Environnement, Génésis, Fauna & Flaura

THE FLORA

Wild plants

- The "tamaris". It tolerates the salt : dunes and ponds.

 
                    

- The saltwort. There are several species of saltworts. The big spiked saltwort of the region sands up well to salt. They are recognized by the pulpy aspect of its stalk. Blossoming occurs at the end of summer. In the past, the sulfur from these plants was used in the manufacturing of glass.

- The "saladelle" is also called the "gardians' grass". It is one of the plants that resists well to salt and drought. It is the symbol of the Camargue flora. There exists five species of "saladelle".

                              

Cultivation / Maintained plants

                  

- The Bohemien olive (tree) is widely planted in the region. It is found near the coastline, then after it spreads to sandy ground.

Nowadays, pines (tree) are often seen on former dunes. The highest branches of these trees shelter magpie nests.

                    

sagne 

- The reed grows naturally along the "roubine" and ponds.Man intervenes for its harvesting and drying. The reed is then used to cover the roof of typically Camarguais houses.

The lands consecrated to rice growing are more and more important to the Camargue economy. The rice fields are supplied with water by the drainage canals, that pump water from the Rhone. These canals are maintained by man and protected by dams. To limit the spread of manure, the farmers use a stategy of cultivation "reasoning". They alternate the cultivation of wheat and rice on the same ground, so, as to maximize the use of planted manure, before starting over.

rizieres 

 


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