297
Syntaxonomical survey of cork oak forests 
(Quercus suber L.) in the province of Tizi 
Ouzou, Kabylia, Northern Algeria
Abstract
This study is a contribution to the knowledge of the floristic composition and 
syntaxonomical significance of Quercus suber woodlands of Tizi Ouzou province, 
which represent the last remnants of ancient forests. The field surveys were taken in 
several locations representative of cork oak woodlands, using the Braun-Blanquet 
method. A matrix of 96 phytosociological relevés and 160 plant taxa was treated 
with clustering analysis and correspondence analysis. These multivariate analyses 
showed congruent results and allowed the definition of four main clusters of cork 
oak woodlands, corresponding to four syntaxa according to synecological and 
syndynamic gradients. They belong to three associations, of which one is newly 
described, and two subassociations. They are: Sileno imbricatae-Quercetum suberis 
ass. nov., a mesophilous association newly described here, on siliceous soils and in 
the humid ombrotype; Cytiso villosi-Quercetum suberis, a mesophilous association, 
with two subassociations: quercetosum canariensis, and myrtetosum communis, this 
later reported for the first time in the study area, and both localized in the humid 
ombrotype and confined on markedly acid soils; Erico arboreae-Myrtetum communis, 
thermophilous secondary shrubland association developed in the subhumid ombro-
type, on flysch substrates, also identified for the first time in this area. Syntaxonom-
ic, synecological and syndynamic considerations are given for each syntaxon.
Izvleček
Raziskava je prispevek k poznavanju floristične sestave in sintaksonomskega 
pomena gozdov z vrsto Quercus suber v provinci Tizi Ouzou, ki predstavljajo zadnje 
ostanke nekdanjih gozdov. Terenske raziskave smo naredili na številnih lokacijah 
najbolj značilnih gozdov hrasta plutovca z Braun-Blaquetovo metodo. Matrico 
96 popisov in 160 rastlinskih vrst smo analizirali s klastrsko in korespondenčno 
analizo. Multivariatne analize so pokazale skladne rezultate in opredelili smo štiri 
glavne skupine gozdov hrasta plutovca, ki se ujemajo s štirimi sintaksoni glede na 
sinekološke in sindinamske gradiente. Uvrstimo jih v tri asociacije, ena je opisana 
na novo, in dve sta subasociaciji. To so: Sileno imbricatae-Quercetum suberis ass. 
nov., mezofilna nova asociacija na silikatnih tleh in v vlažnem ombrotipu; Cytiso 
villosi-Quercetum suberis, mezofilna asociacija z dvema subasociacijama: quercetosum 
canariensis in myrtetosum communis, slednja je nova v preučevanem območju, obe 
v vlažnem ombrotipu in omejeni na izrazito kislih tleh; Erico arboreae-Myrtetum 
communis, termofilna sekundarna grmiščna asociacija, ki se razvija v polvlažnem 
ombrotipu na flišu in je zabeležena prvič v preučevanem območju. Za vsak 
sintakson smo podali sintaksonomski, sinekološki in sindinamski opis.
Key words: Erico-Quercion ilicis, 
floristic composition, Mediterranean 
evergreen woods, phytosociological 
analysis, Quercion suberis, vascular 
flora.
Ključne besede: Erico-Quercion 
ilicis, floristična sestava, 
mediteranski vednozeleni gozdovi, 
fitocenološka analiza, Quercion 
suberis, flora cevnic.
Corresponding author:
Rachid Meddour
E-mail:  
rachid_meddour@yahoo.fr
Received: 28. 1. 2022
Accepted: 2. 4. 2022
1 Mouloud Mammeri University, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Agronomic Sciences, Tizi Ouzou, Algeria.
2 Haute école Albert Jacquard (HEAJ), Namur, Belgium.
Rachid Meddour1, Ouahiba Sahar1 & Guy Bouxin2
DOI: 10.2478/hacq-2022-000721/2 • 2022, 297–325
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Syntaxonomical survey of cork oak forests (Quercus suber L.) in Northern Algeria
Introduction
The cork oak is one of the most important tree species 
in the western Mediterranean Basin, where its pres-
ence is of high ecological, landscape and socioeconomic 
importance (Pollastrini et al., 2018). Besides, cork oak 
habitats are recognised as having both cultural and bio-
diversity value (Vogiatzakis et al., 2005; Simonson & 
Allen, 2014). This forest type is home to a large number 
of typical Mediterranean woodland species, including 
several plants of importance for conservation (Cano-
Ortiz et al., 2021). In Algeria, the cork oak forest is one 
of the most important forest types, in terms of area cov-
ered and livelihoods, extending along the humid littoral 
zone, mainly in the northeastern Algeria, from the east 
of Algiers to the Tunisian border. This area belongs to 
the regional hotspot of biodiversity “Kabylias-Numidia-
Kroumiria” (Véla & Benhouhou, 2007), known for its 
high floristic diversity, high number of endemic species, 
but also its great loss of habitats (FAO, 2013). Therefore, 
the cork oak forests show fragmented and discontinu-
ous geographical distribution, suggesting that they are 
mainly relictual (Badalamenti et al., 2020). In North Af-
rica, Simeone et al. (2010) noted a severe decline that is 
affecting this oak since the last decades, where its range 
has been greatly reduced because of a very strong anthro-
pozoogenic pressure (Nsibi et al., 2006; Boussaidi et al., 
2010), in particular overgrazing, recurrent fires and over-
exploitation of cork and wood in Algeria (Bennadja et 
al., 2013). The phytosociological knowledge of cork oak 
forests is hence difficult, because of these disturbances by 
humans’ activities (Khelifi, 1987). Nevertheless, no less 
than six different forest associations have been described 
so far in Algeria by many authors (Table 1).
Despite their large extent in the Kabylia area and their 
floristic interest, the cork oak forests have only been 
the subject of rare relevés in the massif of Beni Ghobri 
(Azazga, Yakouren) by Veri & Sebastiani (1987), Wojter-
ski (1988) and Zeraia (2019), who think that the cork 
oak forest with Cytisus villosus belongs to Cytiso villosi-
Quercetum suberis. We do not yet have a validly pub-
lished association tables (cf. Theurillat et al., 2020) on 
these cork oak woods and modern syntaxonomic data 
about them are lacking. Furthermore, to our knowledge, 
there is no phytosociological contribution concerning 
the high calcifuge maquis (Ericion arboreae), in spite of 
their great landscape and ecosystem significance (Med-
dour et al., 2010). 
The present contribution is thus intending to contrib-
ute to the floristic and phytosociological knowledge of 
the cork oak forests of Kabylia, in particular in the main 
forests of Béni Ghobri, Mizrana and Tamgout. We will 
also give a brief overview of their dynamics (regressive 
evolution towards secondary shrublands) and draw at-
tention to the cork oak wood of Beni Kouffi (Djurdjura) 
at the chorological and ecological limits of this territory. 
On the other hand, we will discuss the accuracy integra-
tion of cork oak forest syntaxa to the Quercion suberis in 
Algeria, an area where extremely limited biogeographical 
and ecological data on cork oak are available (Simeone 
et al., 2010).
Syntaxa  
names
Distribution  
area
Alliances References
Cytiso triflori-Quercetum suberis  
Br.-Bl. 1953
Algeria, Tunisia, 
Italia (+Sardinia)
Quercion suberis Zeraia (1981, 2019), Iboukassene 
(2008), Letreuch-Belarouci et al. (2009)
Myrto communis-Quercetum suberis 
Barbero, Benabid, Quézel & 
Rivas-Martinez 1981
Portugal, Spain, 
Morocco, Algeria, 
Tunisia, Sardinia
Oleo-Quercion 
rotundifoliae
Zeraia (1981), Wojterski (1988, 1990), 
Toubal & Toubal (1996), Meddour et al. 
(2010), Sfaksi (2012)
Telino linifoliae-Quercetum suberis 
Zeraia 1981
Morocco-Algeria Oleo-Quercion 
rotundifoliae
Zeraia (1981), Siab-Farsi (2018)
Pistacio lentisci-Quercetum suberis 
Khelifi & Sadki 1995
Algeria, Tunisia Quercion suberis Khelifi & Sadki (1995), Meddour 
(2002)
Erico scopariae-Quercetum suberis 
Khelifi & Sadki 1995
Algeria Quercion suberis Khelifi & Sadki (1995), Siab-Farsi 
(2018)
Genisto numidicae-Quercetum 
suberis Toubal 1998
Algeria Quercion suberis Toubal (1998)
Table 1: Syntaxa of cork oak forests present in Algeria.
Tabela 1: Sintaksoni hrasta plutovca v Alžiriji.
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Syntaxonomical survey of cork oak forests (Quercus suber L.) in Northern Algeria
latitudes 36°26’07”to 36°53’55” N. With a total area of 
295793 ha, the wilaya is one of the most forested areas in 
the country, with a forestland of 64093 ha, corresponding 
to an afforestation rate of 22% (BNEDER, 2008). The 
cork oak forests are clearly dominant, they occupy  29458 
ha, i.e. 46% of the global forest area of the wilaya, which 
represent 12.8% of the cork oak national area. They are 
usually found on deep cool soils originating from acid 
rocks (sandstones), and in fairly warm (thermo- and 
mesomediterranean thermotypes) and subhumid–humid 
ombrotypes, where they represent the climactic forest.
The most important 
woodlands (Figure 1, Ta-
ble 2) are located on the 
coastal area (Mizrana for-
est), in Tamgout forest 
and in Beni Ghobri forest. 
The cork oak forms either 
monospecific stands (e.g. 
at Mizrana), or mixed 
stands with deciduous 
oaks (e.g. Tamgout and 
Béni Ghobri) or even with 
holm oak (Béni Kouffi), 
in a more continental and 
dry locations (Meddour, 
2010). The eastern coast 
of the wilaya, in particular 
in Azeffoun, is degraded 
and has given way to high 
maquis with Erica and Ar-
butus, at low altitudes, or 
are replaced by industrial 
reforestation (pines and 
eucalyptus plantations).
Material and methods
Study area
The study area is the wilaya (province) of Tizi Ouzou, 
which is located in the north of Algeria, slightly east of 
Algiers. Its administrative boundaries are to the north, the 
Mediterranean Sea, with a seafront of 85 km, to the east, 
the wilaya of Bejaia, to the west, the wilaya of Boumerdes 
and to the south, the wilaya of Bouira. It is positioned 
between the longitudes 3°47’42” to 4°43’28” E and the 
Figure 1: Location of the cork 
oak forests studied:  
A. In Algeria and Mediterranean 
basin (from  EUFORGEN, 
2009); B. In Kabylia (map 
extracted from BNEDER 
(2008)).
Slika 1: Lokacije preučevanih 
gozdov hrasta plutovca:  
A. v Alžiriji in mediteranskem 
bazenu (iz EUFORGEN, 
2009); B. v območju Kabylia 
(karta povzeta iz BNEDER 
(2008)).
B
10°W 0° 10°E 20°E
45°
N
40°
35°
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Syntaxonomical survey of cork oak forests (Quercus suber L.) in Northern Algeria
Table 2: Description of cork oak forests studied in the wilaya 
of Tizi Ouzou (BNEDER, 2008).
Tabela 2: Opis preučevanih gozdov hrasta plutovca v provinci 
Tizi Ouzou (BNEDER, 2008).
Forests Area  
(ha)
Dominant  
tree species
Highest 
altitude
(m a.s.l.)
Coordinates
Beni Ghobri 6939 Quercus suber, 
Q. canariensis, 
Q. afares 
1291 04°22’–04°35’E 
36°40’–36°45’N
Tamgout 3829 Quercus suber, 
Q. canariensis, 
Q. afares 
1278 04°19’–04°27’E
36°45’–36°50’N
Mizrana 2669 Quercus suber, 
maquis
895 04°00’–04°07’E 
36°50’–36°53’N
Beni Kouffi 158 Quercus suber, 
Q. ilex
1140 03°58’–03°59’E
36°29’–36°30’N
Industrial 
reforestation 
(Azeffoun)
436
Eucalyptus spp., 
Pinus spp., 
maquis (Q. suber)
845 04°19’–04°25’E36°48’–36°53’N
Data collection
The vegetation analysis was performed according to the 
Braun–Blanquet method (Braun-Blanquet, 1964), com-
pleted by Dengler et al. (2008) and Biondi (2011). Field-
work was carried out from 2006 to 2008 and 2014 to 
2016, in cork oak forests and maquis in five representa-
tive locations. A dataset of 96 phytosociological relevés, 
with 221 plant taxa overall, was collected in the forests of 
Béni Ghobri (60 relevés), Mizrana (10 relevés), Tamgout 
(13 relevés), Beni Kouffi (7 relevés) and the coastal 
maquis of the Azeffoun-Aghrib region (6 relevés). They 
were carried out in homogeneous vegetation, in terms 
of physiognomy and structure (Serra et al., 2002), and 
sampled in representative patches of vegetation, avoid-
ing edges and areas showing obvious recent disturbance 
(Simonson & Allen, 2014).
