El Castillejo Botanic Garden El Castillejo Botanic Garden

The Andalusian Network of Botanic Gardens in Natural ’s prime location, between the Atlantic Areas is rmly committed to support the development Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, as well as between and ecient application of the World Conservation two dierent continents, allows for a huge range of Strategy for Nature and the Convention on Biological ecosystems and environments, with a great variety of Diversity. As centres for conservation, recovery and climates and terrains, where a rich botanical and reintroduction of wild species, the Network takes part in RECOMMENDATIONS FOR VISITORS mycological heritage has developed. The region has the conservation strategy of the Regional Ministry for • Please keep all areas clean and use the bins provided. around 4,000 dierent species of higher plants and the Environment and coordinates actions with other around 3,500 species of fungi. Many of these species are regional, national and international organizations and • Respect all plants in the garden. • Follow the signposted routes. endemic to Andalusia and some of them are endangered institutions, such as the International Association of due to several factors. Botanic Gardens (IABG) or the Iberian-Macaronesian • Taking photographs, drawing or simply observing are the best ways Association of Botanic Gardens (AIMJB). to enjoy your visit. • If you walk in silence, you will be able to hear many different sounds. • If you have any questions, please ask a member of staff.

INFORMATION AND RESERVATIONS Torre del Vinagre e-mail: [email protected] Mariánico-Monchinense Manchego El Robledo USEFUL ADDRESSES La Trufa Umbría de la Virgen Regional Ministry for the Environment Guadiciano Provincial Office of Cádiz Hispalense Subbético -Bacense Almeriense Plaza Asdrúbal, 6. Edificio de la Junta de Andalucía. La Cortijuela Hoya de Pedraza 11071 Cádiz Algarviense Nevadense Tfno. 956 008 700-671 591 501 / Fax. 956 008 702 Gaditano-Onubense Dunas del Odiel Malacitano Alpujarreño -Almijrense -Gadorense Sierra de Natural Park Avda. de la Diputación, s/n Rondeño Detunda- El Albardinal 11670 El Bosque (Cádiz) El Castillejo Cuevas de Nerja Tfno. 600 161 916 EL CASTILLEJO San Fernando Aljíbico El Castillejo Botanic Garden El Aljibe e-mail: [email protected] Current network SYMBOLS USED All plants are identified with plaques which include the EL CASTILLEJO BOTANIC GARDEN following information: common name in Castilian Spanish and scientific name (in Latin, followed by the name of the authors El Castillejo represents the Ronda Biogeographic Sector that wrote the description), botanic family, geographical and the garden is also located in that Biogeographic distribution and level of threat, which is shown using the Botanic and mycological gardens contribute to the Sector. It is an area which goes from the Sierra de following icons: conservation of this natural heritage. For this reason, a Grazalema to the Sierra de Loja. It covers all the Serrania de Network of Gardens has been set up. They are organised Ronda and Sierra Bermeja, and it is characterised by having • In danger of extinction according to ecological criteria, to improve awareness, to quite homogeneous conditions regarding (basic) soils. • Vulnerables promote conservation and to exhibit plants and fungi While visiting El Castillejo, you will get to know some of the • Of special interest which make up the Mediterranean Forest of Andalusia. most interesting plants in European ora: the "Pinsapo" Each of the dierent gardens in the network is dedicated (Abies pinsapo), a Mediterranean r which can only be to local ora and vegetation, paying special attention to found in the mountain ranges of Grazalema, Las Nieves rare and endangered ora, in coordination with all the and Bermeja; or the Grazalema poppy. These endemic other gardens. The Mycological Garden is a regional species reveal the very special conditions necessary for the showcase of fungi in Andalusia. development of the vegetation. El Castillejo Botanic Garden El Castillejo Botanic Garden El Castillejo Botanic Garden El Castillejo Botanic Garden

