Cornicabrales

Once we get to the Central, we are already in the middle of the cornicabral. Already a kilometer before, from the Huelga del Nidillo, the cornicabras will accompany us on our right on a very stony and steep slope. At the end of the route, in front of the bridge that crosses the Borosa River to access the central one, on the slope that extends to our left once we have crossed the bridge, we will see large trees that look like holm oaks, but if we look at it, we will be surprised that these are large cornicabras. In the fall we are presented with a multitude of warm colors ranging from orange to dark red.

The cornicabral that we see has little associated vegetation in its understory, this is because the presence of cattle (wild or domestic ungulates) benefits the cornicabra, its shoots and seed shoots are very toxic and unappetizing for cattle, therefore It is not easy to see other species accompanying the cornicabrales, and more in areas frequented by cattle. However, you often see holm oaks (Quercus ilex ballota), Montpelier maples (Acer mosnpessulanum), barberries (Phillyrea latifolia), junipers (Juniperus phoenicea), mastic (Pistacia lenticus), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), wormwood (Daphne gnidium), rose hips (Rosa ssp.) and among herbaceous plants we highlight the peony or mountain rose (Paeonia broteroi), bird claws (Rhagadiolus stellatus), San José rods (Gladiolus illyricus), and grasses such as cervero (Brachypodium retusum), grasses, bag breakers, etc. (Poa bulbosa, Agrostis ssp., Cynosurus echinatus, Aegilops geniculata, Arrhenatherum elatinus, etc.).

Cornicabras are named after the goat-like bumps so characteristic on leaves and stems, which are galls produced by the bite of an insect, which uses them as food for its larvae.

We suggest:

• The cornicabrales are present in others in many mountains and more or less stony slopes of the Park, since it is in this type of environment where the cornicabra (Pistacia terebinthus) finds its habitat. Extensive cornicabrales can be seen on the slopes of the Zumeta river, near Venta Ticiano, in the gutters of Peña Corba (Las Villas), on the slopes of Yelmo Chico, in Cerrada del Utrero, etc.

Borosa Route, starting from the place known as La Central. To get to the cornicabral we must go up the Borosa River along the track that runs alongside it, and that ends at a hydroelectric power station. We took it at the Borosa fish farm, a well-known place. We have 8 km ahead of us, but they are not very steep and can be done easily, we also go at all times along the Borosa River, which is one of the most spectacular and popular routes in the Park.