IDENTIFICATION

It is an evergreen tree bush (up to 3 m high) with an erect bearing or prostrate and terraced to the rocks. It has very entangled branches. The bark is smooth or cracked and of greyish tones.  It has alternating branches covered with thorns. The leaves are tough (coriaceae), with an alternating setting or grouped in smaller branches. They lack fur, have a central nerve and lack secondary differentiated nerves. They are shiny green, more intense on the beam than on the underside. The flowers are grouped in armpit inflorescences (between the leaf and the stem), they are of a greenish-yellow colour, they have four petals and are not covered with fur. The fruit is a drupe (fleshy fruit with a single nut, like a plum), somewhat rounded, hairless and with 2 to 4 reddish-brown seeds inside..

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

It grows in sclerophyllous scrubs (of tough and thorny leaf), cracks and rocker shelves, coastal stony and sandy grounds, hedges, and cleared woods like the coastal forests of kermes oaks, holms oaks, pines, mastic trees or juniper trees.  It grows from sea level to 1,000 meters above sea level. It can grow in calcareous and siliceous grounds.

HOW DOES IT LIVE?

It is a dioecious species (there are male and female specimens). Flowering occurs in spring, between February and June. The flowers are pollinated by small insects, mainly diptera (flies) and hymenoptera (bees and similar insects), although they can also be pollinated by the wind sometimes. Fruiting occurs from summer to the beginning of autumn and the dispersion is made by the fauna.

WHERE CAN WE SEE IT IN THE MALAGA PROVINCE?

It is a very common species in the Málaga province. It is present in the western Malaga coastal saws and in the Tejeda and Almijara mountains.  On the Great Path, it can be detected on stages 3 to 8 and 30 to 34.

CURIOUS FACTS

It is a very useful bush for forest activity and restoration. It is very valuable for birds, as it provides them shelter, breeding places and food. In medicine, it is used to prevent eye strain or glaucoma.

SIMILAR SPECIES

It can be confused with the other black hawthorn Rhamnus lycioides. This species is somewhat different, most of all due to its more narrow leaves; of a lighter green colour and covered white fur.