Morocco provides a refuge for a rich and diverse flora with about 4,200 taxa, of which 22% (879 taxa) are endemic.[1] The phytogeographic zones of Morocco comprise 8 zones: the Mediterranean zone (central 0–500m, middle 500-1,000m and upper 1,100-1500m), the Cedar zone (1000-2000m), the sub-Alpine zone (2,000-2,500m), the Alpine zone (2,500m+), the semi-desert scrub zone, the Reg , the sandy desert zone and the oases.
The climax of the Mediterranean coast is a well-developed maquis commonly associated with Clematis, Smilax, Lonicera and Asparagus. Except in inaccessible or protected places the vegetation has been heavily grazed by domestic animals and this degraded maquis, called garrigue, is widespread. Poterium spinosum, various Salvia and Cistus are the dominant plants of the garrigue. A prominent feature of the coastal vegetation is the presence of a large exotic flora: Casuarina, Eucalyptus, Citrus, loquat and Opuntia ficus-indica are examples. Several species of steppe Acacia are common elements. The cultivated area which is extensive is wholly artificial and imported plants dominate the landscape. The meadows, orchards and wetter places in the maquis support such plants as fennel.
Quercus suber the Cork Oak, a typical Mediterranean plant
The disappearance of Cedrus atlantica and the presence of Onobrychis cornuta signal the beginning of the sub-alpine zone characterised by the absence of trees most notably the fir and the cedar; this is a montane habitat of some vigour. Dominant vegetation is pads of thorny Astragalus, Onobrychis (with cornuta as the most typical) and Acantholimon, interspersed with stands of Berberis cretica. Juniperus excelsa survives here and there. The sub-alpine zone is part in the Middle Atlas, part in the High Atlas.
Mediterranean High Atlas juniper steppe
(Cedar, juniper, pine, and oak forests cover approximately one-third of this eco-region. At high altitudes, junipers dominate the landscape. The key species is Juniperus thurifera. Even higher, the forests eventually give way to alpine meadows, pseudo-steppe vegetation, and finally scree slopes where purple cushion plants bloom. River valleys wind through the landscape, their rich, moist soil supporting willows, poplars, oaks, hawthorns, and a carpet of oleander).[4]
The High Atlas. Cultivation and high altitude endemic plants and spectacular peaks
Alpine zone
Alpine conditions are encountered above 2,500m and the special features of high mountains are enhanced by the dryness of the climate. Typically the zone begins with the disappearance of Berberis, Marrubium and Phlomis and the appearance of Vicia canescens in enormous quantity. The most important botanical characteristic is the presence of a hundred or so plants found nowhere else in Morocco, many of them endemic. The sub-alpine and alpine zones are both heavily overgrazed in many areas and this has left a mark on the vegetation. The success of plants such as Vicia canescens and Erodium trichomanifolium is undoubtedly due to the fact that they are unpalatable to goats.
The desert zones (semi-desert scrub, reg and sandy desert)
Fields of grain in Mhamid oasis in the Draa River valley
The larger rivers serve to spread the vegetation of the Mediterranean zone q.v. further south and allow the introduction of the plants of Africa to the north. Both rivers and oases support many anthropogenic species resembling in extreme cases tropical botanic gardens.[5]
Rankou, H., Culham, A., Jury, S. L. & Christenhusz, M. J. M. 2013. The endemic flora of Morocco. Phytotaxa 78: 1–69.
Rübel, E. & Lüdi, W. (eds) (1936) Ergebnisse der Internationalen pflanzengeographischen Exkursion durch Marokko und Westalgerien 1936. Veröffentlichungen des Geobotanischen Institutes Rübel in Zürich ; 14
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