Hazel, Corylus avellana
Abundant plant in the Port which occupies the wettest areas of the middle and high lying parts of the massif.
Large shrub or small tree which naturally grows abundant branches from the base.
Grown to make the most of its fruit, the hazelnut, very rich in proteins.
Its long and smooth branches have been used in the manufacture of baskets and other agricultural utensils. Its oil has also cosmetic and industrial uses. The divining rod is usually made of wild hazel and it is said that the branch must have the shape of a fork and be cut any day of June.
Box, Buxus sempervirens
Abundant all over the mountains, but difficult to find below 500 m.
Shrub or small tree with dense foliage and which can present different colors (green, brown, reddish) depending on the degree of dryness of the land.
Its wood, heavy and hard, has always been used for the making of handmade utensils: spoons, spindles, shakers, boxes, etc.
It has medicinal properties, but it is not recommended because of its toxicity.
Agave, Agave americana
Plant of American origin, naturalized almost all over the Mediterranean.
Huge monocarpic plant (just a single bloom in its life) which can reach 8-10 m during blossom time.
It provides fibres to make strings and some rough weave.
It has been used in gardening as a plant for rockeries.
The juice of the leaves is considered to have emollient properties (to reduce inflammation).
In Mexico, the country of origin, some drinks are processed from the juice of the leaves.
Wild Tobacco, Nicotiana glauca
Usually found in the warmest parts of the territory.
Little shrub with few branches up to 3 m. Naturalized species of South American origin which thrives very well throughout the Mediterranean coast.
It seems that at some point it was used in gardening.
This plant contains alkaloids such as nicotine, which makes it potentially dangerous. It has been used as an insecticide.
Orange Tree, Citrus aurantium
Grown in most low lying parts or in valleys facing the sea.
Small multi-branch tree with some occasional thorns and with smooth and dark-green bark. It does not usually withstand temperatures lower than 3 or 4 degrees below 0° C.
It is one of the most popular fruit consumed in our region. It is noted for its high content of vitamin C. In medicine it is mostly used as a soothing plant (leaves and flowers) and in cases of vitamin C deficiency.
It provides many important bases for perfumery (neroli, orange blossom, petitgrain, etc.)
Its wood has a high calorie content.
Canary Palm, Phoenix canariensis
Grown in the warmest parts of the territory.
This is the palm which is often grown as an ornamental plant. Currently it is suffering from the red weevil plague which is killing a good number of specimens all over the territory.
Used as an ornamental plant.
In Elx (Alicante) there is a palm tree industry where small and big palms are produced for Palm Sunday. They also manufacture baskets, mats and other household objects.
Olive, Olea europaea
All over the plain and in most low lying parts of the Port.
Very long-lived tree grown in our region since ancient times to make the most of the oil, which is extracted from its fruits, the olives.
Olive oil is the basis of the Mediterranean diet. Leaves are also used as medicine to lower blood pressure. Its wood, of extreme hardness, has been traditionally used to make household and decorative utensils.
Crack Willow, Salix fragilis
Close to water springs of medium and high lying parts of the Port Mountains.
Multi-branch tree with rather long and thin branches (twigs) and with a shiny and smooth surface.
Twigs are essential in basket making, provide raw material for making baskets and other agricultural tools. The bark of these plants is rich in salicin, the precursory substance of the aspirin.
Oleander, Nerium oleander
Usually found all over the course of all ravines which descend from the Port.
Shrub or small and multi-branch tree which gives in summer a touch of colour to all ravines which descend from the Port.
It is a toxic plant. Although the containing glycosides have cardiotonic properties, it can only be administered in pharmacological amounts. This substance has also been used as an insecticide and rodenticide.
Also it is used in gardening.