John and Gerry's    Orchids of Britain and Europe
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Portugal


            Notable species :-

                      Anacamptis coriophora ssp carpetana
                   Anacamptis champagneuxii
                   Anacamptis longicornu
                   Gennaria diphylla
                   Epipactis lusitanica
                   Epipactis tremolsii
                   Ophrys arnoldii
                  
Ophrys bilunulata                      
                   Ophrys dyris                          

                   Ophrys fusca
                   Ophrys incubacea                      
                   Ophrys picta
                   Ophrys scolopax                    
                   Ophrys speculum                 
                   Ophrys vernixia
                   Orchis olbiensis
                   Serapias cordigera
                   Serapias cordigera v gentilli
                  
Serapias elsae
        
           Serapias strictifolia                        
                   Serapias perez-chiscanoi                     


                           Ophrys vernixia

                                           Portugal
                        Serapias cordigera v gentilii
                             Anacamptis longicornu                                    Epipactis lusitanica


Areas of interest

 
* Algarve

Tourist development has taken a heavy toll on the flora and fauna throughout this region of southern Portugal, there are still however pockets of natural landscape to be found along the Barrocal Limestone that stretches in a narrow band from Cape St Vincent in the west to Tavira in the east. The Cape St Vincent National Park is an orchid rich area where the rocky cliff tops and surrounding scrub shelter a good number of species. Other coastal sites such as Cape Sagres, Furnas and Boco do Rio are also of high orchid interest. Further inland orchids can be found in suitable habitat to the north of Bensafrim.
Ophrys fusca, Ophrys lutea, Ophrys speculum, Ophrys picta, Gennaria diphylla, Anacamptis papilionacea ssp papilionacea, Orchis italica, Serapias cordigera.

*
Fonte de Benemola

This is an area of all year round natural springs that lie to the north west of the village of Querenca. It is exceptionally rich in orchids and the visitor should allow him/herself plenty of time to complete a full exploration of this large and protected area. The site boasts an extensive species list that includes many of Portugal's specialties, albeit that some can be rather elusive. Ophrys dyris, Ophrys vernixia, Ophrys speculum, Ophrys bombyliflora, Ophrys picta, Ophrys lutea, Ophrys fusca, Ophrys algarvensis, Ophrys bilunulata, Ophrys scolopax, Ophrys apifera, Epipactis lusitanica, Cephalanthera longifolia, Orchis italica, Serapias strictiflora, Serapias elsae.

+ Ameixial

A town situated on the N2 highway in the very north of the District of Faro. After a kilometer the road northwards from Ameixial runs through lightly forested country with some steep sided grassy road embankments that support a good range of orchid species. Ophrys fusca, Ophrys speculum, Ophrys picta, Epipactis tremolsii, Epipactis lusitanica, Anacamptis picta.

* Casa Branca

This is a village on the N124. The road eastwards between it and Barranco do Velho travels through hilly, wooded country that can be productive for the orchid enthusiast.
Ophrys fusca, Ophrys dyris, Ophrys picta, Epipactis tremolsii, Epipactis lusitanica, Serapias elsae, Serapias strictiflora, Anacamptis  picta.


* Vila do Bispo

As you travel north on the N268 from town you will soon pass on your left, a landscape of sporadic cultivation, scrub and light woodland that stretches from the road to the coast and which is criss crossed by many rough tracks, some leading eventually to beaches. The uncultivated and often damp grassy areas in this district are home to several orchid types and particularly huge numbers ofSerapias species. The area was (perhaps apocryphally) reported to be the site of a colony of Serapias perez-chiscanoi, a species that was never common in southern Portugal and probably now restricted to the mid west. Serapias elsae, Serapias strictiflora, Serapias strictiflora v distenta, Serapias cordigera, Serapias cordigera v gentilii.


* Cachoeiras

This is a village situated to the west of the town of Vila Franca de Xiro in the Tagus valley of central Portugal. On the outskirts of the village, opposite and to the south of the Cemiterio de Cachoiras is a tract of scrub that harbours a good variety of orchids. Ophrys fusca, Ophrys vernixia, scolopax, Ophrys picta, Ophrys speculum, Ophrys tenthredinifera, Anacamptis fragrans, Anacamptis coriophora ssp carpetana, Orchis italica, Serapias parviflora.

* Quartel

This is an area of mountain and foothills to the south of the village of Praganca. A road leads up from the village to the Parque de Merendas and Campground, then onward up to the convent and military buildings at the summit. Orchids can be found throughout the area but particularly at the higher altitudes around the radar

installations. This is a site for the rare and problematic Ophrys tenthredenifera v praecox and also Dachtylorhiza insularis.
Ophrys dyris, Ophrys bombyliflora,  Ophrys fusca, Ophrys scolopax, Ophrys tenthredinifera, Ophrys tenthredinifera v praecox, Anacamptis champagneuxii, Cephalanthera longifolia, Dactylorhiza insularis, Orchis italica, Orchis anthropophora, Orchis olbiensis, Orchis mascula, Serapias elsae.

* Serra de Montejunto

Another mountainous area located a few kilometres north east of Quartel and with a similar flora.
Ophrys dyris, Ophrys bombyliflora,  Ophrys fusca, Ophrys scolopax, Ophrys tenthredinifera, Anacamptis champagneuxii, Cephalanthera longifolia, Dactylorhiza insularis, Orchis italica, Orchis anthropophora, Orchis mascula, Serapias elsae.