Scrophularia glabrata (Canary mountain figwort)

CC image by Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz

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

It can be recognised by its square stems and serrated opposite leaves. You will probably see the dry seed capsules in clusters towards the tops of last year's flowering stems. Figworts (the Scrophulariaceae family) have very distinctive two-lipped flowers which are pollinated by wasps and bumblebees.

Teide's flora developed without the presence of any mammalian herbivores. Now there are rabbits in residence and (since 1971) the Corsican mouflon (an ancestor of modern sheep with big horns). Some plants (e.g. Nepeta teydea, Erisimum scoparium and Adenocarpus viscosus) contain alkaloids, glucosides or tannins that deter these animals.

But Scrophularia glabrata seems to lack these chemicals, and so along with Argyranthemum teneriffae and Descurainia bourgaeana is a preferred snack of the mouflons. This makes populations of this plant more vulnerable.

CC image by Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz