Juniperus phoenicea (Juniper Tree)
At lower altitudes one will find the Maquis forests, one of the predominant species is the Juniper tree (Juniperus phoenicea). Restricted to the area of Troodos, in regions with an altitude of 1000 to 1950 m (Prodromos, Kryos Potamos, Chionistra, Almirolivado, Kannoures and in other areas).
The genus consists of about 60 species, with predominantly the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. A long-living, evergreen tree, usually 3-5 m in Cyprus, but sometimes up to 20 m, living up to 1500 years. Its bark is usually conical in the beginning, and later becomes spherical or irregular. The bark is asphaltic and flakes in strips, while the wood is very hard, compact, odorous and resistant to attack by insects and fungi. The flowers are unisexual, male cones are small, apical, tan, while the female is axillary with a blue-black color. It grows from December to June. It is mostly a dioecious plant, that means in nature there are male and female plants, while more sparsely one can find plants bearing both male and female flowers.
The Juniper tree can also be used as an ornament. Its wood may be used in traditional building and furniture and small wood pieces, while due to its resistance, aroma and particularly and its attractive colours (intense reddish color) is excellent and highly sought after for carving. Finally, it is very good as firewood and as a repellent of moths in the home.
Location
Flora - Fauna
Quercus Calliprinos (Palestine oak)
The quercus coccifera calliprinos belongs to the family of the Fagales, which includes eight genera and about 1,050 species all over the globe. It belongs to the oak genus, which includes around 600 species. We can see them in many areas in Cyprus, inc
Quercus Infectoria (Oak Tree)
The oak tree (Q. Infectoria ssp. Veneris) is a large-sized tree and belongs to the family of Beech trees, which includes eight genera and about 1050 species. In Cyprus there is a natural spread, the Golden oak, the Palestine oak and the Kermes oak. The
Sorbus Aria (Whitebeam)
Sorbus aria is a deciduous tree of 5-6 meters without thorns and blooms from May to June. It lies at the highest altitudes of Troodos on rocky slopes and gaps of forests in the Mediterranean vegetation zone. It is an East-Mediterranean species, with sp
The A.G. Leventis Troodos Botanical Gardens
These botanical gardens were created by the Department of Forests at the edge of the asbestos mining region. Built on the Troodos National Forest Park land, at an altitude of about 1400m, it was named after the Anastasios Leventis Foundation. The Found









