Forests of Algerian oaks ("Quercus canariensis") are well represented in western Andalusia and very patchily by hybridizations in Catalonia and the Cordillera Mariánica. They are the most demanding as to temperature and humidity, and therefore do not usually stray too far from areas with a maritime climate; they prefer the cooler, shady northward slopes, damp meadows and the banks of streams of the lower ground. In general, they alternate with the Cork Oaks, which they displace in the coolest zones; both prefer siliceous soils. In the clearings and degraded stages of these forests "los piornos" ("Teline sp., Cytisus baeticus"), heather ("Erica arborea", "Erica scoparia"), and rock rose ("Halimium lasianthum") are common.