Trees and Shrubs of Spain

 Spanish fir/Pinsapo, (Abies pinsapo)

Related links: Trees of Andalucía

The Spanish fir Pinsapo (Abies pinsapo) is a species of fir native to southern Spain and northern Morocco. Related to other species of Mediterranean firs, it is considered the Andalusian National Tree, and is native to the Andalusian mountains. It appears  in the Sierra de las Nieves by Ronda and Sierra Bermeja , in the province of Malaga and Sierra de Grazalema in the province of Cádiz at altitudes of 900 - 1,800 meters.

Cork Oak tree, Alcornoque (Quercus suber)

The cork oak,  (Alcornoque) is native to the western Mediterranean region, (Spain, , Italy, France, Morocco,Tunisia, Algeria, and including Portugal). The use of the cork has a long history, dating back to the Egyptians, the Greek and the Romans for sealing jars, roofing and making beehives and many other things. In 17th century a French Benedictine monk (Don Pierre Pérignon) was considered responsible for the use of cork as stoppers for bottles to preserve wine, this method is still widely in use today.

The art of harvesting the cork from oak trees is done by skilled local people. The bark is stripped of the stem every 9 - 12 year intervals, when it has reached a thickness of 3 cm, in spring or early summer. 

Rio Hozgaarganta

Nature Park of the cork Oaks (Parque Natural Alcornocales) 

by Jimena de la Frontera, Cádiz province.

Fruit of the Oak tree, Acorns (Bellotas), 

which is the favourite food for the Iberian pigs.

After the cork has been harvest it is collected and very often taken on mule back to the nearest road and thereafter taken by lorry to a collection point (i.e. Jimena de la Frontera) the cork is piled up and laid out to try.

Almond tree/Almendra, (Prunus dulcis)

The first signs of spring in Andalucía are for me, the sweet scented Almond blossoms.  From about the middle of January to the end of February  you will see the white and pink blossoms in many places when driving inland from the Coast. You find them sometimes growing neatly in groves or wild along the road sides and on hills. When you stand still and listen you can hear a humming as many insects, like bees, are feasting on the nectar.

The Almonds (Almendras) play an important culinary role in the Andalusian cuisine. Most of the dishes have their origins  from the Moors. The nuts are not only used in sweet cakes or sweets like Turron but also in many savory dishes. They form a base for many sauces like the Spanish Romesco Sauce. The almonds are also the main ingredient for the White Garlic Soup (Ajo blanco).

Read more: Almond trees by Wikipedia

Chestnut tree, Castaña

Read more: Sweet Chestnut tree/Castaña

The chestnut trees (Castañas) thrive on the hilly slopes and acidic soils of the Serrania de Ronda.

Chestnuts are one of the main incomes for the villages of the Genal valley. 

Not only is the chestnut seed or nut a culinary delight, but also the wood is highly valuable.

The chestnut is not only used for roasting by street vendors. You can find many culinary delights in Andalucía/Spain.

The chestnut harvest is one the main incomes for the villages of the upper Genal valley and between October and November whole families get together for the harvesting.

Genista or Broom

In early spring from February, March on wards, you will find that the country side in Andalusia becomes very colourful. Wild flowers are in bloom everywhere. You can see fields of lilac, blues and yellows. The thorny shrubs suddenly have fragrant flowers. One of them is the Genista with its yellow small flowers.

Reed more: Broom, Genista

Mediterranean Dwarf palm

Mediterranean Dwarf palm, Palmera enana (Chamaerops humilis)

Also called European Fan palm is a shrub like cluster palm and the northernmost naturally occurring palm in the world and the only native one to the Iberian peninsula and the Balearic. It is a very hardy slow growing palm  (2-5m), drought tolerant and can withstand cold temperatures (up to -12ºC of the high elevations of the Sierras of Southern Spain and the Atlas mountains/Morocco), but does prefers hot summers.

The bloom of an dwarf fan palm tree.

Oleander, Adelfa (Nerium oleander)

 

From the end of spring and throughout the summer, you are able to see the pink bloom of the oleander bushes everywhere, near waterways and in ravines.

The flowers have a sweet scent but the plant is highly poisonous.