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Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands

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IntroductionIntroduction

General presentationGeneral presentation
Natural parks Albufera and Cabrera Mallorca are protected areas.

HerbaceousHerbaceous

The flora of the Balearic Islands consists of about 1500 species, of which about 150 are endemic (the subspecific level). Their habitats are concentrated in the coastal rocks and cliffs, in the scrub and woodland, endemic species are rare.

Among the endemic plants are: the sabline with large flowers (Arenaria grandiflora ssp. glabrescens), the globular of Cambessedes (Globularia cambessedesii Willk.), St. John’s wort Islands (Hypericum balearicum), foxglove (Digitalis minor), the eyelet cliffs (Dianthus rupicola subsp. bocchoriana), a broom (Genista dorycnifolia), a crocus (Crocus cambessedesii), a trefoil (Lotus tetraphyllus), the cleft crane Corsica (Erodium reichardii) peony Mallorca (Paeonia cambessedesii Willk.).

From March to June 1825, the French botanist Jacques Cambessedes (1799-1863) explored the Balearic Islands and drew up the first floristic inventory. Several plant species bear his name.

In the scrub, tall heather and a wealth of wild flowers (hyacinths, violets, gladioli, et cetera) dot the landscape of Mallorca.

Wild asparagus (Asparagus albus)Hibiscus Rose of China (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)Dwarf palm (Chamaerops humilis)
Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Wild asparagus (Asparagus albus), Castle Santueri (author Frank Vincentz). Click to enlarge the image.Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Hibiscus Rose of China (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis). Click to enlarge the image.Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Palmetto (Chamaerops humilis) in Cala Mesquida (author Olaf Tausch). Click to enlarge the image.
Sea squill, maritime squill (Drimia maritima, Urginea maritima)Spanish dagger (Yucca gloriosa)
Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - maritime squill (Drimia maritima). Click to enlarge the image.Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - maritime squill (Drimia maritima). Click to enlarge the image.Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Yucca glitzy (Yucca gloriosa) at the shrine of Cura. Click to enlarge the image.
Purple samphire (Salicornia ramosissima)
Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Purple Salicornia (Salicornia ramosissima) to Mondragó. Click to enlarge the image.

TreesTrees

Among the most common trees in Mallorca, we find the Aleppo pine, holm oak and evergreen carob. Saw palmetto is found only in the regions of Pollença, of Alcùdia and Andratx. The citrus groves and orange concentrate around Sóller.
Almond (Prunus dulcis)Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) (arbocer / madroño)
Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - almond crops in the plains of Palma. Click to enlarge the image.Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo). Click to enlarge the image.Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo). Click to enlarge the image.
Carob (Ceratonia siliqua)
Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Fruits carob Bunyola. Click to enlarge the image.Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Leaves carob Bunyola. Click to enlarge the image.
Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Carob Bunyola. Click to enlarge the image.Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Caroubiers Bunyola. Click to enlarge the image.
Common cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)Cypress (Cupressus sp.)Pomegranate (Punica granatum)
Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Cypress. Click to enlarge the image.Cypress Pollentia Alcúdia. Click to enlarge the image.Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Grenadier Bunyola. Click to enlarge the image.
Pistachio mastic (Pistacia lentiscus)Tree to be identifiedTree to be identified
Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Pistachio mastic (Pistacia lentiscus). Click to enlarge the image.Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Tree identification. Click to enlarge the image.Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Shrub near Almudaina. Click to enlarge the image.

InsectsInsects and Arachnids

Anax saddle rack (Anax ephippiger)
Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Anax saddle rack (Anax ephippiger) to Albufera. Click to enlarge the image.Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Anax saddle rack (Anax ephippiger) to Albufera. Click to enlarge the image in Adobe Stock (new tab).
Garden spider (Araneus diadematus)
Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Epeira tiara (Araneus diadematus) to Albufera. Click to enlarge the image.Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Epeira tiara (Araneus diadematus) to Albufera. Click to enlarge the image.Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Epeira tiara (Araneus diadematus) to Albufera. Click to enlarge the image.
Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) (papallona reina)
Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio machaon) in Bonany. Click to enlarge the image.Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio machaon) in Bonany. Click to enlarge the image.Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio machaon) in Bonany. Click to enlarge the image.
Speckled (Pararge aegeria)
Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Speckled (Pararge aegeria) to Albufera. Click to enlarge the image.Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Speckled (Pararge aegeria) to Albufera. Click to enlarge the image.

MolluscsMolluscs

FowlFowl

Birds of prey, such as ospreys, kestrels, and rare black vultures, inhabit the mountains of north-west Majorca. In summer, migratory birds flock to the marshes.
Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) (agró blanc / garceta común)
Elegant bird with long legs, a long neck and a long beak, which are used to hunt and pursue prey. It is always seen in wetlands and stretches of coastline that contain a lot of small fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) to Albufera. Click to enlarge the image.Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) to Albufera. Click to enlarge the image.Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) to Albufera. Click to enlarge the image.
Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) (avisador / cigüeñuela común)
Elegant and very noisy bird, relentlessly patrolling the shallow waters of marshes and brackish ponds. Quite common in spring and summer and often during the rest of the year.
Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) to Albufera. Click to enlarge the image.Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) to Albufera. Click to enlarge the image.Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) to Albufera. Click to enlarge the image.
Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) (camaverda / archibebe claro)Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala) (busqueret capnegre / curruca cabecinegra)
This is one of the most common species that can be seen in the scrubland and pine forests, where you can hear the distinctive cry throughout the year. It may have two broods each year, usually formed by three or four young.
Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Knights barkers (Tringa nebularia) to Albufera. Click to enlarge the image.Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Sardinian Warbler in the finca Raixa. Click to enlarge the image.
Crested Coot, Crested Coot (Fulica cristata) (fotja banyuda / focha cornuda)
Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Red-knobbed Coot (Fulica cristata) to Albufera. Click to enlarge the image.Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Red-knobbed Coot (Fulica cristata) to Albufera. Click to enlarge the image.Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Red-knobbed Coot (Fulica cristata) to Albufera. Click to enlarge the image.
Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) (papamosques / papamoscas gris)Backed Gull (Larus fuscus)
Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands. Click to enlarge the image.Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands. Click to enlarge the image.Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - backed Gull. Click to enlarge the image.

FishesFishes

ReptilesReptiles

Balearic lizard (Podarcis lilfordi)
Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Balearic lizard (Podarcis lilfordi). Click to enlarge the image.Flora and fauna of the Balearic Islands - Balearic lizard (Podarcis lilfordi). Click to enlarge the image.

MammalsMammals

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