Plot size varies from 100 to 250 m², due to the hetero-
geneity of the tree stands (Frosch & Deil, 2011). The cov-
er-abundance scale proposed by Braun-Blanquet (1964), 
which combines an estimate of the number of individuals 
from each species and the area they cover in the plot, was 
considered. The following site parameters were noted for 
each plot: altitude, slope, exposure, substrate, total cover 
of the vegetation (in %), as well as some estimated an-
thropic parameters (grazing, fires, etc.). All the vascular 
plant species present in a given plot (Roselt/OSS, 2007) 
were recorded. They were identified using the Flora of Al-
geria (Quézel & Santa, 1962–1963) and their taxonomic 
nomenclature updated according to Dobignard & Chat-
elain (2010–2013) and African Plant database (APD, 
2021). The accepted scientific names and authors of all 
plants mentioned in the text are provided in tables 3 to 6. 
With regard to syntaxonomy, the principles contained in 
the International Code of Phytosociological Nomencla-
ture (Theurillat et al., 2020), were followed. Authors of 
all syntaxa mentioned in the text are according to Mucina 
et al. (2016) and Meddour et al. (2017). The names and 
authors of all syntaxa mentioned in the text are provided 
in a syntaxonomic scheme. The bioclimatic characteriza-
tion is in accordance with Rivas-Martínez et al. (2011).
Data analysis
Before the treatment, the cover-abundance values were 
converted into quantitative values according to the or-
dinal scale proposed by Gillet (2000). Sporadic species, 
occurring in only one relevé of the dataset (i.e. 61 taxa), 
were excluded from statistical processing. To the global 
matrix that altogether includes 96 relevés and 160 taxa, 
were applied the techniques of multivariate analysis using 
the R statistical software, package ‘ca’ and package ‘clus-
ter’ (R Development Core Team, 2020). The phytosocio-
logical relevés were treated with a correspondence analysis 
(see Chessel et al., 2003), and classified using hierarchical 
clustering analysis, based on a dissimilarity index (khi² 
distance) between relevés and the Ward’s minimum 
variance method as agglomeration criterion. Lastly, the 
relevés on the phytosociological tables were arranged ac-
cording to the results of the hierarchical clustering (see 
e.g., Poldini et al., 2020). In the synoptic column of the 
tables, roman numbers are used for the presence classes 
(see Géhu & Rivas-Martinez, 1981).
Results and discussion
Discrimination of plant 
communities by numerical analyses
The diagram of axes 1–2 of the correspondence analysis 
allows to discriminate a compact cluster A of 7 relevés, 
standing out significantly from all the other relevés, along 
axis 1 (10.08% of the variance) that reflects the continen-
tality (Figure 2). 
This cluster relates to the mountain cork oak forest, 
located on the northwestern slope of Djurdjura in Beni 
Kouffi. It is the most continental community, at the meso-
mediterranean thermotype, belonging to the Quercetalia 
ilicis and the Balansaeo-Quercion rotundifoliae. A second 
cluster, cluster B, grouping 6 relevés stands out clearly. 
This cluster B corresponds to relevés of sublittoral maquis 
(Aghrib-Azeffoun), with or without cork oak, generally 
forming a thermomediterranean pre-forest mantle of cork 
oak woods, belonging to the Pistacio-Rhamnetalia alat-
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Syntaxonomical survey of cork oak forests (Quercus suber L.) in Northern Algeria
erni and the Ericion arboreae. Two other clusters are in-
dividualized, a cluster C (26 relevés), and a large cluster 
D, bringing together the greater part of the relevés (57). 
These clusters are distributed along axis 2 (8.31% of the 
variance), which obviously reflects a synecological and 
dynamic gradient (bioclimate, altitude, thermophilia / 
mesophilia, openness of the stand, anthropization). The 
cluster C, in an intermediate position, corresponds to rel-
evés of sublittoral forest of cork oak (Mizrana) or further 
internal but at low altitudes (Tamgout, Béni Ghobri), 
more thermophilic than the next one, part of the Querc-
etalia ilicis and the Erico-Quercion ilicis, at the meso-
mediterranean thermotype. The cluster D is that of the 
most mesophilous and alticolous cork oak woodlands in 
Tamgout and Beni Ghobri, evolving on deep forest soils, 
in a humid ombrotype and cool climate, at mesomediter-
ranean thermotype. This latter is also part of the Erico-
Quercion ilicis, in contact with the zeen oak forests, where 
the presence of a group of differential species of Quercetea 
pubescentis sensu lato is noticed. 
The species presenting the strongest relative contribu-
tions to axis 1 makes it possible to highlight two floris-
tic groups, with precise mesological and syndynamic 
significance, faced along this axis. On the negative side, 
there is a group of taxa with thermoheliophilic tendency, 
linked to cluster B (Pistacia lentiscus, Phillyrea latifolia, 
Ampelodesmos mauritanicus, Myrtus communis, Olea eu-
ropaea, Erica arborea, Arbutus unedo, etc.), at the ther-
momediterranean thermotype, and as well some species 
of the calcifuge matorrals (Cistus monspeliensis, Genista 
ulicina, Lavandula stoechas), indicating recurrent fires. 
On the positive side, we distinguish a floristic-ecological 
group, linked to cluster A (mixed forest of Quercus suber 
and Q. ilex in Djurdjura mountain, at mesomediterrane-
an thermotype), comprising many mesophilous and hu-
micolous species (Cephalaria mauritanica, Festuca triflora, 
Juniperus oxycedrus, Conopodium glaberrimum, Silene im-
bricata, etc.), which show likewise strong contributions to 
the positive side of axis 2. On the negative side of this lat-
ter, we discriminate a floristic-ecological group of species 
presenting the strongest contributions to this axis, linked 
to cluster D (Quercus canariensis, Q. suber, Cytisus villosus, 
Rubus ulmifolius, Prunus avium, Brachypodium sylvaticum, 
Carex halleriana, etc.). 
On the other hand, the dendrogram (khi² distance, 
Ward’s method) obtained from the hierarchical cluster-
ing analysis of the same data matrix, makes it possible to 
distinguish four main clusters of relevés (Figure 3). This 
analysis leads to results congruent with those of the corre-
spondence analysis, since we outlined on this dendrogram 
Figure 2: Ordination diagram 
(correspondence analysis) of the data 
matrix of cork oak forests (96 relevés x 
160 species). Axes 1 and 2 (18.39% of the 
covariance matrix).
Slika 2: Ordinacijski diagram 
(korespondenčna analiza) podatkovne 
matrice gozdov hrasta plutovca (96 
popisov x 160 vrst). Osi 1 in 2 (18.39% 
kovariančne matrice).
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Syntaxonomical survey of cork oak forests (Quercus suber L.) in Northern Algeria
the clusters A, B, C and D, comprising respectively 7, 6, 
26 and 57 relevés, corresponding to the same plant com-
munities. 
Syntaxonomic and synecological 
interpretation of cork oak plant 
communities
The phytosociological interpretation of plant commu-
nities highlighted by correspondence analysis and clus-
ter analysis led to the identication of four communities, 
which were classified in one class, as underlined in the 
following syntaxonomic scheme.
QUERCETEA ILICIS Braun-Blanquet ex A. de Bolòs & 
O. de Bolòs in A. Bolòs y Vayreda 1950
Quercetalia ilicis Braun-Blanquet ex Molinier 1934.
Balansaeo glaberrimae-Quercion rotundifoliae Bar-
bero, Quézel & Rivas-Martínez ex Rivas-Martínez 
et al. 2011
Sileno imbricatae-Quercetum suberis ass. nov.
Erico arboreae-Quercion ilicis S. Brullo, Di Mar-
tino & Marcenó 1977
Cytiso villosi-Quercetum suberis Braun-Blan-
quet 1953 nom. mut. propos. Meddour, Med-
dour-Sahar, Zeraia & Mucina 2017
Quercetosum canariensis El Afsa 1978.
Myrtetosum communis Khelifi 1987
Pistacio lentisci-Rhamnetalia alaterni Rivas-Martínez 
1975
Ericion arboreae (Rivas-Martínez ex Rivas-Martí-
nez, Costa & Izco 1986) Rivas-Martínez 1987
Ericenion arboreae Rivas-Martínez, Costa & 
Izco 1986
Erico arboreae-Myrtetum communis Qué-
zel, Barbero, Benabid, Loisel & Rivas-Mar-
tinez 1988
Ass. Sileno imbricatae-Quercetum suberis ass. 
nov. [cluster A, Table 3, the nomenclatural type, 
holotypus, is relevé 3 in Table 3] (Syntaxonomic 
synonym: Festuco triflorae-Quercetum suberis 
Meddour 2010 nom. inval. (Art. 1))
This cork oak forest is located near Ait Ali village above 
Beni Kouffi in the northwestern Djurdjura, between 900 
and 1100 m a.s.l. approximately, on a siliceous substrate 
(pudding stones and sandstones). In sunny slopes, it still 
constitutes scarce remnants in the area of mesomediter-
ranean holm oak woods. It occurs as low and clear forest, 
6–8 m tall on average and a cover vegetation of around 
Figure 3: Dendrogram of the hierarchical clustering based on Khi² 
distance and Ward’s minimum variance method of the data matrix of 
cork oak forests (96 relevés x 160 species). Four clusters (A, B, C and 
D) are highlighted.
Slika 3: Dendrogram hierarhičnega klastriranja na osnovi razdalje Khi² 
in Wardove metode minimalne variance podatkovne matrice gozdov 
hrasta plutovca (96 popisov x 160 vrst). Označeni so štirje klastri (A, 
B, C in D).
C4
C6
C5
C10
B2
C13
F21
F24
C18
C7
F15
B20
C28
F22
F23
A5
B24
C16
C32
F18
F19
F20
A3
B4
B9
F17
B1
B5
C17
C20
B22
C30
B21
C29
C14
F3
B23
C31
C15
B18
C35
C11
C12
C19
C9
C33
C3
C8
B8
B25
B17
C34
C1
F25
B7
C2
F16
D2
D1
D3
D4
D7
D5
D6
E3
E6
E2
E5
E1
E7
B10
C22
C23
C27
C21
B11
C25
B15
B3
A4
B6
C26
A10
B19
B16
B12
B14
A8
A9
E4
A1
A2
B13
C24
A6
A7
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60–70%. The tree stratum consists essentially of Quercus 
suber, but Quercus ilex subsp. ballota is present as isolated 
individuals. At the level of the shrub layer, Cytisus villosus 
generally constitutes a relatively homogeneous understo-
ry, with significant cover (80%). We note the lack of the 
usual sclerophyllous shrubs (e.g. Arbutus unedo), which 
are undoubtedly eliminated by the winter cold at this 
altitudinal belt (Barbero & Loisel, 1983) and a relative 
continentalization.
Relevé number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Fr.
Relevé number (field) D2 D1 D3 D4 D7 D5 D6
Altitude (x 10 m a.s.l.) 99 105 100 95 106 108 108
Aspect N N N N SW SW SW
Slope (%) 50 30 50 60 30 40 40
Cover (%) 60 60 70 70 70 60 70
Area (x 10 m²) 25 25 25 25 25 25 25
Location BK BK BK BK BK BK BK
Number of taxa 52 45 49 37 28 33 25  
Diagnostic species of the association
Quercus suber L. 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 V
Silene imbricata Desf. + + + + + + V
Cephalaria mauritanica Pomel + 1 + 1 2 2 V
Euphorbia cuneifolia Guss. + + 1 1 III
Andryala laxiflora DC. + + + III
Silene patula Desf. subsp. patula + + II
Species of Balansaeo glaberrimae-Quercion rotundifoliae
Festuca triflora Desf. 2 + + 1 + + + V
Quercus ilex subsp. ballota (Desf.) Samp. + + + + + IV
Arabis pubescens (Desf.) Poir. + + + + + IV
Conopodium glaberrimum (Desf.) Engstrand + + 2 III
Species of Quercetalia and Quercetea ilicis
Cytisus villosus Pourr. 4 4 4 4 4 1 V
Calicotome spinosa (L.) Link + 1 + 3 3 2 3 V
Galium tunetanum Lam. + + + + 1 + + V
Cynosurus elegans Desf. subsp. elegans + + + + 2 1 V
Pulicaria odora (L.) Rchb. + + + + + IV
Crataegus monogyna Jacq. + + + + + IV
Galium scabrum L. + + 1 + + IV
Juniperus oxycedrus L. subsp. oxycedrus 1 1 2 1 III
Eryngium tricuspidatum subsp. bovei (Boiss.) Breton + + + + III
Moehringia trinervia subsp. pentandra (Gay) Nyman + 1 + III
Geranium purpureum Vill. 1 + + III
Plagius maghrebinus Vogt & Greuter + +   II
Asplenium onopteris L. +   + II
Cyclamen africanum Boiss. & Reut. 1   + II
Daphne gnidium L. + + II
Erica arborea L. + I
Ampelodesmos mauritanicus (Poir.) T. Durand & Schinz + I
Carex halleriana Asso + I
Piptatherum miliaceum (L.) Coss. + I
Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn in Kerst. subsp. aquilinum + I
Osyris alba L. + I
Table 3 (Tabela 3): Sileno imbricatae-Quercetum suberis ass. nov.
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Relevé number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Fr.
