Tenerife forum

[bardofely]

The Viper's Bugloss family (Echium) is very well represented on Tenerife with many endemic species and also a couple of introduced species.

Everyone knows the Red Viper's Bugloss/Tajinaste Rojo (Echium wildpretii) found on Mt Teide but there are plenty of other types to be seen around the island.



Tajinaste Rojo



Echium virescens in a barranco in Chirche



Echium plantagineum or Zuaja in Spanish. It is regarded as a weed!



Echium simplex or White Viper's Bugloss or Tajinaste Blanco - very rare on the Anaga coast but grown in parks and gardens. These are in Icod.

[MaryJ]

Those are very good pictures Bard.

If the "Echium plantagineum or Zuaja in Spanish" is regarded as a weed, then I can see why you put the rolling eyes at the side of your comment.

The colours are magnificent I would like them in my garden!
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Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.

[bardofely]

Thank you! You could grow them outside OK in the Uk as long as you take them in for the winter. The one that grows on Mt Teide could survive the cold but doesn't like being wet and cold. I could post you some seeds sometime if you remind me and send me your address by PM.

[MaryJ]

Bard,

Thank you for the offer of the seeds "Echium plantagineum" it is very kind of you.

You mentioned that they don't like being wet and cold, so I think they would probably drown in the UK. Even if I took them inside for Winter.

If we have a repeat our summer of last year, they definately would not survive, and it would be a shame!

Unfortunately we live (almost) in the North of England, so it would probably be too cold as well.

I look forward to moving to Tenerife and being able to see all the flora you photograph and describe on our forum.
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Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.