PlantsMap

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10 plants worth knowing

Morocco

Morocco combines Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines, the Rif and Atlas ranges and Saharan deserts in the south. Cedar and oak forests grow in the mountains, maquis and arar scrub on the lower slopes, and in the south-west unique argan forests that grow wild almost nowhere else.

Hover over a plant to see on the map where it grows.

where it grows

  1. Argan 1

    tree

    Argan

    Sideroxylon spinosum

    A thorny tree of south-western Morocco whose seeds Berber women have pressed for centuries to make precious argan oil.
  2. Atlas cedar 2

    tree

    Atlas cedar

    Cedrus atlantica

    The majestic cedar of the Middle Atlas – wild Barbary macaques live in its forests near Ifrane and Azrou.
  3. Arar 3

    tree

    Arar

    Tetraclinis articulata

    A conifer whose root burls are turned by the craftsmen of Essaouira into famous, gleaming boxes of thuya wood.
  4. Saffron crocus 4

    crop

    Saffron crocus

    Crocus sativus

    The world’s most expensive spice – around Taliouine, saffron flowers are picked by hand at dawn every autumn.
  5. Damask rose 5

    shrub

    Damask rose

    Rosa × damascena

    Every May the Valley of Roses near Kelaat M’Gouna celebrates the harvest of the petals, which are distilled into rose water and rose oil.
  6. Olive 6

    tree

    Olive

    Olea europaea

    The olive is Morocco’s most important fruit tree – groves stretch from the Saïs plain to Marrakesh, and cured olives are on every table.
  7. Date palm 7

    palm

    Date palm

    Phoenix dactylifera

    Millions of date palms grow in the oases of the Draa valley and the Tafilalt – home of the famous Medjool variety.
  8. Spearmint 8

    perennial

    Spearmint

    Mentha spicata

    There is no Moroccan tea without fresh mint – a sweet brew of green tea and a handful of leaves is a symbol of hospitality.
  9. Prickly pear 9

    cactus

    Prickly pear

    Opuntia ficus-indica

    Prickly pears ring Morocco’s villages and fields, and their sweet fruit, sold from street carts in summer, is a seasonal treat.
  10. European fan palm 10

    palm

    European fan palm

    Chamaerops humilis

    The dwarf doum palm covers Morocco’s dry slopes and wasteland – its leaves are woven into baskets, mats and hats.