Sometimes referred to a Mediterranean biome, these ecosystems occur in the lower mid-latitudes (normally 30 to 44 north and south latitude.
Hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters
35-90 cm (14 to 35 inches)
Summer conditions being hot and winter conditions typically being mild
These areas are dominated by drought-tolerant shrubs and small trees, usually less than 2.5 meters tall
The native vegetation of Mediterranean climate lands must be adapted to survive long, hot summer droughts in summer and prolonged wet periods in winter.
Mediterranean vegetation examples include the following:
Shrubs: rosemary, Erica, Banksia, buckeyes, chamise, Bay laurel and some oaks.
Sub-shrubs: lavender, Halimium, grevillea and sagebrush
Grasses: grassland types, Themeda triandra, bunchgrasses; sedges, and rushes
Herbs: Achillea, Dietes, Helichrysum and Penstemon
Evergreen trees: casuarina, melaleuca, pine, and cypress
Deciduous trees: sycamore and some types of oak
Fruit trees: olive, figs, walnuts and grapes
Known locally as maquis, macchie, or garigue in the Mediterranean region, chaparral in California, matorral in Chile, fynbos in South Africa, and mallee and kwongan shrublands in Australia