Flora canaria > Especies silvestres
Rhus albida
Rhus albida Schousb.
Familia
ANACARDIACEAE
Zumaque blanco, Granillero
Rhus albida is a species of shrub belonging to the cashew family (Anacardiaceae). It is commonly known in Spanish as ‘zumaque blanco’ or ‘granillero’.
It is a woody, branched, evergreen shrub that can grow up to 3 metres in height.
It has trifoliate leaves (divided into three leaflets) with very dense, short pubescence, giving them a characteristic greyish or whitish appearance. In conditions of severe summer drought, it may shed some of its leaves.
It produces small, greenish-yellow flowers clustered in inflorescences. Its fruits are small, globose drupes measuring between 6 and 9 mm, which are initially a striking red colour and turn black when fully ripe.
It is a xerophytic plant highly adapted to aridity, intense sunlight and coastal winds. It typically grows on sandy areas, coastal dunes, volcanic slopes and ravines.
It is native to the Macaronesian region and north-western Africa. In the Canary Islands: a native species found growing wild mainly on the island of Fuerteventura. In North Africa, it is distributed along the Atlantic coast of Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania and Cape Verde.
It plays an essential ecological role in its native ecosystems by stabilising arid soils and providing shelter and food for local wildlife. Furthermore, its fruits are edible and prized by livestock such as camels. Like other members of the Anacardiaceae family, its sap or resin may contain irritating compounds; it is therefore advisable to handle the plant with some caution to avoid contact dermatitis on sensitive skin.
Fuerteventura
Zumaque blanco, Granillero
Rhus albida is a species of shrub belonging to the cashew family (Anacardiaceae). It is commonly known in Spanish as ‘zumaque blanco’ or ‘granillero’.
It is a woody, branched, evergreen shrub that can grow up to 3 metres in height.
It has trifoliate leaves (divided into three leaflets) with very dense, short pubescence, giving them a characteristic greyish or whitish appearance. In conditions of severe summer drought, it may shed some of its leaves.
It produces small, greenish-yellow flowers clustered in inflorescences. Its fruits are small, globose drupes measuring between 6 and 9 mm, which are initially a striking red colour and turn black when fully ripe.
It is a xerophytic plant highly adapted to aridity, intense sunlight and coastal winds. It typically grows on sandy areas, coastal dunes, volcanic slopes and ravines.
It is native to the Macaronesian region and north-western Africa. In the Canary Islands: a native species found growing wild mainly on the island of Fuerteventura. In North Africa, it is distributed along the Atlantic coast of Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania and Cape Verde.
It plays an essential ecological role in its native ecosystems by stabilising arid soils and providing shelter and food for local wildlife. Furthermore, its fruits are edible and prized by livestock such as camels. Like other members of the Anacardiaceae family, its sap or resin may contain irritating compounds; it is therefore advisable to handle the plant with some caution to avoid contact dermatitis on sensitive skin.
Fuerteventura
