The Canary Islands are renowned for their breathtaking landscapes and unique endemic flora. From the ancient laurel forests to striking succulents and vibrant wildflowers, this archipelago hosts extraordinary plant species, each adapted to the region’s diverse climates and volcanic habitats.
Exploring the Unique Flora of the Canary Islands
The Canary archipelago is renowned globally not only for its temperate climate and vibrant Carnival but also for its stunning landscapes and distinctive endemic flora that continuously amaze visitors.
As part of the Macaronesia region – which includes Madeira, the Azores, and the Cape Verde islands off the northwest coast of Africa – the condensation of moisture from the Atlantic Ocean has led to the development of a unique climate that favoured the growth of LAURISILVA. In the Atlantic laurel forests of Macaronesia, trees from the Lauraceae family can be found along with other botanical species that have similar characteristics: water-repellent leaves covered by a waxy layer that allow adaptation to a habitat with high humidity.
Some amazing plants can be found exclusively on specific islands of the Canary archipelago such as Dracaena draco, also known as the Canary Islands dragon tree (cover image). The common name also refers to a peculiar characteristic: upon cutting, leaves and bark release a red resin that recalls the dragon’s blood!
Although it is a monocotyledonous species within the Asparagaceae family, the trunk of this evergreen tree exhibits annual growth rings. Another striking feature is that this subtropical species can live for very long time: plant lovers cannot leave Tenerife without paying homage to drago milenario in Icod de los Vinos; this National living monument stands 18 m tall with a trunk perimeter of 20 m, and it is supposed to be over 800 years old.
WILD FLOWERS: Canary Bellflower and Echium species
In addition to ornamental trees, the Canary Islands are home to unique wild species that cannot be found elsewhere in the world.
The bell-shaped flowers of Canarina canariensis exhibit a yellow to orange corolla adorned with red vasculature, adding a vibrant splash of colour to the greenery of laurel forests at the end of the winter and the beginning of the spring. This trailing herbaceous species – belonging to the Campanulaceae family – thrives in shaded environments and has adapted its reproductive organs for bird-mediated pollination (Figure 1).
Related to the attractive specie Echium wildpretii living in the Teide National Park (commonly called Tajinaste rojo for its stunning red flowers), Echium fastuosum produces eye-catching cone-shaped clusters of violet-blue flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Also known as “pride of Madeira” as it’s native to this island, the shrub belonging to the Borraginaceae family has adapted to coastal areas of Macaronesia thanks to its tolerance to drought and ability to withstand salty air (Figure 2).
SUCCULENTS: endemic species of the Aeonium genus
The Canary archipelago also hosts a remarkable diversity of plant species from the Crassulaceae family, a group of succulents that have adapted to harsh environments (e.g., rocky slopes, volcanic landscapes, and coastal cliffs) by developing fleshy leaves able to store water. Several endemic species – such as those belonging to the Aeonium genus – have evolved unique forms and can be easily recognised for the striking shape of their bright green rosette leaves (Figure 3). These drought tolerant species usually follow a winter-growing cycle, that enable green organisms to withstand dry conditions becoming dormant during the hot summer.
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