Canary Islands Candle-Plant

kleinia neriifolia

The Canary Islands Candle-Plant is an iconic succulent shrub endemic to the Canary Islands archipelago. Looking remarkably like a desert candelabra, this resilient plant is a prime example of convergent evolution, adapting to arid volcanic landscapes by mimicking the appearance of unrelated cacti or spurges. Belonging to the daisy family, it spends the hot, dry summer months in a dormant state, dropping all its leaves to conserve water. This leaves behind naked, sausage-shaped branches that resemble pale green candles. When the autumn rains arrive, the plant quickly springs to life, crowning its branches with narrow, lance-shaped leaves and clusters of fragrant, pale yellow-green blossoms.

Habitat: Found on dry, rocky volcanic slopes, cliffs, and arid coastal scrub zones across the Canary Islands, often growing alongside succulent Euphorbia species.

Appearance

This deciduous succulent shrub typically grows between 1 and 3 meters tall, displaying thick, cylindrical, grayish-green branches that are highly jointed and marked with distinctive scars from fallen leaves. During its active winter growing season, clusters of long, narrow, lanceolate leaves form at the tips of the branches. In late summer and autumn, terminal clusters of small, brush-like, tubular white-to-yellow flowers appear, which later mature into fluffy, dandelion-like seed heads designed for wind dispersal.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusKleinia

Canary Islands Candle-Plant

Interesting facts

Despite looking like a cactus or a succulent spurge, this plant is actually a member of the daisy and sunflower family (Asteraceae).

Its sap is a thick, sticky latex that was historically used in traditional island medicine, although it can cause skin irritation.

The scientific species name 'neriifolia' translates to 'oleander-leaved', referring to the lance-like shape of its foliage.

Special abilities

Drops all of its leaves during the arid summer months to drastically reduce moisture loss through transpiration.

Utilizes chlorophyll within its thick, fleshy green stems to perform photosynthesis even when completely leafless.

Stores significant volumes of water within its thick, articulated branches to survive prolonged periods of drought.

Measurements & details

Length: 100-300 cm
Lifespan: 30-100 years

Diet & Feeding

As a photosynthetic plant, it manufactures its own sugars using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water, supplemented by minerals absorbed from volcanic soil.

Primary Foods

Sunlight
Carbon Dioxide
Water
Volcanic Minerals

Ecological connections

mutualism

Canary Island Bumblebee

Bombus canariensis

Pollinated by this endemic bee species during the plant's autumn flowering period.

eaten by

Gallot's Lizard

Gallotia galloti

Feeds on the fallen leaves and yellow flowers, occasionally assisting in seed dispersal.

competitor

Canary Island Spurge

Euphorbia canariensis

Grows alongside this plant as a dominant competitor in the xerophytic cardonal-tabaibal plant communities.

Traits

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Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

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Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Canary Islands Candle-Plant?

The easiest way to identify Canary Islands Candle-Plant is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Canary Islands Candle-Plant?

100-300 cm

How long does Canary Islands Candle-Plant live?

30-100 years

What does Canary Islands Candle-Plant eat?

As a photosynthetic plant, it manufactures its own sugars using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water, supplemented by minerals absorbed from volcanic soil.

Where is Canary Islands Candle-Plant usually found?

Found on dry, rocky volcanic slopes, cliffs, and arid coastal scrub zones across the Canary Islands, often growing alongside succulent Euphorbia species.