The Mediterranean High Atlas juniper steppe is a montane grasslands and shrublands ecoregion confined to the High Atlas range of Morocco, reaching the summit of Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa. Its characteristic vegetation is open woodland of Spanish juniper (Juniperus thurifera) and evergreen holm oak (Quercus rotundifolia), with Atlantic cedar and the critically endangered Moroccan cypress (Cupressus atlantica) in places, giving way above the treeline to grasses and bare rock toward the summits. The climate is sharply two-sided: north-facing slopes are cooler and more humid while south-facing slopes are cold and semi-arid, exposed to dry Saharan winds, with snow persisting for months above the tree line. The High Atlas is a noted hotspot of floral biodiversity, home to over 400 plant species endemic to Morocco, and shelters the endangered Barbary macaque, the only wild primate north of the Sahara. For gardeners in cold, dry mountain climates, the region's native drought- and frost-hardy junipers and Quercus rotundifolia offer well-adapted ornamental and screening options.

At a glance

About the montane grasslands & shrublands biome

High-elevation grasslands, meadows, and shrublands above the treeline or in mountain basins, including alpine and páramo systems. Cool temperatures, intense sunlight, and specialized, often endemic flora characterize them.

Catalog plants suited to this ecoregion

Computed from each plant's stated USDA zone range against this ecoregion's CHELSA-derived current zone range, with the CHELSA mid-century warming delta applied for the projection. Plants whose stated range falls outside both the current and projected zone end up dropped; the rest land in one of the three buckets below.

Collections for this ecoregion

Curated multi-plant collections whose members all fit this ecoregion's zone range — no won't-grow members smuggled in. Overall fit class shown per collection is the weakest link across its members.

Related ecoregions