KERMES OAK

We thought these little trees (or shrubs really) were miniature Holly bushes. Wrong! This is the Kermes Oak (Quercus coccifera), a small, Mediterranean, evergreen shrub, the leaves of which do resemble tiny Holly leaves, but it also has acorns.

The Kermes Oak is common in the region, and is host to the "Kermes insect" which was used extensively for the production of cochineal in ancient times.

In actual fact, our word "crimson" is derived from the ancient word "Kermes".

You learn something every day....