FLORA
Macaronesia is the collective name given to five chains of islands situated in the west central area of the North Atlantic Ocean. The islands are: the Azores, Madeira, the Selvagens, the Canary Islands and Cape Verde. The Canary Islands are the group with the greatest wealth of flora. Moreover, it is the fourth natural region in the world for endemic flora, with 1700 reported higher plant species, of which some 20 genera and more than 500 species are endemic. According to the former C.E.I.C. (Icona Canary Island Ecological Centre) data from March, 1984, there are a total of 1919 species of plants in Spain, of which 505 are endemic Canary Island species. Concerning the fauna, in the Canary Islands, there are more than 6000 species of invertebrates and 109 species of vertebrates, 20 of these latter species were introduced by man. Despite its small size (2034 Km2), even though it is the largest of the group, Tenerife has a surprisingly rich biological diversity due to its special climate.. The rugged terrain of the island locally modifies the general weather conditions, generating a wide range of micro-climates. The abundance of micro-climates, and, therefore, natural habitats, is clearly reflected in the rich and varied vegetation to be found on the island (1400 species of higher plants, including many species endemic to the Canary Islands (200) and to Tenerife (140). A heritage of 140 plant species that are exclusive to Tenerife gives the island the greatest wealth of endemic species in the whole of Macaronesia. The combined action of all the different weather-related agents on the variety of volcanic materials has also led to a wide range of soil types. The influence of all these different factors has generated a whole variety of habitats that shelter many different communities of plants and animals, whose interactions constitute the outstanding ecosystems of Tenerife. The vegetation of Tenerife can be divided into 6 major zones that are directly related to altitude and the direction in which they face. Top of page
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LOWER XEROPHYLIC ZONE: 0 - 700m.
Xerophylic shrubs that are well adapted to long dry spells, intense sun-shine and strong winds. Many endemic species. Spurges, cactus spurge, wax plants, etc.Top of page
THERMOPHILE FORESTS: 200 - 600 m.
Transition zone. Moderate temperatures and rainfall. Area deteriorated by human activity. Many endemic species: Juniper, dragon trees, palm trees, etc.Top of page
LAUREL FOREST: 500 - 1000 m.
Dense forest of large trees, descendants of the Tertiary Age flora, situated in a zone of frequent rainfall and mists. A wide variety of species with abundant undergrowth of bushes herbaceous plants and ferns. Laurels, holly, ebony, mahogany, etc.Top of page
WAX MYRTLE - TREE HEATH: 1000 - 1500 m.
A dryer vegetation, poorer in species. It replaces the degraded laurel forest. Of great forestry importance. Wax myrtles, tree heath, holly, etc.Top of page
PINE FOREST: 800 - 2000 m.
Open pine forest, with thin and unvaried undergrowth. Canary Island pine, broom, rock rose, etc.
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HIGH MOUNTAIN: over 2000 m.
Dry climate, intense solar radiation and extreme temperatures. Flora well adapted to the conditions. Endemic species of great scientific importance and beauty. Vipers bugloss, Teide white broom, Teide violet, etc. The fauna of the island is also highly interesting, with many endemic invertebrates and unique reptile, bird and mammal species. The fauna of Tenerife includes some 400 species of fish, 56 birds, 5 reptiles, 2 amphibians, 13 land mammals and several thousand invertebrates, along with several species of marine turtles, whales and dolphins.
Above 2000 m., weather conditions become quite extreme, with high levels of solar radiation, dry air, extreme temperatures, strong winds and snow and ice in winter. These conditions have led to the development of a natural, open type of vegetation.
The vegetation of the high mountain is usually spongy, which, along with deep roots and generally small down-covered leaves, enables the plants to survive in this hostile environment. Two leguminous plants stand out for their abundance: the Teide white broom and the sticky broom.
