Aeonium holochrysum has recently been renamed A. arboreum subsp. holochrysum. It makes a robust shrub, with a number of rosettes of bright green leaves, and produces conical spikes of bright yellow flowers mainly in the late autumn and winter.
Aeonium palmense, La Palma. March 2008.
Aeonium palmense has recently been renamed A. canariense subsp. christii. It is endemic to la Palma and El Hierro. The single, very large rosette of rather dull green leaves is monocarpic, dying after flowering once. It is commonest in the northern half of La Palma, usually growing on north-facing or shady rocks.
Anagyris latifolia, La Palma. November 2004.
The Canary bean trefoil is endemic to the western Canary Islands, with about 160 plants (40% of the world population) at three sites on La Palma. Flowering is from autumn to winter. The seedlings and young plants are frequently eaten by introduced rabbits, and there is little regeneration. The small Mazo population is endangered by agriculture.
Argyranthemum frutescens, La Palma. March 2008.
This is the commonest Argyranthemum in most coastal areas of La Palma.
Asplenium hemionitis, La Palma. December 2008.
This unusual fern has shiny leaves that are similar in shape to the Canary ivy it often grows with.
Bryonia verrucosa, La Palma. March 2008.
Bryonia verrucosa, La Palma. March 2008.
The Canary white bryony is not very common on La Palma, but the fruit, like tiny melons, are very distinctive. The flowers (above) are larger than in the European species and the leaves do not have the white markings.
Canarina canariensis, La Palma. March 2008.
The Canary bellflower is best seen in the northern half of the island, often growing through brambles (Rubus spp.) at the margins of roads and tracks in the laurel forest. It is a rather fragile climbing/scrambling plant, with the large flowers varying in colour from red to pale orange. It is sometimes cultivated as a garden plant on the island, or planted at official sites near the laurel forest.
Ceropegia hians, La Palma. November 2004
Ceropegias are members of the Asclepiad (milkweed) family. C. hians is endemic to La Palma, and probably the only native species. The small-leaves are short-lived, with most photosynthesis taking place through the succulent green stems. The flowers are unpredictable - sometimes numerous, sometimes sparse. These plants grow on the more recent lavas, as well as on older cliffs. Their jointed stems are vulnerable to unintentional damage from passing animals and humans. Milkweed butterfly caterpillars sometimes feed on them.
Ceropegia hians, La Palma, November 2004.
Cheirolophus junonianus, La Palma. March 2008.
Since the Teneguía eruption, there are just two populations remaining of this shrubby knapweed, with about 1900 individuals, on Roque Teneguía and on a nearby outcrop. The whitish flowers are produced in summer and autumn. It is endangered both by tourists climbing over its rocky outposts, and by the possibility of further volcanic lava flows.
Convolvulus canariensis, La Palma. March 2008.
Convolvulus canariensis, La Palma. February 2006.
This very vigorous Convolvulus climbs high into the trees of the laurel forest, often with most of its leaves and flowers out of sight above the leaf canopy. The lianas of the older plants can be impressively large (the size of old Clematis vitalba). The flowers are pale bluish-mauve and often rather sparse in relation to the volume of growth.
Convolvulus floridus, La Palma. March 2008.
This Convolvulus is a tall, narrow-leaved shrub, with large conical clusters of numerous small, white (rarely pink) flowers. native to the Canary Islands, but also cultivated for its ornamental value.
Convolvulus fruticulosus, La Palma. March 2008.
This is La Palma's rarest Convolvulus species, found in the Caldera de Taburiente, Barranco de Angustias, the Cumbre Vieja and on the northwest coast. It is also found in Tenerife. It is a floriferous, lower-growing twiner, with bluish-mauve flowers and small leaves.
Lance Chilton and Marengo 2010
Marengo, 17 Bernard Crescent, Hunstanton PE36 6ER, England
