Tree and Shrubs
The Shouf Biosphere Reserve harbors a rich flora with about 520 species of plants. Many of these plants are medicinal, some are edible, and others are aromatic. The Reserve is home to 25 internationally and nationally threatened plants; 48 plants endemic to Lebanon or the Syria/Lebanon/Turkey area; 14 rare plants; and 214 plants that are restricted to the Eastern Mediterranean or Middle East area.
The Shouf Biosphere Reserve is most famous for its large and self propagating stands of Lebanese cedar (Cedrus libani). The cedar is a highly symbolic conifer, and one of the most cited plants in history, religion, and mythology. The Reserve represents the natural southern limit of this tree and hosts about 620 hectares of cedar forests that are largely confined to the steeper and less accessible areas. Nowadays the cedar forests, protected from overgrazing and human interference, are showing clear signs of natural regeneration
Aceraceae
Acer tauricolum Boiss. and Bal.
Taurus maple
Erable du Taurus
Distribution: East Mediterranean Region.
Range in Lebanon: 1000-1900 m above sea level
Flowering time: Spring
Ericaceae
Arbutus andrachne L.
Oriental strawberry-tree Arbousier d’Orient
Distribution: Mediterranean Region and around Black Sea
Range in Lebanon: 500-1500m above sea level, woodlands
Flowering time: December – March
Pinaceae
Cedrus libani L.
Cedar of Lebanon
Cèdre du Liban
Distribution: Lebanon, Syria, South Turkey
Range in Lebanon:1200-1900m above sea level
Main forests:Jaje, Tannourine Nature Reserve, Bcharre, Hadath El-Jebbeh, Ehden Nature Reserve, Donnieh, Swasseh, Karm-el Mohr, Karm-el Njass, Quammoua
Flowering time: Autumn
Cesalpiniaceae
Cercis siliquastrum L.
Judas tree
Arbre – de – Judée
Distribution: South Europe, West Asia and Mediterranean
Region Range in Lebanon: 0 – 1200m above sea level
Flowering time: February – April
Rosaceae
Crataegus monogyna Jacqu.
One-styled hawthorn
Aubépine à un style
Distribution: Europe, North Africa, West Asia and North West India
Range in Lebanon: 0-1300 m above sea level
Flowering time: March – May.
Rosaceae
Crataegus azarolus L.
Common azarole
Azerolier
Distribution:South Europe, Turkey, Cyprus, Caucasus, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Lebanon and Palestine
Range in Lebanon: 0-1600 m above sea level
Flowering time: March – May
Cupressaceae
Juniperus excelsa M.B.
Grecian juniper
Genévrier élevé
Distribution: Balkan and Mediterranean Region
Range in Lebanon: 1500-2800m above sea level
Flowering time: Spring
Rosaceae
Pirus syriaca Boiss.
Syrian pear
Poirier de Syrie
Distribution:Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan
Range in Lebanon: 400-1300m above sea level
Flowering time: February – May
Rosaceae
Prunus ursina Ky.
Bear plum
Prunier des ours
Distribution:Turkey, Syria and Lebanon
Range in Lebanon: 0-2800m above sea level
Flowering time: March – May
Rosaceae
Prunus korschinskii (Hand.-Mazz.)
Bornm. Korshinsky’s almond
Amandier de korshinsky
Distribution: Lebanon, Syria and Palestine
Range in Lebanon: 800-1400 m above sea level, rocks and mountains slopes
Flowering time: March – April
Fagaceae
Quercus brantii, ssp. look (Ky) Mouterde
Brant’s oak
Chêne de Brant
Distribution: Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Kurdistan, Syria and Lebanon (ssp. look is endemic to the reserve)
Range in Lebanon: 1400-1800m above sea level
Flowering time: April – May
Fagaceae
Quercus calliprinos Webb.
Kermes oak
Chêne kermès
Distribution:Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and Palestine
Range in Lebanon: 0-1500m above sea level
Flowering time: February – April
Anacardiaceae
Rhus coriaria L.
Tanner’s sumach
Sumac des corroyeurs
Distribution: South and Middle Europe, South Russia, Caucasus, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and Palestine
Range in Lebanon: 0-1600m above sea level
Flowering time: April – June
Fagaceae
Quercus infectoria Oliv.
Cyprus oak
Chêne tinctorial
Distribution: Mediterranean Region
Range in Lebanon: 500-1500m above sea level
Flowering time: March – April
Rosaceae
Sorbus flabellifolia (Spach) C.K.Schneider
Fan–leaved service tree
Sorbier à feuilles en éventail
Distribution: Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and Iran
Range in Lebanon: 1300-1800m above sea level
Flowering time: March – June