Walking around southern Portugal, it’s hard not to notice the plants. Flowers spill over walls, fruit trees grow in small gardens, and familiar Mediterranean shrubs appear along sidewalks and fields. Some plants are cultivated, others grow wild, but together they shape the landscape and seasons of the Algarve and neighboring Alentejo.
Below are some of the plants and trees I’ve noticed growing around us in this part of Portugal.
Arbustos e Árvores (shrubs & trees)
The Algarve’s warm climate supports a mix of native Mediterranean shrubs and long-lived trees. Some, like the cork oak and olive tree, have shaped the landscape for centuries, while others are planted in gardens and along streets for shade and beauty.
Tojo Molar
Calicotome villosa is hairy thorny broom seen throughout Portugal and sometimes simply called espinheiro (thorn bush).
Photographed growing alongside Cascata Do Pomarinho, near Santo Estevão. March 2026.
Buganvília
Buganvília (Bougainvillea) is known for its colorful, paper-like bracts. In Portugal it is sometimes called flor-de-papel (“paper flower”). It commonly decorates walls and streets in warm regions like the Algarve.
Seen in Centro Histórico de Tavira. Aug 2024.
Olaia
Olaia (Cercis siliquastrum), also known as the Judas tree, is native to southern Europe and western Asia. In spring it bursts into clusters of deep pink blossoms.
Growing near our apartment in Tavira. March 2026
Oliveira
Olive trees (Olea europaea) have shaped Portugal’s landscape for thousands of years. They produce olives in autumn that are cured for eating or pressed into olive oil.
Photographed in the Santa Rita area, inland from Vila Nova de Cacela. March 2026.
Amendoeira
Amendoeira (Prunus dulcis), the almond tree, is very common in the Algarve. It pink & white blooms can be seen on the countryside around February. Almond trees were introduced to the region by the Moors between the 8th and 12th centuries.
Growing on José & Natalina’s farm. Feb 2025.
Sobreiros
The cork oak is the national tree of Portugal. Common in the Alentejo and Algarve. Because of its cultural and ecological importance, cork oaks are protected by law.
Discovered near Alcaria de Cume in April 2025.
Magnólia-de-Soulange
The Magnolia soulangeana is commonly known as a Saucer Magnolia. It was created in France in the 1820s by Chevalier Soulange-Bodin, crossing M. denudata and M. liliiflora
Blooming in Lagoa. February 2026.
Flores (Flowers)
Wildflowers appear throughout the countryside in spring, often growing in fields, roadsides, and open spaces. Many are small and easy to miss, but together they add bursts of color across the landscape.
Maios-pequenos
Maios-pequenos are small may flowers (Moraea sisyrinchium ) native to southern Europe. This flower was tiny, much smaller than an iris.
Found alongside Cascata Do Pomarinho, near Santo Estevão. March 2026.
Pervinca
Pervinca is commonly called the periwinkle. This one is the Vinca difformis and is native to Portugal.
Growing in north part of Tavira intertwining with clovers along the edges of farm lands. March 2026.
Flor-do-Vento
I hope this is a Wind Lily (Zephyranthes candida) just because I love the name.
Blooming in north part of Tavira along farm lands. March 2026.
Tremocilha
The Yellow Lupine (Lupinus luteus) is native to the Mediterranean region. Its tall spikes of yellow flowers appear in spring.
A pop of color near Alcaria de Cume in April 2025.
Pipe Vine
Andalusian Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia baetica) is a native perennial common in the Algarve. It is a poisonous climbing vine with heart-shaped leaves.
Winding along a fence line in north part of Tavira along farm lands. March 2026.
Abrótea de Primavera
Abrótea de Primavera is commonly used to describe several related species, but this one is likely Asphodelus lusitanicus. Native to the Iberian Peninsula, it produces tall stems of delicate star-shaped flowers in spring.
Pictured in the Santa Rita area, inland from Vila Nova de Cacela. March 2026.
Orquídea Piramidal
The pyramidal orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis) is a striking wild orchid with dense clusters of bright pink flowers forming a pyramid-shaped spike. In Portugal can often be found in sunny meadows and open countryside.
Happily blooming on a trail near Sete Vales Suspensos in Lagoa. April 2025.
Papoila
The common poppy (Papaver rhoeas), known in European Portuguese as papoila, is native to Europe and grows abundantly in fields and disturbed ground. Its bright red flowers are a familiar spring sight across the countryside, especially in agricultural areas.
