Family: Boraginaceae Juss.
Distribution: An endemic species of the Canary Islands, the nominate subspecies (on our images) grows only on Tenerife, E. w. subsp. trichosiphon on La Palma.
Ecology: It grows on dry rocks and scree, at elevations from 1600 to 2000 m asl, above all in the caldera under Pico del Teide. It blooms from March to August.
Description: A monocarpic herb, 150–300 cm tall. Stem erect, unbranched. Basal leaves in rosette, linear-lanceolate, up to 50 cm long. From the centre of the rosette grows up stately inflorescence with thousands of bright red flowers. Nutlets ovoid-trigonous.
Note: The Tower of Jewels is planted in the parks and gardens of the Canary Islands and South Europe – very spectacular and amazing plat, ones of the most beautiful plants of the Canary Islands.
These images were taken in Spain, the Canary Islands, Tenerife, Parque Nacional del Teide – Las Canadas and Vilaflor (March 30, 2006).
