Galapagos Islands flora

Galapagos flora

Galapagos flora There are about 560 native species of plants in the islands, in other words, plants which arrived in the islands by natural means. Of these, almost one third are endemic to the islands, meaning they are found nowhere else on earth.

The flora of the islands is equally interesting and diverse. The Galapagos has five zones: the coastal, arid, desert, humid, miconia and pampa zone.

Coastal: The sea borders are apt to salt water galapagos plants like the "Red Mangrove", with its typical aerial roots in Isabela and Santa Cruz; and the Beach Morning Glory abundant in Santiago. Many plants in this zone are adapted to dispersal by the sea, especially the mangroves.

Desert: Among a good variety, the big and famous "Opuntia Cactus", (prickly-pear) in many places the only source of food and moisture for reptiles; and the graceful Candelabra Cactus. The plants that live in this zone have adaptations to withstand drought such as small leaves, deep roots, and a deciduous habit, or are annual herbs which can survive the dry season as seeds.

Humid: Epiphytes like orchids, mosses, ferns and lichens thrive in this zone's constant moisture and ornate trees and shrubs with color and charm. Typical at this degree of humidity are the Galapagos plants called Scalesias and Pisonias. The Scalesia forest is diverse and also has many endemic species.

Miconia: The southern slopes of San Cristobal and Santa Cruz are the only places where there is a dense shrubby beit of Miconia robinsoniana. Native trees areabsentirom this zone and ferns are abundantin the herb layer. There are also many more liverworts than elsewhere.

Pampa: In the populated islands this is farmland or Pampas. This is the wettest zone, especially during the garua season, receiving as much as 2.5 m of rain in some years, good to cultivate commercial products and raise cattle. continues...

Galapagos » Flora