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4 Fantastic Woody Shrubs of France

Common Holly, Ilex aquifolium

Source: https://bit.ly/3sg61fe Photographer: Jebulon Public Domain Image

4 Fantastic Woody Shrubs of France
Source: https://bit.ly/3sg61fe Photo: Jebulon Public Domain Image

We hope that each of you, our readers, will enjoy and appreciate this article we present about these 4 Fantastic Woody Shrubs of France. It was certainly our pleasure to gather the information for you. May it provide you with both education and increased awareness.

Certainly, these few species listed herein represent only a portion of the similar marvels found in this area. It’s our belief, though, that they serve as excellent representations of the wonders that exist. Check out some of our other articles for similar marvels.

Strawberry Tree

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Strawberry Tree Facts

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Strawberry Tree Physical Description

The dazzling Strawberry Tree represents a flora that captivates many who encounter it. Yet it does not do so only due to its beauty, though that’s certainly a factor. That’s true since it also fascinates many individuals because the plant is also highly variable in its growth.

This intriguing Eudicot attains a wide range of sizes, even among specimens in the same general area. Typically, examples reach heights ranging from 13 – 23 ft (4 – 7m). Some, however, grow to up to 50 ft (15 m). It thus matures as either a large shrub of small tree.

Even the nature of its trunk often varies. Some plants produce a single trunk, while others have several. This feature averages about 30 in (76.2 cm) in diameter. Its bark generally shows a reddish hue. This begins as smooth in young trees, but thickens and pales as it ages.

The smaller, numerous twigs that branch off present a greenish or reddish color. As it grows, these also become thicker, and develop a twisted shape. The leaves each hosts develop as elongated, with serrated edges. Each of these appears waxy on top, but dull underneath.

The flowers of the beautiful Strawberry Tree appear in large clusters. They possess a bell-like shape, and average about 0.25 in (7 mm) in diameter. These droop from a dark red stem, while they themselves display a brilliant shade of white, and emit a strong, yet sweet, smell.

Yet it’s the fruits of the remarkable flora that garner the most attention. They also serve as the source of the common name. These display a bumpy skin and bright red when first ripe. As each ripens further, though, this changes colors through orange and even light yellow.

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Strawberry Tree Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The gorgeous Strawberry Tree evolved as native to a reasonably broad range of the earth’s surface. It also did so in a region in which it shares a vast array of other natural marvels. That’s because it most often appears in the Mediterranean Basin and western Europe.

It’s common in Spain, Portugal, and southeastern France. From there, though, it spreads out through Algeria, Liby, and Tunisia. To the east, it appears in other countries, including Italy, Greece, Israel, Palestine, and Syria. A small population also appears in southwest Ireland.

The flora displays decidedly clear preferences for its choice of habitat. That’s due to the fact that the vast majority of specimens occurring naturally appear in what’s called a maquis habitat. Most of these grow in warm coastal regions with mild humidity and little rain.

Locations where it appears include such places as along steep slopes, and other such spots not easily accessible. Most examples occur at altitudes ranging from sea level up to 3,937 ft (1,200 m). The wonder also prefers little wind and a climate with little seasonal change.

Intriguingly, the fabulous Strawberry Tree blooms in either winter or spring, depending on local conditions. Like many trees, pollination of these occurs via the actions of various insects, primarily different species of bees. Its colorful fruit typically ripens in Autumn.

Various animals consume the fruits of the species, of course. Among humans, these are often consumed either fresh or in jams, marmalades, and even alcoholic beverages. Its leaves also serve many purposes in a wide range of traditional herbal medicinal treatments.

Common Holly

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Common Holly Facts

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Common Holly Physical Description

Despite its deceptive name, the Common Holly is anything but ordinary. It is, in fact, quite special, for various reasons. Chief among those, perhaps, comes its remarkable versatility. That’s due to the fact that the variable evergreen appears as either a shrub or tree.

Due to that variability, sheer physical size often varies significantly. The larger specimens, developing as trees, frequently reach heights in excess of 33 ft (10 m). Typically, however, it develops as a shrub. These usually range from 6.6 – 9.8 ft (2 – 3 m) in height.

