VinháTico

persea indica

The Vinhático (Persea indica) is a majestic, evergreen tree endemic to the humid Laurisilva forests of Macaronesia, including Madeira, the Azores, and the Canary Islands. A close relative of the avocado, this tree can reach impressive heights of up to 30 meters. It is highly celebrated for its durable, reddish-toned wood, historically referred to as 'Madeira mahogany,' which was heavily utilized in traditional carpentry and shipbuilding. Beyond its timber value, the Vinhático is an ecological cornerstone of the cloud forest. Its dense canopy captures moisture from incoming sea fogs, playing a vital role in the hydrological cycle of these volcanic islands. Finding a mature Vinhático surrounded by ferns and mosses is a quintessential Macaronesian forest experience.

Habitat: Found in humid, subtropical laurel cloud forests (Laurisilva), typically on steep slopes, ravines, and cloud-swept ridges.

Appearance

The Vinhático is easily recognized by its large, lance-shaped leaves that are bright green when young but turn a brilliant, fiery orange-red just before they fall, creating a striking mosaic of color in the canopy. It features pale, smooth grey bark that becomes fissured with age. In spring, it produces small, inconspicuous clusters of greenish-yellow flowers at the branch tips, which develop into small, fleshy, olive-like dark blue or black drupes.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLauralesFamilyLauraceaeGenusPersea

Photo: Vítor JorgeCC BY 4.0 · iNaturalistView original ↗

VinháTico

Interesting facts

Its timber, known as 'Vinhático' or 'Madeira mahogany,' is highly sought after for its rich, lustrous reddish-brown color and resistance to decay.

The bright orange-red leaves that regularly dot its evergreen crown make it look as though it is constantly in a subtle, year-round state of autumn.

The species belongs to the same genus as the domestic avocado (Persea americana), though its small, dark blue fruits are not palatable to humans.

Special abilities

The tree's leaf structure and canopy density are perfectly adapted to capture atmospheric moisture from passing clouds, turning fog into water droplets.

Older leaves accumulate vibrant red and orange pigments before shedding, a metabolic process that efficiently recycles nutrients.

The tree possesses an excellent capacity to regenerate by sending up vigorous new shoots from its base or trunk after structural damage.

Measurements & details

Length: 1500-3000 cm
Lifespan: 100-400 years

Diet & Feeding

As a photoautotrophic plant, it produces its own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide through the process of photosynthesis.

Primary Foods

Sunlight
Water
Carbon Dioxide
Soil Minerals

Ecological connections

Mutualism

Trocaz Pigeon

Columba trocaz

The pigeon feeds on the fleshy drupes and disperses the seeds throughout the forest.

Mutualism

Bolle's Pigeon

Columba bollii

Eats the fruits of the tree, aiding in seed dispersal across the Canary Islands.

Competitor

Canary Laurel

Laurus novocanariensis

Competes for canopy space, sunlight, and soil nutrients in the dense Laurisilva forest.

Traits

No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

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Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify VinháTico?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How long is VinháTico?

1500-3000 cm

How long does VinháTico live?

100-400 years

What does VinháTico eat?

As a photoautotrophic plant, it produces its own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide through the process of photosynthesis.

Where is VinháTico usually found?

Found in humid, subtropical laurel cloud forests (Laurisilva), typically on steep slopes, ravines, and cloud-swept ridges.