BERC-Til BGs are located in Til village, about 5 km southwest of Nablus. The total area of the BGs is 15,000 m2 comprising 15 plant gardens and collections: Poplar Garden; Rose Garden; Pistacia Garden; Linden Garden; Olive Collection (23 varieties); Carob Garden; Oak Garden; Pine garden; Eucalyptus Garden; Redbud Garden; Rock Garden – Rula Jeryis Garden; Palestine Fig Collection (18 varieties); Storax Garden; Medicinal Plants Garden; and Aquatic Garden. More than 250 plant species are conserved in these collections.
Plants of the gardens
Selected plants in the gardens
- Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels Sapotaceae (Argan) أرجان
- Boswellia sacra Flueck. Burseraceae بخور – كندر
- Celtis australis L. Ulmaceae (Nettle Tree) ميس، ميس الجنوب
- Ceratonia siliqua L. Caesalpinaceae (Carob, St. Johns Bread) خروب، خرنوب
- Cercis siliquastrum L. Caesalpinaceae (Red Bud, Love Tree) عروس الغابة، خزرج، زمزريق
- Commiphora myrrha (Nees) Engl. Burseraceae (Myrrh)مر
- Crataegus aronia (L.) DC. (= C. azarolus) Rosaceae (Spiny Hawthorn) زعرور شائك
- Elaeagnus angustifolia L. Elaeagnaceae (Narrow-leaved Oleaster, Russian Olive) زيزفون، زيتون بوهيميا
- Myrtus communis L. Myrtaceae (Myrtle, Common Myrtle) ريحان، آس، مرسين، شجرة السكر
- Olea europaea L. Oleaceae (Olive Tree) زيتون
- Pistacia palaestina Boiss. Anacardiaceae (Palestinian Pistachio, Terebinth Tree) بطم فلسطيني
- Quercus calliprinos Webb (Kermes Oak) Fagaceae سنديان، بلوط
- Rhus coriaria L. Anacardiaceae (Sumac, Tanner’s Sumach) سماق
- Rosa canina L. Rosaceae (Dog rose, Rosa Hips) ورد بري، ورد السياج، نسرين
- Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra (Sond.) Kokwaro. Synonym Sclerocarya caffra Anacardiaceae (Morula)
- Styrax officinalis L. Styracaceae (Storax, Snowdrop Bush) عبهر، لبنى
- Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf. Rhamnaceae (Christ Thorn, Syrian Christ-Thorn) سدر، شوك أو نبقة المسيح، دوم، نبق
Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels Sapotaceae (Argan) أرجان
Produces nuts, edible oil, browse, poles, and living windbreaks and living fence.
Boswellia sacra Flueck. Burseraceae بخور – كندر
Source of frankincense, a resinous dried sap used for treatment of arthritis and inflammmatory disorders.
Celtis australis L. Ulmaceae (Nettle Tree) ميس، ميس الجنوب
grows naturally in Palestine (mountains of Nablus and Hebron). used as an ornamental tree in the gardens and on road sides.
The fruits are edible and are eaten by humans and birds. In the past, the Palestinians made shawaeeb from its trunks to overturn straw during the threshing of grain crops.
They also woven baskets of its branches, and keep the tree growing next to the holy places because they believe that the tree is sacred and that it expels evil spirits, and protects from envy.
Ceratonia siliqua L. Caesalpinaceae (Carob, St. Johns Bread) خروب، خرنوب
- evergreen tree, spreads naturally in Palestine,
- a multi-purpose tree where its wood is used in industry,
- its fruits and leaves are used for animal feed,
- its fruits are traditionally used to make syrup and molasses,
- Its seeds contain oil.
- A mucous gum is extracted from the seeds of carob and can be used in food industries such as ice cream and sweets, as well as an adhesive used in industry and in many of the materials used in pharmacy, paints and cosmetics.
- In the Palestinian folk medicine:
- the carob “rob” is used to treat the wounds of the tongue,
- drinking carob fruits infusion, or eating dry carob fruits can treat diarrhea and cough and relieve abdominal pain,
- eating molasses with Tahina can cure diarrhea in infants and children.
Cercis siliquastrum L. Caesalpinaceae (Red Bud, Love Tree) عروس الغابة، خزرج، زمزريق
spreads naturally in Palestine, where its flowers appear in the spring before the leaves, giving the tree a pink color that makes it desirable as a cold-resistant ornamental tree.
Tree wood is used in carpentry work, and in the manufacture of smoking pipes.
