February on Lanzarote saw the highest level of rainfall this winter, with particularly heavy downpours on the 17th and 18th of the month. But these clouds at least had one silver lining as parts of the island are now covered in spring flowers.
The endemic flora of Lanzarote seems to cope very well with the low levels of rainfall throughout most of the year. Because as soon as there has been a substantial shower, native plants and flowers quickly burst forth with new growth.
So what will you come across if you venture out for a walk over the next couple of weeks? Native species that are particularly prevalent in the northern area of the Risco de Famara include Barrilla or mesembryanthemum crystallinum which was used in the fabrication of soap in the past, due to the leaves producing lather when crushed. Barrilla used to be farmed intensively on the terraced slopes that line the valley of Temisa, between Tabayesco and Haria.
From the same family is Cosco or mesembryanthemum nodiflorum, whose seeds were crushed by residents of La Graciosa to obtain gofio. Cosco can be seen along the coastal areas of the Risco and is also still prevalent on La Graciosa. The Risco of Famara and the Peñas del Chache have the highest concentration of endemic plants to be found on Lanzarote and as a result are good places to walk for those interested in the flora of the island.
An attractive member of the convolvulus family, Corregüela de Famara, is found only in the Famara area of the island. With violet coloured flowers, similar in shape to the better known convolvulus arvensis or field bindweed, it has a low creeping habit and is considered a rare species. A good place to spot this particular plant is in Arrecife, where it has been planted in the gardens next to the bridge that separates the Charco de San Gines from its outlet to the sea.
In the valleys surrounding Haria you can also find a local variety of lavender. Thriving in the sandy soils of the area, the plant has especially silvery leaves and tall deep purple flowers.
Siempreviva or Limonium puberulum is another species endemic to Lanzarote and La Graciosa. It has purple and white flowers which can be dried for floral displays and large fleshy leaves with a rough underside.
The tabaiba dulce or euphorbia balsamifera can be seen in a variety of locations across the island. As with other euphorbias, the flowers are lime green and emerge from the leaf crown after a decent amount of rain. The sap was used in the past for medicinal purposes.
A huge range of margaritas or daisies appear annually, with the most prevalent resembling the ox-eye daisy. Fields of these flowers can be seen between Teguise and Teseguite and around the El Mojon area.
Another native flower that can be found growing in abundance is Canarian stock. A much smaller variety than the cultivated stock, the flower has the same strong perfume and is a pale violet colour. This can be seen alongside the road that runs from the back of Costa Teguise to the north of the island and also thrives on the hillside that runs down from the Castillo de Santa Barbara which overlooks Teguise.
The ordinary field poppy has self-seeded itself in various locations, so fields of these red flowers can be seen in El Mojon, close to the Monumento al Campesino in Mozaga and to the side of the road that runs from Mozaga to Tao. Larger pale pink poppies litter the countryside on the Peñas del Chache, the massif that runs between Teguise and on to Haria.
Wild pink geraniums have colonized the lava fields along the road that runs through La Geria. Also in this area are a number of striking aeoniums, whose silvery grey foliage is complemented by the pale pink flower heads that appear in spring.
