Flora of the Azores

The hydrangea is the flower of the Azores. Although it is not part of the native vegetation, it has spread everywhere in hedges taller than a man and is the symbol of the archipelago. In July and August, it displays its full splendor in deep blue, violet, or even white. In addition to the blue flower balls, there is also the lacecap hydrangea. Throughout the year, a variety of colors shimmer from the rich green. The flora is particularly lush on Flores.

The original vegetation consisted primarily of laurel forests and tree heaths. However, the first settlers soon cleared large areas on all nine islands and converted them into arable land and pasture.

Species richness:

The flora of the Azores is today very rich in species.

The archipelago is a giant greenhouse. The Azores owe their abundance of plant life primarily to this. FloresThe westernmost island, due to its location. Almost three-quarters of all present-day plant species were introduced to the Azores. On their journey from America across the Atlantic, birds repeatedly stopped on the nine islands, unintentionally bringing with them all sorts of seeds. In the ideal, perpetually humid climate, the seeds thrive particularly well, like in a natural greenhouse. All you have to do is plant them and leave them to their own devices. Originally, all the islands were forested. Now, however, there is more pastureland, because livestock farming is a lucrative business, and so much has been cleared. Man-high hydrangea hedges separate the pastures. In addition, there are the azaleas, blooming in every color, which are particularly abundant in the valley of... Furnas on Sao Miguel The agapanthus, garland flowers, and arum lilies also provide a beautiful display of flowers. There are also camellias that grow into tree-sized shrubs, lilies, wild callas, canna, and many other summer bloomers. In early autumn, the pink belladonna plants growing along the roadsides are striking. Some islands have a special microclimate that favors the cultivation of bananas, pineapples, oranges, and wine.

The mild and humid climate also allows exotic plants such as ferns and palm trees to grow. More than 50 endemic species have been identified. These include juniper, blueberry, laurel, and tree heather. The Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria) is widespread and can be seen from afar. Its wood is particularly sought after in construction, and it is therefore being extensively reforested for timber production. The Andean fir (Araucaria) is also common. Dragon trees are rarer and are more common on the Canary Islands.

In total, approximately 850 different ferns and flowering plants occur in the Azores. 56 of these are considered endemic. The numerous mosses in the higher elevations are an indicator of optimal air conditions. More than 400 species have been identified to date. There are now around 30 nature reserves that provide natural protection.
On Sao Miguel In Furnas lies what is probably the most beautiful park, Terra Nostra. It is both an oasis and a wilderness. One of its special features is the cultivation of tea. Sao Miguel Gorreana is home to the only tea plantations in Europe. They served as an economic substitute when the large orange groves fell victim to a fungus in the 19th century. Tea was cultivated on a large scale well into the 20th century. Today, production is limited to local consumption. Of the original 62 plantations, only two remain.

Habitat types:

Forests:
The inner slopes of the calderas are particularly covered with dense, humid forests. Here, bog myrica, laurel (laurus), juniper (juniperus), and myrtle (myrsine) grow.

Coastal fringe:
In some places, younger lava flows have also reached the coast and left behind massive seas of blocks.

Waters:
The crater lakes are often lined with deep cushions of moss (Polytrichum) and stands of tree heath (Erica azorica).

Species spectrum:

Evergreen trees and shrubs:

Ivy family (Araliaceae):

Canary Island Ivy
(Hedera helix ssp. canariensis) A climbing vine with yellow-green flowers. It occurs at altitudes of 100 m to 1.100 m.

Honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae):

(viburnum tinus ssp. subcordatum, port.: folhado) Evergreen shrub with oval leaves. White to pale pink flowers in spring. Blue to black fruits. Elevation of 400 to 900 m. The Azores subspecies has a more robust trunk and glossy leaves.

