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Catalonia (Catalonia) is located northeast of the Iberian Peninsula and is a Spanish autonomous community that has been considered as a historical nationality. The geographical characteristics and also the altitude variation of this community make this territory present a great variety of native fauna species. The Catalan flora is also made up of a great variety of species, many of which are endemic.
If you want to know more about the flora and fauna of Catalonia Continue reading this interesting article by Ecologist Verde in which we will explain it to you in detail. In addition, species of flora and fauna of the Catalan Pyrenees, one of the areas of the peninsula richest in biodiversity, will also be mentioned.
Flora of Catalonia
In this section we will show some of the species that are part of the flora of the place, that is, the plants of Catalonia.
White fir or Abies alba
This arboreal species belonging to the Pinaceae family has its origin in the mountainous areas of the European continent. It has a size that ranges from 20 to 50 meters and with a pyramidal bearing. The circumference of its trunk can reach 6 meters, it is straight, columnar and without branches, with a whitish to ashy bark and a smooth texture.
Mountain chamomile or Achillea millefolium
This plant is a herbaceous species of the compound family, Asteraceae, and is also called milfulles or yarrow. This type of plan is formed by tiny flowers that are joined in the chapters, giving the feeling of being just a single flora. It is distributed in areas that are well drained such as farm fields, pastures, or also on mountain slopes, wooded areas or next to roads. This plant is widely used in gardening and needs specific climatic conditions to live.
Warty Lleteresa or Euphorbia flavicoma
This species is a bush with a height of about 30 cm and stems 1.5 mm thick, which grows in the transitional communities between the rosemary weed and the dry meadows. It blooms in the month of April, and its flowers present two particular features to be able to identify it; 4 kidney-shaped glands, and the surface of the capsule is covered with round warts.
Stork's beak or Erodium malacoides
It is a forage plant found in all temperate regions of the planet. It grows in barren areas, herbaceous sandy soils and sometimes near the sea, crops and wet meadows in mountainous areas. This hairy herb is approximately 6 cm tall, its spreading stems measure between 6 and 60 cm, it is annual and its flowers in umbels are white, lilac and pinkish in color.
Fauna of Catalonia
Next, we will talk about some of the species that are part of the Catalan fauna.
Griffon vulture or Gyps fulvus
It is an immense bird of prey, since its wingspan can exceed 260cm. Its name refers to a necklace of long tawny feathers that surround its neck. This scavenger is distributed by mountain ranges, which is why they are seen in the Catalan Pyrenees, and is capable of making long journeys to search for food.
Royal eagle or Aquila chrysaetos
It is another bird of prey found in mountainous areas, also with a large wingspan of almost 2 meters. They have a very varied diet, they eat hares, rabbits, partridges, pigeons, lizards and trades. They are also scavengers. This bird is within the protected fauna of Catalonia.
Stoat or Mustela erminea
This mammal, approximately 35 cm long, has an elongated and flexible body, its legs are short and its head is small. They are usually reddish-brown in color on the back and white on the belly. They are found on the margins of the forests very close to the meadows, and they usually feed on fruits, small birds and small mammals.
Rebeco, isard or Rupicapra rupicapra
It is surely one of the most characteristic animals that live in Catalonia in the Catalan Pyrenees. It has a robust antler and a coat of black color during the winter. It is distributed between 1000 and 3000 meters of altitude. Among its main features are its short transhumance, which goes with the rhythm of the seasons.
Species in danger of extinction in Catalonia
Now that you know the native flora and fauna of Catalonia, we will now indicate some of the species that inhabit this part of the peninsula and that are in danger of extinction:
Vegetation of Catalonia in danger of extinction
- Dichoropetalum schotii or Peucedanum schottii
- Vivacious fern or Asplenium marinum
- Dandelion or Taraxacum stenospermum
- Orchid or Orchis spitzelii
- Catalan language or Microcnemum coralloides
- Aquatic plant or Luronium natans
Animals of Catalonia in danger of extinction
- Brown bear or Ursus arctos
- Water rat or Arvicola sapidus
- Ferret or Mustela putorius furo
- Sturgeon or Acipenseridae and the 'fartet' or Aphanius Iberus, both are endangered fish
- Pallar lizard or Iberolacerta aurelioi
- Alpine eared or Plecotus macrobullaris
- Iberian wolf or Canis lupus signatus
Now that you have met all these species of the flora and fauna of Catalonia, we advise you to read this other article about the Flora and fauna of Europe.
If you want to read more articles similar to Flora and fauna of Catalonia, we recommend that you enter our Biodiversity category.
