| Echium simplex | |
|---|---|
| Common name: Tower of Jewels | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | (unplaced) |
| Family: | Boraginaceae |
| Genus: | Echium |
| Species: | E. wildpretti |
| Binomial name | |
| Echium simplex DC. |
|
Echium simplex (Tower of jewels) is a herbaceous biennial plant which grows up to 3 m in height . It is endemic in the island of Tenerife mainly in Macizo de Anaga.
It is a frost intolerant species requiring sustained periods of sunlight to thrive. In its native environment it is largely confined to the area of Macizo de Anaga.
The plant is biennial producing a dense rosette in the first year and producing the distinctive inflorescence to a height of 1-3 m during the second year.
The flowers are white and the plant is in bloom from February to April in Tenerife.
E. simplex is widely available as a garden flower in warm temperate areas It is very attractive to Bees and produces a distinctively flavoured honey.