Cypress family (Cupressaceae):

Short-leaved juniper
(Juniperus brevifolia, port.: cedro do mato) This endemic conifer was once the most important tree in the laurisilva forest belt. It reaches trunk diameters of up to 60 cm and was therefore often used for the roof trusses of old houses. Today, only smaller specimens are found. The branches are relatively short and densely needled. It is mostly found above 500 m up to altitudes of around 1.500 m (at Pico) can be found on all islands except Santa Maria and Graciosa native.

Heather family (Ericaceae):

Evergreen false vine
(Clethra arborea) Evergreen shrub that grows up to 8 m tall. Leaves up to 12 cm long. Probably from Madeira to Sao Miguel introduced, where it has spread around Furnas.

Azores bell heather
(Daboecia azorica) A plant up to 15 cm tall with leaves up to 8 mm long. Bell-shaped, ruby-red flowers. Found at altitudes above 500 m. Particularly common on the slopes of the Pico, where in summer it forms veritable carpets together with Thymus caespititius. Endemic.

Azores heath
(erica scoparia ssp. azorica, port.: urze) Small shrub or tree with leaves up to 7 mm long. Reddish-brown flowers. Grows from sea level to altitudes of around 2.000 m, mostly around 500 m in humid areas. Long valued as a source of firewood and for fences. Endemic.

(vaccinium cylindraceaum, Portuguese: uva da serra) A shrub up to 2 m tall with leaves up to 5 cm long. Flowers range from yellow-green to red. Due to its vibrant colors, it is one of the most beautiful plants in the Azores. It often occurs above 400 m.

Spurge family (Euphorbiaceae):

(Euphorbia stygiana) Shrub up to 2 m tall. Yellow-green flowers. Found mainly in sheltered, damp locations. Very striking plant. Endemic. Used by farmers as winter fodder. Found on all islands except... Graciosa .

Laurel family (lauraceae):

laurel tree
(Laurus azorica, Portuguese: louro) An evergreen tree that grows up to 10 m tall. The leaves are dark and glossy and up to 15 cm long. When crushed, they emit a strong fragrance. The flowers are yellow. The oval fruits, up to 2 cm long, turn from green to black when ripe. Usually grows only above 500 m and is the main representative of the laurisilva forest belt.

Indian Persea
(persea indica, Portuguese: vinhatico) Evergreen tree, up to 20 m tall. Reddish, oval leaves up to 20 cm long. Small white flowers. Bluish fruits up to 2 cm in size. Found above 200 m.

Myricaceae:

Gagelbaum
(myrica faya, Portuguese: faia) Evergreen shrub or small tree. Grows up to 8 m tall. The leaves are dark green and often slightly serrated along the edges. Male and female flowers occur on the same tree. The fruits are small and round. They can be found up to an altitude of about 700 m as a single plant and in groups. It was formerly used as a protective plant for orange groves.

Myrsinaceae (Myrsinaceae):

African Myrsine
(Myrsine africana, Portuguese: tamujo) Evergreen, low shrub up to 1,5 m tall. Leaves up to 2 cm long, slightly toothed. Small, light brown flowers. Tiny bluish fruits. Occurs above 400 m.

Olive family (Oleaceae):

(Picconia azorica, Portuguese: pau branco) Evergreen shrub or tree. Small white flowers. Found at altitudes of 300 to 600 m. Formerly prized timber. Endemic to the Azores, but not to [unspecified location]. Graciosa.

Sticky seed family (Pittosporaceae):

Curly-leaved sticky seed
(Pittosporum undulatum, Portuguese: incenso) A robust tree, up to 14 m tall. Dark green leaves up to 10 cm long. Light, bell-shaped flowers in February. Orange fruits with sticky seeds. Introduced from Australia to protect orange groves. Now widespread, especially on Santa Maria and Pico.

Buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae):

(frangula azorica, port.: sanguinho) Large shrub with a generally broad crown. Leaves up to 15 cm long. Yellowish flowers. Found at altitudes of 500 to 1.000 m. Part of the laurisilva forest belt. Occurs on all islands except Corvo and Graciosa .

