A Journey Around the World in 20 Trees: Europe, Africa and Asia

Discover some of the most interesting trees from around the world, without stepping foot outside Madrid's Royal Botanic Garden.

Royal Botanic Gardens (RJB-CSIC)

Virginia PersimmonRoyal Botanic Gardens (RJB-CSIC)

The Royal Botanic Garden in Madrid (RJB-CSIC) is home to a diverse collection of trees from every continent in the world. Join us as we go on a journey around the world, looking at trees from Europe, Africa, and Asia.

OakRoyal Botanic Gardens (RJB-CSIC)

English oak / Quercus robur

This tree is found in many countries throughout Europe and can grow to up to 130 feet (40 m) high. It is found in moist soil since it does not fare well in dry soil. The tree is also associated with the gods Jupiter and Thor.

Shadow BananaRoyal Botanic Gardens (RJB-CSIC)

Oriental plane tree / Platanus orientalis

This deciduous tree grows in the Balkans, and its leaves are often confused with those of the maple tree. Its bark has medicinal uses and the tree was popular among Persian kings.

Yew-TreeRoyal Botanic Gardens (RJB-CSIC)

Yew / Taxus baccata

These trees grow widely across Europe and are estimated to live for 400 to 600 years. Sacred in Celtic culture, yew trees were traditionally planted beside shrines and cemeteries in northern Europe.

LindenRoyal Botanic Gardens (RJB-CSIC)

Large-leaved linden / Tilia platyphyllos

This tree is very common in deciduous forests in Europe. Its most common and widely known use is as linden tea, which is made with its leaves and is useful in battling insomnia, colds, gastritis, and even stress-induced anxiety.

Canary PalmRoyal Botanic Gardens (RJB-CSIC)

Canary Island date palm / Phoenix canariensis

Native to Spain's Canary Islands, the date palm can also be found all over North Africa. Its fleshy fruit—dates—are used a lot in cooking.

Paper MulberryRoyal Botanic Gardens (RJB-CSIC)

Paper mulberry / Broussonetia papyrifera

Native to China, Southeast Asia, Japan, and Korea, the fibers from this tree's wood have been used to make paper since ancient times. Its leaves also have medicinal uses.

Earl Harrington's YewRoyal Botanic Gardens (RJB-CSIC)

Japanese plum yew / Cephalotaxus harringtonia

This tree is found in Japan. It grows to about 33 feet (10 m) high and lives in mountainous coastal regions. Its seeds are edible and highly prized in Japan. Some people cultivate it solely for this reason.

PrivetRoyal Botanic Gardens (RJB-CSIC)

Chinese privet / Ligustrum lucidum

This perennial and sometimes deciduous tree is native to China, where its fruit is used to treat impotence and its wood is used to make walking sticks.

Cork Oak of AlmurRoyal Botanic Gardens (RJB-CSIC)

Amur cork tree / Phellodendron amurense

This deciduous tree is native to China and Japan. It is one of the famous 50 fundamental herbs and plants used in traditional Chinese medicine. The oil extracted from its seeds also has insecticidal properties.

Japanese CherryRoyal Botanic Gardens (RJB-CSIC)

Japanese cherry / Prunus serrulata Lindl

This small tree native to China, Korea, and Japan is the last one on our journey through Asia. In Japan, big festivals are held to celebrate the blossoming of the cherry trees in spring.

Cabbage TreeRoyal Botanic Gardens (RJB-CSIC)

The journey continues …

Complete your journey around the world in 20 trees in this article, where you'll find species from Oceania and America.

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