Exceptional specimens of the flora do exist, though. A few of these outstanding individual plants measure as much as 82 ft (25 m) in height! Regardless of the heights various examples attain, however, its overall physical characteristics remain otherwise quite similar.

The central structure of the plant consists of a tall woody stem. The diameter of this obviously varies, depending on how tall the plant grows. Generally speaking, though, this measures between 16 – 31 in (40 – 80 cm) in diameter. But, a few have reached 39 in (99 cm).

From this central feature, numerous leaves branch off. This foliage further averages 2 – 4.7 in (5 – 12 cm) in length, and 0.8 – 2.4 in (2 – 6 cm) in width. These also have an evergreen nature, being a darker green on the upper surface, and lighter on the underside.

Meanwhile, the flowers of the Common Holly provide a dazzling color contrast. These manifest as bright white, and in copious numbers. The fruit also augments the beauty of the amazing plant. Though quite small, these appear as either a very bright yellow or red.

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Common Holly Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Fortunately for the intriguingly-named Common Holly, it evolved as endemic to a relatively broad swathe of the globe. That’s because it’s native to portions of three continents. Those regions include southwest Asia, northwest Africa, and southern and western Europe.

Due to human activities, though, it’s now been spread to other parts of the world. In some of those regions, however, it’s now become considered an invasive species. That’s especially true, though, on the east coast of North America, from Canada to the United States.

In all regions it appears in, however, the plant demonstrates the same environmental preferences. Due to that, the vast majority of specimens appear in relatively moist regions. Despite this, it’s proven to be remarkably hardy, enduring both drought and frost.

The tantalizing flora possesses further defining preferences, though. It most often develops, and thrives, in various types of temperate forests. It also demonstrates a preference for the presence of a high percentage of deciduous trees, especially native oak varieties.

Within its native range, the Common Holly only merits the adjective in terms of frequency of presence. In the local ecosystem, it plays a vital role. Many animals, ranging from birds to deer, also frequently take refuge within its dense, thorny, labyrinthine structure.

Its flowers provide a further benefit to its local wildlife. Numerous bees, flies, butterflies, and wasps flock to them for nectar. Following the first frost, its fruits drop to the ground. These thus serve as a ready food source for winter birds, who subsequently spread its seeds.

Mistletoe

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Mistletoe Facts

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Mistletoe Physical Description

As a variety of Mistletoe, the amazing Viscum album evolved as a special type of evergreen shrub. That’s because it’s actually what botanists classify as a hemi-parasitical plant. This evolutionary path lead it to form different physical traits than many other flora.

In many ways, its general form resembles vines. This marvel of Nature and evolution produces numerous thin, elongated stems. Even among mature specimens, however, these display vastly different measurements, due to local environmental conditions.

The majority of individuals, though, produce copious stems that attain lengths averaging from 12 – 39 in (30 – 100 cm). Each of these further branch out multiple times. These also frequently tend to wind around each other, often producing a somewhat rounded shape.

Its leaves, meanwhile, typically appear in opposite pairs. They also usually display highly smooth, rounded edges, with a distinctive smooth leathery texture. This foliage additionally averages 0.8 – 3.15 in (2 – 8 cm) in length, and about 0.3 – 1 in (0.8 – 2.5 cm) in width.

That part of this particular form of the awesome Mistletoe generally presents a yellowish-green color. The flowers remain quite small, averaging no more than 0.12 in (3 mm) when open. The fruit also appears as a tiny, rounded berry, most often yellow or white in color.

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Mistletoe Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Fortunately, both for the beautiful Mistletoe itself, and for those of us who appreciate Nature, this particular variety inhabits a relatively broad swathe of the globe. That’s due to the fact that it evolved as endemic to certain portions of Africa, Europe and Asia.

It lives in most of Europe, beginning in Scandinavia, and moving southward. This also includes the isle of Great Britain. In Africa, meanwhile, it appears in parts of the northern section. But in Asia, the plant mainly lives in the eastern section, including Japan.

