Flora

Mallorca's plant life is typically Mediterranean — yet there are special features that distinguish the island from other Mediterranean destinations.

The Big Three: Olive, Almond, Carob

Olive trees have shaped the Tramuntana since the Arab rule. Some specimens are verifiably over 1,000 years old — their twisted, hollow trunks are living sculptures. The oldest documented tree stands near Caimari and is said to be up to 1,400 years old. In total, an estimated 500,000 olive trees are on the island.

Almond trees (about 7 million!) transform the Es Pla plain into a sea of pink and white blossoms in January and February — a sight worth the trip alone. The almond blossom is Mallorca's "cherry blossom" and increasingly attracts visitors even in the off-season. Almond products — oil, cakes, liqueur — are available everywhere.

Carob trees (Garrofers) with their shiny dark green leaves are mainly found in the south and east. Their pods (Garrofa) have been used for centuries as animal feed and sweeteners — today, carob is experiencing a revival as a chocolate substitute.

Mediterranean Shrubland and Forests

Aleppo pines (Pi) are the most common tree on Mallorca and particularly shape the coast — their silhouettes against the blue sea are a Mallorcan postcard motif. In between, the typical macchia spreads: rosemary, thyme, lavender, rockroses, mastic, and dwarf palms (the only palm species native to Europe!).

In the higher elevations of the Tramuntana, holm oaks grow (the impressive groves near Lluc are centuries old) and endemic plants like the Mallorca St. John's wort (Hypericum balearicum) and various wild orchids — over 30 orchid species bloom in spring on the island, especially in the Tramuntana and wetlands.