Rosaceae:

Portuguese laurel cherry
(prunus lusitanica ssp. azorica, Portuguese: ginja) An evergreen tree growing up to 4 m tall. Dark green leaves, up to 10 cm long. White flowers. Cherry-like fruits, dark red to black when ripe. Found above 500 m in remote areas. Endemic and rare.

Nightshade family (Solanaceae):

Woolly nightshade
(Solanum mauritianum) A shrub up to 4 meters tall. Leaves up to 30 cm long. Blue-violet flowers. Round, dark yellow fruits up to 1,5 cm in diameter.

Verbena family (Verbenaceae):

Lantana
(lantana camara, Portuguese: cambara) Evergreen shrub up to 2 m tall. Leaves up to 6 cm long, egg-shaped, with slightly toothed edges. Flowers are yellow-orange-red. Originally introduced from America as a flowering garden shrub and has since become naturalized. Toxic to livestock.

Mistletoe plants (Viscaceae):

mistletoe
(Arceuthobium azoricum, Portuguese: espigos de cedro) A parasitic plant that grows on conifers. Yellowish-green in color. Often difficult to spot in the dense green of the needles. Usually only found above 600 m.

Herbal plants:

Asteraceae (Compositae):

Yellowish-white dysentery herb
(Gnaphalium luteo-album, Portuguese: perpetua-silvestre) Annual plant. Yellow-red flowers. Grows in sandy soils.

Goldenrod
(Solidago sempervirens) Fleshy plant. Yellow flowers. Grows near the coast. Especially on the cliffs of FloresIt was brought to the Azores from America at an early stage.

(Tolpis succulenta, Portuguese: visgo) A perennial herb that becomes bushy with age. Average height is 30 cm, but can reach up to 1 m. Succulent leaves, slightly serrated along the edges. Yellow flowers in late summer. Grows near the sea or on rocks. Found in only a few locations.

Bellflower family (Campanulacae):

Azores bellflower
(Azorina vidalii, Portuguese: vidalia) Shrub-like plant with dark green, glossy leaves. Bell-shaped white flowers. Grows in rock crevices near the coast and on sandy soils. Common on CorvoAlso on all other islands except Graciosa and Faial.

Carnation family (Caryophyllaceae):

Inflated catchfly
(Silene uniflora, port.: bermin) Perennial herb up to 30 cm tall. Pale flowers from spring to late summer. Widespread in the coastal zone. Also found on the summit of the Pico.

Grasses (graminae):

Rock fescue
(festuca petraea, Portuguese: bracel da rocha) Grass with leaves up to 50 cm tall. White-green flowers. Grows on rocks, lava, and sandy soils. Endemic.

Rush family (juncaceae):

Sharp rush
(juncus acutus) Plant up to 1,5 m tall. Reddish-brown flowers. Typical coastal plant.

Plantain family (plantaginaceae):

Staghorn plantain
(plantago coronopus, Portuguese: dia belha) Usually an annual plant with fleshy leaves up to 6 cm long. Tiny yellow-brown flowers. Found on the coast and in arid regions.

Umbelliferae (umbelliferae):

sea ​​fennel
(crithmum maritimum, Portuguese: perreexil-do-mar) A low, bushy plant with yellowish-green flowers. It usually grows as a solitary plant on rocks near the sea.

In the laurel forest belt and at altitudes above 400 m:

Bellflower family (Campanulaceae):

throat herb
(trachelium caeruleum) Perennial, up to 50 cm tall. Grows on walls and roadsides. Grows on Terceira, Sao Miguel and Faial.

Asteraceae (Compositae):

Spanish daisy
(erigeron karvinskianus) Perennial plant with leaves up to 3 cm long. Flowers range from white to deep red. Highly adaptable and therefore widespread.

