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The vegetation of rock and scree habitats in the Serra de Monchique, a mountain range of mid altitude in the hinterland of the Algarve has been studied to see which plant communities grow in relation to substrate, altitude, aspect and micro-relief. The associations are discussed in a West Mediterranean context.The Serra is a humid outpost in Southern Portugal. Rock habitats exist in the central part on syenite, a bedrock material with high base saturation. Weathering results in rock outcrops, poor in fissures, and in consolidated boulders and sandy soils. The central part is surrounded by schist, graywakes and sandstones, offering rock and scree habitats. New associations described are the rock heathland Halimio calycini-Ericetum australis, the Sileno melliferaeRanunculetum bupleuroides on boulders, a Margotia gummifera-Iris xiphium-rock pasture and the Mucizonio hispidae-Cheilanthetum tinaei in shaded fissures. The following associations are first documented for the area: Anogrammo-Umbilicetum rupestris (on humid terrace walls), the Sedo hirsutiPolypodietum cambrici (humid rock surfaces in higher regions), the Asplenio ceterach-Cheilanthetum acrostichae (rock fissures) and the Phagnalo saxatilis-Rumicetum indurati (on screes). Rumex induratus occurs together with Dittrichia revoluta as an apophyte on road embankments and colonizes, with Scrophularia frutescens, riverine gravel.In contrast to rock communities on limestone and dolomite in the Algarve lowland and the hotspot of endemism at Cabo São Vicente, no endemic rock species occur in the Serra de Monchique. The vegetation mosaic on the syenite outcrops however is unique and deserves high priority in nature conservation.

Abstract. In the framework of a revision of Raunkiaer's classification of life forms, a new life form, aerophyte, is proposed for use in vegetation science. Aerophytic plant communities are described based on own observations and those of other authors. An extended system of life forms is proposed.

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