Flora

The multitude of habitats also supports remarkably diverse vegetation representative of the Mediterranean ecosystem. Oak groves and pine forests thrive, while the invasive mimosa is closely monitored to prevent its proliferation.

The region’s major indigenous trees are the maritime pine and the cork oak, the former being more abundant than the latter.

Cork oaks
This tree is the symbol of the Mediterranean. Its rugged bark can reach 25 cm in thickness. Harvested in the summer, the cork is used for wine bottle stoppers and thermal insulation for space rockets and space shuttles.

Pine forests :
Several pine tree species are spread over the massif such as Maritime pines, Aleppo pines, Umbrella pines or stone pines. More inland, you will find Lebanon cedars. Let’s not forget to mention the Mediterranean Cypress or the Arizona Cypress that can be observed at the “Lieu-dit Pinatelette”.

The area also boasts all sorts of heather plants such as the common heather plant, hairy greenweed, whin bushes, and other evergreen bushes. You will also see strawberry trees as well as myrtles, symbolic of love. More than 50 species of mimosa have spread over the entire zone.

Strawberry tree
This tree has the unique characteristic of blossoming and giving fruits at the same time (October/November). The fruit called “arbouses” are used to make jams and liquors.

Oak groves :
Cork oak trees form different types of groves. Other indigenous species include the Sessile oak, chestnut trees, wild olive trees, service trees, pistachio trees, Judas trees and wild cherry trees. The undergrowth will reveal a variety of low evergreen bushes such as the Butcher’s Broom, dog roses, wild madders, junipers. Plants producing exotic oils and fragrances have been introduced into the massif (particularly with the arrival of the Harkis in 1962): the robinia plant, the eucalyptus globules, fruit trees, exotic plants, bamboos and moss.