(Leontodonfilii, Portuguese: Petalugo Menor) A herb up to 20 cm tall with slightly toothed leaves. Flowers yellow. Found in damp places in laurel forests, occasionally also in pastures. Mostly above 600 m. Flores also deeper. Occurs on all islands except Graciosa and Santa MariaEndemic.

(Senecio malvifolius, Portuguese: cabaceira, figueira brava) Perennial herb, up to 1,2 m tall. Leaves rounded, up to 15 cm long. Often grows under other shrubs. Usually blue-white flowers in summer. Mostly grows in damp, shady locations. Found on all islands except... Corvo, Flores and Graciosa pre. Endemic.

(Tolpis azorica) Perennial herb, up to 70 cm tall. Leaves up to 15 cm long. Grows on the moist soil of laurel forests, mostly above 600 m altitude. Found on all islands except... Graciosa pre. Endemic.

Cruciferous plants (cruciferae):

(Cardamine caldeirarum) Herb up to 50 cm tall. White flowers. Prefers moist locations. Mostly above 400 m. Found on all islands except... Graciosa pre. Endemic.

Gentianaceae:

squill
(Centaurium scilloides) A ​​perennial, low-growing plant that spreads widely. White flowers in summer. Usually above 400 m. Prefers moist soil. The subspecies massonii is considered endemic. Francis Masson collected the plant in 1776 and was one of the first to bring it from the Azores to England.

Grasses (graminae):

Pile reed
(arundo donax, Portuguese: cana) A perennial grass with long leaves, up to 5 m tall. Blooms in autumn. Grows in volcanic, sandy soil and is often used as a shelter. Spreads rapidly.

St. John's wort family (Guttiferae):

St. John's Wort
(Hypericum foliosum) Deciduous shrub up to 50 cm tall. Striking yellow flowers with flowers up to 5 cm in size. Usually found above 400 m. Undemanding. Endemic.

Sedges (Juncaceae):

(Luzula purpureo splendens) Grass-like perennial, up to 60 cm tall. Mostly found at altitudes of 500 to 1.100 m. Prefers damp meadows. Found on all islands except... Graciosa and Santa Maria pre. Endemic.

Lamiaceae (Labiatae):

thyme
(Thymus caespititius, Portuguese: Erva ursula) Low-growing, ground-covering plant. Spoon-shaped leaves up to 6 mm long. Delicate pinkish-white flowers. Grows to higher elevations. Even occurs on the Pico It grows in rock crevices and on sandy soils.

Orchids (Orchidaceae):

Small-flowered wood hyacinth
(Platanthera micrantha) An orchid with up to six flowers per stem. The flowers are yellow-green. It grows at altitudes of 6 m to 200 m, most commonly around 1.000 m. It prefers moist soil in sun to partial shade. The most common orchid species.

Knotweed family (Polygonaceae):

Head knotweed
(Polygonum capitatum) A perennial plant that quickly covers the ground. Pink flowers. Grows on lava flows and stone walls.

Primrose family (Primulaceae):

Delicate primrose
(Anagallis tenella) Ground-covering perennial. Pink flowers. Grows best at elevations of around 500 m in moist areas or near lakes.

loosestrife
(lysimachia nemorum ssp. azorica, Portuguese: palinha) Evergreen herb. An undemanding plant often found along pasture edges. Grows best at elevations of around 500 m. Endemic.

Buttercup family (ranunculaceae):

Canary buttercup
(Ranunculus cortusifolius, Portuguese: bafo de boi) A pretty perennial buttercup that grows up to 1 m tall. Leaves up to 30 cm long. Yellow flowers up to 5 cm across. Mostly found only above 500 m. Flores In damp areas, it can be deeper.

Madder family (Rubiaceae):

Krapp
(Rubia peregrina, Portuguese: rapa lingua) A wild-growing, evergreen perennial. Small yellow-green flowers. Round black fruits.

Ferns:

Striped fern family (Aspleniaceae):

(asplenium marinum, Portuguese: feto maritime) Common near the coast. The leaves grow up to 30 cm long.

