DATE PALM (Phoenix dactylifera)
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CLASIFICATION
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CHARACTERISTICS OR FEATURES
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A palm with a unique trunk or very branched in his base, more than 30 m tall and 20 to 50 cm of diameter.
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Fruit: the date. Oval shape from 3 to 9 cm. Orange in colour that changes to dark Brown-red when it ripes. It´s got fleshy pulp and sweet flavour.
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The date has traditionally been an important source of food. It is believed that it´s originally from the Arabian Gulf.
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The Moors introduced this plant into Spain in the 8th century.
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HABITAT
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The palm needs an average temperature, higher than 18ºC from May to October. However, it requires an average of 30ºC for the optimum date ripening conditions.
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No tolerate winter frost, so it´s mainly cultivate in coastal areas.
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NATURAL PARKS
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THE ELCHE´S PALMERAL
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HOLM OAK (Quercus ilex)
HOLM OAK/HOLLY OAK
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ACORN /OAK NUT
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CLASIFICATION
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Tree
Fagaceae family
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CHARACTERISTICS OR FEATURES
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Medium- sized tree. It’s 16 to 25 meters tall.
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In its wild habitat it’s got oval top at the beginning and round-plane top later.
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Evergreen leaves.
The leaves are dark green above and pale whitish-grey with dense short hair below.
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Lower branches are spiny (as protection of grazing animals).
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Fruit: acorn or oak nut. It matures in about 6 months.
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Wildlife which eat acorns as an important part of their diets: pigeons, woodpeckers, ducks, mice, squirrels, pigs, deer…
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PLAGUES AND DISEASES
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The first cause of death is “seca de la encina” (Holm Oak dry). Leaves turn yellow and fall down.
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The worst enemy is the butterfly Tortix viridana.
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HABITAT
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Holm Oak grows in pure stands or mixed forest in relatively arid climates.
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NATURAL PARK
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FONT ROTJA AND SIERRA MARIOLA
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LAVANDER (Lavandula officinalis)
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CLASIFICATION
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PLant
Lamiaceae family
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CHARACTERISTICS OR FEATURES
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A kind with about 30 species.
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It´s a bush of woody stems, branches of elongated spikes and purple flowers that detach an intense and fresh aroma.
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Inside his components they emphasize principally the “lanilol”, which has energetic properties and the tannins, which is useful as antiseptic, healing, antirust and skin protector.
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Bushes of evergreen leaf.
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Flowering time: March to June. Its harvest is in July and August.
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HABITAT
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It grows in dry hillsides exposed to the Sun, calcareous soils covered of bushes in clayey lands and stony areas.
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NATURAL PARK
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SIERRA MARIOLA and FONT ROTJA
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THYME (Thymusvulgaris)
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CLASIFICATION
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PLant
Lamiaceae family
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CHARACTERISTICS OR FEATURES
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A kind with about 1500 species
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It´s 15-30 cm tall
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Its leaves you give birth opposite, with coiled and hair edges.
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Bushes of evergreen leaves.
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It has tiny blue flowers grouped in small bunches.
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It has medicinal properties.
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Flowering time: March to June. Its harvest is in summer.
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HABITAT
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It grows in dry hillsides exposed to the Sun, calcareous soils covered of bushes in clayey lands and stony areas.
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NATURAL PARK
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SIERRA MARIOLA and FONT ROTJA
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