Syn.: Argyrexias candicans Raf., Echium maderense Steud.
Family: Boraginaceae Juss.
Distribution: Endemic to the island of Madeira. This plant is very decorative, it is also grown in the gardens of southern and southwestern Europe.
Ecology: It grows on margins of laurel forests and on rocky slopes of the central massif of Madeira, at elevations from 800 to 1700 m asl. It blooms from April to August.
Description: Shrub to 2 m tall, branched, greyish-white. Leaves crowded at ends of branches, sessile, lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, 7–23 cm long, 1–4 cm wide, acuminate, with prominent lateral veins, densely grey-villous. Inflorescence paniculate, 15–35(–45) cm long; calyx lobed almost to the base; corolla infundibuliform, 0,8–1 cm, dark blue or purple. The fruits are nutlets.
Threat and protection: Echium candicans is listed on Annex II of the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC).
These images were taken in Portugal, Madeira, Pico do Arieiro, Boca da Encumeada and Pico do Gato (June 29 and 30, 2005).
