Maquis shrubland
Type of biome in the Mediterranean region
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Maquis (UK: /mæˈkiː/ ma-KEE, US: /mɑːˈkiː/ mah-KEE, French: [maki]) or macchia (/ˈmɑːkiə/ MAH-kee-ə, Italian: [ˈmakkja]; often macchia mediterranea in Italian; Corsican: machja, pronounced [ˈmaca]; Croatian: makija; Occitan: maquís; Catalan: màquia, Spanish: maquia) is a savanna-like shrubland biome in the Mediterranean region, typically consisting of densely growing evergreen shrubs.[1][2] It is typically found in mountainous, coastal regions.[3] The ecosystems typically have humid, temperate winters and dry summers.[4] The soil in maquis is typically highly acidic.[5]
Vegetation
The shrubs in maquis typically top out at around 4-5 metres tall. Maquis has a sizable flora, made up of mostly xerophilous plants, many of which go dormant during the dry summer months.[4] Common plants found in the biome include, but are not limited to:
- Plants of the family Lamiaceae
- Plants of genera Laurus
- Plants of genera Myrtus
- Olea europaea
- Ceratonia siliqua
- Ficus carica[3]
- Quercus ilex
- Genera Phillyrea
- Rhamnus alaternus
- Pistacia lentiscus[4]
- Arbutus unedo
- Cistus monspeliensis[5]
In popular culture
- The French phrase prendre le maquis (English: Take the maquis) means to hide from law enforcement, stemming from how it would be easy to hide in the dense undergrowth of the biome.[5]
- Several bands of guerrilla fighters have been named after the maquis, like the Maquisards, Spanish Maquis, and the Maquis of Fizi. Additionally, a fictional group from several Star Trek series is known as the Maquis.
