BCSS - Forum

Just back from Lanzarote. Thought you might like habitat pictures of some of the indigenous succulents.

Lanzarote is the most easterly of the Canary Islands. It lies only 60 miles off the coast of Western Sahara and has an essentially desert climate. The plants are all winter-growers, but those from the highest elevations tend to be opportunists.

The first three species occur from sea level upwards, but are most numerous on the dry, flat lower levels such as the La Malpais de Corona, a 4000 year old lava field in the north of the island.

Euphorbia balsamifera forms distinctive low mounds with leaf clusters at the tips of the stems only (an energy-conservation measure). The first picture is actually taken near Playa Blanca in the extreme south.

The next picture shows a plant in flower.

Euphorbia regis-jubae has a slightly taller and erect form, and showier inflorescence. The popular (local) name is Tabaiba. There is confusion between this plant and E. obtusifolia.

Senecio kleinia (Kleinia neriifolia), local name Verode. This is the broader-leaved form, ovalifolia. Strictly winter-grower, both here and in Lanzarote. My plant is only in leaf from September to March.

The curious shrub Zygophyllum fontenesii occurs right on the coast. The next two pictures were taken behind the Famara beach, at the foot of the cliff. It is a halophyte (salt-tolerant).

And a close-up...

On the higher ground, along the Famara massif, are found some leaf-succulents that cannot tolerate the drier, hotter lower levels. This photo shows one habitat of Aichryson tortuosum. Beyond the rocks is a 2000 ft cliff (the Risco de las Nieves).

The little plants find some shade by growing on the north side of the rocks. They can make charming pot plants.

Aeonium lancerottense is a succulent endemic to Lanzarote. My photograph may not suggest it, but it is a small shrub, with much larger leaf rosettes than the Aichryson. It is very common over parts of the Famara Massif, especially alongside the road down from the Mirador de Haria, where there are huge numbers. It has fine pink flowers (July - in habitat).

Finally, a little plant growing in the shade of the north face of the Famara cliff, the round-leaved bulb Umbilicus horizontalis (no, I wasn't dangling on a rope to take this picture - there is an easy zig-zag path there).

David Greenaway
Oxford Branch