Native plants
Native plants in Portugal
Arbutus unedo
Commonly known as the Strawberry Tree.
Drought resistant, frost resistant, shade tolerant and salt tolerant. Lower production of fruit mass during summer droughts,
The flowers are a significant source of nectar and pollen for bees, while the fruits are food for the birds.
Salt tolerance, coupled with it being an evergreen, make it a good choice for wind barriers in lands close to the sea.
Fire resistant (can regrow after a fire)
Offers shelter for insects and small animals during the winter.
The wood is quite hard and well suited for firewood.
Myrtus communis
The plant is an evergreen shrub or small tree, growing to 5 meters (16 ft) tall. The leaf is entire, 3–5 cm long, with fragrant essential oil.
The star-like flower has five petals and sepals, and numerous stamens.
The flower is pollinated by insects.
The fruit is a round berry containing several seeds, most common blue-black in colour.
The seeds are dispersed by birds that eat the berries.
Myrtus communis is used in the islands of Sardinia and Corsica to produce an aromatic liqueur called Mirto.
Pistacia lentiscus
A shrub or dioecious tree, with separate male and female plants
Evergreen from 1 to 5 m high
It resists heavy frosts and grows on all types of soils
Serves as protection and food for birds and other fauna in this ecosystem
Used as a medicine for gastrointestinal ailments for several thousand years.
Mastic oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties, and as such is widely used in the preparation of ointments for skin disorders
