Scientific name: Stipa tenacissima L.
Family: Gramineae
Vernacular name: Halfa

Biological and ecological characteristics: It is a very robust perennial plant that presents in dense annual clumps (0.5 to 1 m). Its leaves are long, smooth, and rolled. The roots are superficial and highly branched. The flower stalks are long (30 to 50 cm). Seed germination is rare under natural conditions. The species multiplies vegetatively (clump splitting). The clump grows slowly and hollows out at the center, forming a crown that fragments to give rise to new clumps. Although indifferent to soil texture, the plant prefers loose, filtering, permeable, or sloping soils. It is also indifferent to the chemical nature of the soil (siliceous, calcareous, or slightly gypseous).

Location: The entire mountainous zone.

Usage: The flower stalk is appreciated by animals. The leaves are harvested (plucked with a stick) for various uses (crafts, industry, fodder...).

Status: Stable

Scientific name: Rosmarinus officinalis L.
Synonyms: Rosmarinus laxiflorus De Noé
Family: Labiatae
Vernacular name: Klil

Rosmarinus officinalis - Photo by Mohamed Tarhouni

Scientific name: Rhus tripartitum (Ucria) Grande
Synonyms: Rhamnus tripartitus Ucria / Rhus oxycanthoides Dum. / Rhus ziziphina Tineo.
Family: Anacardiaceae
Vernacular name: Jderi

Biological and ecological characteristics: Dioecious shrub, branched and very thorny, with serrated glaucous green leaves. White-yellowish flowers appear in cluster inflorescences during spring. The fruit is a red drupe, turning yellow when ripe (early summer).

Location: It is a degradation species of the Aleppo Pine forest and is found throughout the mountain range (from Matmata to Mechiguig in the deep south).

Usage: The most common use of this species is the consumption of the fruits, especially in the dried state when their taste becomes sweeter. Also noteworthy is the use of the bark for tanning and the wood for charcoal production.

Status: Under degradation

Scientific name: Periploca angustifolia Labill.
Synonyms: Periploca laevigata Ait.
Family: Asclepiadaceae
Vernacular name: Hellab

<Photos from google.com>

Biological and ecological characteristics: It is a plant with an upright habit, climbing/twining, and evergreen foliage. It grows on skeletal soils. It flowers between March and June and produces a large quantity of seeds in the absence of grazing. When subjected to excessive grazing, the plant acquires a prostrate habit, with very tangled branches and foliage that is difficult for livestock to access. Multiplication is generally done by seeding.

Location: It is considered a forest relic and is found throughout the mountain range (from Matmata to Dhehiba).

Usage:

• Excellent pastoral species
• Its solidified resin is used as a masticatory (chewing gum)
• Its leaves can be used to prepare a type of herbal tea
• Anti-diabetic (fruit powder)
• Hypotensive (Roots).

Status: Under degradation

Scientific name: Capparis spinosa L.
Synonyms: Capparis leucophylla D.C.
Family: Capparaceae
Vernacular name: Kabbar

Capparis spinosa L. - Photo by Mohamed Tarhouni

Biological and ecological characteristics: A small shrub with a bushy, ascending, or spreading habit, which can exceed 80 cm in length. Its leaves are broad and have a semi-fleshy appearance. The flowers appear during spring and are white-mauve in color. The stamens are characterized by long filaments. The fruit is a black berry.

Location: This plant is observed on mountainous massifs (on rocks). Due to high human pressure on the caper plant, its abundance is most noticeable on the ridges of the Jbels.

Usage: A species with multiple therapeutic virtues and widely consumed by humans. Its flower buds serve as a condiment for various culinary specialties.

Status: Under degradation