Exotic flora of the Canary Islands. Ornamental flowers of the Canary Islands

Exotic flora

Strelitzia reginae

   The Canary Islands are home to an impressive variety of exotic and ornamental flora, introduced thanks to their subtropical climate and the Canarians’ great passion for all kinds of flowers, which are used to adorn homes, courtyards and private gardens, and to beautify streets, avenues, parks and public gardens, playing a very important role in the air quality of the main towns and cities across our territory.
   The introduction of these species, most of which originate from tropical and subtropical regions around the world, has given rise to a mixed flora where imported plants coexist with the impressive endemic species of the Canary Islands, although their management requires careful attention to prevent unwanted interference between the archipelago’s native flora and the new plants, particularly to ensure they do not escape cultivation and become invasive species that are difficult to eradicate.
   Among the most commonly cultivated and representative exotic species of this flora are the strelitzia (Strelitzia reginae), the hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), the bougainvillea (Bougainvillea glabra), the beleso (Plumbago auriculata), the flamboyant (Delonix regia), the jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia), the Gabon tulip tree (Spathodea campanulata), the oleander (Nerium oleander), the lantana (Lantana camara), and numerous species of palm trees.
   Within this group of plants, the large collection of tropical and subtropical flora found in the Puerto de la Cruz Botanical Garden stands out in particular; it was established in 1778 with the aim of acclimatising exotic plants collected from the Spanish colonies in the Americas and Asia before introducing them to Europe. It currently boasts hundreds of species of tropical and subtropical plants of great economic and ornamental value, with numerous trees of remarkable beauty and interest due to their size, age, rarity or origin from remote locations.