Cork oak and common smilax

At this point, to the left of the route an old cork oak (Quercus suber) sinks its roots into the sandy ground. From the family of the Fagaceae, cork oaks, which originated in the western Mediterranean, create a thick bark to protect themselves from fires.

This oak with its trunk divided in two has deep cracks in its bark, which is covered with mosses and lichens of all colours. A creeping plant with heart shaped leaves hangs from its branches. This is the common smilax or rough bindweed (Smilax aspera). Its fruit, arranged in bunches, have a striking red colour in the winiter.