The Four Species: etrog and palm, willow and myrtle branch (Hebrew: Arba’at Ha-Minim, ארבעת המינים) « Flowers of Israel - Flora en Israel

The Four Species: etrog and palm, willow and myrtle branch (Hebrew: Arba’at Ha-Minim, ארבעת המינים) « Flowers of Israel - Flora en Israel: "Sukkot, with these four species in hand one recites a blessing and waves the species in a special ceremony (called na’anu’im – נענועים) in six directions (east, south, west, north, up and down, symbolizing the fact that God is everywhere). In biblical times, these so-called “four species” served as an offering of thanksgiving and celebration at harvest time. The Torah chose four species according to those kinds which abound in the Land of Israel. Israel has a wide variety of climates and geography, and each of the Four Species of Sukkot represents a different climate and symbolism. The aravah and the etrog need large amounts of water to thrive, the palm tree (lulav) and hadas can do with less water"