Flora and Fauna

FLORA AND FAUNA

Datca's Plant Richness:

Datca's plant richness is known since the ancient ages. It is very clear that this played an important role for Knidos to become a medical centre. Climate qualities are the major reason for the flora richness. When you say Datca’s flora almond comes to mind first. Does not matter if it is either the green almond of the spring or the almond kernel of the later period. Datca almond has a voice regarding both of these.

Let’s have a look at Datca’s flora beginning from the almond:

Wild mint: This is an odorous plant which is also drunk as tea and which is good for one’s health.

Sage tea:  Sage tea is a natural plant species which is grown in lots of places in both Turkey and the world. We can drink the tea in all the cafes in Datca. The different species of this plant which has some fur on it is called Yuzuk cayi (Yuzuk Tea) in the area.

Rosemary: The color of this plant which is used in meat dishes is green which is perceived as black.

Harmal:  It is believed that when you burn this plant it eliminates the evil eye and banishes the evil.

Rusty back:  Its dried flowers are dark brown looking like mahogany.  It is used as curative against kidney disease, sand problems and gynecaologic disorders.

Sumac: This Sour and savory plant with reddish brown seeds is one of the indispensable spices of the meals in southeastern area.  It is used in Datca for adding taste to soups and to add some sour taste to the salads.

Herba Sideritis: The usual mint with smaller leaves. It is grown in nature by itself.  It is closer to the mint as smell and taste.

Acorn: Once in the past Datca Peninsula was all covered with acorn trees and people would export acorns.  We can say the number of trees has decreased.

Caper and Black Pepper: These two plants which add taste to the meals can be amply found in the peninsula.

Flower Species:

In order for the protection of plant and animal richness of the peninsula, everybody needs to abide by the rules which have been registered as Special Protection Area.

Anemone and wildflowers constitute a rich variety.  You can see different species of flowers in Datca, the place where the spring comes early.

Datca betel nut (Phoenix Theophrasti Greuer): Datca Betel Nut is one of the major species which is grown endemically in the area. This tree which is identified as Phoenix species from Palmae (Palm) family and which also looks like palms is one of the oldest plant species of the world. It can be seen from the road on Eksera Valley which is on your right after you pass through Balikasiran (Bencik) Neck, which is the narrowest location of the peninsula, while you are going from Marmaris to Datca. It is a little difficult to go down to the valley but that is worth to make that effort to see that special tree from close-up. It may be useful to find a guide from Datca.

Almond: It is not only used in pharmacy but also it has a useful nutrient value.  Datca produces a big majority of Turkey’s almond production. It does not only make most of this production but also it produces the most delicious ones. Only the fanciers know about this.  Not all the almonds are the same when you talk about almonds. It has many species.  Some of them are delicious while they are green almonds and it is tasty to eat them with salt. Shell of some of them is thin and can be broken with using one’s teeth whereas some of them need a hammer for that. People who have had meals in Izmir Kordonboyu knows best the almond kernel which is being laid among ice  and the kabuki of which can be peeled when you touch it between your index finger and thumb. People of Istanbul know about the almond paste of Bebek which is indeed a taste worthy of knowing. Some of them are interested in bitter almond. Almond is a fruit which can be eaten in many different ways and used in various desserts and meals. It is used in many areas from medicine production to body lotions. This almond fruit, which is very tasty and which can be used in many things is the main income source of Datca people.  The trees begin to blossom in February.  But as we said the almond has many species. The ones the green almond of which is used mature early. Species such as Nurlu, Akbadem, Dedebağ, Kababağ, Sira almond and Dis almond are grown in Datca.  To tell the truth, it is more like an obligation to have different almond species in a garden. Because the variety facilitates the pollination.  You need to wait for May for the almond kernel. You need to arrive there in July-August if you want to gather the fruit after its outer shell is opened. It is gathered and dried under the sun around these times.  But there is an easy answer if you say “how do we know which almond to eat at which time?” You will go to Data and learn about it without showing extra effort. Almond is like air and water for people of Datca, everyone has it in their lives and everyone knows about details. USA Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decided that it will be written on the packages of almond, a fruit which has been labeled as dried nuts a few years ago, that it contains less cholesterol and saturated fat and it is useful in decreasing the risk of heart diseases. People of Datca had this information for hundreds of years. Probably, people of Knidos knew that too and they were using as an aphrodisiac the fruit which came to Anatolia from Far East and settled in here since it loved the climate and soil of Datca. 

Olive: Olive is grown in Datca since the old ages.  Olive has always been important for the humanity. Olive is mentioned even in the holy books. End of the Great Flood of Noah and emergence of the land is symbolized with an olive branch brought by a bird.

Thyme: This plant is one of the most useful plants that grow by itself within nature and it has many species growing on the peninsula. Thyme has many species and all their tastes and smells are different from each other. It has many species such as violet thyme, fig thyme, cheese thyme, honey thyme and spice thyme. It is used to treat many disorders such as stomach aches and muscle aches since the very old ages. Thyme oil cures people beginning from babies. Bees make honey from the thyme which adds taste to meals beginning from barbecue to soups. Thyme honey is the most valuable among the honey species. It is effective for respiratory tract disorders particularly bronchitis. People of Datca use thyme also for healing the wounds.

Absinth:  It looks like thyme but it gets gardened when it is dried. This plant which is used as tea is known to be friendly to the stomach.

Centuary: It is not only used for adding taste and smell to soups, compostes and stewed fruits but also effective against stomach and digestive system disorders.

Forest and Trees: Calabrian pines constitute the major forest type in Datca Peninsula. Species which are rarely seen such as Phoenicia juniper, sweet gum and Mediterranean cypress also mix up in forest richness.  Tall scrubs are in majority in the area other than forest areas and agricultural areas. Datca Peninsula which reaches to 1163 meters of height in Bozdağ, the structure in majority of which is limestone, connects to the mainland with narrow and high serpentine ridges.