This incredible product of untold ages of evolution holds yet another advantage over many species. That’s because it evolved as highly general in its choice of habitat. More precisely, the resourceful plant appears wherever any of several varieties of trees appear.

It makes its home almost exclusively on several types of broad-leaf trees. These primarily consist of polar, hawthorn, lime, and apple trees, of various varieties. Though it does appear on other species occasionally, such divergence from the norm remains extremely rare.

From its home on its choice of host tree, this specific variety of Mistletoe, like its relatives, draws most of its nourishment directly from the host. These include water and nutrients taken via root-like structures. Those, however, extend under the bark of the tree.

It’s long been extremely popular in Western folklore, in connection with the Christmas Season. Surprisingly, this holds true despite the fact that this variety, the Viscum album, is highly toxic! Ingestion in concentration can even prove fatal in some instances.

Tree Heather

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Tree Heather Facts

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Tree Heather Physical Description

The delightful Tree Heather quickly draws the eye of all those who enocounter it. It does so, however, for several reasons, not just because of its visual appeal. That’s due to the fact that this remarkable product of evolution appears as either a shrub or small tree!

The majority of specimens develop into small-to-medium size shrubs, however. That holds true for both the wild specimens and those cultivated, typically in small gardens. In either form the plant appears in, though, the species develops as an evergreen.

Most individuals of this amazing Angiosperm reach a height ranging from 3 – 13 ft (1 – 4m). Approximately 3 – 6 ft (1 -2m), though, constitutes the most common height range. Some exceptional specimens, however, grow to heights of up to 23 ft (7m).

Each plant typically produces several, comparatively thin, upward-reaching trunks. These possess a covering of rough, brownish bark. It also produces large numbers of distinctive leaves. These further develop as long, needle-like in shape, and a dark green in color.

It’s the flowers of the incredible Tree Heather that understandably garner the most attention. These it produces along its many slender branches. It also produces these in huge numbers. Each further present a bright white shade, has a bell shape, and a honey-like scent.

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Tree Heather Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Unfortunately, the gorgeous Tree Heather inhabits a region of the globe that’s both limited, and highly fragmented. The reason for the fragmentation, however, currently remains unknown. Presently, it appears in widely disjunct groupings within this overall region.

More precisely, though, that zone of habitation includes the general Mediterranean Basin. This includes small parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe. From there, though, its range extends north to Bulgaria. It also grows in Portugal, and parts of the Canary Islands and Madeira.

In all the regions it does grow in, however, it displays a decided preference for several types of ecosystems. In Africa, it mainly lives in the highlands of Ethiopia, and mountains in Cameroon. Elsewhere, though, the versatile plant mainly appears in areas of shrublands.

The actions of humans, meanwhile, have caused ito become naturalized in a different part of the world as well. That’s due to the fact that, surprisingly, small populations of this wonder of evolution now appear in southeastern portions of the continent of Australia.

It’s now also become extremely popular as an ornamental plant, due to its many beautiful blooms. That further holds true both within its natural range and outside of it. Several cultivars of this natural beauty also now exist in various parts of the globe.

The Tree Heather is also highly valued for its wood. This part of the plant evolved as extremely hard, and heat resistant. It’s therefore prized in some regions for making pipes. Its tubers, roughly the size of a football, also serve as an edible component in some regions.

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4 Fantastic Woody Shrubs of France

We hope that each of you enjoyed reading, and hopefully learning from, this article we’ve written about these 4 Fantastic Woody Shrubs of France. It’s also our hope that doing so has left you with either a new or renewed appreciation for such wonders of Nature.

Unfortunately, however, many of their kindred around the world now find themselves facing strong threats to their continued existence as a species. Many of those dangers, in fact, stem from the actions of mankind. We must do all we can to protect and preserve them all.

Check out our other articles on 3 Amazing North American Amphibians, Wonderful Wild Cats of the World, 5 Wonderful Mammals of Washington, Breathtaking Asian Species,

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