Knowing what scratches: woody plants common to macchia vegetation

The word macchia refers to the mixed shrublands with sclerophyllous vegetation typically found throughout the Mediterranean region. Macchia is the result of intensive utilization which has destroyed the primeval forests. Talking a walk through the macchia is usually a fairly thorny, scratchy affair, as many of the woody plants are covered with prickly spines or thorns. The lower form of macchia vegetation, which rarely grows above 2 m in height, is known as garrigue. Typical macchia plants are described below.

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  Holm Oak, Holly Oak, Evergreen Oak (Quercus ilex)

  The Holm Oak is an evergreen tree with tough, leathery leaves similar to holly

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  Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo)

  The Strawberry Tree is an evergreen shrub with decorative, edible fruits and attractive flower panicles. Flowers and fruits appear at the same time.

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  Mastic (Pistacia lentiscus)

  The Mastic is a shrub or tree with a dense network of branches. Its bark produces mastic resin, which is not only used for medicinal purposes, but also to flavour wine (retsina) or schnaps. Mastic resin is produced on the island Chios in particular.

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  Italian Buckthorn (Rhamnus alaternus)

  The Italian Buckthorn is a small, robust shrub with mildly poisonous berries.

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  Butcher's Broom (Ruscus aculeatus)

  The Butcher's Broom is a small shrub with shoots that look like leaves. Its berries contain saponine. Drugs based on Butcher's Broom are used to treat muscular cramps in the calf muscles, varicose veins and haemorrhoids.

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  Common Myrtle (Myrtus communis)

  The Common Myrtle is a bushy shrub with aromatically fragrant white flowers.

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  False Olive (Phillyrea angustifolia)

  Small tree or shrub commonly found in macchia vegetation.

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  Green Olive (Phillyrea latifolia)

  Evergreen tree with a dense crown commonly found in macchia vegetation.

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  Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

  Dwarf shrub with attractive flowers, aromatic smell, slightly bitter taste. The leaves are used for culinary purposes.

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  Prickly Juniper, Cade Juniper, Prickly Cedar (Juniperus oxycedrus)

  The Prickly Juniper or Prickly Cedar, as it is also known, is a typical macchia shrub.

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  Phoenician Juniper (Juniperus phoenicea)

  The Phoenician Juniper is an evergreen shrub or tree found in macchia vegetation, often with a low-lying stem.

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  Sea Grape (Coccoloba uvifera)

  The Sea Grape grows predominantly on beaches and dunes as it is highly tolerant of the salty sea spray.