Hike. Trails of Barrocal, Algarve, Portugal, 2019-04-23

The Barrocal area marks the transition between the small coastal strip and the mountains of the Serra. This area is also known as the "beira-serra" (literally the mountain edge). Most of the agricultural produce of the Algarve originates from this fertile area, particularly citrus and other fruits, vegetable and olives. Honey and almonds are also among the typical regional produce. Before the plantation of cork oaks had moved to the north into the Alentejo, the area was also an important centre of cork production.

Barrocal landscape. The Barrocal area marks the transition between the small coastal strip and the mountains of the Serra.

Barrocal landscape.

Barrocal landscape. Most of the agricultural produce of the Algarve originates from this fertile area, particularly citrus and other fruits, vegetable and olives. Honey and almonds are also among the typical regional produce.

Barrocal house.

Cistus ladanifer is a species of flowering plant in the family Cistaceae. It is native to the western Mediterranean region. Common names include gum rockrose, laudanum, labdanum, common gum cistus, and brown-eyed rockrose. It is a shrub growing 1–2.5 m. The leaves are evergreen. The whole plant is covered with the sticky exudate of fragrant resin, the source of labdanum, used in herbal medicine and perfumery. C. ladanifer is particularly well suited to the Continentalized Mediterranean climate, standing both long summer droughts and cold weather. It is an extremely aggressive plant which has taken over much of former farmland and grasslands in the mountain regions of central Spain and much of southern Portugal.

Lavandula stoechas, the Spanish lavender or topped lavender is naturally in several Mediterranean countries, including France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece. Like other lavenders, it is associated with hot, dry, sunny conditions in alkaline soils. Lavandula stoechas is used commercially in air fresheners and insecticides. Flower spikes have been used internally for headaches, irritability, feverish colds and nausea, and externally for wounds, rheumatic pain and as an insect repellent. The lavender also produces essential oils, which are not used economically. The infusion of its dry inflorescences are febrifuge and fight the affections of the chest and bronchi. It is used as antiseptic, digestive, antispasmodic, healing and antibacterial. The flowers are used in aromatherapy, to prepare infusions and essential oils. Since its introduction into Australia, it has become an invasive species, widely distributed within the continent. It has been declared a noxious weed in Victoria since 1920. It also is regarded as a weed in parts of Spain.

Barrocal flowers

Barrocal landscape.

Digitalis purpurea (foxglove, common foxglove, purple foxglove or lady's glove) is a species of flowering plant in the plantain family Plantaginaceae, native to and widespread throughout most of temperate Europe. It is also naturalised in parts of North America and some other temperate regions. The plants are well known as the original source of the heart medicine digoxin (also called digitalis or digitalin).

Cork oak trees harvested

Paeonia broteri is a perennial, herbaceous species of peony. It is an endemic species of Spain and Portugal. Its common name in Portugal is rosa-albardeira

Barrocal landscape. with cork oaks. Before the plantation of cork oaks had moved to the north into the Alentejo, the Barrocal area was also an important centre of cork production.

Bee Orchid, Ophrys Apifera (?)

House ruin