IDENTIFICATION

It is an evergreen bush (up to 7 m high), initially growing from a main stem, then divided into several secondary branches. It has a very developed rhizome from which several trunks arise. The bark is smooth and young leaves are glabrous (without furs). The leaves are full, tough, elongated and with a central marked nerve. The petiole is very short. The flowers are grouped in terminal inflorescences of 8 to 21 flowers. They have a bell shape, with 5 lobes, zigomorph (more than a symmetry plan), of a purple-pink colour with a clear area, they have ten yarns and very elongated curved filaments, hairy on the base.  The fruit is an egg-shaped capsule (2,5 cm) with seeds also egg-shaped (1 to 1,5 mm), of a ribbed surface and with a small group of elongated scales on each tip.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

It is part of mature communities growing on deep siliceous grounds and in wet climate environment, between 100 and 850 meters above sea level.  It is part of gallery forests in ravines and wet gall oak under woods Quercus canariensis.

HOW DOES IT LIVE?

It flourishes in spring, between mid-March and mid-June. The flowers produce a great nectar quantity and are pollinated by a wide range of insects: night and day moths, flees, bees and bumblebees, the latest being the most common ones. There usually are many small beetles on the flowers, but their potential role as pollinators is unknown. Due to a great split between anthers and stigmas, insects play an important role in reproduction.

WHERE CAN WE SEE IT IN THE MALAGA PROVINCE?

It is a very localized species in the Málaga province, only located on the most western part. It can be seen in the "canutos" and most humid ravines of the Cortes mountains. It can not be directly found on any stage of the Great Path. 

CURIOUS FACTS

This plant is a relict species, a survivor from the Mediate Period; that explains its very restricted distribution: it is relegated to areas where climate and environmental conditions are similar to those of that time are preserved. Every part of this plant is toxic. Because of its ecological value and the showiness of its flowers and bearing, its main interest is linked to eco-tourism.

SIMILAR SPECIES

It is an unmistakable species, although during the flowering period, it might look like the oleander for its colour and the flowers setting. Looking closely to the common rhododendron's leaves, we can notice that they are more rounded, not as tough as the oleander's ones and that flowers are much more particular.