the beach is also sometimes referred to locally as "praia dos três penecos" ("beach of triple rocks"). this because of the location of three large isolated rock formations which dominate the line of the horizon from the beach. the tops of the formations are dotted with plants resistant to salt spray, such as wormleaf saltwort and rock samphire, which survive and grow on the rocks because the tops are well above the high tide level. above the small beach, the cliff tops are populated by pine trees and examples of the dwarf fan palms, the only palm native to europe.