- Immolusitania. Carob trees in the Algarve: A comprehensive guide. https://immolusitania.ch/carob-trees-in-the-algarve-a-comprehensive-guide/
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- Photo 1: G. Eric and Edith Matson Photograph Collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division — Trees and shrubs. Carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) (Public domain, LOC matpc.02474).
- Photo 2: Mihailo Grbic, Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) seeds, September 28, 2008. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0).
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2) Carob seeds are relatively uniform but not identical—studies show their weight varies by about 20–25%, similar to many other seeds.
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If you’ve ever touched a GUM ROCKROSE, you’ve felt its sticky resin: labdanum. Since antiquity, people have harvested this dark, aromatic gum from the plant’s leaves and stems for perfumes, incense, and traditional medicine.
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Even more fascinating are the reasons why this plant thrives so widely in Portugal:
Beneath the soil, the gum rockrose forms alliances with Tuber fungi, which extend its roots and help it absorb water and nutrients from poor soils. Some fungi, like the black truffle (Tuber melanosporum), even suppress nearby plants, giving the rockrose exclusive hold over its patch of earth.
Above ground, the plant is perfectly adapted to fire-prone landscapes. It releases seeds that remain dormant for years, protected by a hard, water-resistant coat. When wildfire sweeps through, the heat cracks the seed coats, triggering germination. Soon after the flames subside, countless seedlings burst forth, reclaiming the scorched land.
​SOURCES
- Abrahams, H. J. (n.d.). Onycha, ingredient of the ancient Jewish incense: An attempt at identification. Economic Botany, 33(2), 233–236.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/4255390
- Carvalho, P. D. S. (n.d.). Studies of mycorrhizal associations in Cistaceae from a -Portuguese perspective.
https://baes.uc.pt/bitstream/10316/32174/1/Tese_PedroCarvalho_imprimir.pdf
- Giovannetti, M., & Avio, L. (n.d.). Mycorrhizal synthesis between Cistaceae and Tuberaceae. New Phytologist, 96(2), 253–257.
https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1469-8137.1982.tb03412.x
- Lamont, B. B., & Pausas, J. G. (n.d.). Fire-type heat increases the germination of Cistaceae seeds. Fire Ecology, 20(1), 1–10.
https://fireecology.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s42408-024-00251-5
- Luna, B., Pausas, J. G., & Moreira, B. (n.d.). Fire and high summer temperatures can break physical seed dormancy in Mediterranean fire-prone ecosystems. PLOS ONE, 7(12), e51523. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0051523
- Pausas, J. G., & Keeley, J. E. (n.d.). Fire-released seed dormancy – a global synthesis. Biological Reviews, 97(6), 1612–1639. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/brv.12855
- Wenkart, S., & Bäumler, W. (n.d.). Mycorrhizal associations between Tuber melanosporum and Cistus incanus roots. Mycorrhiza, 11(5), 231–235. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s002990100325
- Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Labdanum. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labdanum
- Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Cistus ladanifer. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cistus_ladanifer
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CORN MARIGOLD (Glebionis segetum) is native to the Mediterranean but spread widely across Europe as a grain contaminant. By the 13th century it was such a serious weed in Scotland that a law under Alexander II fined farmers a sheep if they allowed a single plant to seed in their fields.
Despite its reputation as a nuisance, the species is highly valuable to biodiversity. Its open, nectar-rich flowers support bees, butterflies, and hoverflies, making it an important pollinator plant. Modern herbicides and intensive farming have reduced its presence in northern Europe, but in western and southern regions it still thrives, forming golden displays in fields and meadows.
​SOURCES
- Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Glebionis segetum. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glebionis_segetum Wikipedia
- Highbury Wildlife Garden. (n.d.). Corn Marigold (Chrysanthemum / Glebionis segetum) — Bees’ Favorites.
