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Chaparral,
a shrub dominated land community
comprised mostly of small-leaved evergreen vegetation such as chamiso and manzanita, as well as scrub oak. These regions are typified by the Mediterranean climate, short, wet winters and long, dry summers. Some Mediterranean countries as well as California and Baja California are dominated by these "shrub-lands".
Plant Life
Oaks and heathers are prominent in California, as are many other shrubs including Garrya,
Heteromeles, Rhus, the blue-flowered Ceanothus, and the common chamiso and Manzanita. Manzanita is a low growing shrub with spade shaped, leathery leaves. Branches and trunks are smooth and dark reddish brown, few plants grow over 8 feet tall. During April or early May it produces a pastel pink or white flower. The Manzanita branches have an extremely high oil content which cause them to burn quickly and at high temperatures. Chaparrals in Mediterranean Europe are dominated by a variety of shrubs in such families as oak, heather, olive, and pistachio.
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