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Vegetation
Reina del Monte (Ixanthus_viscosus)
Ixanthus viscosus is a species indigenous to the Canary Islands, found mainly in the central and westernmost islands of the archipelago. Monotypic in genus, this herbaceous, evergreen plant, which can reach a height of one and a half metres, is also known as sheep's tongue.
It has a woody base and a straight, cylindrical stem with ring-shaped markings that mark the internodes when the leaves are detached. Its leaves are deep green and are arranged in the shape of a cross.
As for its flowers, they make it easy to identify thanks to their characteristic bright yellow colour which contrasts against its sticky green fruits. It is precisely the peculiar characteristics of its fruits that have given this plant its scientific name: Ixanthus comes from the Greek ixein, which means sticky, and anthtos, which means flower.
These specimens usually grow in the shadiest areas of the laurisilva and heath-firetree forests, although they can also be found in valleys and forest clearings or even along paths or forest tracks.
Locals often use the root of this plant to make infusions to whet their appetite and to remedy stomach or liver ailments, although some people also prefer to chew it when it is dry.