Rib fern family (blechnaceae):

Ribwort fern
(blechnum spicant) Evergreen fern. Grows at elevations above 300 m. One of the most beautiful ferns in the Azores.

Root chain fern
(woodwardia radicans) Fronds up to 2 m long. Grows in moist areas at elevations usually above 400 m. One of the most beautiful ferns in the Azores.

Tree ferns (Dicksoniaceae):

(Culcita macrocarpa, Portuguese: feto do cabelinho) Fronds up to 1 m long. Grows mostly at altitudes above 150 m. Found on all islands except... Santa Maria and Graciosa .

Club moss family (lycopodiaceae):

Club moss
(Lycopodium cernuum) It often grows several meters tall. Mostly found above 400 m. Considered a pine shrub on eroded sites. Also occurs at hot springs. Grows on all islands except... Graciosa and Santa MariaIt was formerly processed into a medicinal powder. Today it is strictly protected.

Royal fern family (Osmundaceae):

Royal fern
(Osmunda regalis, Portuguese: feto real) Grows in damp places, even in water. Found on all islands except... Graciosa .

Cultivated plants:

Narcissus family (Amaryllidaceae):

Amaryllis (Belladonna)
(amaryllis belladonna, Portuguese: beladona) Perennial bulbous plant. Large, funnel-shaped flowers on stems up to 60 cm tall in late summer. Usually planted in public gardens.

Araucaria family (araucariaceae):

Norfolk fir
(araucaria heterophylla) A stately conifer up to 60 m tall and 8 m in trunk circumference. Protected everywhere and can only be felled with permission. Tolerates even dry volcanic soils. Threatened by lightning strikes.

Honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae):

Large-flowered Abelia
(Abelia x grandiflora) A shrub up to 2 m tall with long branches. White-pink flowers throughout the summer. Common on roadsides.

Liliaceae:

ornamental lily
(agapanthus praecox) Perennial herb that grows in dense clumps and forms a strong rootstock.

Tree aloe
(aloe arborescens) Perennial succulent with fleshy leaves up to 60 cm long. Inflorescences up to 80 cm long. It thrives in dry, exposed locations and also in public gardens.

Mahogany family (Meliaceae):

Paternoster tree
(Melia azedarach) A widely spreading tree with a broad crown. Blue-violet flowers up to 20 cm long. Often planted as an avenue tree or in public gardens.

Mimosa family (Mimosoideae):

Blackwood acacia
(Acacia melanoxylon) Fast-growing tree. Blooms in late winter. Provides valuable timber.

Myrtle family (Myrtaceae):

Ironwood tree
(Metrosideros excelsa) Dense, evergreen tree. Forms heavy branches and later aerial roots. Often planted in public gardens or squares.

Dye plants:

Pastel / woad:
Isatis tinctoria, Portuguese: pastel; Brassicaceae. Woad reached the Azores from the Portuguese mainland via the Douro River. The undemanding plant found ideal conditions on the island. In some cases, even the fertile grain fields were sacrificed for woad cultivation. At the end of the 16th century, a famine almost occurred. Only the arrival of cheaper indigo from Brazil and India ended the boom in the blue dye.
The biennial plant grows up to 1,5 m tall. In its second year, it blooms in May and June. The fruit kernels, containing the oil-rich seeds, are located in a pod. The leaves can be harvested in the summer of the first year. They are soaked, processed into a pulp, and finally extracted to produce indigo. The dye was exported from the Azores, primarily to Flanders, but Spain and England were also buyers.

Urzela / Orseille lichen:
*Roccella tinctoria*, *Urzela*. The orseille lichen grows only on isolated, difficult-to-access steep slopes by the sea. In some places, it was necessary to rappel dangerously down the cliffs. Especially on Santa Maria and Sao Jorge The plants, with their brown pigment, were used for dyeing. Only chemical dyes put an end to the Urzela business.
The lichen consists of a fungus and an alga that live in symbiosis.