The red bugloss (Echium wildpretii)
These small plants grow into something very special. The red bugloss (Echium wildpretii) is one of mount teide National Park's most spectacular plants. Its stems, which can grow up to 2 m (6.5 ft) high, are covered in a brightly coloured and striking pinky-purple blossom. This species, which was quite frankly rare up until just 30 years ago. The plant grows in the subalpine zone of the ravines of Mount Teide. It requires a lot of sun and is found in arid and dry conditions, but it tolerates frost down to -5 C. It is a biennial, producing a dense rosette of leaves during the first year, flowers in the second year, and then dies. The red flowers are borne on an erect inflorescence, 1ā3 m (3 ft 3 inā9 ft 10 in). The plant blooms from late spring to early summer in Tenerife. This plant can be found as a garden ornamental but is intolerant of low temperatures, thus some winter protection is required in frost-prone areas. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[2] As with most buglosses, it is favoured by bee-keepers for its high nectar content. Read More