Galapagos Plants
ARID ZONE PLANTS
Cutleaf Daisy
The cutleaf daisy is named for the deeply and irregularly lobed margins of its leaves. It is endemic and only found on Punta Cormorant, Floreana Island.
Lantana
Lantana is a endemic shrub that has beautiful little white flowers with a yellow center and is readily observed on Genovesa Island. The indigenous species was once prolific on Punta Cormorant, Floreana, but is now in some danger; an introduced Lantana species is winning the competition for the available water and taking over.
Leather Leaf
Leather Leaf is a large shrub or small tree with flat yellow green leaves. The net effect here is energy conservation, minimizing the leaf surface area exposed to the heal of the sun, also reducing water loss.
Manzanillo
This large fruit tree is the only indigenous toxic plant in the Galapagos and is called the "poison apple" tree. Touching the sap causes dermatitis, and eating the fruit can be lethal to humans. Grows on lava fields and the giant tortoise loves Manzanillo fruits.
Mollugo
This endemic plant looks more like a weed and is the most widely-distributed colonizer in the Galapagos; it is seen growing on many the lava fields, especially at Sullivan Bay, Santiago Island. There are five species and 4 subspecies of this endemic plant in the Galapagos.
Palo Santo
The palo santo is related to frankincense, and the sap contains an aromatic resin. The branches are shipped to the mainland where they are burned as incense in churches. Palo Santo looses their leaves during the dry season to help stop water loss.
Palo Verde
Palo Verde is characterized by long, green, leafless stalks, giving rise to its name. The arched branches have several extremely sharp spines, which have impaled many a juvenile blue-footed booby during an attempted flight. These trees are common along the trail at Punta Cormorant, Floreana Island and North Seymour.
Tiquilia
Tiquilia is an endemic woody herb recognized by the dull grey coloring and mat-like growth. Pioneer plant grows in sandy areas.
Tribulus
Tribulus is also known as puncture vine. It has sharp spines. The seed of this plant is so hard that only medium ground finches with relatively large beaks could crack them open, and it provided them with about the only available food during a very dry year on Daphne.
HUMID ZONE PLANTS
Bracken Ferns
The Bracken Ferns are common on the higher altitudes. There are about 100 fern species in the Galapagos. Many of those seen near the road in the moist Highlands of Santa Cruz Island are bracken ferns, characterized by their large curving fronds.
Miconia
The Miconia is endemic to the Galapagos, but since the arrival of man it has become the most endangered plant in the islands. The grazing of cattle in the Highlands of Santa Cruz and San Cristobal has taken its toll on the Miconia, which is now endangered.
Scalesia
Scalesia is the scientific name of this short green plant that has adapted to dry habitat. Its trunk and branches are covered with moss and lichens. Related to daisies, several species have beautiful yellow flowers, characteristic of the sunflower family to which they belong. There are about 20 different kinds of scalesia found in the Galapagos. Scalesia Trees have been greatly reduced in numbers since humans arrived in the islands. With them came pigs and goats, which devour the young plants and feed on older plants.