Learn to recognize Anglet’s flora!
Discover Anglet’s wealth of flora through ten emblematic species, carefully documented with the expertise of Parc Izadia staff.
Anglet is home to a rich diversity of natural environments, from wild dunes to dense forests and wetlands, each sheltering a variety of plant species.
Whether you’re a plant enthusiast or a lover of the great outdoors, you’ll love learning to recognize plants, and surprising your friends and family with your new expertise!
Oval Lagurus
(Lagurus ovatus)
Also known as “Hare’s tail” because of its soft, downy inflorescence, oval oyster grass is characteristic of the sandy soils of Izadia Park. It is mainly found in these environments, where it plays an essential ecological role. By colonizing the soil, oval borage helps stabilize it, reducing the effects of erosion. Its silky, oval spikes add a touch of lightness to the landscape, making this plant as aesthetically pleasing as it is useful in Anglet’s coastal ecosystems.
Dune immortelle
(Helichrysum stoechas)
Dune immortelle is a perennial plant typical of sandy environments, such as those found in the gray dunes of Parc Izadia. Perfectly adapted to this environment, it can withstand periods of drought as well as salt spray, thanks to its tolerance to salt. In summer, especially when it’s very hot, it gives off a spicy, curry-like fragrance that lasts until September.
Common tamarisk
(Tamarix gallica)
The common tamarisk is an elegant shrub, whose frail appearance conceals great robustness. It thrives particularly well in draining soils, and doesn’t mind brackish water around its roots. Its ability to adapt to salt spray makes it an ideal plant for coastal environments such as those in Izadia Park. The tamarisk blooms in spring, usually in April or May, with a profusion of small, delicate flowers. In ancient times, this shrub was revered for its symbolic association with youth and beauty.
Arbutus
(Arbutus unedo)
The arbutus is a native shrub found in Anglet’s Parc Izadia and in the Lazaret and Pignada woodlands. Its white bell-shaped flowers are characteristic. Once pollinated by bees and other insects, these flowers give way to the famous “arbouses”. These red spheres are none other than the plant’s fruit, which used to be used to make jam.
Eagle fern
(Pteridium aquilinum)
The eagle fern – what a funny name! It’s said that if you cut its stem, an eagle’s head appears inside. Beyond the anecdote, the fern is very present in Angloyes forests and provides good ground cover. A true herbaceous stratum, it provides shelter and food for many animals: it is eaten by certain deer and rabbits when the fern is still in the form of a “crozier”, when the stem is still unfurling.
Cork oak
(Quercus suber)
The main roommate of the maritime pine in the Pignada and Lazaret forests, the cork oak is intriguing for the way its bark looks. Indeed, as its species name suggests, this tree is composed of “suber”, or cork. This composition has long benefited cork production. In addition to its use by man, this protective layer also benefits the tree: it provides better protection against flames than other species.
Scotch broom
(Cystisus scoparius)
Scotch broom, whose Latin name Cytisus scoparius derives from the Greek kutisos, meaning “tree alfalfa”, and the Latin scoparius, in reference to its traditional use for making brooms, is an emblematic shrub in the landscapes of Parc Izadia and Anglet’s forest areas. This shrub is found everywhere in these environments, with its butterfly-like yellow flowers emerging singly or in small groups on the previous year’s twigs, borne on a delicate pedicel. From May to July, it lights up the landscape with its brilliant blooms. A strong symbol of local identity, broom is also the emblem of the Anglet soccer club, known as the “Genêts d’Anglet”.
Sage-leaved rockrose
(Cistus salviifolius L.)
It’s a sub-shrub that thrives just as well in sandy back dunes as in pine forests. Its habit will change according to the environment. It prefers warm, sunny sites and siliceous soils. Izadia blooms between late April and June.
Little knapweed
(Centaurium chloodes)
Centaurium chloodes, the park’s most famous flower, is on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) red list of endangered species. Closely monitored, this delicate flower is counted every year by park staff. Having an idea of the number of plants allows us to establish the health of the station.
Maritime pine
(Pinus pinaster)
Pinus pinaster is a conifer (Latin conus, “cone” and ferre, “to bear”), i.e. a tree that bears a cone. The pine cone is the grouping of the plant’s reproductive organs, enabling it to reproduce. Once mature, pine cones produce pine nuts. These seeds give rise to new pine shoots, as in this photo.
