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10 plants worth knowing

Spain

Spain is one of the most botanically diverse countries in Europe: from the humid oak and beech forests of the Atlantic north, through the vast dehesas and dry plateaus of the Meseta, to the semi-deserts of Almería. The Canary Islands add hundreds of endemic species, and the landscape of the south is dominated by endless olive groves.

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

where it grows

  1. Olive 1

    crop

    Olive

    Olea europaea

    Spain is the world’s largest producer of olive oil – Andalusia alone is home to tens of millions of olive trees.
  2. Carnation 2

    flower · Unofficial national flower of Spain

    Carnation

    Dianthus caryophyllus

    A red carnation in a flamenco dancer’s hair is one of the most recognisable symbols of Spain.
  3. Holm oak 3

    tree

    Holm oak

    Quercus ilex

    The encina is the tree of the dehesas – semi-natural savannas where Iberian pigs graze, producing the famous jamón ibérico.
  4. Dragon tree 4

    tree · Plant symbol of Tenerife

    Dragon tree

    Dracaena draco

    The dragon tree of the Canary Islands – its red resin, “dragon’s blood”, was once a prized medicine and dye.
  5. Sweet orange 5

    crop

    Sweet orange

    Citrus × sinensis

    Valencia oranges are known all over Europe, and the streets of Seville are lined with thousands of bitter orange trees.
  6. Grapevine 6

    crop

    Grapevine

    Vitis vinifera

    Spain has the world’s largest area under vines – from Rioja and Ribera del Duero to Jerez, home of the famous sherry.
  7. Cork oak 7

    tree

    Cork oak

    Quercus suber

    Thanks to its dehesas and Los Alcornocales park, Spain is the world’s second-largest producer of natural cork after Portugal.
  8. Saffron crocus 8

    crop

    Saffron crocus

    Crocus sativus

    La Mancha saffron, known as “red gold”, gives paella its colour and aroma, and every autumn Consuegra celebrates its harvest.
  9. Almond 9

    crop

    Almond

    Prunus amygdalus

    Spain has the world’s largest area of almond orchards, and almonds go into turrón – an essential Spanish Christmas treat.
  10. Canary Island date palm 10

    palm · Natural symbol of the Canary Islands

    Canary Island date palm

    Phoenix canariensis

    The Canary Island date palm, one of the two natural symbols of the Canaries, also graces the avenues and squares of coastal towns all over Spain.