Plant Life in Gran Canaria

The Canary Islands boast almost 2,000 different species of plants, out of which about 700 are endemic. Many of these are only of value to real botanists, but some of them are quite exceptional and can be seen in many places.

In mountainous areas at altitudes over 1,000 m (3,300 ft) you will find the Canary Pine (pinus canarienses) growing up to 60 m, which because of its resinous bark can survive forest fires and live for hundreds of years. Its needles reach over 30 cm (12 in) in length. The Canary Palm (Phoenix canariensis) inhabits shrub lands and semi-desert regions. It is mainly an ornamental plant, even if it bears edible fruit. One of the most unusual species to be found in the Canaries is the Dragon Tree (Dracaena drago). As it grows very slowly – a new branch with its characteristic tuft is only being developed from the stem after a blossoming, which happens about every ten years – they become very old and there are a few fine specimens to be found in the Canaries, which are said to be between 500 and 1,000 years old. One of the most common inhabitants of the laurel forests is the Canary holly (Ilex canariensis), an evergreen shrub, whose bark has medicinal properties. In the highest regions of the islands grows Erysimum scoparium, a woody, endemic shrub with lilac-pinkish, small flowers. Another native plant to be found on rocky hillsides is the Candelabra spurge (Euphorbia canariensis), a cactus-like shrub, with spindly arms and a red fruit, which can grow up to heights of 2 m. Also in dry, rocky areas thrives the white Tajinaste (Echium decaisnel), an endemic variety of borage, with sword-shaped leaves and tiny white flowers. The coastal basalt rocks are often covered by another distinctive native species, the fleshy Canary samphire (Astydamia latifolia), which flowers from December until April, while the decorative Balsamic spurge is mainly to be found in semi-desert areas.

This is only to name some out of this abundance of native plants, whose growth is favoured by many microclimates, and which in addition to countless imported species from all corners of the world can be seen – for example – in the Jardin Canario (in Tafira – near the city of Las Palmas) and the Cactualdea (a cacti park in San Nicolás de Tolentino) on the island of Gran Canaria… or you tour the island and you will see a big variety of colourful, exotic plants in all their beauty growing wild in their natural surroundings!

The Canary Islands boast almost 2,000 different species of plants, out of which about 700 are endemic. Many of these are only of value to real botanists, but some of them are quite exceptional and can be seen in many places.