they contain details about Umayyad Córdoba's aristocratic gardens. There is some information of how new species like the Syrian pomegranate were adapted to Al-Andalus. The Syrian pomegranate was brought to Al-Andalus by a returning ambassador where it was planted in Bunila (modern day Casarabonela, Malaga) in 780 AD. Ornamentals The taxonomy criteria of these medieval texts is different then what is used today. Plants with similar external appearance usually fall under the same species name, though in modern taxonomy they are considered different. Many plants were cultivated as ornamentals, but agricultural treatises don't clearly differentiate between decorative plants in gardens and plants with other uses sown in fields and orchards. Ibn Luyun, following al-Tighnari, devotes several chapters to alimentary seeds with culinary uses as spices or vegetables, followed by a section on plants that he describes as maslayat, which carries connotations of amusement or peacefulness. Ibn Luyun says there are some plants cultivated for tasliya (delight) primarily for their scent or visual appearance, or as ornamentation (li-l-zina) planted in the domestic gardens (basatin). Ibn Luyun is exception, and most treatises classify species based on morphological qualities like aroma, and the color and shape of flowers. Pinus pinea (Sanawbar) was planted along walls to create a more beautiful appearance and placed at the center of a pool to provide shade. Cupressus sempervirens, (Sarw, sarwal) - was also a decorative plant used along garden walls for appearance, near the gate, pool, and along paths and angles. (Decorative cypress trees are still a common feature of Mediterranean gardens in modern times.) Colocasia esclulenta, (Qulqas) was planted next to water sources and ponds for its appearance. Lilium candidum was grown as ponds for its aroma and beautiful appearance. Crocus sativus, (Za 'faran) was noted by Andalusi writers for its aromatic quality. Many species of narjis (narcissus) are identified, and yellow narcissus is noted for its appearance and aroma, but not all are considered valuable as ornamental plants. Of the many species of Nymphaeaceae (Nilufar), al-'Awwam mostly discusses the white water lily (nilufar abyad). References Andalusian culture Agriculture