https://highburywildlifegarden.org.uk/the-garden/bees-faves/corn-marigold/ highburywildlifegarden.org.uk
- Hicks, D. M., Ouvrard, P., Baldock, K. C. R., et al. (2016). Quantifying the Nectar and Pollen Resources of Urban Flower Meadows. PLOS ONE, 11(4). https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0158117 PLOS
- Plant World (Blog). (n.d.). Glebionis segetum: Corn Marigold, Description and History. https://plantworld2.blogspot.com/2016/06/glebionis-segetum.html plantworld2.blogspot.com
- BSBI Online Plant Atlas. (n.d.). Glebionis segetum (L.) Fourr. Retrieved from https://plantatlas2020.org/atlas/2cd4p9h.8gz plantatlas2020.org
- MyPlantIn. (n.d.). Glebionis segetum Care. Retrieved from https://myplantin.com/plant/4343 myplantin.com
- Eflora of India. (n.d.). Glebionis segetum. Retrieved from https://efloraofindia.com/efi/chrysanthemum-segetum
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Illustration: Mentz, A. & Ostenfeld, C. H. (1917–1923). Billeder af Nordens Flora. 1. Band. G. E. C. Gad’s Forlag, Kopenhagen. Tafel 11 (as Chrysanthemum segetum). Public Domain.
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The ASPHODEL rises from stony ground where little else will grow. In spring, its tall stalks burst with pale, star-like flowers, glowing across Portugal hillsides. To bees, it offers a feast of nectar. To the ancients, it was a flower of the dead.
In Greek mythology, the Asphodel Meadows were the fields of the underworld, where ordinary souls wandered after death — not heroes in Elysium, nor villains in Tartarus, but the countless dead drifting among asphodel blooms. Homer mentions asphodel in the Odyssey as a plant associated with the underworld and funerary rites, and later writers repeated its connection to burial and remembrance. For this reason, the plant was often sown near graves, bridging the world of the living and the dead.
Yet beyond its symbolism, asphodel is a master of survival. Beneath the soil, it hides thick tuberous roots that allow it to endure poor, dry ground and regenerate after fire. In times of famine, people even dug up these roots for sustenance, though they were bitter and coarse.
​SOURCES
- Britannica. (n.d.). Asphodel. In Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/plant/asphodel-plant
- Karakitsou, M. (n.d.). The Asphodel in Greek Mythology.
https://mkarakitsou.com/materia-mythica/asphodel
- Purdue University. (2017, April 19). Asphodelus tenuifolius. In Famine Foods. https://www.purdue.edu/hla/sites/famine-foods/famine_food/asphodelus-tenuifolius/
- Ruth Bancroft Garden. (n.d.). Asphodelus aestivus. https://www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/plants/asphodelus-aestivus/
- Missouri Botanical Garden. (n.d.). Asphodelus albus. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=281861
- ScienceDirect. (2017). Pollination Ecology and Seed Set in Asphodelus albus. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0367253017322259
- Wikipedia contributors. Asphodelus. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asphodelus
- Wikipedia contributors. Asphodel Meadows. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asphodel_Meadows
- Petal Republic. (n.d.). Asphodel Flower Meaning, Symbolism, and Uses. https://www.petalrepublic.com/asphodel-flower/
- InHerba. (2019, November 25). Asfodel: History, Properties, and Tradition. https://www.inherba.it/en/asfodel-history-properties-tradition/
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The DWARF PALM (Chamaerops humilis) is Europe’s only native palm, making it ecologically and culturally unique. Remarkably hardy, it can survive light frosts down to −12 °C to −15 °C (10 °F to 5 °F) when established, yet tolerate daytime temperatures exceeding 40 °C (104 °F) in well-drained soils.
Historically, its tough leaves were a vital resource in rural Algarve communities, woven into brooms, ropes, mats, and baskets. This craft was often home-based or seasonal, using leaves pruned from the plant or collected after natural shedding. Products served local needs and were occasionally traded in nearby markets. Only the outer, mature leaves were harvested, allowing the plant to survive and regrow — a sustainable practice that balanced human use with ecological preservation.
The Dwarf Palm’s young shoots and central “palm heart” are technically edible, though extremely fibrous and bitter. Harvesting the palm heart kills the plant, so it was eaten only in times of scarcity and is rarely consumed today.
​SOURCES
- Jardim Gulbenkian. Mediterranean Dwarf Palm – Flora. https://gulbenkian.pt/jardim/en/garden-flora/mediterranean-dwarf-palm/
- Missouri Botanical Garden. Chamaerops humilis – Plant Finder. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=299207
- Palmpedia. Chamaerops humilis – Palmpedia – Palm Grower's Guide. https://www.palmpedia.net/wiki/Chamaerops_humilis
- Temperate The Ferns. Chamaerops humilis – Useful Temperate Plants. https://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Chamaerops%2Bhumilis
- Wikipedia contributors. Chamaerops. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamaerops
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- Illustration of Chamaerops humilis (Dwarf Palm) from Meyers Konversationslexikon, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
