What grows on Gran Canaria?

La flora endémica de las Islas Canarias es una maravilla única en el mundo, compuesta por especies que son exclusivas del archipiélago o que solo se encuentran en una isla en particular. Esta región, conocida como Macaronesia, comparte afinidades florísticas con la región mediterránea, lo que añade una fascinante complejidad a su flora. En años recientes, la flora de las Islas Canarias ha ganado reconocimiento mundial, destacándose por la presencia de especies únicas y singulares. En islas como Tenerife, se pueden encontrar plantas que no existen en ningún otro lugar del mundo, como la famosa violeta del Teide, captando la atención de científicos, botánicos y amantes de la naturaleza por igual. Conocer y proteger estas plantas garantiza que las generaciones futuras podrán seguir disfrutando del entorno natural de las Islas Canarias. Estas 10 especies representan solo una pequeña muestra de la riqueza botánica del archipiélago de las Islas Canarias. Cada una de ellas nos recuerda la importancia de preservar y valorar la naturaleza que nos rodea. En la isla de Gran Canaria, se encuentra el Granadillo, el Teide broom, el Woody Mayflower, el Red Tajinaste, la Moya Cockscomb, el Inagua peat bog, el Oro de Risco, el Canary Island strawberry tree, el Sea pineapple y el Canary Island foxglove. La flora de las Islas Canarias también se extiende a otras regiones de Macaronesia, como las Azores, Madeira y, en menor medida, las Islas de Cabo Verde. La presencia de especies endémicas en las Islas Canarias como el Granadillo, el Teide broom, la Moya Cockscomb, el Inagua peat bog, el Oro de Risco, el Canary Island strawberry tree y el Canary Island foxglove, solo por nombrar algunas, resalta la importancia de conservar y proteger este patrimonio natural.

The Canary Islands boast almost 2,000 different species of plants, approximately 700 of which are endemic. Many of these species may only be known to flora and fauna enthusiasts, but their beauty, dramatic shapes and rich colours can be observed throughout the island and can be appreciated by everyone. In mountainous areas at altitudes over 1,000 metres (3,280ft) you will find the Canary Island Pine (Pinus canariensis) which can grow up to 60 metres. The Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis) inhabits shrub lands and semi-desert regions. One of the most unusual species to be found in the Canaries is the Dragon Tree (Dracaena draco). This tree grows very slowly and can have either a single or multiple trunk growing up to 12 metres tall with dense leaves that form a kind of umbrella shape at the top. There are many fine specimens of this tree to be found in the Canary Islands, including the renowned Dragon Tree in Tenerife which is an ancient specimen located in Icod de los Vinos in the north of the island. One of the most common inhabitants of the laurel forests is the Canary Holly (Ilex canariensis), an evergreen tree also known as Small-Leaf Holly. The Canary Island Wallflower (Erysimum scoparium), a woody, endemic shrub with pink-mauve flowers, grows in the highest regions of the islands. The white Tajinaste (Echium decaisnei), an endemic variety of borage, with sword-shaped leaves and tiny white flowers, also thrives in dry, rocky areas. By touring the island at your leisure you’ll see a wide variety of colourful, exotic plants in all their beauty growing wild in their natural surroundings.

Gran Canaria is a wonderful place for growing all kinds of tasty fruits and vegetables. Thanks to the island’s mild weather and good soil, you can find fresh produce all year round. However, some fruits and vegetables are at their best during certain times of the year. By knowing what’s in season, you can eat healthier and enjoy the island’s natural flavors even more. From juicy oranges in the winter to sweet mangoes in the summer, there’s always something tasty to enjoy. Eating seasonal produce not only enhances your meals with vibrant flavors but also supports local farmers and promotes a sustainable lifestyle. Use this calendar to plan your shopping and cooking, and savor the best of what Gran Canaria has to offer all year round.