Nature Rambles in the Sierra Bermeja - Return to Listing
A Benamonarda Nature Rambles group on the top of the Canalizo ridge, photographing the endemic 'hedgehog broom' Genista lanuginosa, one of a dozen plant species local to the peridotite 'rockeries' of the Sierra Bermeja [vermilion mountains], close to Jubrique and the Genal Valley. Other summits of the Serranía de Ronda can be seen in the background. Climb this ridge on Benamonarda holidays 'Nature Rambles—Serranía de Ronda' and 'Genal Valley'. The 'hedgehog zone' or piornal is one of the typical ecosystems of the mountains of southern and central Spain, and is characterised by a predominance of small domed 'cushion' bushes, not more than 50cm high and often (but not always) furnished with spines. The hedgehog zone plants show a remarkable degree of adaptation to a hostile environment: the low domed shape reduces the effects of wind and snow, their tiny leaves minimize loss of water by transpiration and the spines offer protection against grazing animals and some shade to the centre of the plant from the strong summer sunshine. Visit other well-developed hedgehog zones with Benamonarda in the Sierra Nevada (programmes 'Roof of Iberia' and 'Moorish Kingdom of Granada'), Sierra de la Nieves ('Natural Parks of the Serranía'), Sistema Central ('Sierras of Extremadura') and Southern Iberian Mountains ('Mountains & Cities of Cuenca & Teruel' and 'Alto Maestrazgo').
A Benamonarda Nature Rambles group on the top of the Canalizo ridge, photographing the endemic 'hedgehog broom' Genista lanuginosa, one of a dozen plant species local to the peridotite 'rockeries' of the Sierra Bermeja [vermilion mountains], close to Jubrique and the Genal Valley. Other summits of the Serranía de Ronda can be seen in the background. Climb this ridge on Benamonarda holidays 'Nature Rambles—Serranía de Ronda' and 'Genal Valley'. The 'hedgehog zone' or piornal is one of the typical ecosystems of the mountains of southern and central Spain, and is characterised by a predominance of small domed 'cushion' bushes, not more than 50cm high and often (but not always) furnished with spines. The hedgehog zone plants show a remarkable degree of adaptation to a hostile environment: the low domed shape reduces the effects of wind and snow, their tiny leaves minimize loss of water by transpiration and the spines offer protection against grazing animals and some shade to the centre of the plant from the strong summer sunshine. Visit other well-developed hedgehog zones with Benamonarda in the Sierra Nevada (programmes 'Roof of Iberia' and 'Moorish Kingdom of Granada'), Sierra de la Nieves ('Natural Parks of the Serranía'), Sistema Central ('Sierras of Extremadura') and Southern Iberian Mountains ('Mountains & Cities of Cuenca & Teruel' and 'Alto Maestrazgo').