MACCHIE
The
term "macchie" or "maquis" is used for a
dense, sometimes impenetrable scrub vegetation, generally 1-3.5m
tall and largely composed of hard-leaved evergreen shrubs. It
is a characteristic mediterranean type of ecosystem and can
be seen in Parnitha at low and moderate altitudes, mainly on
limestone.
The
most characteristic macchie species are: carob tree (Ceratonia
siliqua), strawberry tree (Arbutus
unedo), eastern strawberry tree (Arbutus
andrachne), mastic tree (Pistacia
lentiscus), turpentine tree (Pistacia
terebinthus), olive tree (Olea
europaea), kermes oak (Quercus
coccifera), smoke-tree (Cotinus
coggygria), mock privet (Phillyrea latifolia),
tree heath (Erica arborea), oleander (Nerium
oleander) and rarely, in damp places, myrtle (Myrtus
communis), Judas tree (Cercis siliquastrum) and
laurel (Laurus nobilis).
The
characteristic of
the macchie formations is that no species dominates. On the
contrary, numerous species form mixed thickets. A very important
species is holm oak (Quercus
ilex). In the past, holm oak was lumbered extensively
along with other broad-leaved evergreen shrubs (kermes oaks,
strawberry trees, mock privets etc.), for providing charcoals
of very
good quality.
This
kind of exploitation has ceased in most parts of the mountain
and the macchie vegetation is considered very well developed.