Sitting pretty in the Santa Rita area, inland from Vila Nova de Cacela. March 2026.
Cardinho das Almorreinas
Cardinho das Almorreinas (Centaurea pullata) is a small thistle-like wildflower native to the Mediterranean region. Its delicate purple blooms appear in spring and are commonly found in dry fields across southern Portugal.
Pictured in the Santa Rita area, inland from Vila Nova de Cacela. March 2026.
Borragem
Borragem (Borago officinalis) is an herb known for its distinctive star-shaped, sky-blue flowers. Native to the Mediterranean region, it is sometimes referred to as borracha or borragem-bastarda in broader Portuguese-speaking contexts.
Blooming in the north part of Tavira along farm lands. March 2026.
Moinhos da Rocha
Moinhos da Rocha may refer to wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum), a common Mediterranean wildflower growing easily in fields and roadsides in spring.
Found in the north part of Tavira along farm lands. March 2026.
Roselha Branca
Roselha branca (Cistus ladanifer), often called white rockrose, is a flowering shrub common in southern Portugal, especially in the Alentejo and Algarve.
Swaying in the breeze near Alcaria de Cume in April 2025.
Fruta
Fruit trees are common in southern Portugal, growing in gardens, orchards, and sometimes along quiet roads. The region’s sunny climate is ideal for citrus, figs, almonds, and other fruits that have been cultivated here for generations.
Uvas (Grapes)
Castelão is a red grape variety (Vitis vinifera) found predominantly in southern Portugal. It is widely grown in regions such as the Algarve and Alentejo and is commonly used in Portuguese red wines.
Growing on José & Natalina’s farm. August 2024.
Figueira
Figueira (Ficus carica), the fig tree, is a classic Mediterranean plant commonly found in gardens and countryside across southern Portugal. It can grow as a small tree or a spreading bush and produces sweet figs in late summer.
Hanging out beside a footpath in Mértola in September 2025.
Limoeiro
Often the Lisbon lemon variety, is grown in gardens and orchards across the Algarve. It produces fragrant white blossoms and bright yellow fruit used widely in cooking and drinks.
Growing in Quinta da Barra Tavira. March 2026.
Laranjeira
The sweet orange tree, is widely grown across the Algarve. The region is known for its flavorful oranges, which thrive in the warm Mediterranean climate and ripen during the winter months.
Seen in Centro Histórico de Tavira December 2024.
Nespereira
The loquat tree (Eriobotrya japonica) is commonly grown in gardens across southern Portugal. It produces clusters of small orange fruit in spring, with a sweet, slightly tangy flavor.
Photographed in north Tavira. March 2026.
Papaia
The papaya plant (Carica papaya) is produces large, sweet tropical fruit that grow directly along the trunk and ripen to orange flesh.
Growing on José & Natalina’s farm. November 2024.
Damasqueiro
The apricot tree (Prunus armeniaca) is sometimes grown in gardens and orchards in southern Portugal. It produces fragrant spring blossoms followed by soft orange fruit that ripen in early summer.
Growing on José & Natalina’s farm. August 2025.
Not Blooming
Not everything hanging from a tree actually grows there. It’s not unusual to see decorations or handmade pieces placed in branches—like crocheted flowers or other colorful additions that brighten public spaces.
What the Duck
This duck was impaled by a branch but remains strong!
Brought a smile on Rota da Costa Atlântica between Cabanas and Tavira. May 2025.
Not a Almond Blossom
Não é uma flor de amendoeira. This is not a almond blossom but rather an artistic interpretation of one. Made with felt and crocheted yarn.
On display in Alta Mora (perto do festival das amêndoas). March 2026.
Not a Almond Blossom
Não é uma flor de amendoeira. Also not an almond blossom, someone is having a lot of fun making flowers to put on trees.
Discovered in Alta Mora (perto do festival das amêndoas). March 2026.
Not a Almond Blossom
Getting more creative, these flores de amendoeira are made out of bottle caps.
Hanging out in Alta Mora (perto do festival das amêndoas). March 2026.
Growing
This list is just a small sampling of what grows across southern Portugal. Some plants are native to the region, others were introduced long ago, and a few are simply decorative. Together they form part of the everyday landscape of life in the Algarve and Alentejo.
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