garigue

(garrigue) A type of scrub woodland characteristic of limestone areas with low rainfall and thin poor dry soils. The low-growing vegetation consists of aromatic, often spiny, species, such as sage (Salvia officinalis), thymes (Thymus), and lavender (Lavandula vera). Many bulbous plants grow between the shrubs and there are numerous species that are also present in *maquis. This type of vegetation is widespread in Mediterranean countries.