The Coastal Sands, Kurkar & Red Loam Hills Section

The Tel Aviv University Botanical Garden was established on a kurkar hill, meaning the plant species featured in this section are predominantly local. Kurkar is a brittle calcareous sandstone formed by the aggregation of sand and limestone. Because water easily permeates this porous rock, the area functions as a semi-arid habitat. These conditions naturally favor plants that are resistant to drought. Consequently, within the Mediterranean climate zone of Israel's Coastal Plain, the coastal sands and kurkar ridges host a unique combination of species, creating a meeting point between desert and Mediterranean flora.

The convergence of desert and Mediterranean flora in the geologically young Coastal Plain has driven the evolution of many endemic species. Over 30 plant species found in the Coastal Plain grow exclusively in Israel and its immediate surroundings.

However, the Coastal Plain is also Israel's most densely populated region. Extensive urban development has caused significant damage to the kurkar hills and their flora, making them some of the most threatened habitats in the country. As a result, many plants native to these light soils are now endangered species.

In this section, you can observe plants that typically grow along the immediate shoreline. These plants have adapted to withstand harsh conditions such as high salinity, aridity, and shifting sands. Because these challenges closely resemble desert environments, there is a striking morphological similarity between coastal and desert plants.

Some of the unique plants you can see in this section include the Coastal Iris (Iris atropurpurea), Topped Lavender (Lavandula stoechas), and Rothschild's Rumex (Rumex aeroplaniformis).

Coastl Iris (Iris atropurpurea) at the Kurkar hills section. | Picture by: Yael Orgad