Location "DEHESA" GALLERY FOREST El Castillejo Botanic Garden is located in the It is where old holm oak In rivers with a permanent ow of water there is municipality of El Bosque (Cadiz). Access from Cadiz is via woodland and oak vegetation called “gallery forest”: ashes, willows and and woodland were poplars can be found along streambeds, because they and (A-372), 12 from Malaga via Ronda and Grazalema (A-372) and from transformed for crops or would not be able to survive far from them. Along with these Seville (N-IV) via Villamartin (A-371) and pastureland. The trees, bramble, wild roses and mints form a jungle of plants (A-373). It is located outside of the municipality, in its landscape is formed by 3 which makes the course of the stream a true green tunnel. A northern end. Access is via a gravel road starting at the scattered holm oaks, 11 collection of endangered species and of interest in the sh farm, or, from the road that links El Bosque with Portuguese oaks, Ronda biogeographic sector has been set up in this area. (Km. 31), where you will nd a path on the wild olive trees and left side of the road. Both accesses are signposted. carob trees, along Service door with bushes such 4 RUPICULOUS AND SUMMIT VEGETATION The BG El Castillejo is as mastic trees, located in Grazalema Phlomis The vegetation that can be found at the top of the

a Natural Park (Biosphere Se vil l purpurea, mountain range, rocky slopes and crevices of rocks has very ue r a 5 reserve, Especial Ante q ax-leaved interesting adaptations to be able to live with excessive solar Conservation Zone and daphne plants radiation, scarcity of soil and with wind. Most of these plants Especial Protection Zone and European 6 have a round, cushion shape, are very close to the soil and e Jardín Botánico e r e z d J nte r a 11 for births). la Fr o El Castillejo fan palms. have a white appearance. These areas have many of the d most interesting species of this biogeographic sector. 1

c 2 "PINSAPAR" 9 This woodland of Abies pinsapo can be found in the 8 northern mountainsides in some areas of the whole The Garden a biogeographic sector. During glaciations these trees must Front door have covered larger areas, but the increase of temperature 7 restricted them to the coolest and shadiest places of high WILD OLIVE TREE mountain ranges. The "pinsapo" is in danger of extinction WOODLAND b and, because of this, it is protected by law. The vegetation e that can be found along with the "pinsapo" is not very Wild olive trees form forests with 1 Wild olive tree woodland 2 Cork oak woodland a Information area abundant, like, for example, Portuguese oaks, stinking other species such as mastic trees, 10 hellebore, spurge-laurel, ivy, lilies and and a plant wild rose and myrtle plants. They 3 "Dehesa" b Orchids corner 4 Thermo-Mediterranean Holm oak woodland c Ethnobotanical roundabout belonging to the orchids family, Cephalantera rubra. have a high ecological value as a 5 Dolomitic vegetation d Viewpoint refuge and feeding area for many 6 Meso-Mediterranean Holm oak woodland e Fern corner birds. This woodland is used, for 7 Oak woodland SERPENTINE example, by livestock for browsing 8 Rupicolous vegetation Buildings and eating the fruits (wild olives), 9 Endangered ora Paths VEGETATION for rewood and for making 10 Summit Vegetation Roundabouts charcoal from rewood. 11 Pinsapar Stream The south of Malaga 12 Serpentine vegetation Fountain province has outcrops of rocks OAK WOODLAND of plutonic origin called CORK OAK WOODLAND peridotites. Its degradation Portuguese oaks can be found in forms serpentines which These trees can be found on acid HOLM OAK WOODLAND the most humid and sheltered soils (not very common in the generate a not very fertile soil places (streambeds and riverbeds) and also toxic due to the high Ronda Biogeographic Sector). They It is the most representative vegetation formation covering where they are mixed with holm take the place of holm oaks from the largest area. Its total adaptation to the characteristics of concentration of heavy metals. oaks, or simply take their place. They An interesting group of species these areas when humidity Mediterranean climate and its plasticity allow for it to be in are deciduous trees which share the conditions increase. The places with minimum soil such as ravines and rocky slopes. has been able to adapt to such space with deciduous bushes, such extreme conditions. understorey is formed by The main use of holm oak woodland takes place during the as hawthorns and wild rose. numerous species of Cistus, montanera period when pigs eat acorns. These trees were heather, myrtle and Arbutus unedo. Ophrys scolopax also used in recent past for charcoal production. Peony "Pinsapo"