Hoary Pterocephalus
EntdeckenPflanzen
Hoary Pterocephalus
pterocephalus lasiospermus
The Hoary Pterocephalus (Pterocephalus lasiospermus), locally known as 'rosalillo de cumbre' in the Canary Islands, is a resilient subalpine shrub endemic to the high-altitude volcanic terrains of Tenerife. Forming dense, silvery-green cushions, this fascinating plant is uniquely adapted to survive the intense sunlight, extreme winds, and freezing temperatures of Mount Teide's subalpine slopes. During the late spring and summer, it bursts into a spectacular display of pale lavender-pink flowers, transforming the austere volcanic landscape into a vibrant sea of pastel color.
Lebensraum: Found in high-altitude subalpine scrublands and volcanic pumice plains, primarily between 1,800 and 2,600 meters elevation.
Aussehen
This plant grows as a low, rounded shrub usually between 30 and 100 centimeters in height. Its most identifying characteristic is its dense, woolly covering of fine, white-gray hairs on its leaves and stems, giving it a distinct frosted or 'hoary' appearance. The leaves are soft, lance-shaped, and arranged in opposite pairs. In summer, it produces flat-topped, head-like flower clusters (capitula) colored in shades of pale pink to lavender, which eventually turn into fluffy, feathery, globe-shaped seed heads.
ReichPlantaeStammTracheophytaKlasseMagnoliopsidaOrdnungDipsacalesFamilieCaprifoliaceaeGattungPterocephalus
Kategorie
PflanzenSeltenheit
Common
Gefahr
1/5 · Sehr gering
Snaps
Mach den ersten Snap!
Interessante Fakten
Because of its high-altitude environment, it acts as a crucial pioneer species, slowly breaking down volcanic minerals to help form fertile soil for other organisms.
It is a master of extreme environments, surviving freezing winter temperatures of down to -10 degrees Celsius and scorching, arid summer days on the active volcano.
The genus name Pterocephalus derives from the Greek words for 'feather' and 'head', referencing the fluffy, feather-like appearance of its seed clusters.
Besondere Fähigkeiten
Fähigkeit
Solar Shielding Pubescence
The dense layer of silvery-white hairs reflects harsh high-altitude ultraviolet rays and reduces water loss by trapping moisture close to the leaf surface.
Fähigkeit
Volcanic Soil Anchoring
An extensive and deep root system allows the plant to anchor securely in loose, shifting volcanic ash and pumice while tapping into deep-seated moisture.
Fähigkeit
Feathery Seed Parachutes
Its seeds are equipped with a feathery pappus, enabling them to catch alpine wind currents and disperse across rugged volcanic terrains.
Maße und Details
- Länge
- 30-100 cm
- Lebenserwartung
- 5-15 Jahre
Ernährung und Fütterung
As a photosynthetic plant, it synthesizes its own organic compounds using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water absorbed from volcanic soils.
Hauptnahrung
- Sunlight
- Carbon Dioxide
- Water
- Soil Minerals
Ökologische Zusammenhänge
mutualism
Canary Island Bumblebee
Bombus canariensis
Provides critical nectar and pollen resources for this endemic bee pollinator during the dry high-altitude summer.
eaten by
European Rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
This introduced herbivore heavily grazes on the young shoots and flowers, threatening its regeneration.
Merkmale
Für dieses Objekt sind noch keine Merkmal-Badges vergeben.
Auch bekannt als
Noch keine Alternativnamen vorhanden.
Sammlungen
Sammlungen für dieses Objekt erscheinen hier, wenn weitere Themen hinzugefügt werden.
Sicherheit
Gefahr
1/5 · Sehr gering
Noch keine besonderen Sicherheitshinweise.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
Wie identifiziert man Hoary Pterocephalus?
Der einfachste Weg, Hoary Pterocephalus zu bestimmen, ist die Verwendung der Naturführer-App Snappit.
Was ist der/die/das länge von Hoary Pterocephalus?
30-100 cm
Was ist der/die/das lebenserwartung von Hoary Pterocephalus?
5-15 Jahre
Was frisst Hoary Pterocephalus?
As a photosynthetic plant, it synthesizes its own organic compounds using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water absorbed from volcanic soils.
Wo findet man Hoary Pterocephalus normalerweise?
Found in high-altitude subalpine scrublands and volcanic pumice plains, primarily between 1,800 and 2,600 meters elevation.
Snap-Karte
Zoome hinein, um Cluster aufzulösen und zu sehen, wo dieses Objekt fotografiert wurde.
Karte wird geladen…
Neueste Snaps
Neueste Snaps erscheinen hier, wenn neue Beobachtungen hinzukommen.
