GALAPAGOS ENDEMIC FLORA: 10 SPECIES OF PLANTS - BIOLOGY - 2025

The endemic flora of Galapagos is made up of plant species such as Lecocarpus pinnatifidus, Scalesia cordata, Psychotria rufipes or Psidium galapageium.

The Galapagos Islands have more than 550 native species, among which vascular plants, mosses and lichens stand out, forming a complex ecosystem throughout the archipelago.

Depending on the height above sea level, the Galapagos Islands present different zones of specific vegetation.

Lecocarpus pinnatifidus

Also known as Cutleaf Daisy, or small daisy. This plant is exclusively found in Punta Cormorán, on Floreana Island.

It reaches a maximum height of 2 meters, and its flowers are yellow like daisies.

Scalesia cordata

Its local name is milky. Its flowers are very aromatic, white, and form a kind of crown of thorns; Furthermore, its leaves are very similar to those of the tobacco tree.

Opuntia megasperma var. Orientalis

Cactus variety known in the area as prickly pear cactus. It grows in the form of a bush, with large, spiny and flattened branches.

It has bright yellow flowers and is the main ingredient in the diet of tortoises and iguanas.

Psychotria rufipes

Its local name is "cafetillo". It has green leaves of dark and shiny tones, and whitish flowers; its fruits are small, bright in color.

Psidium galapageium

Popularly known as guayabillo or Galapagos guava. This plant reaches a maximum height of 10 meters, and has a soft bark of greyish and reddish tones.

Its flowers are small, white and not very showy. It has oval leaves and is found on the islands of La Pinta, Fernandina, San Cristóbal, Isabela, Santiago and Santa Cruz.

Tournefortia pubescens

Locally it is known as “beef tongue”. This plant has large light green leaves, and its flowers are white, arranged like curly spikes; the fruits are bright white.

Calandrinia Galapagosa

Commonly known as Galápagos purslane rock, it is a shrub located exclusively on San Cristóbal Island, specifically in Cerro Colorado.

It is a somewhat woody herb at its base, with considerable thickness on the stem and its leaves. It is in danger of extinction.

Parkinsonia aculeata

This plant is named as mollugo, palo verde, espinillo or cinna-cin. It is very common in Sullivan Bay, on Santiago Island.

It is a thorny tree with multiple branches, its leaves are braced and the flowers present a fusion of red and yellow.

Miconia robinsoniana

Its common name is "cacaotillo", and it is found mainly in the islands of San Cristóbal and Santa Cruz, in the vicinity of the Laguna El Junco.

It is a large, leafy shrub with large, thin leaves. Its flowers have 4 petals on average and are purple, its fruits are purple in the form of small cherries.

Passiflora foetida var. galapagensis

Climber known as vedoca or Galapagos passionflower. It is noticeable in the Santa Cruz and Floreana Islands.

It can grow up to 5 meters, and its leaves are shaped like ivy; the latter can reach up to 10 centimeters long. Its flowers are white and somewhat translucent.

References

1. In Galapagos the endemic flora is recovered (2014). El Comercio newspaper, Quito, Ecuador. Recovered from: elcomercio.com
2. Galapagos Flora. (2014). Recovered from: wildfoottravel.com
3. Galapagos Flora (2017). Galapagos Cruises ©. Recovered from: galapagoscruceros.ec
4. Guerrero, A. (2012). Endemic Galapagos plants. Recovered from: pinzonesygorriones.blogspot.com
5. List of Galapagos species (2017). Recovered from: darwinfoundation.org
6. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia (2017). Galapagos Islands. Recovered from: es.wikipedia.org