The violet-flowered Canary wallflower is found on the highest peaks of La Palma, Tenerife, and possibly Gran Canaria. Formerly called Erysimum scoparium.
Diplazium caudatum, La Palma. November 2004.
The huge laurel fern is related to the lady fern (Athyrium) and is found in the depths of the laurel forest, in areas of low light, moderate temperatures and sustained humidity.
Dorycnium eriophthalmum, La Palma. March 2009.
The cliff trefoil is an attractive relative of the bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus) and endemic to cliffs in the Canary Islands. It is rare in the wild and more likely to be seen as a cultivated plant.
Dracunculus canariensis, La Palma. March 2008.
A smaller version of the Mediterranean dragon arum and perhaps commonest on La Palma in the area between Mazo and San Pedro. It has distinct palmate leaves, and white flowers. Often, as here, growing amongst other vegetation such as bracken (Pteridium) and brambles (Rubus).
Echium brevirame, La Palma. March 2008.
This white bugloss is endemic to La Palma, though closely related to the similar E. aculeatum from Tenerife. It is a low-growing shrub of coastal areas, and a pioneer coloniser of recent volcanic gravels as south of Fuencaliente.
Echium gentianoides, La Palma. March 2008.
This bugloss, with gentian-blue flowers, is also endemic to La Palma, but restricted to the high areas around the Caldera de Taburiente and Roque de los Muchachos. This plant was at the Visitor's Centre in El Paso; high altitude plants would not be flowering this early.
Echium pininiana, La Palma. March 2008.
A third La Palman endemic bugloss, but this species is widely cultivated outisde La Palma in areas with a mild climate. The plant produces a single rosette of leaves initially, then in its second or third year, a three to four metre spike of pale blue flowers. It dies after flowering, and spreads only by seed. Native to open areas in the laurel forest.
Echium webbii, La Palma. March 2008.
Another endemic bugloss, and one that is cultivated on La Palma. A small, much-branched shrub with numerous elegant, tall-conical spikes of flowers in varying shades of blue. Sometimes hybridises with E. brevirame.
Erica arborea, La Palma. March 2008.
The tree heather makes genuine trees on La Palma, reaching over 15m in height when growing in laurel forest, with the potential to be taller. Specimens in La Gomera's Garajonay forest reach 20m, and it is probable that some on La Palma achieve this too. Like the native Canary pine (Pinus canariensis) it has a significant effect on the water supply of the island: its needle leaves intercept water droplets from mist and allow them to reach the ground.
Euphorbia balsamifera, La Palma. March 2008.
The balsam spurge is said to be unique among Euphorbias (at least in the Canary islands) in having a white sap that is non-caustic. A coastal plant, it is easily identified by the single flower. At the Punta de Santo Domingo mirador in Garafía, this and E. canariensis dominate the vegetation.
Furcraea foetida, La Palma. March 2008.
Mauritius hemp is an introduced New World plant (despite the name) related to the more familiar Agave, but with flatter, bright green leaves, usually without the sharp teeth along the margins. The flowering spikes are taller, up to 10m, and sometimes bear plantlets rather than flowers.
Gennaria diphylla, La Palma. March 2008.
A green orchid with (usually) two heart-shape leaves arranged up the stem (Habenaria tridactylites, the other green-flowered Canary orchid has its leaves in a basal rosette). Flowering late winter and early spring, and often growing on shady roadside/pathside banks on the outer margins of laurel or tree heather forest. Not endemic to the Canary Is., but also found in SW. Europe and N. Africa
Gonospermum canariensis, La Palma. November 2004
The Canary tansy is known locally as Faro ("lighthouse") from its brightness when in full flower. It can make a substantial shrub of 3-4m, often growing on steep slopes or cliffs, and is commonest in the north of the island.
Helianthemum broussonetii, La Palma. March 2008.
This is the commonest of the three rare rock-roses on the island, found in sheltered gorge beds in the north of the island. Flowers are yellow, and appear later in the year.
Helianthemum cirae, La Palma. March 2008.
The rarest rock-rose, now dependent on plants in cultivation for its continued survival. Formerly from the area near La Cumbrecita, between 1100-1500m asl. The last wild adult plant was eaten by introduced moufflon sheep. The plant is not a typical Helianthemum in appearance, more like an anorexic Cistus, though with yellow flowers.
Helianthemum lini, La Palma. March 2008. The second rare island endemic rock-rose, from Northwest La Palma.
Lance Chilton and Marengo 2012
Marengo, 17 Bernard Crescent, Hunstanton PE36 6ER, England
