Photo Guide to Plants of Southern Morocco

Photo Guide to Plants of Southern MoroccoMorocco is a hotspot of plant diversity in the western Mediterranean region. This photoguide aims at presenting the diversity of vascular plant species which occur in Southern Morocco. Three floristic regions (Oromediteranean, Ibero-Mauretanian,Saharan) intersect in this transition zone between the High Atlas and the Sahara. The High Atlas mountains constitute an important centre of endemism in Morocco.

This photo guide facilitates the rapid identification of plant species by presenting photographs in a phylogenetic order. A number of tools allow users to scan taxonomic groups like genera and families. The photo guide is mostly based on photos taken during field work in the Drâa catchment. Hence, this region ist still best represented, but we intend to extend the covered area continuously.This regional photo guide is a joint initiative of scientists from BIOTA Maroc and the I.A.V. Hassan II, Rabat, Morocco.We cordially invite botanically skilled photographers, botanists and interested institutions to contribute There are 11 known species of bluebell around the world.  The scientific name for the group is Hyacinthoides. Only one of these species, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, is a native flower in the British Isles.The others occur mainly in the western Mediterranean, including North Africa (Morocco to Tunisia), the Iberian Peninsula, and the Maritime Alps of France and Italy.The relationships between different bluebells are complex. Scientists over the last 80 years have used different methods to try and classify them. DNA studies have now helped to show how many species there are and how they might be related to each other.Hyacinthoides aristidisA native of North Africa (Tunisia and Algeria), this plant flowers from late autumn until late winter. The flowers open from the top of the spike downwards. The plant has only two, occasionally three, tongue-shaped leaves which have a distinct keelbelow.
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Summary of entomological publications eco-Michel Tarrier on Morocco

Summary of entomological publications eco-Michel Tarrier on Morocco

1,993

- (+ Leestmans, R.). Distribution, habitat, biota and ecology Euchloe falloui Allard (1867). - A new station in southern Morocco (Lepidoptera: Pieridae). Linneana Belgica, 14 (2): 63-72 (with color illustrations).
- New observations Chazara prieuri Pierret (1837) Morocco (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae Satyrinae). Linneana Belgica, 14 (4): 217-226 (with color illustrations).
- On the south-western géonémie some Palaearctic Rhopalocera (Lepidoptera). Bulletin of the Entomological Society of Mulhouse, July-September: 51-54.

1,994

- (+ Leestmans, R.). Euchloe falloui Allard (1867) Morocco (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) (second note). Linneana Belgica, 14 (5): 257-268 (with color illustrations).
- (+ Arahou, M. and Leestmans, R.). Discovery Zerynthia rumina (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Moroccan Anti-Atlas and Saharan contribution to a better knowledge of the species in North Africa (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae). Linneana Belgica, 14 (8): 427-438 (with color illustrations).
- On the south-western géonémie some Palaearctic Rhopalocera (Lepidoptera) (Supplementary Note). Bulletin of the Entomological Society of Mulhouse, January-March: 9-12.

1,995

- Report of two hundred days of lepidopterology Morocco (Lepidoptera Papilionoidea). Alexanor, 19 (2): 67-144 (with color illustrations).
- New taxa of the Moroccan Atlas (Lepidoptera Rhopalocera). Alexanor, 19 (4): 195-213.
- Personal message (1). Alexanor, 19 (2): 146.
- Hipparchia hansii (Austaut, 1879) Morocco (first note): Elements Eco-ethological draft biogeographic and racial aspects (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae Satyrinae). Linneana Belgica, 15 (1): 33-44 (with color illustrations).
- Protection of habitats lépidoptériques in the Moroccan Atlas. Part 1: Background and initial inventory. Linneana Belgica, 15 (4): 146-171 (with color illustrations).
- Notes géonémiques about some of Morocco Rhopalocera (Lepidoptera). Bulletin of the Entomological Society of Mulhouse, April-June: 29-34.

