Mataprieta (Justicia hyssopifolia)
Justicia hyssopifolia L. · Family: Acanthaceae
Mainly the lowlands, in spurge scrub and remnants of thermophilous vegetation, from near sea level to about 500 m. Abundant in the Teno massif.
Photos
Description
A small, very woody and much-branched shrub, 50–100 cm tall, usually reaching at most one metre in height, with rather hard, light brown branches. The leaves are opposite or arranged in groups of 4–6, oblanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, entire, light green or yellowish green. Flowers solitary, axillary, whitish or creamy, relatively large.
Propagation and growing
This species is propagated by seed. Germination is good under normal laboratory conditions, with up to 92.50% germination in the standard test. Sow in standard substrate. The seeds should be covered lightly, to a depth of about one centimetre. Sowing preferably in autumn.
Garden use
A very hardy species used as an ornamental in hedges and borders. It needs little maintenance. It tolerates poor soils but thrives better in somewhat more fertile ones. Light supplementary watering after planting, which is best done in autumn. No watering during the summer.
Notes
It is endemic to Tenerife and La Gomera.
Protection status
Annex II of the Order of 20 February 1991 on the protection of wild flora of the Canary Islands.
Potential vegetation
Matorrales xerófilos.
Source: Cabildo de Tenerife, “Guía de especies vegetales”, CC BY. Translated from Spanish by us.
Districts
La Orotava Valley · Daute · Teno