Flora and Fauna

Israel's plant and animal life is rich and diversified, in part due to the country's geographical location at the junction of three continents. Some 2,600 types of plants have been identified, ranging from alpine species on the northern mountain slopes to Saharan species in the Arava in the south. Israel is the northernmost limit for the presence of plants such as the papyrus reed and the southernmost limit for others like the bright red coral peony.

Natural woodlands, consisting mostly of calliprinos oaks, cover parts of Galilee, Mount Carmel and other hilly areas. In spring, the rockrose and thorny broom predominate with a color scheme of pink, white and yellow. Honeysuckle creeps over the bushes, and large plane trees provide shade along the freshwater streams of Galilee.In the Negev highlands, massive Atlantic pistachios strike a dramatic note along the dry valleys, and date palms grow wherever there is sufficient underground water.

Many cultivated flowers such as the iris, madonna lily, tulip and hyacinth have relatives among the wild flowers of Israel. Soon after the first rains in October-November, the country is covered by a green carpet which lasts until the return of the summer dry season. Pink and white cyclamen and red, white and purple anemones bloom from December to March, with the blue lupin and yellow corn marigold flowering a little later. Many native plants such as the crocus and squill are geophytes, which store nourishment in bulbs or tubers and bloom at the end of the summer. Hovering over the fields are some 135 varieties of butterflies of brilliant hues and patterns.

Over 500 different species of birds can be seen in Israel. Some, like the common bulbul, are resident in the country; others such as coots and starlings spend the winter feasting on food provided by Israel's fishponds and farmland. Millions of birds migrate twice yearly along the length of the country, providing magnificent opportunities for birdwatching. Honey buzzards, pelicans and other large and small migrants fill the skies in March and October. Several raptor species, among them eagles, falcons and hawks, and tiny songbirds such as sylvia warblers and goldcrests nest in Israel.

Delicate mountain gazelles roam over the hills; foxes, jungle cats and other mammals live in wooded areas; Nubian ibex with majestic horns leap over desert crags; and chameleons, snakes and agama lizards are among the 100 reptile species native to the country.