The long-awaited Field Guide to the Wildflowers of the Algarve was launched on April 5 at Quinta da Figueirinha, near Silves. Organised by the Algarve branch of the newly-formed Mediterranean Gardening Association for Portugal, the launch was attended by both authors, Simon Hiscock and Chris Thorogood, who are here with a study group of students from Bristol University for their annual botany field trip to the west coast of Portugal.
Via these study trips over the past 15 years, students have contributed to the enormous amount of work and research required to produce this invaluable resource dedicated to the wildflowers of this region.
Simon and Chris acknowledged their gratitude to the inspiring work of the late Peter Placito, who had introduced them to the flora and natural history of the Algarve when they were students at Oxford.
The event resulted in the sell-out of all the books available, but a new batch has been ordered and copies can be obtained through the new Mediterranean Gardening Association by contacting the secretary Rosie Peddle at [email protected]
By SUE PARKER
