Sardinia is a large island located in the Mediterranean Sea and is known for its diverse flora and fauna.
There are many shrubs that are native to Sardinia and the Mediterranean region, and some of the most common ones include:
- Lentisk (Pistacia lentiscus): This evergreen shrub or small tree is widespread in the Mediterranean region and is particularly common in Sardinia. It has glossy green leaves, small flowers, and red berries that are used to produce mastic gum.
- Cistus (Cistus spp.): This genus of shrubs is also common in the Mediterranean region, including Sardinia. They have pink or white flowers and are adapted to dry, rocky environments.
- Rockrose (Helianthemum spp.): Another genus of shrubs that is common in the Mediterranean region, including Sardinia. They have yellow, orange, or pink flowers and are often found in rocky, sunny habitats.
- Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): This aromatic shrub is native to the Mediterranean region and is commonly used in cooking. It has small, blue flowers and needle-like leaves.
- Myrtle (Myrtus communis): This shrub or small tree is native to the Mediterranean region, including Sardinia. It has glossy, dark green leaves and white flowers that are followed by blue-black berries.
These are just a few examples of the many Mediterranean shrubs that are native to Sardinia and the Mediterranean region.
Is Mediterranean Shrub the same as Mediterranean Maquis?
Not exactly. Maquis and shrub refer to two different things, although they are related.
Maquis is a type of vegetation found in Mediterranean regions that is characterized by a dense growth of small, evergreen shrubs and bushes. The term maquis is derived from the French word for thicket or brushwood, and it typically includes plants such as myrtle, heather, and wild olive.
Shrub, on the other hand, is a general term that refers to a woody plant with multiple stems, usually less than 5 meters tall. Shrubs can include a variety of different plant species, and they can be found in a wide range of ecosystems, not just in Mediterranean regions.
So while maquis includes a dense growth of shrubs, it is more specific to the Mediterranean region and includes certain plant species, whereas shrub is a more general term that can refer to a variety of woody plant species found in different ecosystems.