Region

Flora and Fauna

The Alentejo has a unique flora and fauna. An eye-catching and fragrant bush is the Cistus rose with in the centre 5 dark red spots. The Portuguese therefore call it the 'five wounds of Christ'. Other common types of plants are: rosemary, thyme, lavender, the jagged Century Plant (Americana agave) and the Giant Agave. Because of the mild, pleasant climate the almond trees as well as the mimosa already start to bloom in January. In April you can see fields of waving poppies. During springtime the Hardy Ice Plant and the Hottentot Fig, two special succulents with bright yellow and purple flowers, dominate the dunes.
Very striking are the many storks that migrate to Africa for the winter every year and than return to Portugal in February. Especially in the middle and eastern part of the province, near the town of Ourique, you can see numerous telephone poles along the roads with stork's nests on top. They also nest on the coast, just like the cormorants, different species of falcons, the rock pigeon and eagles like the Bonnelli eagle and the booted eagle. Other birds to be spotted frequently are: the bee-eater and the Flemish jay with its striking blue wings, the hoopoe and the cuckoo.