Plants
Owing to its geographical situation and geological configuration Ramatuelle has a very rich and diversified plant life. Listed below are a few of the species found in the area :

Kidney vetch ( Anthylis barba-jovis)
Description : this shrub produces magnificent downy silvery leaves. Its pale yellow flowers grow in clusters at the end of the branches. Hight : upto 3 meters
Characteristics : grows in salty ground. Protected species that is used to restore parts of the coast that have been spoilt.

Mastic tree (Pistacia Lentiscus)
Description : Has deep green leaves and a resinous smell. Its small white flowers grow in clusters and give little red berries that become black when ripe.
Characteristics : Its resin is used to make a gum called Kios gum, used in dental care and for making chewing gum.

Myrtle (Myrtus Communis)
History : In ancient Greece it was a symbol of Love and Glory and was used to make crowns (similar to laurel leaves crowns).
Description : has oval and pointed leaves with a very marked central nervure. Small white or pink flowers in May or June, giving little blue berries that you can chew to freshen your breath.
Characteristics : its essential oil is used in the treatment of bronchial diseases.

Phoenecian Juniper (Juniperus phoenicea)
Description : this shrub has very characteristic fir cones with scales that are knitted together. Its scaly leaves resemble those of the cyprus tree.

Holm Oak (Quercus ilex)
Description : grows naturally in warm and sunny spots. It does not like the cold. Its wood is used for making objects, cartwheels and carts, also used in cabinet making...It has small hard pointed dark green leaves all year round.

Tree Spurge (Euphorbia dendroides)
Description : Tree spurges are poisonous, producing a white milky substance when broken. A well-known spurge is the castor-oil plant used as a purgative.
Characteristic : This plant is also used to get rid of moles in gardens.

Sea Lavender (Limonium minutum)
Description : it is endemic (it is only found in this particular region) . It grows on siliceous rocks near the sea.
Characteristic : it grows in salty soil and is a protected species, it is therefore strictly forbidden to pick any.


Groundsel (Senecio bicolor)
Description : it is easily recognizable by its grey silvery and woolly leaves with cutout shapes. It grows in rocky sandy ground near the sea.

Buckthorn (Rhamnus alaternus)
Description : it has evergreen leaves with jagged edges. Yellow flowers and bunches of red and black fruit.

Arbutus Tree (Arbutus unedo)
Description : In autumn and winter has pretty white belled-shaped flowers. The arbutus fruit are similar to little strawberries and take a whole year to ripen. The berries are edible but tasteless.
Characteristic : the locals make jam and liqueur ( "la crème d'arbouse") with the fruit. It is one of the rare trees that has flowers and fruit at the same time.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
History : lat. Rosmarinus : morning dew
Description : grows in dry places. Has a pleasant smell and flowers all year round.
Characteristic : It stimulates the gall bladder and is recommended in case of liver failure. It also helps stomach aches.

Honeysuckle (Lonicera implexa)
Description : Sort of creeper with odorant flowers and evergreen oval leaves.

Smilax (Smilax Aspersa)
History : originally from Central and South America.
This plant has become famous thanks to the Smurfs : little blue men.
Description : A creeper with thorns and triangular heart-shaped leaves.
Characteristic : Traditionally used as a diuretic, purgative, sudorific and against rheumatisms.

Fragrant Clematis (Clematis fammula)
Description : is a very hardy creeper that covers large surfaces and can reach upto 8 meters high.

Asparagus (Asparagus Acutifolius)
History : The wild asparagus was cultivated by the Romans and was named Asparagus Officinalis in the Middle Ages but remained a luxury only found on the king's table.
Description : is difficult to see. Is very fine and can grow quite high.

Thorny Broom (Spinosa)
Description : bush from 1 to 2 meters high with yellow flowers, black fruit. The flowers turn into bean-shaped seed pods.

Maritime Pine (Pinus pinaster)
Takes the place of the Aleppo Pine on siliceous ground.
Description : forms forests with the holm oak
Characteristic : used as timber. Unfortunately the species is decaying due to a caterpillar.

Cork Oak (Quercus suber)
Description : is a famous tree locally and grows naturally in the forests.
Charateristic : is more or less fire-proof.
The cork is harvested in June and July :
the first time a tree is corked, the cork called "male cork", is of bad quality. Then every 13 to 17 years the "female cork" which is smooth can be removed and used to make bottle corks.


Tree Heather (Erica Arborea)
Description : has purple or pink flowers and reddish bark. Grows in siliceous soil forming heaths.
Characteristic : is an anti-inflammatory for the bladder and prostate gland. There is a wide variety of heather.

Olive Tree
History : Holy tree symbol of hope and divine mercy. The olive is a symbol of purity and life and is a basic food in the Mediterranean.
In Ancient Grece the olive tree was a symbol of wisdom and immortality owing to its hardiness.
Description : Is generally of small hight for a tree (5 to 8 meters) with a short and twisty trunk. Its leaves are lanceolate (long and narrow) opposite each other, dark green on the top and silvery underneath. Its flowers are yellowy-white and grow in bunches at the axilla of the leaves. Gives oval-formed fruit (olives) varying in sizes (1,5 to 2 cm).
Characteristic : is very sensitive to the cold.
Is used for preventing arteriosclerosis and coronary diseases by reducing LDL cholesterol and increasing HDL cholesterol.

Mimosa (Acacia Dealbata)
History : comes from Australia
Description : is praised for its pretty winter flowers. Grows rapidly to form thickets.
Characteristic : has adapted to the local siliceous soil. Is considered a weed by the locals. Grows back rapidly after a forest fire but unfortunately eradicates all other species by doing so.

Animals

Many species of birds are found locally such as magpies, jays, crows, rooks, robins, thrushes and seashore birds

If you're lucky you might catch a glimpse of rabbits, foxes, squirrels, wild boar and even the famous Herman tortoise (protected species). You can't miss this tortoise at the Tortoise Village at Gonfaron (35 km from Ramatuelle) where over 2500 tortoises live in peace and quiet.

But the most typical member of the animal life of Provence is the famous "cigale" (cicada). It lives from 2 to 5 years underground and only 3 to 5 weeks in the open air. It's rythmic song is heard throughout the summer season (only the males sing). There are 12 sorts of "cigales" in the South of France the largest measuring 35 mm long.