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Laurel forest / Wax Myrtle - Tree heath

Bicácaro (Canarina canariensis) 

Laurel forest / Wax Myrtle - Tree heath 

Flora

Laurel forest is a subtropical forest characterised by high levels of humidity and relatively stable temperatures. The laurel forest that survives in Tenerife is the descendant of the ancient tertiary forests of the Mediterranean basin that disappeared millions of years ago. In its purest state, is made up of some twenty different species of trees, with a thick undergrowth of ferns, mosses and other typical plants of dark and shady habitats.

There are four representatives of the Lauraceae family: The laurel (Laurus novocanariensis), the ebony (Persea indica), greenheart (Ocotea foetens) and the mahogany (Apollonias barbujana). There are also species from other families, such as the Canary Island holly (Ilex canariensis), mocan (Visnea mocanera), Southern olive (Notolaea excelsa), etc.

The wax myrtle - tree heath forest is a form of vegetation that was originally found above the laurel forest, colonising and replacing the laurel forest where it had been degraded.. It consists mainly of wax myrtle (Myrica faya) and tree heath (Erica arborea).

In the more open and sunny areas of the laurel forest, several species of small plants abound. Some of these are interesting for their medicinal properties as well as for there obvious beauty and biological interest, including the Canary bell flower (Canarina canariensis), Canary floxglove (Isoplexis canariensis) and the forest bindweed (Convolvulus canariensis).

Fauna.

The laurel forest is the ecosystem with the richest variety of invertebrates and the highest percentage of endemic species. The special conditions of shade and humidity are ideal for the development of worms, molluscs and especially arthropods. Vertebrate fauna includes some species of bats, and many birds, with two important endemic species: the white tailed laurel pigeon (Columba junoniae) and Bolle's laurel pigeon (Columba bolli).