The Vegetation of Provence

Abstract

The vegetation of Provence has been described here against the geophysical and physiogra­phic conditions of that southern district France. Climate, soil and relief make it that particular vegetable formations grow there. The main plants are maquis and garrigue, the plants which make up characteristic, multi-species communitics. The extemal appearance and life cycles of various vegetable species have become similar due to periodical droughts and mistral. As to maquis we differentiate high and low strains, composed of trees and shrubs entangled with creepers, creating an impassable thicket. Garrigue is a hard-leaf vegetation, growing on dry and rocky soils. The species brought from other geographical regions have been mentioned here, e.g. prickly pears, agaves, and fig-trees. The connections have been shown between some Mediterra­nean plants and mythological figures in the beliefs of ancient Rome. The current urban greenery of Aix-en-Provence, the former capital of Provence, has been described here, including the cultivation of the area. Attention has been tumed to the contrasting colours, giving a characte­ristic colour to the surrounding landscape.