Transgressive taxa of Quercetea pubescentis
Lamium flexuosum Ten. subsp. flexuosum + + + III
Rubus ulmifolius Schott 2 2   II
Rosa canina L. +   1 II
Prunella vulgaris L. +   + II
Alliaria petiolata (M. Bieb.) Cavara & Grande   + + II
Other species 
Dactylis glomerata L. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 V
Biscutella didyma L. + + + + + + + V
Myosotis ramosissima Rochel subsp. ramosissima + 1 + + + + V
Hypochaeris laevigata (L.) Ces., Pass. & Gibelli + + + + + + V
Briza maxima L. + 1 1 + 1 IV
Andryala integrifolia L. 1 1 1 1 1 IV
Hyoseris radiata L. + 1 + + + IV
Cistus salviifolius L. + + + + III
Lavandula stoechas L. + + +   III
Aira caryophyllea L. subsp. caryophyllea   + 1 + III
Thymus numidicus Poir. + + 1 III
Legousia falcata (Ten.) Janch. subsp. falcata + 2 1 + III
Sinapis pubescens L. subsp. pubescens 1 + + + III
Daucus carota L. subsp. carota + + + + III
Sedum pubescens Vahl + + + + III
Filago pyramidata L. + + + + III
Avena sterilis L. subsp. sterilis 1 1 1 III
Galactites tomentosus Moench + + + III
Umbilicus rupestris (Salisb.) Dandy + + + III
Silene coelirosa (L.) A. Br. + + + III
Lolium rigidum Gaudin 1 1 1 III
Bellis sylvestris Cirillo + + + III
Veronica arvensis L. + + II
Sixalix atropurpurea subsp. maritima (L.) Greuter & Burdet + + II
Fumaria capreolata L. subsp. capreolata + + II
Torilis arvensis (Huds.) Link + + II
Anisantha rubens (L.) Nevski 1 + II
Filago argentea (Pomel) Chrtek & Holub + + II
Gastridium ventricosum (Gouan) Schinz & Thell. + + II
Catapodium rigidum (L.) C.E. Hubb. + + II
Scolymus hispanicus L. + + II
Sedum acre subsp. neglectum (Ten.) Murb. + + II
Sherardia arvensis L. + + II
Sporadic species: Genista tricuspidata Desf. + (1), Galium apa-
rine L. + (4), Avena barbata Pott ex Link subsp. barbata + (1), 
Sonchus oleraceus L. + (3), Stellaria pallida (Dumort.) Piré + (1), 
Campanula rapunculus L. + (3), Leontodon tuberosus L. + (2), 
Anthemis pedunculata Desf. subsp. pedunculata + (2), Arenaria 
serpyllifolia L. subsp. serpyllifolia + (1), Crucianella angustifolia 
L. + (4), Eryngium dichotomum Desf. + (2), Ferula communis 
L. + (1), Helichrysum fontanesii Cambess. + (3), Herniaria glabra 
L. + (1), Knautia mauritanica Pomel + (1), Linaria multicaulis 
subsp. heterophylla (Desf.) A. Sutton + (4), Medicago polymorpha 
L. + (1), Ornithogalum baeticum Boiss. + (1), Plantago corono-
pus L. subsp. coronopus + (6), Poa bulbosa L. subsp. bulbosa 1 
(6), Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke + (4), Trifolium pratense 
L. subsp. pratense + (1), Veronica agrestis L. + (2), Viola odorata 
L.+ (1), Epipactis tremolsii Pau + (2), Ranunculus spicatus subsp. 
blepharicarpos (Boiss.) Grau + (1), Ammoides atlantica (Coss. & 
Dur.) H. Wolff + (6).
Location: Beni Kouffi (Djurdjura).
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This syntaxon belongs to Quercetea and Quercetalia ilicis as 
evidenced by the presence of several characteristic species 
(Quercus ilex subsp. ballota, Galium scabrum, Moehrin-
gia pentandra, Geranium purpureum, Juniperus oxycedrus, 
etc.). With the constant presence of Quercus ilex subsp. 
ballota, a group of species usually found in cool, quite 
mountainous holm oak woods, appear in this association. 
They are Juniperus oxycedrus, Rosa canina, and more sig-
nificantly endemics, such as Festuca triflora, Conopodium 
glaberrimum, Arabis pubescens and Silene patula. They are 
all lacking in the climactic cork oak forests of northeastern 
Algeria. Even though the noteworthy absence of Phlomis 
bovei, it is plainly a community of Balansaeo glaberrimae-
Quercion rotundifoliae, to which it is sound to relate this 
type of cork oak forest. In this case, we propose a new 
association, Sileno imbricatae-Quercetum suberis ass. nov., 
which is characterized by an original specific combina-
tion: Quercus suber, Silene imbricata, Euphorbia cuneifolia, 
Andryala laxiflora, and two transgressive species of holm 
oak woods and acidiphilic Atlas cedar woods at supra-
mediterranean thermotype (Cephalaria mauritanica and 
Silene patula).
This mountainous association of residual cork oak, 
which we describe for the first time from the Djurdjura 
massif, is synendemic to Algeria. On the synecological 
viewpoint, Zeraia (1981) recognises that the presence of 
Quercus ilex subsp. ballota, corresponds to a relative dry-
ing up of the habitat, linked to the degradation of the 
cork oak wood at its ecological marginality. Thus, synec-
ological and synfloristic affinities of this Djurdjuran as-
sociation are much closer with some cork oak/holm oak 
woods, developing at altitude on the Tellian Atlas (see 
Zeraia, 1981, 2019; Babali, 2004; Letreuch-Belarouci et 
al., 2009; Miara et al., 2012, 2020). This association is 
also reminiscent of Teucrio afrae-Quercetum suberis Bar-
bero, Benabid, Quézel & Rivas-Martinez 1981, which 
is a mixed cork oak wood, with Quercus ilex subsp. bal-
lota, growing at high altitude (above 1000 m a.s.l.), on 
siliceous sandstones in the Rif, likewise integrated into 
Balansaeo-Quercion rotundifoliae (Barbero et al., 1981).
Ass. Cytiso villosi-Quercetum suberis Braun-Blanquet 
1953 nom. mut. propos. Meddour, Meddour-Sahar, 
Zeraia & Mucina 2017 quercetosum canariensis El 
Afsa 1978 [cluster D, Table 4]
In the Beni Ghobri and Tamgout forests, above 600–700 
m a.s.l., on northern slopes, with increasing cool humid-
ity, the Zeen oak (Quercus canariensis) begins to mix with 
Quercus suber (Figure 4 B & D).
This mixed forest colonizes the north and east facing 
slopes, in high altitudinal position (650–950 m a.s.l.), on 
deep and relatively cool soils, in upper mesomediterrane-
an thermotype, and in temperate humid ombrotype, on 
the Numidian sandstones. The soils are most often sandy, 
with clayey intercalations, and strewn with scree and the 
humus is mull, acidic, rich in organic matter, with a pod-
zolic tendency (Durand, 1951).
These edaphoclimatic conditions are very favourable to 
Quercus canariensis, which is present almost everywhere 
and regenerates easily. 
This mixed oak wood arises in tall forest, 10–12 m on 
average in height, locally reaching 14–15 m; it is fairly 
dense to dense, with the canopy providing a cover of 
50–80%. In the tree layer, Quercus canariensis reaches an 
average height of 17 m, and Prunus avium is quite com-
mon under these conditions. The shrub layer is homoge-
neous and represented mainly by Cytisus villosus, which is 
the most mesohygrophilic shrub of the Fabaceae present 
in cork oak woods, Erica arborea, Rubus ulmifolius and 
Crataegus monogyna. 
It should be noted in this humid community the pre-
ponderance of mesophilic forest species, characteristics of 
Quercetea ilicis and Quercetalia ilicis, and those of Erico-
Quercion ilicis (Cytisus villosus, Pulicaria odora, Plagius 
maghrebinus, Clinopodium arundanum, etc.), to which 
obviously belongs this association of cork oak with Cytisus 
villosus. The constancy of the Zeen oak makes it possible 
to relate this community to quercetosum canariensis subas-
sociation, with as differential species: Quercus canarien-
sis, Prunus avium, Ficaria verna subsp. grandiflora, Vicia 
ochroleuca subp. atlantica, Lamium flexuosum (cf. El Afsa, 
1978; Zeraia, 1981; Khelifi, 1987). 
This subassociation is characterized by an enrichment 
of many transgressive taxa of Quercetea pubescentis (e.g. 
Prunella vulgaris, Luzula forsteri, Viola reichenbachiana, 
etc.), which reflect the mesohygrophilous character of 
quercetosum canariensis, regarding other subassociations 
of Cytiso-Quercetum suberis (in particular myrtetosum 
communis, see below). Their presence clearly illustrates 
the favourable mesophyllous conditions that exist in this 
mixed oaks wood (Quézel, 1956; Aimé et al., 1986). In 
the neighbouring Akfadou massif, these forest species find 
their ecological optimum in Zeen oak forest (see Laribi et 
al., 2008). The peculiarity of this subassociation, conserv-
ing a mesophilous mountain flora of Quercetea pubescen-
tis, is certainly of great phytogeographical significance. 
This is also the case for other cork oak woods, both in 
Kroumiria (Braun-Blanquet, 1953), and in Sardinia (Bac-
chetta et al., 2004), where they harbour floristic elements 
of Querco-Fagetea sylvaticae.
Finally, this subassociation establishes a transition be-
tween the sclerophyllous evergreen forests (Cytiso villosi-
Quercetum suberis typicum), and the deciduous forests of 
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the same region (Rubo incanescentis-Quercetum canarien-
sis cytisetosum villosi and Plagio maghrebini-Quercetum 
canariensis) (cf. Quézel, 1956; Aimé et al., 1986; Med-
dour, 1993; Laribi et al., 2008), growing in a humid om-
brotype, temperate to cool, and above 800–900 m a.s.l.. 
Moreover, the floristic comparison of these three syntaxa 
clearly shows their great synfloristic affinities, including 
almost all the forest plant species having their optimum 
in the upper mesomediterranean thermotype.
Ass. Cytiso villosi-Quercetum suberis Braun-Blanquet 
1953 nom. mut. propos. Meddour, Meddour-Sahar, 
Zeraia & Mucina 2017 myrtetosum communis Khelifi 
1987 [cluster C, Table 5]
This mesophilic community with a thermophilic ten-
dency, appears in some forests of the littoral, mostly 
in Mizrana (Figure 4 A), in Tamgout and Beni Ghobri 
(150–650 m a.s.l.), where it is lower than the previous 
subassociation (Cytiso-Quercetum suberis quercetosum ca-
nariensis). It grows mainly in the thermomediterranean 
and lower mesomediterranean thermotypes, in subhumid 
to humid temperate ombrotypes, on Numidian sand-
stones and scree of these sandstones.
This cork oak forest type is generally found in pure 
stand, with an average height of 8–12 m, sometimes high-
er (15 m). The tree layer is constitued almost solely by 
Quercus suber, which provides a variable cover (50–90%). 
Zeen oak can be locally present by natural regeneration; 
Prunus avium is very rare. The frutescent layer, 1.5–2.5 
m in height, is generally dense (70–90% of vegetation 
cover). The abundance of Cytisus villosus and many Medi-
terranean type shrubs (Erica arborea, Arbutus unedo, 
Phillyrea latifolia, Myrtus communis, Crataegus monogyna, 
Viburnum tinus, Ruscus hypophyllum, Daphne gnidium, 
Calicotome spinosa, etc.) characterize it.
Figure 4: Some images of different types of cork oak forests studied: 
A. Mesomediterranean humid cork oak forest (Cytiso villosi-Quercetum 
suberis myrtetosum communis) at Mizrana forest. B. Mesomediterranean 
subhumid cork oak forest (Cytiso villosi-Quercetum suberis quercetosum 
canariensis) at Tamgout forest. C. Thermomediterranean subhumid 
maquis (Erico arboreae-Myrtetum communis) at Azzefoun, coastal area. 
D. Mesomediterranean humid cork oak forest (Cytiso villosi-Quercetum 
suberis quercetosum canariensis) at Beni Ghobri forest. All photos 
R. Meddour.
Slika 4: Slike različnih tipov preučevanih gozdov hrasta plutovca: 
A. mezomediteranski vlažni gozdovi hrasta plutovca (Cytiso 
villosi-Quercetum suberis myrtetosum communis) v gozdu Mizrana. 
B. mezomediteranski polvlažni gozdovi hrasta plutovca (Cytiso 
villosi-Quercetum suberis quercetosum canariensis) v gozdu Tamgout. 
C. termomediteranska polvlažna makija (Erico arboreae-Myrtetum 
communis) pri kraju Azzefoun, obalno območje. D. mezomediteranski 
vlažni gozd hrasta plutovca (Cytiso villosi-Quercetum suberis quercetosum 
canariensis) v gozdu Beni Ghobri. Vse fotografije R. Meddour.D
B
A
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Table 6 (Tabela 6): Erico arboreae-Myrtetum communis Quézel, Barbero, Benabid, Loisel & Rivas-Martinez 1988.
Relevé number 1 2 3 4 5 6 Fr.
