April to June.
Characteristics
The evergreen shrub grows 1-2 m (3,3-6,6‘) tall. Its leathery leaves emerge from the twigs like beaters. They remind of a conifer’s needles and scent aromatically when crumbling them. Stamens stick out from every single blossom; thus the shining red flower clus-ters resemble bottlebrushes.
Site:
On Madeira the Stiff Bottlebrush grows in coast-al areas. In the south it reaches up to an altitude of 450 m (490 yd.). Single specimens are deco-rating various parks and gardens. Among others you can find it in the Parque Santa Catarina (198) or close to the volcanic cave in São Vicente.
Interesting to know:
The Stiff Bottlebrush is native to Southeast Australia and adapted to frequent bush fires. The leaves contain ethereal oils and catch fire that fast that the oxygen is removed from the flame; the twigs hardly do not suffer any damage. The seeds stay with the plant for sev-eral years in cone-like groups. They only open and sprout after having been exposed to fire. As they grow among the ashes of a burnt off vegetation they scarcely have any rivals. The similar Weeping Bottlebrush is also cultivat-ed on Madeira. Its leaves are softer; the twigs hang down like those of a Weeping Willow.
40
In the Gardens
King Protea, Cape Artichoke Flower
Protea cynaroides
Bloom time:
From April to June.
Characteristics:
The plant grows 1-1,5 m (3,3 – 5’) tall. The leathery, spatula-shaped leaves are slightly crinkled and shine silvery. The calyces resemble artichokes or thistles. The outer bracts are coloured from violet to pink, the colour of the inner, tubular blooms ranges from a pale violet through green to silver.
Site:
In the Palheiro Gardens you will find King Proteas growing in two groups. Further protea species with blooms of different colours can be explored as well. Single specimens are to be found in the garden of the Quinta of Prazeres or close to the Quinta do Furão. At some places close to Camacha at an altitude of 400-700 m (440-765 yd.) or in the region above Calheta, proteas are cultivated for commercial purposes.
Interesting to know:
In the 20th century Mildred Blandy direct-ed Blandy’s Garden (currently known as the Palheiro Gardens) for five decades. She introduced Proteas to Madeira. She had raised in South Africa and thus felt a spe-cial affection for the flora of her motherland. After already being very fashionable in the 19th century, Proteas were rediscovered as cut flowers in the last years. Having been dried they stay attractive for several months.
41
In the Gardens
Lesser Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea glabra
Bloom time
All year round, mainly in early summer.
Characteristics
The thorny climbing plant grows up to 25 m (28 yd.) tall on (building) walls. The leaves don’t carry hairs. The actual blooms are yellowish and very small. Shining, purple red, oval-tapered bracts surround each three of them. There are cultivars with varying colours.
Site:
For aesthetic purposes, canalized riverbeds in Funchal and Santa Cruz are covered with wires on which are growing Bougainvillea plants. They also grow on other sites and are among the most popular ornamental plants on Madei-ra for their abundance of flowers. Up to an altitude of 450 m (490 yd.) and especially in the south you can find them nearly everywhere.
Interesting to know:
Although to a smaller extent, the similar Great Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis) is also cultivated on Madeira. It has hairy leaves and purple-red, heart-shaped petals. Crossbreeding of the two species allowed to develop specimens of various colours (purple, pink, orange, white). The botanical denomination reminds of the French navigator Louis Antoine de Bougainville. The Bougainvilleas were discovered on an ex-cursion to Brazil 1766-1769 that was led by him.
42
In the Gardens
Gold Cup, Chalice Vine
Solandra maxima
Bloom time
All year round, except sum-mer.
Characteristics
The woody climber plant reaches up to 12 m (13 yd.) tall. The leathery leaves are elliptical and short-ta-pered. A very conspicuous feature are the yellow, fun-nel-shaped flowers. The calyx is curved outwards to form a broad, five-lobed hem. A purple-brown ridge runs into the centre of the funnel.
Site:
As it grows very tall in a short time, the plant is mostly cultivated in larger gardens and parks. On Madeira you will often see it in the south, up to an altitude of 350 m (385 yd.). There are for example several specimens to be found in Funchal in the park of the Quinta Vigia (198) or in the Botanical Garden (190).
Interesting to know:
The Gold Cup is native to the American tropics. The still closed buds contain water that is used there by traditional medicine to treat conjunc-tivitis. However, the plant itself is poisonous. The Indians used it for the production of intox-icating drugs. In nature, Gold Cup is pollinated by bats. Thus the blossoms open in the evening - and that fast that you can watch them de-veloping. Another typical characteristic for flowers that attract bats is the mawkish scent that is much more intense during night hours.
43
In the Gardens
Golden Shower,
Orange Trumpet Vine
Pyrostegia venusta
Bloom Time
From November to February.
Characteristics
This climber develops up to 10 m (11 yd.) long shoots. The leaves are mostly organized threefold; they are elliptic to longish with a lopsided basis. At the bottom, the leaves