Almond, Amygdalus communis
All over the plain and in most low lying parts of the Port.
Tree grown to make the most of its fruits, the almonds.
The most important is the nutritional use. Almonds are used both in confectionary and as a nut. It is an important source of protein. The oil extracted from the almonds has a great importance in cosmetics and the pharmaceutical industry.
Carob, Ceratonia siliqua
All over the plain and in most low lying parts of the Port.
Large tree of reddish wood grown to make the most of its fruit, the carob.
Carob has been mainly used for livestock feed. The carob bean gum, a substance extracted from the seeds is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry and dietetics. It had a great importance as human food after the Spanish Civil War. The wood is also used in the lathe industry and in craftsmanship.
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.
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.
Bearded Iris, Iris germanica
It is thought to be naturalized in dry meadows.
Vigorous plant which is becoming perennial. It is reproduced from the growth of its thick rhizome.
Highly used in gardening because of its easy culture and its spectacular bloom.
Formerly used as a medicinal plant. The powder extracted from rhizomes is used in perfumery as a fixative of perfumes.
European Fan Palm, Chamaerops humilis
In the Port, in ravines facing the sea can even reach the 1,000 m height. In the plain it disappears in the deepest parts.
The only native European palm. Oldest specimens can reach a great height. Fan-shaped leaves with prickly rachis.
In our land there is a great tradition of its use in basket making. It is also considered a plant with astringent properties. In gardening it is used in the formation of rocks and xerophile gardens.
Tamarix, Tamarix sp
In the plain or grown in the Port. The nearest wild population can be found in the Delta.
Small tree or multi-branch shrub with very long and thin branches. Very pleasing when blooming, that’s why it is grown as a garden plant.
It is used in gardening because of its beautiful spring bloom.
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.