Relevé number (field) E3 E6 E2 E5 E1 E7
Altitude (x 10 m a.s.l.) 6 5 25 6 25 40
Aspect E N E NE S S
Slope (%) 5 20 45 45 20 25
Cover (%) 80 90 80 90 100 90
Area (x 10 m²) 10 10 10 10 10 10
Location Az Az Ag Az Ag Ag
Number of taxa 15 16 14 14 13 13  
Diagnostic species of the association and Ericion arboreae
Erica arborea L. 2 2 3 2 2 2 V
Myrtus communis L. 2 1 2 1 2 1 V
Genista ulicina Spach + + + + + 1 V
Arbutus unedo L. 1 1 + + IV
Species of Quercetea ilicis and Pistacio lentisci-Rhamnetalia alaterni
Pistacia lentiscus L. 1 2 3 3 4 3 V
Phillyrea latifolia L. 3 2 3 1 3 3 V
Ampelodesmos mauritanicus (Poir.) T. Durand & Schinz 2 2 2 2 + 1 V
Calicotome spinosa (L.) Link + + + 2 1 V
Olea europaea L. subsp. europaea + + 3 3 IV
Eryngium tricuspidatum subsp. bovei (Boiss.) Breton + + + III
Ceratonia siliqua L. + + II
Quercus suber L. + + II
Pulicaria odora (L.) Rchb. + + II
Asparagus acutifolius L. + + II
Smilax aspera L. + + II
We can subordinate this community of cork oak with 
Cytisus villosus, where Myrtle and Ericaceae (Arbutus un-
edo and Erica arborea) co-dominate in the understory, to 
the subassociation Cytiso villosi-Quercetum suberis myrte-
tosum communis, since the transgressive species of Oleo-
Quercion rotundifoliae (Myrtus communis, Rubia peregrina, 
Smilax aspera, Ruscus hypophyllum) are well represented 
here. However, we noticed the great rarity of Clematis cir-
rhosa, Arisarum vulgare, Teucrium pseudoscorodonia and 
Olea europaea subsp. europaea, which are more optimal 
in the subhumid ombrotype and thermomediterranean 
thermotype. It is possible to classify among the diagnostic 
species of this unit: Myrtus communis, Phillyrea latifolia, 
Lonicera implexa and Piptatherum miliaceum, since they 
are uncommon in quercetosum canariensis, at their ecolog-
ical marginality. For instance, the upper altitudinal limit 
of Myrtus communis is located around 600–700 m a.s.l., 
altitude from which, it becomes rare and Cytisus villosus 
replaces it in the understory. 
This myrtetosum subassociation can partly be recognised 
in the “association with Quercus suber and Arbutus unedo”, 
and specifically in its “subassociation with Myrtus commu-
nis”, described in Northern Morocco by Sauvage (1961). 
Otherwise, in Morocco, the Myrto communis-Quercetum 
suberis, thermomediterranean association of Oleo-Quercion 
rotundifoliae, is declined in several subassociations, of 
which myrtetosum communis (Barbero et al., 1981), where 
Arbutus unedo and Erica arborea are frequent. The syndy-
namic and synfloristic links between these various syntaxa 
deserve an in-depth comparative study in North Africa.
Ass. Erico arboreae-Myrtetum communis Quézel, 
Barbero, Benabid, Loisel & Rivas-Martinez 1988 
[cluster B, Table 6]
This secondary coastal shrubland (“maquis”) develops 
from practically sea level (50–60 m a.s.l.) to around 400 m 
a.s.l., in the region of Aghrib-Azeffoun (Figure 4 C), on 
flysch alternating sandstone and clay, locally clayey, as evi-
denced by the preponderance of oleaster (relevés 5 and 6). 
It reaches its ecological optimum in the thermomediter-
ranean thermotype, warm to temperate subhumid om-
brotype. This association occurs either in medium or high 
thicket, 2–3 m in height, dense or even thick (cover of 
80–100%), or in wooded scrub, where the cork oak is 
residual, and the forest character is rarely achieved. 
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Sclerophyllous shrubs, such as Erica arborea, Myrtus 
communis, Pistacia lentiscus, Phillyrea latifolia, Arbutus 
unedo, Calicotome spinosa, are omnipresent, and Cistus 
monspeliensis, Lavandula stoechas, Genista ulicina organise 
a sub-stratum of 1–1.5 m tall. 
At the level of this pre-forest community, the diagnostic 
species of Quercetea ilicis and Pistacio-Rhamnetalia alat-
erni are numerous and in particular various thermohe-
liophilic species, such as Arbutus unedo, Pistacia lentiscus, 
Ampelodesmos mauritanicus, Calicotome spinosa, Myrtus 
communis, Daphne gnidium, etc. The species of Cisto-La-
vanduletea are represented by Cistus monspeliensis, Cistus 
salviifolius and Lavandula stoechas. 
This association is characterized by the following di-
agnostic species, comprising transgressive species of the 
Ericion arboreae: Erica arborea, Myrtus communis, Arbu-
tus unedo, to which we join as a local differential species 
Genista ulicina that clearly finds its ecological optimum 
in this community. It belongs to the typical Ericenion ar-
boreae Rivas-Martínez, Costa & Izco 1986 suballiance, 
growing exclusively on siliceous substrata, at thermo- and 
mesomediterranean thermotypes (Torres et al., 2002), 
not hitherto recognised in Algeria.
Quézel et al. (1988) first described the Erico-Myrtetum 
in the Moroccan Rif. In Algeria, it was then recognised in 
the Traras massif on the Oran coast (Hadjadj-Aoul & Loi-
sel, 1999; Medjahdi & Letreuch-Belarouci, 2017) and in 
Taza National Park (Sfaksi, 2012). Elsewhere, Brullo et al. 
(2008) and Guarino et al. (2017) describe it from Sicily.
On the dynamic point of view, this high scrubland with 
Ericaceae (Erica arborea, Arbutus unedo) derives from 
coastal cork oak forests with Myrtus communis, belonging 
to the Myrto communis-Quercetum suberis, climactic forest 
association, on siliceous substrate, at thermomediterrane-
an thermotype. This low-altitude association has strongly 
regressed following excessive cuttings and repeated fires, 
on the Kabylian coastal area. Thus, Erico-Myrtetum asso-
ciation makes it possible to reconstitute the potential veg-
etation and to recognise the climactic forest community, 
which is increasingly difficult to meet nowadays in the 
field, moreover in the thermomediterranean thermotype 
(Quézel et al., 1988). In terms of management, it must 
always be borne in mind that shrublands are substitution 
communities, that in the end, if not disturbed (e.g. by 
wildfires, grazing, etc.), are possibly replaced by potential 
forest vegetation (Farris et al., 2007).
About the integration of cork oak associations to 
alliances: Erico-Quercion ilicis vs. Quercion suberis
On the syntaxonomical standpoint, the forest associa-
tions of cork oak are integrated, according to many au-
thors, into various alliances of Quercetalia ilicis, giving to 
local chorological, edaphic and climatic factors in their 
Mediterranean range (Blasi et al., 1997). According to 
Agrillo et al. (2018), in their comparative description of 
the European Q. suber woodlands types, there are four 
groups defined corresponding to distinct biogeographical 
regions and alliances: 
i) the Western Iberian Peninsula group includes the 
alliance Oleo sylvestris–Quercion rotundifoliae, 
ii) the Cantabrian and Aquitanian groups include the 
alliance Quercion broteroi,
iii) the Catalan-Provençal group is linked to Quercion 
ilicis, 
iv) the Tyrrhenian Italian coast and main islands group 
are linked to the alliances Erico-Quercion ilicis and 
Fraxino orni-Quercion ilicis.
In North Africa, there is no synthesis carried out on all 
the plant communities of cork oak woodlands in this area. 
In Morocco, Taleb & Fennane (2019) linked the plant 
communities of cork oak to the Oleo sylvestris-Quercion 
Relevé number 1 2 3 4 5 6 Fr.
Daphne gnidium L. + + II
Lonicera implexa Aiton + I
Rosa sempervirens L. + I
Species of Cisto-Lavanduletea stoechadis
Cistus monspeliensis L. 3 2 2 3 3 2 V
Lavandula stoechas L. 2 + 1 1 1 1 V
Cistus salviifolius L. 1 + II
Other species
Rubus ulmifolius Schott + + II
Asphodelus ramosus L. subsp. ramosus + I
Briza maxima L. + I
Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter       +     I
Locations: Ag: Aghrib, Az: Azeffoun.
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Syntaxonomical survey of cork oak forests (Quercus suber L.) in Northern Algeria
rotundifoliae. In Algeria (and Tunisia), all the cork oak 
forest associations, present in the mesomediterranean 
thermotype (cf. Table 1), were usually affiliated by the au-
thors to Quercion suberis (see e.g., Siab-Farsi, 2018). This 
alliance is now subordinated to Quercion ilicis, a thermo-
philous alliance typical of Valencian-Catalan-Provençal 
biogeographic district (Agrillo et al., 2018), as a suballi-
ance Quercenion suberis (Loisel 1971) Rameau in Bardat 
et al. 2001. They are finally included in the Oleo sylvestris-
Quercion rotundifoliae by Meddour et al. (2017). Even so, 
this solution is no longer suitable. 
Hence, the Erico arboreae-Quercion ilicis, alliance de-
scribed by Brullo et al. (1977) in Sicily, more exactly in 
Pantelleria off the coast of Tunisia, currently encompasses 
several associations of cork oak woods of Sicily and Italian 
coastal areas (Tyrrhenian), including Cytiso villosi-Querce-
tum suberis (Bacchetta et al., 2004). This acidophilous al-
liance substitutes the basophilous Quercion ilicis (Agrillo 
et al., 2018). 
In Kabylia-Numidia-Kroumiria area, Quercus su-
ber woodlands exhibit a clear “eastern” biogeographical 
character making them very different from those of the 
Iberian Peninsula and Southern France, where Quercus 
ilex is almost in spatial contact. In addition, Frosch & 
Deil (2011) have shown that the Algerian associations of 
Quercus suber are clearly distinguished from those of the 
SW of Spain (Andalusia) and the North-West of Morocco 
(belonging to the Oleo-Quercion). Their distinct floristic 
composition is due to a number of species occurring only 
in the Algerian datasets, e.g. Clinopodium vulgare subsp. 
arundanum, Cyclamen africanum, Cynosurus effusus, and 
Eryngium tricuspidatum subsp. bovei.
All these considerations lead us to affiliate the cork oak 
associations growing in Northeastern Algeria-Tunisia, at 
the level of alliances, to the Erico arboreae-Quercion ilicis. 
This alliance admits as diagnostic species: Pulicaria odora, 
Cytisus villosus, Melica arrecta, Erica arborea, Arbutus un-
edo, Clinopodium vulgare subsp. arundanum, Teline mon-
spessulana, Teline linifolia, Teucrium siculum, Poa sylvicola, 
Adenocarpus grandiflorus (Brullo et al., 1977; Brullo & 
Marceno, 1985; Guarino et al., 2017). We must add as 
local differential species, some endemic plants, viz. Plagius 
maghrebinus, Eryngium tricuspidatum subsp. bovei, and 
Teucrium kabylicum (replacing T. siculum). In particular, 
the Cytiso-Quercetum suberis (with its two subassociations 
described here) is integrated to the Erico-Quercion ilicis 
for the first time in the present study, by waiting for a 
synthesis on all cork oak associations described in Algeria-
Tunisia. In fact, the presence of Erico-Quercion ilicis in 
Kabylia-Numidia-Kroumiria is of particular relevance, 
suggesting that interesting biogeographical links exist 
with Sicily and Tyrrhenian region (cf. Hamel et al., 2020).
Conclusions
In the present contribution, Kabylian Quercus suber 
woodlands have been described for the first time in terms 
of their floristic composition and ecological significance. 
The wide ecological amplitude shown by the cork oak in 
Kabylia area leads to the phytocoenotic diversity of its 
woodlands that are assigned to three associations, with 
a newly described synendemic one (Sileno imbricatae-
Quercetum suberis), and two subassociations, affiliated to 
one class, two orders, and three alliances. Apart from the 
Cytiso villosi-Quercetum suberis, they are identified for the 
first time in Kabylia area. 
From the phytogeographical point of view, it is impor-
tant to recognise for the first time the existence in Algeria 
of the Erico arboreae-Quercion ilicis alliance that replaces 
the usually described Quercion suberis alliance in NE Al-
gerian-Tunisian cork oak woodlands.
The regressive evolution of the cork oak forest, under 
the impact of anthropozoic disturbances, leads to high 
scrub of the Ericion arboreae (Erico-Myrtetum), in the 
study area and probably in all the area of  Erico-Quercion 
ilicis within the Kabylian-Numidian sector (Northeastern 
Algeria). More specifically, we are able to relate to Eri-
cenion arboreae suballiance the high and dense maquis 
with Arbutus unedo and Erica arborea, which originate 
from coastal cork oak woodlands with Myrtus communis, 
and are not sufficiently studied in Algeria.
The growth of these evergreen forests is threatened by 
high fire frequency and overgrazing, particularly in the 
thermomediterranean coastal area. Morever, the remnant 
cork oak forest of Djurdjura, located in a protected area, 
is seriously threatened by wildfires. In face of such threats, 
we provided information on both the floristic composi-
tion and synecology to help establishing management and 
conservation measures that are highly required to contrast 
the predictable future decline of the cork oak forests in 
the southern coast of Mediterranean basin.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank forestry technicians of forest dis-
tricts of Tizi Ouzou province for their help in the field-
work. We thank the reviewers for significantly improving 
the quality of the manuscript and for providing us with 
useful suggestions.
