Icarian Treacle Mustard
ExplorePlants
Icarian Treacle Mustard
erysimum scoparium
The Icarian Treacle Mustard, scientifically known as Erysimum scoparium, is a resilient and striking perennial subshrub endemic to the high-altitude volcanic regions of the Canary Islands, notably around Mount Teide in Tenerife. Thriving in harsh, windswept environments where few other plants can survive, this wallflower species has adapted beautifully to intense sunlight, poor volcanic soils, and dramatic temperature fluctuations. It forms dense, rounded, broom-like mounds that burst into color during the spring, offering vital resources to local high-altitude pollinators. Its presence adds a touch of vibrant life to the otherwise barren, extra-terrestrial-looking volcanic landscapes. Nature enthusiasts and hikers visiting the high peaks of the Canaries often admire this plant for its rugged survival skills and sweet-scented floral displays that transition from white to deep violet as they age. To easily track and identify Icarian Treacle Mustard on your next adventure, download the Snappit app.
Habitat: Found in dry, high-altitude volcanic scrublands and rocky slopes of the Canary Islands, particularly around Mount Teide.
Appearance
Erysimum scoparium is a woody-based perennial shrub growing between 30 and 120 centimeters in height, characterized by its dense, upright, broom-like branching habit. It features narrow, linear, grey-green leaves that are covered in fine, pressed hairs, giving the foliage a silvery-matte appearance. The flowers are arranged in dense terminal racemes; each small flower has four petals that display a dramatic color gradient. Newly opened flowers start as a pale lilac, white, or yellow, gradually darkening to an intense violet or purple as they age and are pollinated, creating a multi-colored cluster effect on a single stalk.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderBrassicalesFamilyBrassicaceaeGenusErysimum
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its color-changing petals serve as an efficient guide for bees, ensuring that pollinators do not waste energy visiting already pollinated flowers.
The specific epithet 'scoparium' means broom-like in Latin, referring to its stiff, brushy branches.
This resilient plant can withstand temperatures below freezing during alpine winter nights as well as intense midday heat.
Special abilities
Ability
Color Shifting Cues
The blossoms shift color from pale white to deep violet after pollination, signaling to visiting insects which flowers still contain nectar.
Ability
Volcanic Soil Adaptation
It possesses a highly specialized root system capable of extracting scarce nutrients and water from dry, highly porous volcanic ash.
Ability
Drought Resistant Foliage
Its narrow leaves are coated with dense, microscopic hairs that reflect excess solar radiation and reduce water loss.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 30-120 cm
- Lifespan
- 2-10 years
Diet & Feeding
As a photoautotrophic plant, it produces its own energy through photosynthesis, converting sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into sugars.
Primary Foods
- Sunlight
- Carbon dioxide
- Water
- Soil minerals
Ecological connections
mutualism
Canary Island Bumblebee
Bombus canariensis
Pollinated by this native bee which is attracted to its color-changing blossoms.
eaten by
European Rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Foraged upon heavily by this introduced invasive mammal, which threatens its wild regeneration.
Traits
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Also known as
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Icarian Treacle Mustard?
The easiest way to identify Icarian Treacle Mustard is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Icarian Treacle Mustard?
30-120 cm
How long does Icarian Treacle Mustard live?
2-10 years
What does Icarian Treacle Mustard eat?
As a photoautotrophic plant, it produces its own energy through photosynthesis, converting sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into sugars.
Where is Icarian Treacle Mustard usually found?
Found in dry, high-altitude volcanic scrublands and rocky slopes of the Canary Islands, particularly around Mount Teide.
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