Pterocephalus lasiospermus (Rosalillo de cumbre)

CC image by Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz

This plant is endemic to the high altitude areas of Tenerife.

It grows in a densely branched, cushion-shaped clump, like many of the plants on Teide.

It has grey stems and green-grey leaves which are covered in hairs (can you see if it is the hairs that make the leaves this colour?) This could be an adaptation to reflect damagingly high levels of solar radiation.

Its flowering is relatively late compared to the other plants you'll find here. It produces pinkish flowers on the ends of long stalks. They look a bit like scabious flowers, if you're familiar with those from Britain. Both plants are in the Caprifoliaceae, which is the honeysuckle family that also includes valerians and teasels.

Although it's a bit early for the flowers when we visit, it's well worth looking with your lens at the remains of last year's: a fluffy round seedhead of the seeds and their feathery pappuses.

CC image by Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz