The Shouf Biosphere Reserve is most famous for its large and self-propagating stands of Lebanese cedar (Cedrus libani). The cedar is a highly symbolic conifer, and one of the most cited plants in history, religion, and mythology. The Reserve represents the natural southern limit of this tree and hosts about 620 hectares of cedar forests that are largely confined to the steeper and less accessible areas. Nowadays the cedar forests, protected from overgrazing and human interference, are showing clear signs of natural regeneration