The Canary Laurel On Viera y Clavijo Square

Scientific Name: Apollonias Barbujana.

This tree grows up to 25 metres tall an dcan be identifies by its shiny, dark green, ovate leaves whose edge is slightly undulate, without glands at the midvein and often with galls produced by the species-specific Eriophyes barbujana mite. The abundant flowers form inflorescences. The flowers are hermaphrodite and pale yellow in colour. The fruit is oval, about two centimetres long and black-violet when ripe.

The tree is endemic of the Macaronesian islands and can be found on Madiera, Porto Santo and the Canary Islands, except for Lanzarote.

Its wood is reddish-black, very hard and robust and highly valued in cabinetmaking.