Shrubs in Maspalomas

The oceanic climate of Maspalomas allows many varieties of shrub to thrive.Playa de Maspalomas, Canarias image by Mr.Papeete from Fotolia.com

Maspalomas is one of the busiest travel destinations in the Canary Islands, located on the southern shore of Gran Canaria. Best known for its beaches, Maspalomas is surrounded by dramatic sand dunes designated as a nature preserve since 1897. The warm climate and moist ocean air make the area hospitable to many types of shrubs. Native and cultivated varieties of shrub are found everywhere in Maspalomas, both in the town and its surrounding countryside.

Verode

Verode (Kleinia neriifolia) is a succulent shrub native to the arid environment around Maspalomas. Growing to three feet in height, it has a thick segmented trunk and branches that resembles sausage links. The 4-inch long lance-shaped leaves are clustered at the tip of each branch. Between March and October, clusters of fragrant grayish-white flowers appear, although they are short-lived and seldom observed in the wild. Verode is cultivated by enthusiasts of the genus Kleinia because it is the only flowering member of the genus.

Like many species of artemisia, ajenjo (Artemisia thuscula) is easily identified by its scent. Found growing in mountainous areas near Maspalomas, ajenjo is endemic to the Canary Islands. It is a small shrub that seldom grows taller than three feet in height, with silvery-gray, semi-succulent foliage. Small clusters of golden yellow flowers appear throughout the summer and last until autumn. Sometimes added to gardens around Maspalomas, ajenjo is enjoyed for its strong fragrance and distinctive coloration.

Lucerne tree (Chamaecytisus proliferus) is a large evergreen shrub native to the Canary Islands. It is seldom cultivated in the city of Maspalomas but is found in the surrounding countryside in abundance. As a member of the legume family, lucerne tree resembles acacia and mimosa trees in foliage and growth habit. The leaves are dark grayish-green and slender with a pronounced crease down the center. Beginning in early summer, cluster of fragrant white flowers appear.

Endemic to the archipelago, Canary Island lavender (Lavandula canariensis) is a woody native shrub commonly grown in gardens throughout the island chain. It differs from other species of bush lavender in foliage and flower arrangement, having large masses of lacy leaves and a single flower stalk with many branching heads. The flowers are bright violet-pink and appear along multiple upright heads. Given ideal conditions, Canary Island lavender can reach three feet in height with a moderate spread, but in the wild it seldom exceeds two feet in height.