Page 42 - may2021

around Africa - Canary Islands

Although the Canary islands are part of Spain,

geographically they are African, with a varied

landscape and surpising plants found nowhere else.
The Canary Palm (Phoenix canariensis), Canary Pine (Pinus canariensis - below right),
and Dragon tree (Dracaena draco - opposite page) are not the types of plants that are
usually found together, however even though it’s a small archipelago covering 7,493
km2 it has a surprising diversity thanks to special environmental conditions, that have
created a great variety of microclimates. The islands have over 400 endemic species,
with plants like Hypericum canariense (Canary Islands St. John’s wort), to Spartocytisus
supranubius (a white-flowering broom) and Helianthemum inaguae a rare and endangered species
only found on Gran Canaria.
A trip to the Canary islands takes you from the deserts of the Sahara, with succulents like
Euphorbia balsamifera found on Lanzarote; through the Mediterranean, with plants like Juni-
per (Juniperus canariensis), and Olive (Olea cerasiformis); to ancient forests called Laurisilva, like
those found at the Garajonay National Park on La Gomera, and on to high mountain regions
with stunning flowers like Erysimum scoparium (below middle) and Echium wildpretii (below left)
found in the Teide National Park on Tenerife. It is a plant enthusiasts’ dream, and worth a
visit even if it’s only a virtual one. Text by S.C & Photos by Pixabay

42