The flora is of great interest, as a result of the diverse weather conditions and altitudes, thus allowing the coexistence of Alpine, Euro Siberian and Mediterranean species.
The Mountain StageOn the mountain stage we find forest species typical of humid places. On the shady parts of the south slopes the beech (Fagus sylvatica) prospers in dispersed patches, meanwhile the oak species (Quercus pubescens and Quercus ilex) largely populate the sunny parts.
These three species, along with others such as field maples (Acer Campestre) and aspen (Populus tremula) form more or less extensive claps amid pine (Pinus sylvestris) forests. The pine forests represent a majority on the lower and medium height with undergrowth composed mainly of the boxwood (Buxus sempervirens). In the main valleys and close to the villages there are also meadows, which are mowed two or three times during the summer, the grass being stored to provide food for the livestock in winter.
A large diversity of rare or endemic flowers and small plants can be observed, mainly from June to August: Iberis sempervirens, edelweiss, the orchids Platanthera bifolia, Dactylorhiza elata, Ophrys sphegodes, Ophrys insectifera.
From March to November the popping up of hundreds of different mushroom species motivates one of the Catalan national sports: going to the woods to collect them and prepare them on a bbq along with a good sausage or some mutton.
The Sub Alpine Stage
On the higher parts, on the Sub Alpine stage, we find mountain pine forest (Pinus uncinata), well adapted to withstand the harsh weather conditions. The undergrowth is mainly composed of thickets of dwarfjuniper (Juniperus nana), alpenrose (Rhododendron ferrugineum) and bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi).
The Alpine Stage
A testimonial presence of alpine species of grasses and showy flowers, such as gentian (Gentina sp.), the wild saffron (Crocus nudiflorus), the carline thistle (Carlina acanthifolia subsp. Cynara), the alpine pasqueflower (Pulsatilla alpina), among others can be spotted.
