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| CC image by Hans G Oberlack |
This plant is endemic to the Teide National Park.
It grows at higher altitudes than any other species in the Park - almost to the volcano's summit (from 2200 to 3700 metres above sea level). This means it has to tolerate very harsh conditions of snow, wind, high UV and temperatures from minus 20 to plus 40 degrees centigrade.
Like the other species here, it is perennial to combat the short growing season, and only flowers for a brief period in spring. It has long hair-covered leaves. It belongs to the Violaceae family and many of these are at least partly 'cleistogamous' (having flowers that self-fertilise): perhaps this is part of the plant's strategy for living here.
The Park is grazed by rabbits and mouflons. These mammals are not native to the island, and the violets have evolved without their presence, and have not developed adaptations against them. Where areas have been experimentally fenced off and the animals excluded, many violets are found within... and very few without. Grazing clearly has a major effect on the violet population. Since this symbolic species grows only here (in the entire world!) its future conservation is important to the custodians of the Park, measures are being taken.
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