Native Plants Of Algeria

The Algerian Fir, Algerian Peony, and Saharan Cypress are endemic species of Algerian flora. Algeria is located in North Africa, bordering Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, Western Sahara, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger. The landscapes of Algeria, from desert, mountains, valley, and plateaus to basins support can support over 1000 floral species, 178 of which are endemic to the country.

Native Plants Of Algeria

Algerian Fir (Abies numidica)

The Algerian fir is found in the regions of the Babor and Talahor Mountains in northern Algeria. The bark is gray, and it becomes brown-grey as it matures. The cones are green, are tinged with pink or violet and become brown with age. The Algerian fir withstands the drought season and responds well to humid and cold conditions. The tree is famous for ornamental uses due to its dark green crown. The species is listed as critically endangered due to its narrow habitat range and threats from grazing, fire, and deforestation. The species is protected in the Djebel Babor Nature Reserve.

Saharan Cypress (Cupressus dupreziana)

The Saharan Cypress is a coniferous tree native to central Sahara in Algeria. The tree has adapted to its hyper-arid, barren and exposed habitat and is both drought and frost resistant. The tree has bark that is reddish-brown in color. Other characteristics include dull green leaves with an elongated resin gland, reddish brown seeds, and dense foliage. Notably, the tree reproduces without fertilization, where seeds develop entirely from the genetic matter of the pollen. The Saharan Cypress is listed as critically endangered, and it is threatened by climate change, fire, deforestation, tourism activities, and grazing. The tree is conserved in the Tassili N’Ajjer National Park.

Algerian Peony (Paeonia algeriensis)

The Algerian peony is a species native to the Kabylie coastal mountain range. The plant grows alongside oak and cedar trees in well-drained and fertile soils. The plant’s solitary flowers have color ranging from pink to magenta in the petals. There have been no significant declines in the plant’s population.

Slender Flower Thistle (Carduus tenuiflorus)

The Slender flower thistle is found in northern Algeria as well as its North African neighbors. The herb grows in clusters of between 1 to 4 purple or pink flower heads. The plant has wrinkled dull olive-green leaves which sometimes crease themselves. The plant reproduces by seeds in the autumn, germinating into rosettes which remain throughout winter. Flowering stems emerge in spring and flowering occurs from September until the advent of summer. The plant thrives in various types of soils, mostly sand, loam, and gravel and is present in pasture lands, roadsides, and wastelands. The herb is under no significant environmental threat in Algeria.

Other Native Plants of Algeria

Other native plants in Algeria include the Italian Maple (Acer opalus), Lamarck’s Bedstraw (Galium divaricatum), Esparto Grass (Stipa tenacissima), French Tamarisk (Tamarix gallica), Berberis hispanica (Berberis hispanica), and Brome Fescue (Vulpia bromoides). Floral species in Algeria are continuously threatened by climate change, extensive fires, deforestation, agricultural expansion and cattle grazing.