Rachid Meddour  https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2936-2470
Ouahiba Sahar  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7466-2926
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Syntaxonomical survey of cork oak forests (Quercus suber L.) in Northern Algeria
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Table Relevé  number
Altitude  
(m a.s.l.) Latitude Longitude Locality
3 1 990 36°28’37”N 3°59’01”E BK
3 2 1050 36°28’28”N 3°58’20”E BK
3 3 1000 36°28’34”N 3°58’27”E BK
3 4 950 36°28’46”N 3°59’04”E BK
3 5 1060 36°28’30”N 3°58’44”E BK
3 6 1080 36°28’17”N 3°58’32”E BK
3 7 1080 36°28’29”N 3°58’45”E BK
4 1 720 36°46’03”N 4°24’23”E BG
4 2 670 36°42’24”N 4°24’52”E BG
4 3 750 36°45’07”N 4°29’04”E BG
4 4 650 36°43’39”N 4°23’18”E BG
4 5 730 36°42’37”N 4°25’44”E BG
4 6 880 36°44’04”N 4°25’04”E BG
4 7 690 36°45’46”N 4°25’57”E BG
4 8 670 36°43’28”N 4°24’38”E BG
4 9 730 36°44’33”N 4°30’23”E BG
4 10 830 36°43’30”N 4°25’28”E BG
4 11 540 36°43’46”N 4°22’38”E BG
4 12 760 36°44’41”N 4°26’29”E BG
4 13 840 36°43’30”N 4°26’23”E BG
4 14 700 36°44’59”N 4°26’16”E BG
4 15 700 36°45’12”N 4°24’02”E BG
4 16 750 36°49’45”N 4°23’31”E T
4 17 820 36°44’12”N 4°28’46”E BG
4 18 820 36°44’08”N 4°28’28”E BG
4 19 860 36°44’06”N 4°25’21”E BG
4 20 850 36°43’57”N 4°25’08”E BG
4 21 730 36°44’33”N 4°28’39”E BG
4 22 660 36°43’35”N 4°24’04”E BG
4 23 850 36°50’29”N 4°04’14”E M
4 24 600 36°45’10”N 4°23’26”E BG
4 25 730 36°48’47”N 4°23’14”E T
4 26 840 36°42’51”N 4°26’25”E BG
4 27 770 36°42’23”N 4°25’04”E BG
4 28 770 36°45’12”N 4°25’13”E BG
4 29 770 36°44’47”N 4°28’54”E BG
4 30 770 36°44’44”N 4°29’59”E BG
4 31 730 36°42’39”N 4°27’04”E BG
4 32 880 36°44’17”N 4°25’15”E BG
4 33 720 36°43’15”N 4°24’57”E BG
4 34 840 36°44’02”N 4°24’02”E BG
4 35 730 36°43’50”N 4°27’55”E BG
4 36 510 36°47’17”N 4°24’15”E T
4 37 730 36°46’43”N 4°25’05”E BG
4 38 870 36°43’10”N 4°26’04”E BG
4 39 730 36°42’44”N 4°27’22”E BG
4 40 780 36°43’49”N 4°28’05”E BG
4 41 850 36°43’55”N 4°25’19”E BG
Table Relevé  number
Altitude  
(m a.s.l.) Latitude Longitude Locality
4 42 690 36°44’48”N 4°29’41”E BG
4 43 660 36°45’21”N 4°25’43”E BG
4 44 710 36°42’30”N 4°27’15”E BG
4 45 710 36°45’17”N 4°24’58”E BG
4 46 860 36°43’12”N 4°25’56”E BG
4 47 710 36°44’38”N 4°26’54”E BG
4 48 840 36°44’11”N 4°24’28”E BG
4 49 760 36°48’55”N 4°27’11”E T
4 50 870 36°42’59”N 4°26’12”E BG
4 51 760 36°42’59”N 4°25’09”E BG
4 52 880 36°44’30”N 4°24’09”E BG
4 53 760 36°42’32”N 4°27’29”E BG
4 54 940 36°44’30”N 4°24’37”E BG
4 55 900 36°48’29”N 4°25’20”E T
4 56 870 36°43’20”N 4°25’55”E BG
4 57 740 36°44’59”N 4°23’57”E BG
5 1 650 36°49’17”N 4°23’15”E T
5 2 550 36°43’57”N 4°22’52”E BG
5 3 540 36°41’41”N 4°25’10”E BG
5 4 530 36°45’58”N 4°23’53”E BG
5 5 580 36°42’45”N 4°24’19”E BG
5 6 670 36°50’15”N 4°23’57”E T
5 7 540 36°43’05”N 4°23’42”E BG
5 8 600 36°50’43”N 4°26’54”E T
5 9 590 36°39’37”N 4°27’21”E BG
5 10 650 36°51’12”N 4°05’16”E M
5 11 580 36°47’05”N 4°26’16”E T
5 12 550 36°41’13”N 4°24’50”E BG
5 13 150 36°52’40”N 4°06’32”E M
5 14 600 36°45’37”N 4°24’34”E BG
5 15 690 36°48’22”N 4°24’39”E T
5 16 210 36°47’28”N 4°29’18”E T
5 17 330 36°50’21”N 4°21’14”E T
5 18 400 36°51’59”N 4°04’04”E M
5 19 200 36°53’01”N 4°04’50”E M
5 20 170 36°25’56”N 4°05’52”E M
5 21 350 36°51’51”N 4°05’31”E M
5 22 250 36°52’59”N 4°03’39”E M
5 23 270 36°46’42”N 4°27’04”E T
5 24 600 36°44’27”N 4°23’26”E BG
5 25 680 36°49’58”N 4°05’22”E M
5 26 400 36°52’25”N 4°05’25”E M
6 1 60 36°53’48”N 4°18’03”E Az
6 2 50 36°53’54”N 4°18’04”E Az
6 3 250 36°53’56”N 4°17’58”E Ag
6 4 60 36°50’59”N 4°20’23”E Az
6 5 250 36°51’40”N 4°19’52”E Ag
6 6 400 36°50’24”N 4°19’51”E Ag
Appendix
Geographical coordinates of the relevés and coded localities (Ag: Aghrib, Az: Azzefoun, BG: Beni Ghobri, BK: Beni Kouffi, 
M: Mizrana, T: Tamgout).
Geografske koordinate popisov in oznake lokalitet (Ag: Aghrib, Az: Azzefoun, BG: Beni Ghobri, BK: Beni Kouffi, M: Mizrana, 
T: Tamgout).
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Table 4 (Tabela 4): Cytiso villosi-Quercetum suberis Braun-Blanquet 1953 nom. mut. propos. Meddour, Meddour-Sahar, Zeraia & 
Mucina 2017 quercetosum canariensis El Afsa 1978.
Relevé number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 Fr.
Relevé Number (Field) C4 C6 C5 C10 B2 C13 F21 F24 C18 C7 F15 B20 C28 F22 F23 A5 B24 C16 C32 F18 F19 F20 A3 B4 B9 F17 B1 B5 C17 C20 B22 C30 B21 C29 C14 F3 B23 C31 C15 B18 C35 C11
Altitude (x 10 m a.s.l.) 72 67 75 65 73 88  69 67 73 83 54 76 84 70 70 75 82 82 86 85 73 66 85 60 73 84 77 77 77 77 73 88 72 84 73 51 73 87 73 78 85 69
Slope (%) 10 10 5 5 10 30  7  15 10 40 10 20 10 5 10 10 15 15 30  20 15  7 30 25 30  5 20 20 20 20 15 30 15 10 15 10 15 10 15 20 10 10
Aspect NE NE NE NE N W  NW  NW N NW NW NW N  NW  NW SE SW SW N  N NW  NW NW SE NE N  SE SE SE SE NW N NW N NW NE NW NE NW N N NE
Cover (%) 80 60 80 90 75 50 50 50 50 60 50 70 80 80 80 90 50 80 80 80 80 80 90 70 50 80 70 70 70 70 70 80 80 80 80 80 75 90 70 60 80 80
Area (x 10 m²) 20 20 20 20 20 20 10 10 20 20 10 20 20 10 10 25 20 25 20 10 10 10 25 25 20 10 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 10 20 20 20 20 20 20
Location BG BG BG BG BG BG BG BG BG BG BG BG BG BG BG T BG BG BG BG BG BG M BG T BG BG BG BG BG BG BG BG BG BG T BG BG BG BG BG BG
Number of taxa 24 20 27 23 36 32 19 12 27 17 20 25 23 15 20 26 19 17 18 17 21 21 24 18 21 23 26 27 23 21 23 20 31 26 14 19 31 28 28 14 14 29  
Differential species of the subassociation
Quercus canariensis Willd. 1 + + +     1 + + +   + + +     1 1 + + + + + + 1 1 + 1 1 III
Prunus avium (L.) L. 1   + + + + + + + + + + II
Ficaria verna subsp. grandiflora (Robert) Hayek +       + + + + + + + + + + + + II
Lamium flexuosum Ten. subsp. flexuosum     +   +       + + + + + + I
Vicia ochroleuca subsp. atlantica (Pomel) Greuter & Burdet + 1   + +     + + + + 2 2 I
Diagnostic species of the association and Erico-Quercion ilicis
Quercus suber L. 5 4 5 5 4 3 3 3 3 4 3 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 3 3 4 4 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 V
Cytisus villosus Pourr. 2 2 2 2 4 1     4 1 1 3 3     2 3 3 3 1 2 1 4 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 1 1 4 4 1 5 3 3 3 3 3 1 V
Erica arborea L. 1 + 2 2     2 1 1 3 3 + 1 3 4 4 4 2   + 2 1 2   4 4 4 4 2 2 1 1 2 + 3 3 3 2 2 + V
Clinopodium vulgare subsp. arundanum (Boiss.) Nyman 1 1 1     1 1       + + + +       + 1 + + 1 1 1 1 + + 2 + + + + III
Pulicaria odora (L.) Rchb. + + 1 + 1 1 + 1 + + 1 1 + + + + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 1 III
Plagius maghrebinus Vogt & Greuter 1 1 + +   1 1 + + + + + 1   + + 2 +   + + + + + 1 III
Arbutus unedo L. 1 +     2 1 1 1     1 3 2   + + + II
Eryngium tricuspidatum subsp. bovei (Boiss.) Breton + + + + 1 1 1 1 + + + + II
Teucrium kabylicum Batt. 1     1     + +   +   + + + + + II
Melica arrecta G. Kunze + +
Species of Quercetalia and Quercetea ilicis
Asparagus acutifolius L. 1 + 1 1     1 + 1 2 2   1 + 2 2 2 1 1   1 1 + + + + + + 1 + + + IV
Galium scabrum L. 1 + 1 1 1 + + 1 1 + + + + + + + 1 1 1 1 2 2 + + + + + IV
Rubia peregrina L. 1 1 1       2 3 1 2   + + 1 +   + 1 + 1 + + + III
Daphne gnidium L. 1 +   + + + +     + + +   + + 1 + + + + + + + + + + III
Asplenium onopteris L. + 1 + + + + + + + + + + + + + III
Calicotome spinosa  (L.) Link + 1     1 1 2 2     +     2 3 + 2 2 2 1 1 + + 1 1 1 + + + III
Geranium purpureum Vill. + 1 + + 1     + 1       + + 1 1 1 + + + + II
Carex halleriana Asso 1 + 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 1 II
Rosa sempervirens L. 1 + 1 2   1   + + + + + + + II
Carex distachya Desf. 1 1 +   1 +     + + + +   + + + II
Arisarum vulgare subsp. hastatum (Pomel) Dobignard 1 1 + + + + + + II
Smilax aspera L. 1           3 1 2 +     + + + + II
Cyclamen africanum Boiss. & Reut. 1 + + +   + + 1 II
Cynosurus elegans Desf. subsp. elegans + + + + 1 1 1 II
Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn in Kerst. + 1 1 3 +   + 1 I
Clematis flammula L. 1 1 1     1 + + +   I
Ruscus hypophyllum L. 1 1 +   +   + I
Piptatherum miliaceum (L.) Coss.  2 2 + I
Ampelodesmos mauritanicus (Poir.) T. Durand & Schinz         1 1 1 1 1 I
Aristolochia fontanesii Boiss. & Reut. +         +       +   I
Teucrium pseudoscorodonia Desf.     +           + +
Rhaponticoides africana (Lam.) M.V. Agab. & Greuter + + +   +     1 +
Lonicera etrusca G. Santi  + + r
Olea europaea L. subsp. europaea               +   1 1 r
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Relevé number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 Fr.