Many endemic species grow along with the broom and they make a spectacular sight to adorn the high peaks of the mountains of Tenerife when they flower in spring and early summer
The typical climate of the lowland areas of Tenerife is characterised by long periods of high solar radiation, low rainfall and moderate levels of humidity in the air. In these conditions, and in generally poor soils, one finds a floral community in which the Canary Island spurge (Euphorbia canariense) and other spurge species are the leading players. There are other endemic species to be found along with the spurges, some of which are really magnificent, such as the house leaks (Aeonium). One particularly interesting endemic species of this family is the brown-flowered wax plant (Ceropegia fusca). Fauna.This ecosystem is relatively poor in vertebrate animals, although there are several species of reptiles and birds. Insects are widely represented, with endemic species frequently found in association with the spurges and wax plants.
The transitional strip between the lower xerophylic zone and the mountain zone is situated directly below the sea of clouds, giving it far greater humidity, less sunshine and milder temperatures than in the lowland areas.
These weather conditions have favoured the growth of a forest made up of a just a few species of trees, in groves of palms, junipers, globularia, holly, etc.
The most abundant plants include dragon trees, pistacias, murmulano (Sideroxilon marmulano), spindle trees, etc. along with many other interesting endemic species of small shrubs and herbaceous plants: Canary spindle tree (Maytenus canariensis), Canary tree bindweed (Convolvulus floridus), spiny buckthorn (Rhamnus crenulata), Canary tree mallow (Lavatera acerifolia), groundsel (Senecio Echinatus).
Laurel forest is a subtropical forest characterised by high levels of humidity and relatively stable temperatures. The laurel forest that survives in Tenerife is the descendant of the ancient tertiary forests of the Mediterranean basin that disappeared millions of years ago. In its purest state, is made up of some twenty different species of trees, with a thick undergrowth of ferns, mosses and other typical plants of dark and shady habitats.
There are four representatives of the Lauraceae family: The laurel (Laurus azorica), the ebony (Persea indica), greenheart (Ocotea foetens) and the mahogany (Apollonias barbujana). There are also species from other families, such as the Canary Island holly (Ilex canariensis), mocan (Visnea mocanera), Southern olive (Notolaea excelsa), etc.
The wax myrtle - tree heath forest is a form of vegetation that was originally found above the laurel forest, colonising and replacing the laurel forest where it had been degraded.. It consists mainly of wax myrtle (Myrica faya) and tree heath (Erica arborea).
In the more open and sunny areas of the laurel forest, several species of small plants abound. Some of these are interesting for their medicinal properties as well as for there obvious beauty and biological interest, including the Canary bell flower (Canarina canariensis), Canary floxglove (Isoplexis canariensis) and the forest bindweed (Convolvulus canariensis).Flora. Above the laurel forest, the air is dryer, solar radiation increases and day-time and seasonal temperatures are more variable, although there can be frost and snows during the winter. These are the weather conditions in which the pine forest grows in Tenerife, where it grows up to an altitude of 2000 m.
This ecosystem is relatively poor in terms of flora; there is only one species of tree, the Canary Pine, and a few bushes and shrubs, including tree heath and wax myrtle in the more humid areas, and brooms and rock roses in the dryer areas.
The fauna is also lacking in variety. There is a predominance of invertebrates, which are more frequently found in the pine trees than in the soil, as there is a greater variety of habitats there. Almost the only vertebrates are a few species of birds, inluding the blue chaffinch and the greater spotted woodpecker.Top of page
MUSHROOMS
Mushrooms are abundant in the forests of Tenerife, some are very succulent and others highly poisonous. We recommend they should only be picked by an expert.
Edible varieties include: Boletus edulis (pine forests), Suillus granulatus (autumn), Hydnum repandum (winter), Agaricus campestris (succulent, in autumn and winter), Lactarius deliciosus (pine forests), Lactarius sanguifluus (only edible after cooking), Stropharina aeroginosa (green, autumn and winter), Collybia butyracea (small, in autumn), Tricholoma flavovirens (pine forests), Lyophyllum decastes (in groups, winter).
The highly poisonous ones: Amanita muscaria (red top with white spots), Amanita pantherina (in laurel forest), Lepiota cristata (in autumn, horrible smell), Clitocybe clavipes (deadly with alcohol). Top of page
