Echium simplex
| Tower of Jewels | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Common name: Tower of Jewels | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | (unplaced) |
| Family: | Boraginaceae |
| Genus: | Echium |
| Species: | E. simplex |
| 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.
Habitat
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.
Description
The plant is biennial producing a dense rosette in the first year and producing the distinctive inflorescence to a height of 1–3 metres (3 ft 3 in–9 ft 10 in) 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.
References
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Wikispecies has information related to: Echium simplex |
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Echium simplex. |
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