1,996

- Diversity of niches and ecological preferences in a biotope of Middle Atlas (Morocco) (Lepidoptera Rhopalocera Papilionoidea). Alexanor, 19 (5): 261-270.
- Hilltopping: report on a few sites Ibero-Maghreb invested (Lepidoptera Rhopalocera). Alexanor, 19 (5): 293-297.
- Ravining: approach the phenomenon in the South West Palearctic (Andalusia, Morocco) (Lepidoptera Rhopalocera). Alexanor, 19 (6): 331-338.
- Invitación viaje al: las mariposas of Marruecos. Primer viaje: el Jebel Siroua (Anti-Atas nororiental). Boletín the Sociedad Entomologica Aragonesa, 13: 37-42.
- Invitación viaje al: las mariposas of Marruecos. Segundo viaje: el western Rif (región of Chechaouen). Boletín the Sociedad Entomologica aragonesa, 14: 37-44.

1,997

- Eco-faunistic inventory of the biodiversity of Rhopalocera of the Anti-Atlas (Lepidoptera Papilionoidea). Bulletin of the Entomological Society of France, 102 (1): 43-58 (with color illustrations).
- Biodiversity and ecological preferences of Rhopalocera Papilionoidea Jebel Ayachi (Moroccan High Atlas) (Lepidoptera). Bulletin of the Entomological Society of France, 102 (3): 233-239 (with color illustrations).
- (+ Leestmans, R.). Losses and acquisitions probably related to the effects of global warming on wildlife lépidoptérique Western Mediterranean (Lepidoptera, Papilionoidea). Linneana Belgica, 16 (1): 23-36 (with color illustrations).
- Three hundred new lepidopterology days in Morocco (Lepidoptera Papilionoidea). Alexanor, 20 (2): 81-127 (with color illustrations).
- New localizations Moroccan few little known Rhopalocera (Lepidoptera Papilionoidea). Alexanor, 20 (3): 163-174 (with color illustrations).
- Cacyreus marshalli Butler, 1898, a new species for France, Portugal and Morocco (Lepidoptera Lycaenidae). Alexanor, 20 (3): 143-144.
- New definitions and extensions géonémiques few areas in Morocco Rhopalocera (Lepidoptera). Bulletin of the Entomological Society of Mulhouse, October-December: 63-68.

1,998

- Note phenological a contribution to the knowledge of Plebejus (Maurus) vogelii (Oberthür, 1920) (Rhopalocera, Lycaenidae). Linneana Belgica, 16 (5): 216-218 (with color illustrations).
- Protection of habitats lépidoptériques Morocco. Second part: new considerations and final inventory. Linneana Belgica, 16 (5): 197-215 (with color illustrations).
- A new location Plebejus (Maurus) vogelii (Oberthür, 1920) in the eastern High Atlas (Morocco) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). Linneana Belgica, 16 (8): 339-340 (with color illustrations).
- Personal message (2). Alexanor, 20 (7): 448

1,999

- (+ Demange, J.) Rediscovery in Morocco Zygaena Rambur nevadensis, 1858 (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae). Linneana Belgica, 17 (3): 111-116 (with color illustrations).

2,000

- Mapping of Rhopalocera Papilionoidea Morocco. Linneana Belgica 17 (5): 197-210, 17 (6): 255-268, 17 (7): 301-312), 17 (8): 349-358 (100 maps and numerous color illustrations).
- Danaus plexippus L. Morocco (Lepidoptera Nymphalidae Danainae). Alexanor, 21 (1): 61-62.

2,001

- Ecological value of an orchard of Atlas (Morocco), as assessed by its index lépidoptérique. The Courier INRA Environment, 42: 90-100.
- The Zygènes the Moroccan Anti-Atlas: discovery, inventory and commented bio-indication (Heterocera, Zygaenidae, Zygaeninae). Bulletin of the Entomological Society of France, 106 (2): 163-172 (with color illustrations).
- The Butterflies of the Natural Park of Ifrane (Morocco): Biodiversity conservation and ecological affinities (Papilionoidea and Zygaenidae). Linneana Belgica 18 (3): 145-156, 18 (4): 161-170 (with color illustrations)
- A new host of Didymaeformia deserticola (Oberthür, 1876) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). Linneana Belgica 18 (3): 157-158 (with color illustrations).
- Rediscovery of Zygaena orana Tatla Reiss, 1943 (Lepidoptera: Zygaeninae). Linneana Belgica 18 (4): 171-174 (with color illustrations).
- Ecological value of an orchard of Atlas (Morocco), as assessed by its index lépidoptérique. The Courier INRA Environment, 42: 90-100
2,002