Some use flower buds as appetizers for food.
Commiphora myrrha (Nees) Engl. Burseraceae (Myrrh)مر
Deciduous desert trees. The source of Myrrh. Has different medicinal uses.
Crataegus aronia (L.) DC. (= C. azarolus) Rosaceae (Spiny Hawthorn) زعرور شائك
Grows naturally in Palestine, but it is now threatened with extinction. its fruits are rich in vitamin C.
used in the Palestinian folk medicine to treat abdominal pain, backache and rheumatism, and to treat mouth and pharyngitis infections.
To dissolve the urinary system stones.
Elaeagnus angustifolia L. Elaeagnaceae (Narrow-leaved Oleaster, Russian Olive) زيزفون، زيتون بوهيميا
The Narrow-leaved Oleaster is a rare tree that exists naturally in Palestine (south of Acre). a multipurpose tree used to create windbreakers and living fences around horticultural fields and home gardens.
It has medical uses, and is a desirable nectar source for honey bees. Its leaves are used for animal feed.
Myrtus communis L. Myrtaceae (Myrtle, Common Myrtle) ريحان، آس، مرسين، شجرة السكر
known since ancient times as a symbol of love and peace, a natural tree in Palestine.
The essential oil extracted, by distillation from its leaves and flowers is used in the preparation of a hair shampoo, Plant twigs are used frequently in the formation of bouquets of twigs (leaves).
Olea europaea L. Oleaceae (Olive Tree) زيتون
The olive tree is mentioned in several verses in the Holy Quran. It is believed among the scientists that the origin of cultivated olive is Syria and Palestine, where evidence of the presence of olives in Palestine has been found since the dawn of history (2400 BC).
In addition to the use of olive oil in food, it is used as a medical treatment:
- external use to strengthen the roots of hair and prevent falling,
- to reduce pain of joints,
- in the treatment of respiratory and digestive problems, gallstones,
- strengthening teeth and jaws,
- in the treatment of ear diseases.
- Olive oil is also used to reduce the levels of harmful cholesterol in the blood.
- Boiled leaves are used to lower high blood pressure and diabetes.
- Oil is also used in the soap industry since ancient times, especially in the city of Nablus.
Pistacia palaestina Boiss. Anacardiaceae (Palestinian Pistachio, Turpentine- or Terebinth Tree) بطم فلسطيني
grows naturally in Palestine, multi-purpose tree where its wood is used in industry and as fuel.
Fruits are edible.
Its seeds contain oil.
Quercus calliprinos Webb (Kermes Oak) Fagaceae سنديان، بلوط
The Quercus oak tree is naturally found in Palestine.
oakwood, the hardwood, is used in the coal industry, Palestinians also used ancient oak trunks for roofing houses and making agricultural and household utensils.
Oaks have many medical benefits including:
for the treatment of stomach ulcers, heart disease, abdominal pain relief, and to relieve blood pressure by preparing boiled green oak cones and drinking.
Rhus coriaria L. Anacardiaceae (Sumac, Tanner’s Sumach) سماق
Deciduous shrub. The dried fruits are used as a spice. Has several medicinal uses. Sumac extracts were found to possess a potential antiviral, antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant and hypolipidemic activities. Very rich in phenolics mainly, tannins and flavonoids.
Rosa canina L. Rosaceae (Dog rose, Rosa Hips) ورد بري، ورد السياج، نسرين
Shrub, native to Palestine, used as a fence,
The fruit is used to prepare tea of high nutritional value because of the high vitamins content of the fruit; rose water extracted by distillation of petals is used to prepare a drink to treat stomach and intestinal infections, and to prevent diarrhea and to treat mouth inflammation and throat pain.
A natural red dye is also extracted from the fruits of roses.
Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra (Sond.) Kokwaro. Synonym Sclerocarya caffra Anacardiaceae (Morula)
Extremely hardy multipurpose tree. Provides fruits, oil, fodder, timber.
Styrax officinalis L. Styracaceae (Storax, Snowdrop Bush) عبهر، لبنى
The storax tree grows naturally in Palestine; an important honey plant.
Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf. Rhamnaceae (Christ Thorn, Syrian Christ-Thorn) سدر، شوك أو نبقة المسيح، دوم، نبق
A common natural tree in Palestine, a multipurpose tree (fruits eaten, leaves are fodder, wood is used in fuel and in construction), gives the best types of honey.
Used in folk medicine, as laxative for intestines and is used to treat tooth pain, inflammation of the eyes and respiratory diseases.