Canary Catmint

nepeta teydea

The Canary Catmint (Nepeta teydea) is a striking, resilient perennial subshrub native to the high-altitude volcanic landscapes of the Canary Islands. Clinging to the rocky slopes of Tenerife and La Palma, this hardy member of the mint family thrives where few other plants can survive. It is particularly iconic in Teide National Park, where its dense, grey-green bushes add color to the barren volcanic soil. Beyond its rugged survival skills, Canary Catmint is beloved for its intensely aromatic foliage and magnificent spikes of blue-violet flowers. It plays a vital role in its local ecosystem, providing a crucial nectar source for native bees, butterflies, and other high-altitude pollinators. Its adaptation to harsh sun, low water, and freezing winter temperatures makes it a fascinating example of island evolution.

Hábitat: Found in subalpine scrublands and open pine forests on dry, volcanic soils at elevations between 1,000 and 2,500 meters.

Aspecto

Canary Catmint forms dense, rounded woody mounds standing about 50 to 150 centimeters tall. Its lance-shaped to ovate leaves are greyish-green, highly wrinkled, and covered in fine, velvety hairs that help the plant retain moisture. During its blooming season from late spring to summer, it produces tall, upright spikes densely packed with small, tubular flowers that range from pale blue to deep violet-purple, contrasting beautifully against its muted foliage.

ReinoPlantaeFiloTracheophytaClaseMagnoliopsidaOrdenLamialesFamiliaLamiaceaeGéneroNepeta

Canary Catmint

Categoría

Plantas

Rareza

Common

Peligro

1/5 · Muy bajo

Snaps

¡Sé la primera persona en hacer un snap!

Datos interesantes

It is named teydea because it is a signature species of the volcanic slopes of Mount Teide, Spain's highest peak.

Like other catmints, it contains organic compounds that can elicit a playful, euphoric reaction in domestic cats.

When its leaves are bruised, they release an intense herbal, minty scent that can be detected from several feet away.

Habilidades especiales

It has adapted to thrive in nutrient-poor, rocky, and highly porous volcanic substrates where other plants struggle.

Its leaves are covered in dense, fine trichomes that reflect solar radiation and significantly reduce water loss.

The plant produces strong aromatic essential oils that act as a natural deterrent against grazing animals.

Medidas y detalles

Longitud: 50-150 cm
Esperanza de vida: 3-10 años
Incubación: 14-30 días

Dieta y alimentación

As a photosynthetic plant, it produces its own energy using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water, supplemented by minerals absorbed from volcanic soils.

Alimentos principales

Sunlight
Carbon dioxide
Water
Volcanic soil minerals

Conexiones ecológicas

mutualism

Canary Island Bumblebee

Bombus canariensis

The Canary Island bumblebee feeds on its nectar and acts as a primary pollinator.

mutualism

Teide Wall Lizard

Gallotia galloti

The endemic Teide wall lizard climbs the plant to feed on its small seeds and occasionally its foliage, aiding in seed dispersal.

Rasgos

Aún no hay insignias de rasgos asignadas a este objeto.

También conocido como

Todavía no hay alias listados.

Colecciones

Las colecciones para este objeto aparecerán aquí a medida que se añadan más temas.

Seguridad

Peligro

1/5 · Muy bajo

Todavía no hay notas especiales de seguridad.

Preguntas frecuentes

¿Cómo identificar a Canary Catmint?

La forma más fácil de identificar a Canary Catmint es usar la aplicación de identificación de naturaleza Snappit.

¿Cuál es el longitud de Canary Catmint?

50-150 cm

¿Cuál es el esperanza de vida de Canary Catmint?

3-10 años

¿Qué come Canary Catmint?

As a photosynthetic plant, it produces its own energy using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water, supplemented by minerals absorbed from volcanic soils.

¿Dónde se encuentra normalmente Canary Catmint?

Found in subalpine scrublands and open pine forests on dry, volcanic soils at elevations between 1,000 and 2,500 meters.

¿Cuál es el incubación de Canary Catmint?

14-30 días