Relevé Number (Field) C4 C6 C5 C10 B2 C13 F21 F24 C18 C7 F15 B20 C28 F22 F23 A5 B24 C16 C32 F18 F19 F20 A3 B4 B9 F17 B1 B5 C17 C20 B22 C30 B21 C29 C14 F3 B23 C31 C15 B18 C35 C11
Altitude (x 10 m a.s.l.) 72 67 75 65 73 88  69 67 73 83 54 76 84 70 70 75 82 82 86 85 73 66 85 60 73 84 77 77 77 77 73 88 72 84 73 51 73 87 73 78 85 69
Slope (%) 10 10 5 5 10 30  7  15 10 40 10 20 10 5 10 10 15 15 30  20 15  7 30 25 30  5 20 20 20 20 15 30 15 10 15 10 15 10 15 20 10 10
Aspect NE NE NE NE N W  NW  NW N NW NW NW N  NW  NW SE SW SW N  N NW  NW NW SE NE N  SE SE SE SE NW N NW N NW NE NW NE NW N N NE
Cover (%) 80 60 80 90 75 50 50 50 50 60 50 70 80 80 80 90 50 80 80 80 80 80 90 70 50 80 70 70 70 70 70 80 80 80 80 80 75 90 70 60 80 80
Area (x 10 m²) 20 20 20 20 20 20 10 10 20 20 10 20 20 10 10 25 20 25 20 10 10 10 25 25 20 10 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 10 20 20 20 20 20 20
Location BG BG BG BG BG BG BG BG BG BG BG BG BG BG BG T BG BG BG BG BG BG M BG T BG BG BG BG BG BG BG BG BG BG T BG BG BG BG BG BG
Number of taxa 24 20 27 23 36 32 19 12 27 17 20 25 23 15 20 26 19 17 18 17 21 21 24 18 21 23 26 27 23 21 23 20 31 26 14 19 31 28 28 14 14 29  
Differential species of the subassociation
Quercus canariensis Willd. 1 + + +     1 + + +   + + +     1 1 + + + + + + 1 1 + 1 1 III
Prunus avium (L.) L. 1   + + + + + + + + + + II
Ficaria verna subsp. grandiflora (Robert) Hayek +       + + + + + + + + + + + + II
Lamium flexuosum Ten. subsp. flexuosum     +   +       + + + + + + I
Vicia ochroleuca subsp. atlantica (Pomel) Greuter & Burdet + 1   + +     + + + + 2 2 I
Diagnostic species of the association and Erico-Quercion ilicis
Quercus suber L. 5 4 5 5 4 3 3 3 3 4 3 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 3 3 4 4 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 V
Cytisus villosus Pourr. 2 2 2 2 4 1     4 1 1 3 3     2 3 3 3 1 2 1 4 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 1 1 4 4 1 5 3 3 3 3 3 1 V
Erica arborea L. 1 + 2 2     2 1 1 3 3 + 1 3 4 4 4 2   + 2 1 2   4 4 4 4 2 2 1 1 2 + 3 3 3 2 2 + V
Clinopodium vulgare subsp. arundanum (Boiss.) Nyman 1 1 1     1 1       + + + +       + 1 + + 1 1 1 1 + + 2 + + + + III
Pulicaria odora (L.) Rchb. + + 1 + 1 1 + 1 + + 1 1 + + + + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 1 III
Plagius maghrebinus Vogt & Greuter 1 1 + +   1 1 + + + + + 1   + + 2 +   + + + + + 1 III
Arbutus unedo L. 1 +     2 1 1 1     1 3 2   + + + II
Eryngium tricuspidatum subsp. bovei (Boiss.) Breton + + + + 1 1 1 1 + + + + II
Teucrium kabylicum Batt. 1     1     + +   +   + + + + + II
Melica arrecta G. Kunze + +
Species of Quercetalia and Quercetea ilicis
Asparagus acutifolius L. 1 + 1 1     1 + 1 2 2   1 + 2 2 2 1 1   1 1 + + + + + + 1 + + + IV
Galium scabrum L. 1 + 1 1 1 + + 1 1 + + + + + + + 1 1 1 1 2 2 + + + + + IV
Rubia peregrina L. 1 1 1       2 3 1 2   + + 1 +   + 1 + 1 + + + III
Daphne gnidium L. 1 +   + + + +     + + +   + + 1 + + + + + + + + + + III
Asplenium onopteris L. + 1 + + + + + + + + + + + + + III
Calicotome spinosa  (L.) Link + 1     1 1 2 2     +     2 3 + 2 2 2 1 1 + + 1 1 1 + + + III
Geranium purpureum Vill. + 1 + + 1     + 1       + + 1 1 1 + + + + II
Carex halleriana Asso 1 + 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 1 II
Rosa sempervirens L. 1 + 1 2   1   + + + + + + + II
Carex distachya Desf. 1 1 +   1 +     + + + +   + + + II
Arisarum vulgare subsp. hastatum (Pomel) Dobignard 1 1 + + + + + + II
Smilax aspera L. 1           3 1 2 +     + + + + II
Cyclamen africanum Boiss. & Reut. 1 + + +   + + 1 II
Cynosurus elegans Desf. subsp. elegans + + + + 1 1 1 II
Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn in Kerst. + 1 1 3 +   + 1 I
Clematis flammula L. 1 1 1     1 + + +   I
Ruscus hypophyllum L. 1 1 +   +   + I
Piptatherum miliaceum (L.) Coss.  2 2 + I
Ampelodesmos mauritanicus (Poir.) T. Durand & Schinz         1 1 1 1 1 I
Aristolochia fontanesii Boiss. & Reut. +         +       +   I
Teucrium pseudoscorodonia Desf.     +           + +
Rhaponticoides africana (Lam.) M.V. Agab. & Greuter + + +   +     1 +
Lonicera etrusca G. Santi  + + r
Olea europaea L. subsp. europaea               +   1 1 r
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Relevé number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 Fr.
Phillyrea latifolia L. +       1 r
Myrtus communis L.     +   1 r
Moehringia trinervia subsp. pentandra (Gay) Nyman r
Phlomis bovei de Noé subsp. bovei r
Viola alba subsp. dehnhardtii (Ten.) W.Becker r
Transgressive taxa of Quercetea pubescentis
Rubus ulmifolius Schott 3 2 1 1 3 1 + + 3 +   1 1     + + + 1   + 2 1 +   2 2 2 2 1 1 3 3 1 2 1 1 1 + + 1 V
Crataegus monogyna Jacq. 2 + 1 1 2 1 2 + 2 2 2 + + + 2 1 + 1 1 1 1 + + + + + + + + + + IV
Dioscorea communis (L.) Caddick & Wilkin 1 1 1 + + + +     + + + +   1   1 1 1 1 III
Brachypodium sylvaticum (Huds.) P.Beauv. 2 1 + 1 1   + 1 + + +     1 +   2 2 2 2 2 III
Prunella vulgaris L. 1 1 1 1   1 + + + + + + + II
Viola reichenbachiana Jordan ex Boreau + + + + I
Luzula forsteri (Sm.) DC. + + + + + I
Galium tunetanum Lam. +       +   + + + + I
Scutellaria columnae All. subsp. columnae + +
Geum urbanum L. 1 1 1 +
Potentilla micrantha Ramond ex DC. in Lam. & DC.  +   + +
Polystichum aculeatum (L.) Roth 1   + +
Asperula laevigata L. + + +
Prunus insititia L. 2 1   r
Epipactis tremolsii Pau +   r
Arum italicum Mill. subsp. italicum     r
Agrimonia eupatoria L. subsp. eupatoria 1               +   r
Geranium atlanticum Boiss. & Reut. r
Viola odorata L. + + r
Species of Cisto-Lavanduletea stoechadis
Cistus salviifolius L.         2 2   + 2 1 + + +   1 2 3 3 3     2 1 3 + 1 1 1 1 1 + + + III
Genista tricuspidata Desf.         1 1     1 1       2 1             1   2   1 2 2 2 1 II
Hypericum australe Ten. + + + + +   1 + + + II
Lavandula stoechas L.           +                           + + +     + 2         I
Other species 
Asphodelus ramosus L. subsp. ramosus 1 +   1 2 2     2 + 1 2 2     1       1 1   1     +         + II
Dactylis glomerata L.  2 + 2 + 1   + 1       + + + 2 2 1 1 2 + II
Trifolium campestre Schreb. in Sturm 1 1 1 1 + 1 + + + I
Galactites tomentosus Moench + + 1 + + + + + I
Linaria reflexa (L.) Chaz. subsp. reflexa + +   +   + +             + + I
Sanguisorba minor Scop. subsp. minor 1 + +   +   1 1 1 I
Tolpis virgata (Desf.) Bertol. 1 + + I
Allium triquetrum L.         1   1 + 1 I
Myosotis ramosissima Rochel subsp. ramosissima     + +         + + + I
Vicia sativa L. subsp. sativa 1 +   +     +   1 I
Veronica arvensis L. + + + + + I
Galium aparine L. 1 + + + +
Rumex crispus L. subsp. crispus + + + + +
Briza maxima L. 1 1 + +
Euphorbia medicaginea Boiss. var. medicaginea 1                   +
Aira cupaniana Guss. + + + +
Andryala integrifolia L. + + + +
Plantago serraria L. +     + +   + +
Carex remota L. +     + + +     +
Mentha pulegium L. + + r
Gladiolus dubius Guss. +     + r
Fedia graciliflora Fisch. & C. A. Mey. + 1 + r
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Relevé number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 Fr.
Phillyrea latifolia L. +       1 r
Myrtus communis L.     +   1 r
Moehringia trinervia subsp. pentandra (Gay) Nyman r
Phlomis bovei de Noé subsp. bovei r
Viola alba subsp. dehnhardtii (Ten.) W.Becker r
Transgressive taxa of Quercetea pubescentis
Rubus ulmifolius Schott 3 2 1 1 3 1 + + 3 +   1 1     + + + 1   + 2 1 +   2 2 2 2 1 1 3 3 1 2 1 1 1 + + 1 V
Crataegus monogyna Jacq. 2 + 1 1 2 1 2 + 2 2 2 + + + 2 1 + 1 1 1 1 + + + + + + + + + + IV
Dioscorea communis (L.) Caddick & Wilkin 1 1 1 + + + +     + + + +   1   1 1 1 1 III
Brachypodium sylvaticum (Huds.) P.Beauv. 2 1 + 1 1   + 1 + + +     1 +   2 2 2 2 2 III
Prunella vulgaris L. 1 1 1 1   1 + + + + + + + II
Viola reichenbachiana Jordan ex Boreau + + + + I
Luzula forsteri (Sm.) DC. + + + + + I
Galium tunetanum Lam. +       +   + + + + I
Scutellaria columnae All. subsp. columnae + +
Geum urbanum L. 1 1 1 +
Potentilla micrantha Ramond ex DC. in Lam. & DC.  +   + +
Polystichum aculeatum (L.) Roth 1   + +
Asperula laevigata L. + + +
Prunus insititia L. 2 1   r
Epipactis tremolsii Pau +   r
Arum italicum Mill. subsp. italicum     r
Agrimonia eupatoria L. subsp. eupatoria 1               +   r
Geranium atlanticum Boiss. & Reut. r
Viola odorata L. + + r
Species of Cisto-Lavanduletea stoechadis
Cistus salviifolius L.         2 2   + 2 1 + + +   1 2 3 3 3     2 1 3 + 1 1 1 1 1 + + + III
Genista tricuspidata Desf.         1 1     1 1       2 1             1   2   1 2 2 2 1 II
Hypericum australe Ten. + + + + +   1 + + + II
Lavandula stoechas L.           +                           + + +     + 2         I
Other species 
Asphodelus ramosus L. subsp. ramosus 1 +   1 2 2     2 + 1 2 2     1       1 1   1     +         + II
Dactylis glomerata L.  2 + 2 + 1   + 1       + + + 2 2 1 1 2 + II
Trifolium campestre Schreb. in Sturm 1 1 1 1 + 1 + + + I
Galactites tomentosus Moench + + 1 + + + + + I
Linaria reflexa (L.) Chaz. subsp. reflexa + +   +   + +             + + I
Sanguisorba minor Scop. subsp. minor 1 + +   +   1 1 1 I
Tolpis virgata (Desf.) Bertol. 1 + + I
Allium triquetrum L.         1   1 + 1 I
Myosotis ramosissima Rochel subsp. ramosissima     + +         + + + I
Vicia sativa L. subsp. sativa 1 +   +     +   1 I
Veronica arvensis L. + + + + + I
Galium aparine L. 1 + + + +
Rumex crispus L. subsp. crispus + + + + +
Briza maxima L. 1 1 + +
Euphorbia medicaginea Boiss. var. medicaginea 1                   +
Aira cupaniana Guss. + + + +
Andryala integrifolia L. + + + +
Plantago serraria L. +     + +   + +
Carex remota L. +     + + +     +
Mentha pulegium L. + + r
Gladiolus dubius Guss. +     + r
Fedia graciliflora Fisch. & C. A. Mey. + 1 + r
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Relevé number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 Fr.
Centaurium erythraea Rafn + + + r
Anthericum baeticum (Boiss.) Boiss. + + + r
Lamium amplexicaule L. subsp. amplexicaule     + + r
Lysimachia arvensis (L.) U. Manns & Anderb. + + r
Avena barbata Pott ex Link subsp. barbata 1 r
Prospero autumnale (L.) Speta + + r
Daucus carota L. subsp. carota + + r
Cardamine hirsuta L. + + r
Euphorbia peplus L. + + r
Origanum floribundum Munby 1 1 r
Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter + + r
Sonchus oleraceus L. + + r
Kundmannia sicula (L.) DC.  + + r
Phalaris aquatica L. + + r
Gladiolus italicus Mill. + + r
Blackstonia perfoliata subsp. grandiflora (Viv.) Maire  + + r
Fumaria capreolata L. subsp. capreolata +   +         r
Sixalix atropurpurea subsp. maritima (L.) Greuter & Burdet + + r
Simethis mattiazzi (Vand.) G. López & Ch. E. Jarvis + + r
Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke   + +   r
Relevé number 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 Fr.
