Introduction
Observe these shrubs growing alongside the path, planted separately from one another.
These are càdecs. In the past, before human pressure on the first coastal line, a transitional plant community developed between the seashore and the inland forest. This dense shrubland, known as màquia litoral, was made up of càdecs along with aladerns, llentiscles, murtres and others.
The càdec belongs to the cypress family. It is a resinous shrub that can grow into a small tree and is identifiable by its linear, sharp leaves with two white lines on the upper surface.
A curious fact: a cut twig helps repel mosquitoes. Its wood contains oils with antiseptic properties, traditionally used and more recently applied in the manufacture of soaps and cosmetics.