- Iolana debilitata (Schultz, 1905) in the Anti-Atlas Tafraoute (Morocco) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). Linneana Belgica 18 (5): 221-224 (with color illustrations).
- Hipparchia hansii (Austaut, 1879) Morocco (second) note: new habitats, racial aspects, assessment mapping, ecological plasticity and presence Moroccan Hipparchia powelii (Oberthür, 1910) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae, Satyrinae). Linneana Belgica 18 (5): 225-242 (with color illustrations).
- (+ Hofmann, A.) Mapping Heterocera Zygaeninae Morocco. Linneana Belgica 18 (6): 301-318, 18 (7): 321-334 (with color illustrations).
- Seven hundred days of lepidopterology Morocco (Lepidoptera Papilionoidea). Alexanor 21 (6): 325-415 (with color illustrations).
- New taxa of the Moroccan Atlas (continued). Alexanor 21 (6): 407-412 (with color illustrations).
- A Polyommatus enigmatic North Africa (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) and the problem of capture unit. Linneana Belgica 18 (8): 396-404 (with color illustrations).
- (+ Benzyane, M.) The Moroccan argan tree is dying: Issues and bio-indication. Drought electronic journal. 1E volume, Number 1, April 2003


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“The Gardener’s House” in Tangier, Morocco

Traditionally costumed water sellers are seen throughout Morocco. For a dirham or two water is poured from camel leather bags into brass or tin cups. Few tourists can resist photographing the colorfully clad men decked out in elaborate tasseled hats. You can hear the musical clinking of the brass and bells they wear.

Today water sellers make more money from vacationers who pay to photograph them than from peddling water.

In Marrakesh water sellers in Jemma el Fna are licensed and wander amongst the crowds, food stalls, snake charmers, story tellers, dancers, acrobats and fortune tellers. They are adept at getting the most from tourists. Indeed if one approaches you in the square don’t be surprised if two others appear to pose in a trio. All three will expect a tip.


The home of world-renowned garden designer Madison Cox is a simple Moorish refuge in a city that has captivated like-minded wanderers for centuries: beloved books and plants share his view of the deep blue Strait of Gibraltar.  Here is an excerpt of the recent New York Times article:

“Sunny, stormy and fog-drenched Tangier has long been a magnet for diplomats, painters, traders, writers, dreamers, stoners, smugglers and spies. In the last century, the city has been full- and part-time home to an eccentric assortment of creative residents and travelers including Eugène Delacroix, Henri Matisse, Edith Wharton, Tennessee Williams, Paul Bowles, Barbara Hutton, Cecil Beaton, William S. Burroughs, Patricia Highsmith and Yves Saint Laurent. All of them basked in the warm — sometimes dangerous and decadent — romantic allure of Morocco’s most northern outpost. The city’s complicated, contentious history matches its diverse vistas and uneven topography: it has been an ancient Berber settlement, a Roman and Phoenician outpost, and a trophy port for a half-dozen occupying foreign powers before it gained independence in 1956.

Tangier has almost as many astounding views as it has residents. There isn’t a spot in this city that doesn’t look across, up to, down on, or over a huge expanse of the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, the Rock of Gibraltar, the southern coast of Spain, lush nature preserves and gardens, ancient markets and handsome French, Spanish and Italian Colonial-era buildings. Tangier’s long, raw, jig-jag coastline is rimmed with epic cliffs and crashing surf; a network of steep rolling hills are cloaked in whitewashed houses and shops; and the newly reconfigured and renovated marina is abuzz with hundreds of fishing skiffs, ferries and cruise ships chugging in and out. This is a place of kinetic, powerful natural and artificial beauty.”


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