Relevé Number (Field) C12 C19 C9 C33 C3 C8 B8 B25 B17 C34 C1 F25 B7 C2 F16
Altitude (x 10 m a.s.l.) 66 71 71 86 71 84 76 87 76 88 76 94 90 87 74
Slope (%) 10 15 5 30 5 35 25 25 10 10 25  7 25 25  5
Aspect SE N NE N NE NE N NW NW NE N  N NW NW  NE
Cover (%) 80 80 60 80 70 70 70 60 50 90 75 80 80 80 50
Area (x 10 m²) 20 20 25 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 10 20 20 10
Location BG BG BG BG BG BG T BG BG BG BG BG T BG BG
Number of taxa 29 26 24 21 14 27 20 21 28 26 38 14 13 23 17  
Differential species of the subassociation  
Quercus canariensis Willd. + 1 4 2 1 2 4 2   3 3 III
Prunus avium (L.) L. 2 1 1 + 2 + + + 2 + II
Ficaria verna subsp. grandiflora (Robert) Hayek + + 1   II
Lamium flexuosum Ten. subsp. flexuosum +   + + I
Vicia ochroleuca subsp. atlantica (Pomel) Greuter & Burdet   I
Diagnostic species of the association and Erico-Quercion ilicis
Quercus suber L. 4 4 4 4 5 4 3 2 4 4 3 3 3 4 3 V
Cytisus villosus Pourr. 4 4 3 4 2 3 2 4 2 2 3 1 2 4 V
Erica arborea L. 3 2 1 2 1 1 1 2 3 3 1 1 1 2   V
Clinopodium vulgare subsp. arundanum (Boiss.) Nyman 1 + + +   +   III
Pulicaria odora (L.) Rchb. 1 + + + + + III
Plagius maghrebinus Vogt & Greuter 1 + +   +   III
Arbutus unedo L. 1 + + + + + +   II
Eryngium tricuspidatum subsp. bovei (Boiss.) Breton + + + + + II
Teucrium kabylicum Batt. + + +   II
Melica arrecta G. Kunze 1 2   + 1 +
Species of Quercetalia and Quercetea ilicis
Asparagus acutifolius L. + + 1 1 + + 1 + + +   1 + IV
Galium scabrum L. + + 1 + + + + + + + + IV
Rubia peregrina L. + + 1 1 1 + + 1 1 1 + 1   III
Table 4 : to be continued
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Relevé number 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 Fr.
Daphne gnidium L. + + + + +   + + III
Asplenium onopteris L. 1 + + 1 + + + + 1 III
Calicotome spinosa  (L.) Link +     III
Geranium purpureum Vill. + + + + 1 + +   II
Carex halleriana Asso 1 2 2 II
Rosa sempervirens L. + + 1 + + +   II
Carex distachya Desf. 1 1 + +   + II
Arisarum vulgare subsp. hastatum (Pomel) Dobignard + + 1 +   II
Smilax aspera L. + + +     II
Cyclamen africanum Boiss. & Reut. + + + + + II
Cynosurus elegans Desf. subsp. elegans + + + + + + II
Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn in Kerst. 2 1 + +   I
Clematis flammula L. + +   + I
Ruscus hypophyllum L. + + + I
Piptatherum miliaceum (L.) Coss.  + 1 + + I
Ampelodesmos mauritanicus (Poir.) T. Durand & Schinz   + I
Aristolochia fontanesii Boiss. & Reut. + + +     I
Teucrium pseudoscorodonia Desf. + +   + +
Rhaponticoides africana (Lam.) M.V. Agab. & Greuter   +
Lonicera etrusca G. Santi  + r
Olea europaea L. subsp. europaea     r
Phillyrea latifolia L.   r
Myrtus communis L.   r
Moehringia trinervia subsp. pentandra (Gay) Nyman + r
Phlomis bovei de Noé subsp. bovei + r
Viola alba subsp. dehnhardtii (Ten.) W.Becker + r
Transgressive taxa of Quercetea pubescentis
Rubus ulmifolius Schott + 1 1 3 2 2 + 3 2 2 3 + V
Crataegus monogyna Jacq. + + 1 + + + + + + + 1 + IV
Relevé number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 Fr.
Centaurium erythraea Rafn + + + r
Anthericum baeticum (Boiss.) Boiss. + + + r
Lamium amplexicaule L. subsp. amplexicaule     + + r
Lysimachia arvensis (L.) U. Manns & Anderb. + + r
Avena barbata Pott ex Link subsp. barbata 1 r
Prospero autumnale (L.) Speta + + r
Daucus carota L. subsp. carota + + r
Cardamine hirsuta L. + + r
Euphorbia peplus L. + + r
Origanum floribundum Munby 1 1 r
Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter + + r
Sonchus oleraceus L. + + r
Kundmannia sicula (L.) DC.  + + r
Phalaris aquatica L. + + r
Gladiolus italicus Mill. + + r
Blackstonia perfoliata subsp. grandiflora (Viv.) Maire  + + r
Fumaria capreolata L. subsp. capreolata +   +         r
Sixalix atropurpurea subsp. maritima (L.) Greuter & Burdet + + r
Simethis mattiazzi (Vand.) G. López & Ch. E. Jarvis + + r
Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke   + +   r
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Relevé number 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 Fr.
Dioscorea communis (L.) Caddick & Wilkin + 1 + 1 1 + +   + + III
Brachypodium sylvaticum (Huds.) P.Beauv. + 1 + + 1 +   + III
Prunella vulgaris L. 1 + + +   II
Viola reichenbachiana Jordan ex Boreau 1 + + + 1 I
Luzula forsteri (Sm.) DC. + + + I
Galium tunetanum Lam. +   I
Scutellaria columnae All. subsp. columnae 1 + + + +
Geum urbanum L. 1 + +
Potentilla micrantha Ramond ex DC. in Lam. & DC.  + + +   +
Polystichum aculeatum (L.) Roth + + +
Asperula laevigata L. + + +
Prunus insititia L. +   r
Epipactis tremolsii Pau +   r
Arum italicum Mill. subsp. italicum +   + r
Agrimonia eupatoria L. subsp. eupatoria     r
Geranium atlanticum Boiss. & Reut. + + r
Viola odorata L. r
Species of Cisto-Lavanduletea stoechadis
Cistus salviifolius L. + +     III
Genista tricuspidata Desf. 1 +   II
Hypericum australe Ten. + + 1 + + + + II
Lavandula stoechas L. I
Other species 
Asphodelus ramosus L. subsp. ramosus 1 + 1 1 + + + II
Dactylis glomerata L.  +   II
Trifolium campestre Schreb. in Sturm I
Galactites tomentosus Moench + I
Linaria reflexa (L.) Chaz. subsp. reflexa + +   I
Sanguisorba minor Scop. subsp. minor + I
Tolpis virgata (Desf.) Bertol. + 1 + + I
Allium triquetrum L. + + + I
Myosotis ramosissima Rochel subsp. ramosissima + +   I
Vicia sativa L. subsp. sativa + +   I
Veronica arvensis L. + I
Galium aparine L. +
Rumex crispus L. subsp. crispus +
Briza maxima L. + +
Euphorbia medicaginea Boiss. var. medicaginea + + +   +
Aira cupaniana Guss. + +
Andryala integrifolia L. + +
Plantago serraria L.   +
Carex remota L.   +
Mentha pulegium L. + r
Gladiolus dubius Guss. +   r
Fedia graciliflora Fisch. & C. A. Mey. r
Centaurium erythraea Rafn r
Anthericum baeticum (Boiss.) Boiss. r
Lamium amplexicaule L. subsp. amplexicaule + r
Lysimachia arvensis (L.) U. Manns & Anderb. r
Avena barbata Pott ex Link subsp. barbata + r
Prospero autumnale (L.) Speta r
Daucus carota L. subsp. carota r
Cardamine hirsuta L. r
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Relevé number 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 Fr.
Euphorbia peplus L. r
Origanum floribundum Munby r
Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter r
Sonchus oleraceus L. r
Kundmannia sicula (L.) DC.  r
Phalaris aquatica L. r
Gladiolus italicus Mill. r
Blackstonia perfoliata subsp. grandiflora (Viv.) Maire  r
Fumaria capreolata L. subsp. capreolata   r
Sixalix atropurpurea subsp. maritima (L.) Greuter & Burdet r
Simethis mattiazzi (Vand.) G. López & Ch. E. Jarvis r
Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke   r
Sporadic species: Hedera algeriensis Hibberd 1 (4), Ranunculus spicatus subsp. blepharicarpos (Boiss.) Grau + (42), Arabis turrita L. + 
(5), Sanicula europaea L. + (49), Alliaria petiolata (M. Bieb.) Cavara & Grande + (16), Stellaria pallida (Dumort.) Piré + (5), Cerastium 
diffusum Pers. + (5), Euphorbia paniculata Desf. + (5), Oenanthe globulosa L. + (5), Aira tenorei Guss. 1 (42), Hypericum perfoliatum 
L. 1 (3), Rumex conglomeratus Murray + (5), Campanula rapunculus L. + (25), Eryngium triquetrum Vahl subsp. triquetrum + (51), 
Holcus lanatus L. + (25), Silene latifolia Poir. + (53), Trifolium squarrosum L. subsp. squarrosum + (37), Lysimachia monelli subsp. 
linifolia (L.) Peruzzi + (16), Convolvulus tricolor L. + (23), Euphorbia biumbellata Poir. + (16), Sonchus asper (L.) Hill subsp. asper 
+ (23), Serapias lingua L. subsp. lingua 1 (6), Stachys ocymastrum (L.) Briq. + (16), Calystegia sepium (L.) R. Br. + (16), Rhamnus 
alaternus L. subsp. alaternus 1 (16), Torilis africana Spreng. + (26), Origanum vulgare subsp. glandulosum (Desf.) Ietswaart + (54), 
Bellis sylvestris Cirillo + (36), Ornithogalum baeticum Boiss. + (36), Euphorbia cuneifolia Guss. + (8), Genista ulicina Spach + (21), 
Cistus monspeliensis L. 1 (36).
Locations: BG: Beni Ghobri, T: Tamgout.
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Relevé number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Fr.
Relevé number (field) B10 C22 C23 C27 C21 B11 C25 B15 B3 A4 B6 C26 A10 B19 B16 B12 B14 A8 A9 E4 A1 A2 B13 C24 A6 A7
Altitude (x 10 m a.s.l.) 65 55 54 53 58 67 54 60 59 65 58 55 15 60 69 21 33 40 20 17 35 25 27 60 68 40
Aspect NE NW NW SW NW W SW NE W SE SW SW N NW NE NE E S S E E W NE SE NW N
Slope (%) 15 20 30 10 10 35 5 25 10 10 30 20 15 10 25 45 30 15 10 50 10 15 40 20 30 25
Cover (%) 70 60 60 50 60 90 70 90 80 70 80 60 80 70 100 70 90 90 90 100 90 80 70 80 90 60
Area (x 10 m²) 25 25 25 20 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 20 25 20 20 25 20 10 10 20 20 25 25 25 25
Location T BG BG BG BG T BG T BG M T BG M BG T T T M M M M M T BG M M
Number of taxa 11 34 34 28 27 10 20 8 20 27 34 20 23 46 8 12 10 24 18 13 21 25 12 30 21 33  
Differential species of the subassociation
Myrtus communis L. 3 2 2 4 3 1 1 + + + + 1 2 + 1 1 IV
Phillyrea latifolia L. 1 1 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 + 2 3 2 1 + 3 2 IV
Lonicera implexa Aiton 1 + + 1 1 + 2 1 + 1 II
Piptatherum miliaceum (L.) Coss.  + 1 + 1 + + II
Pistacia lentiscus L. 2   +   + 2 3 1 3 2 +     2 II
Viburnum tinus L. 2 2       2     2 2   +   2 II
Diagnostic species of the association and the alliance Erico-Quercion ilicis
Quercus suber L. 4 3 3 4 3 3 3 2 2 4 3 3 1 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 3 2 3 V
Erica arborea L. + 3 3 2 3 4 2 3 3 3 2 2 1 5 2 4 4 3 3 4 3 2 3 2 4 V
Arbutus unedo L. 2 + + 1 1 2 2 3 2 2 + 2 + + 3 2 3 3 1 + 1 4 V
Cytisus villosus Pourr. 2 2 2 2 1 + 3 1 3 3 1 1 2 2 + 2 3 IV
Plagius maghrebinus Vogt & Greuter + + + + + 1 1 1 + + 1 1 1 1 III
Eryngium tricuspidatum subsp. bovei (Boiss.) Breton + + + 1 + 1 + + 1 + + + + 1 III
Pulicaria odora (L.) Rchb. + + + 1 1 + + 1 2 + + 1 III
Clinopodium vulgare subsp. arundanum (Boiss.) Nyman 1 1 + + 1 + II
Teucrium kabylicum Batt. + + +
Species of Quercetalia and Quercetea ilicis
Calicotome spinosa  (L.) Link + 1 2 + 2 2 1 + + 1 + + 1 1 + 2 1 + 2 2 IV
Smilax aspera L. 1 + 1 1 2 2 + + 1 1 1 2 1 III
Ampelodesmos mauritanicus (Poir.) T. Durand & Schinz + 2 2 2 1 + + 2 1 4 3 + 2 III
Asparagus acutifolius L. + + 1 + + 2 1 1 1 + + + + III
Rubia peregrina L. + + + + 2 1 + + 1 1 + 1 III
Galium scabrum L. + + 1 1 + 1 1 1 + II
Lonicera etrusca G. Santi  1 1 1 + 1 + 2 1 1 II
Daphne gnidium L. 1 + 2 + 2 1 1 1 II
Ruscus hypophyllum L. + + + 1 + + II
Arisarum vulgare subsp. hastatum (Pomel) Dobignard + + + + + I
Carex halleriana Asso + 1 1 + I
Clematis flammula L. + + + + I
Geranium purpureum Vill. + + 1 1 I
Asplenium onopteris L. + 1 1 + I
Rosa sempervirens L. 1 2 1 I
Carex distachya Desf. 1 1 1 I
Cyclamen africanum Boiss. & Reut. + 1 +
Rhamnus alaternus L. subsp. alaternus 3 1 +
Rhaponticoides africana (Lam.) M.V. Agab. & Greuter + + +
Olea europaea L. subsp. europaea + + +
Clematis cirrhosa L. 1 + +
Teucrium pseudoscorodonia Desf. + r
Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn in Kerst. 2 r
Table 5 (Tabela 5):  Cytiso villosi-Quercetum suberis Braun-Blanquet 1953 nom. mut. propos. Meddour, Meddour-Sahar, Zeraia & 
Mucina 2017 myrtetosum communis Khelifi 1987.
