Echium candicans

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Pride of Madeira

Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Boraginales
Family: Boraginaceae
Genus: Echium
Species:
E. candicans
Binomial name
Echium candicans
(
L.f.
, 1782)
Synonyms[2]
  • Argyrexias candicans Raf.
  • Echium brachyanthum Hornem.
  • Echium cynoglossoides Desf.
  • Echium densiflorum DC.
  • Echium macrophyllum Lehm.
  • Echium maderense Steud.
  • Echium marianum Boiss.
  • Echium pallidum Salisb.
  • Echium pavonianum Boiss.
  • Echium truncatum auct.

Echium candicans, the 'Pride of Madeira', is a

perennial subshrub, growing to 1.5–2.5 m (4 ft 11 in – 8 ft 2 in).[3]

In the first year after germination, the plant produces a broad rosette of leaves. In the second and subsequent years, more or less woody flowering stalks are produced clothed in rough leaves. The Latin specific epithet candicans means "shining white", referring to one colour form of this species.[4]

Description

Growing as a shrub

It grows as a 1 to 2 meter high shrub, usually with a

ovate-lanceolate and long pointed at the end, they reach a maximum length of about 25 centimeters and a width of 2 to 4 centimeters.[5][6]

The lower leaves are more than five times as long as the upper ones. The adaxial side of the leaf blade (facing the shoot) is dark green, the axial side is slightly lighter green in color with prominent veins, all parts are protruding dense and soft, relatively long, velvety hairy.[5][6]

Inflorescences

Flower detail

Many flowers and

zygomorphic, unlike the flowers of most other genera in the Boraginaceae. They are colored blue or purple, and would appear from spring to summer.[5][6]

The

flower head is large and covered with white or blue flowers having red stamens. The flower head is much visited by bees and butterflies for its nectar.[7][6]

Distribution

The species is autochthonous only to Madeira and is absent from the other islands in the archipelago. It grows relatively frequently there at an altitude of about 800 to 1200 meters in the central part of the island, at the upper end of the altitude range of the laurel forest and in open, heather-like vegetation.[6]

Cultivation

E. candicans is cultivated in the

drought-tolerant, water-conserving gardens. It is particularly suitable for coastal planting. With a temperature requirement of no less than 5–7 °C (41–45 °F), it needs some winter protection in frost-prone areas. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[8][9]

Invasive species

In California, it is considered an invasive species. It is removed from native plant communities as part of habitat restoration efforts in coastal parks such as the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.[10]

In New Zealand, it is a common garden escapee onto roadside verges and shingle banks throughout the drier parts of both the North and the South Islands.

In the

state of Victoria, Australia, it is considered to be a high weed risk and an alert has been posted by the Department of Primary Industries.[11]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Echium candicans.
  1. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T162036A5538047.en
    .
  2. ^ The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species, retrieved 6 November 2015
  3. ISBN 978-1405332965
    .
  4. ISBN 978-1845337315
    .
  5. ^ a b c D. Bramwell (1972): A revision of the genus Echium in Macaronesia. In: Lagascalia. Bd. 2(1), S. 37–115 (online verfügbar).
  6. ^
    doi:10.3989/ajbm.2239
    .
  7. ^ "Echium candicans". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture.
  8. ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Echium candicans". Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  9. ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 35. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  10. ^ "Echium candicans Profile". California Invasive Plant Council. 2017-03-20. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  11. ^ "Pride of Madeira – Echium candicans". 16 February 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
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