Porto Santo Flora · Madeira Birdwatching

The vegetation of Porto Santo is marked by xerophytic features, as can be seen in some of the adaptations, namely fleshy stems and leaves, thorns, deep stomata, as well as small, rolled, pubescent leaves.

On the NE coast of Porto Santo, there is a peak whose name is related to the white cudbears that cover its rocky slopes. Pico Branco (White Peak) is a unique place, where we can find species that survived to desertification of the island and resulted in the extinction of native species such as the Dragon Tree Dracaena draco, which is endemic to Madeira and Canaries.

This site is part of the Natura 2000 Network and attracts tourists and environmentalists alike, due to the variety of habitats and patches of well-preserved indigenous flora that take refuge on its nearly inaccessible slopes.

Among the trees, endemic species of Wild Olive Tree Olea maderensis, Juniper Juniperus phoenicea ssp. turbinata and Ironwood Sideroxylon marmulano var. marmulano predominate. Shrubs include, among others, the Smooth Spear-Leaved Spurge Euphorbia piscatoria and the Besom Heath Erica platycodon ssp. maderincola, as well as some endemic species of Porto Santo, such as the Pride of Porto Santo Echium portossanctensis, the Porto Santo Wall Flower Erysimum arbuscula and the Madeira Ironwort Siderites candicans var. multiflora.

Specially important among the shrubs is the Cheirolophus massonianus, an endangered species which can only be found in Madeira and Porto Santo.

Special mention is made of the herbaceous plants, Wall Fumitory Fumaria muralis ssp. muralis var. laeta and Vetch Vicia ferreirensis, endemic to Porto Santo and considered very rare.