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Relevé number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Fr.
Relevé number (field) B10 C22 C23 C27 C21 B11 C25 B15 B3 A4 B6 C26 A10 B19 B16 B12 B14 A8 A9 E4 A1 A2 B13 C24 A6 A7
Altitude (x 10 m a.s.l.) 65 55 54 53 58 67 54 60 59 65 58 55 15 60 69 21 33 40 20 17 35 25 27 60 68 40
Aspect NE NW NW SW NW W SW NE W SE SW SW N NW NE NE E S S E E W NE SE NW N
Slope (%) 15 20 30 10 10 35 5 25 10 10 30 20 15 10 25 45 30 15 10 50 10 15 40 20 30 25
Cover (%) 70 60 60 50 60 90 70 90 80 70 80 60 80 70 100 70 90 90 90 100 90 80 70 80 90 60
Area (x 10 m²) 25 25 25 20 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 20 25 20 20 25 20 10 10 20 20 25 25 25 25
Location T BG BG BG BG T BG T BG M T BG M BG T T T M M M M M T BG M M
Number of taxa 11 34 34 28 27 10 20 8 20 27 34 20 23 46 8 12 10 24 18 13 21 25 12 30 21 33  
Differential species of the subassociation
Myrtus communis L. 3 2 2 4 3 1 1 + + + + 1 2 + 1 1 IV
Phillyrea latifolia L. 1 1 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 + 2 3 2 1 + 3 2 IV
Lonicera implexa Aiton 1 + + 1 1 + 2 1 + 1 II
Piptatherum miliaceum (L.) Coss.  + 1 + 1 + + II
Pistacia lentiscus L. 2   +   + 2 3 1 3 2 +     2 II
Viburnum tinus L. 2 2       2     2 2   +   2 II
Diagnostic species of the association and the alliance Erico-Quercion ilicis
Quercus suber L. 4 3 3 4 3 3 3 2 2 4 3 3 1 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 3 2 3 V
Erica arborea L. + 3 3 2 3 4 2 3 3 3 2 2 1 5 2 4 4 3 3 4 3 2 3 2 4 V
Arbutus unedo L. 2 + + 1 1 2 2 3 2 2 + 2 + + 3 2 3 3 1 + 1 4 V
Cytisus villosus Pourr. 2 2 2 2 1 + 3 1 3 3 1 1 2 2 + 2 3 IV
Plagius maghrebinus Vogt & Greuter + + + + + 1 1 1 + + 1 1 1 1 III
Eryngium tricuspidatum subsp. bovei (Boiss.) Breton + + + 1 + 1 + + 1 + + + + 1 III
Pulicaria odora (L.) Rchb. + + + 1 1 + + 1 2 + + 1 III
Clinopodium vulgare subsp. arundanum (Boiss.) Nyman 1 1 + + 1 + II
Teucrium kabylicum Batt. + + +
Species of Quercetalia and Quercetea ilicis
Calicotome spinosa  (L.) Link + 1 2 + 2 2 1 + + 1 + + 1 1 + 2 1 + 2 2 IV
Smilax aspera L. 1 + 1 1 2 2 + + 1 1 1 2 1 III
Ampelodesmos mauritanicus (Poir.) T. Durand & Schinz + 2 2 2 1 + + 2 1 4 3 + 2 III
Asparagus acutifolius L. + + 1 + + 2 1 1 1 + + + + III
Rubia peregrina L. + + + + 2 1 + + 1 1 + 1 III
Galium scabrum L. + + 1 1 + 1 1 1 + II
Lonicera etrusca G. Santi  1 1 1 + 1 + 2 1 1 II
Daphne gnidium L. 1 + 2 + 2 1 1 1 II
Ruscus hypophyllum L. + + + 1 + + II
Arisarum vulgare subsp. hastatum (Pomel) Dobignard + + + + + I
Carex halleriana Asso + 1 1 + I
Clematis flammula L. + + + + I
Geranium purpureum Vill. + + 1 1 I
Asplenium onopteris L. + 1 1 + I
Rosa sempervirens L. 1 2 1 I
Carex distachya Desf. 1 1 1 I
Cyclamen africanum Boiss. & Reut. + 1 +
Rhamnus alaternus L. subsp. alaternus 3 1 +
Rhaponticoides africana (Lam.) M.V. Agab. & Greuter + + +
Olea europaea L. subsp. europaea + + +
Clematis cirrhosa L. 1 + +
Teucrium pseudoscorodonia Desf. + r
Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn in Kerst. 2 r
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Osyris alba L. + r
Transgressive taxa of Quercetea pubescentis
Crataegus monogyna Jacq. + 2 + + 1 2 1 + 1 1 II
Dioscorea communis (L.) Caddick & Wilkin + + + + 1 + 1 1 + 1 II
Rubus ulmifolius Schott + + 1 1 1 2 2 1 II
Brachypodium sylvaticum (Huds.) P.Beauv. + + 1 + + + II
Prunella vulgaris L. 1 1 1 + I
Quercus canariensis Willd. 1 1 1 I
Agrimonia eupatoria L. subsp. eupatoria 1 + +
Prunus insititia L. + + +
Galium tunetanum Lam. + + +
Polystichum aculeatum (L.) Roth 1 r
Prunus avium (L.) L. 1 r
Lamium flexuosum Ten. subsp. flexuosum + r
Viola odorata L. + r
Ranunculus spicatus subsp. blepharicarpos (Boiss.) Grau + r
Rubus incanescens (DC.) Bertol. 1 r
Ficaria verna subsp. grandiflora (Robert) Hayek + r
Asperula laevigata L. + r
Polypodium cambricum L. subsp.  cambricum + r
Species of Cisto-Lavanduletea stoechadis
Cistus salviifolius L. + 2 1 + 1 + 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 + + + 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 V
Genista tricuspidata Desf. + + 1 + + 2 1 1 + + + + 2 1 III
Cistus monspeliensis L. + + 1 + 2 2 1 + 2 + 3 1 + 2 III
Lavandula stoechas L. + + + 1 + 2 1 1 + 2 II
Genista ulicina Spach 2 2 3 + + I
Hypericum australe Ten. + + + + I
Thymus numidicus Poir. 1 1 +
Other species 
Asphodelus ramosus L. subsp. ramosus 1 3 + + + + + 2 II
Gladiolus dubius Guss. + + + + 1 I
Allium triquetrum L. + + + + I
Centaurium erythraea Rafn + + + + I
Lysimachia arvensis (L.) U. Manns & Anderb. 1 + 1 I
Klasea flavescens subsp. mucronata (Desf.) Cantó & Rivas Mart. 1 + 1 I
Hyoseris radiata L. 1 + + I
Daucus carota L. subsp. carota + 1 + I
Tolpis virgata (Desf.) Bertol. + + +
Briza maxima L. + + +
Trifolium campestre Schreb. in Sturm 1 2 +
Mentha pulegium L. 1 1 +
Ononis hispida Desf. subsp. hispida  + + +
Ranunculus macrophyllus Desf. + + +
Prospero autumnale (L.) Speta + + +
Elaeoselinum fontanesii Boiss. + + +
Plantago serraria L. + + +
Spoardic species: Galactites tomentosus Moench + (7), Dactylis glomerata L.  + (14), Andryala integrifolia L. + (14), Cynosurus elegans 
Desf. subsp. elegans + (7), Sixalix atropurpurea subsp. maritima (L.) Greuter & Burdet + (14), Fumaria capreolata L. subsp. capreolata 
+ (2), Fedia graciliflora Fisch. & C. A. Mey. + (11), Simethis mattiazzi (Vand.) G. López & Ch. E. Jarvis + (10), Stachys ocymastrum 
(L.) Briq. 1 (14), Vicia sativa L. subsp. sativa 1 (24), Euphorbia medicaginea Boiss. var. medicaginea + (2), Sanguisorba minor Scop. 
subsp. minor + (10), Serapias lingua L. subsp. lingua + (21), Biscutella didyma L. 1 (14), Aira caryophyllea L. subsp. caryophyllea 1 (14), 
Torilis africana Spreng. + (7),  Leontodon tuberosus L. + (2), Oenanthe globulosa L. 1 (9), Carlina gummifera (L.) Less. + (25), Bartsia 
trixago L. 1 (11), Brachypodium distachyum (L.) P. Beauv. 1 (14), Brachypodium phoenicoides (L.) P. Beauv.  ex Roem. & Schult. + 
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(14), Carex flacca Schreb. 2 (24), Carex muricata L. + (26), Cerastium glomeratum Thuill. + (3), Colchicum lusitanum Brot. + (11), 
Linum corymbiferum Desf. subsp. corymbiferum + (14), Lotus edulis L. + (12), Lotus ornithopodioides L.  + (14), Torilis arvensis subsp. 
neglecta (Spreng.) Thell. in Hegi  + (14), Trifolium angustifolium L. + (14), Trifolium arvense L. + (14), Trifolium glomeratum L. + 
(14), Trifolium phleoides Willd. subsp. phleoides + (14), Trisetum flavescens (L.) Beauv. subsp flavescens + (14), Vicia disperma DC. 1 
(3), Ammoides pusilla (Brot.) Breistr. 1 (18), Cardamine hirsuta L. + (4), Stellaria pallida (Dumort.) Piré   + (4), Pinus halepensis Mill. 
4 (19), Prasium majus L. + (19).    
Locations: BG: Beni Ghobri, T: Tamgout, M: Mizrana.
Osyris alba L. + r
Transgressive taxa of Quercetea pubescentis
Crataegus monogyna Jacq. + 2 + + 1 2 1 + 1 1 II
Dioscorea communis (L.) Caddick & Wilkin + + + + 1 + 1 1 + 1 II
Rubus ulmifolius Schott + + 1 1 1 2 2 1 II
Brachypodium sylvaticum (Huds.) P.Beauv. + + 1 + + + II
Prunella vulgaris L. 1 1 1 + I
Quercus canariensis Willd. 1 1 1 I
Agrimonia eupatoria L. subsp. eupatoria 1 + +
Prunus insititia L. + + +
Galium tunetanum Lam. + + +
Polystichum aculeatum (L.) Roth 1 r
Prunus avium (L.) L. 1 r
Lamium flexuosum Ten. subsp. flexuosum + r
Viola odorata L. + r
Ranunculus spicatus subsp. blepharicarpos (Boiss.) Grau + r
Rubus incanescens (DC.) Bertol. 1 r
Ficaria verna subsp. grandiflora (Robert) Hayek + r
Asperula laevigata L. + r
Polypodium cambricum L. subsp.  cambricum + r
Species of Cisto-Lavanduletea stoechadis
Cistus salviifolius L. + 2 1 + 1 + 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 + + + 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 V
Genista tricuspidata Desf. + + 1 + + 2 1 1 + + + + 2 1 III
Cistus monspeliensis L. + + 1 + 2 2 1 + 2 + 3 1 + 2 III
Lavandula stoechas L. + + + 1 + 2 1 1 + 2 II
Genista ulicina Spach 2 2 3 + + I
Hypericum australe Ten. + + + + I
Thymus numidicus Poir. 1 1 +
Other species 
Asphodelus ramosus L. subsp. ramosus 1 3 + + + + + 2 II
Gladiolus dubius Guss. + + + + 1 I
Allium triquetrum L. + + + + I
Centaurium erythraea Rafn + + + + I
Lysimachia arvensis (L.) U. Manns & Anderb. 1 + 1 I
Klasea flavescens subsp. mucronata (Desf.) Cantó & Rivas Mart. 1 + 1 I
Hyoseris radiata L. 1 + + I
Daucus carota L. subsp. carota + 1 + I
Tolpis virgata (Desf.) Bertol. + + +
Briza maxima L. + + +
Trifolium campestre Schreb. in Sturm 1 2 +
Mentha pulegium L. 1 1 +
Ononis hispida Desf. subsp. hispida  + + +
Ranunculus macrophyllus Desf. + + +
Prospero autumnale (L.) Speta + + +
Elaeoselinum fontanesii Boiss. + + +
Plantago serraria L. + + +