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Visitors to the Galápagos are often surprised to discover that the landscape of the island paradise is incredibly Spartan, flecked sporadically with desert—not typically tropical—plants. Although cacti and salt-tolerant mangroves are the most characteristic Galápagos flora, the islands actually have distinct vegetative zones, which are determined by changing moisture regimes with altitude: the littoral zone—with coastal plants adapted to salty conditions; the arid zone—dominated by deciduous trees, shrubs, and drought-tolerant plants; the transition zone—a diverse deciduous eco-tone forest between the arid and Scalesia zones; the highland Scalesia zone—a lush evergreen cloud-forest; the Miconia zone with dense shrubby vegetation; and the wet Pampa zone—consisting largely of ferns, grasses, and sedges.
Plant diversity in the Galápagos is low, so even beginner botanists can identify the majority of plant species and understand their ecological functions. The following are some common plants in the Galápagos:
- There are four species of mangroves in the Galápagos—red, black, white, and button—all of which are found along sheltered shores, sandy beaches, or brackish lagoons. The red mangrove is the most common species, easily identified by the tangled mass of prop-roots that anchor the tree to rocky shores.
- The saltbush is a sprawling shrub, which often forms dense thickets along shorelines perfect for frigatebird and pelican nesting sites.
- The Palo Santo is the most recognizable tree in the Galápagos arid zone, given its pale-gray bark, distinctive odor, and insect-repellent properties. It flowers around Christmas-time (the beginning of rainy season), hence its Spanish name “holy stick.”
- The candelabra cactus is a large cactus—up to seven meters tall—that is comprised of spiny, ridged cylinders resembling organ pipes.
- The lava cactus is a fuzzy, cylindrical cactus that grows in small, stout clumps. It is a pioneer plant often found on young lava flows.
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