Susanne Lipps - Madeira

Araucaria excelsa

Bloom time

March and April.

Characteristics

The Norfolk Island Pine is a giant conifer that can reach a height superior to 50 m (55 yd.). At each level, six branches emerge nearly horizontally from the trunk. The quite long distance between the various branch levels produces the picture of a relatively sparse crown.

Site:

The Norfolk Island Pine grows in many parks up to an altitude of 600 m (655 yd.); as a decorative specimen tree it often towers above all other plants. It is frequently cultivated next to the Bunya Pine (Araucaria bidwillii); this tree reaches a similar height but is characterized by a rounded off crown (right side of the picture).

Interesting to know:

Initially the genus Araucaria was restricted to the southern hemisphere. Two of its species are native to South America; the remaining 16 species are native to Australia and the South-West Pacific. The Norfolk Island Pine’s natural habitat is Norfolk Island (Pacific Ocean, east of Australia). Today it is cultivated as an ornamental plant in parks in regions with a warm and humid climate. The high demand of wooden masts in times of giant sailing ships helped this species with its very straight growing trunk to spread worldwide.

In the Gardens

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In the Gardens

Blue Lawson’s Cypress

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana

Bloom time

April and May.

Characteristics

3-10 m (3-11 yd.) high, the light green conifer is known for growing evenly and conically. Younger specimens develop their needles right above the ground; elder specimens develop a short trunk. The inflorescences are inconspicuous and barely to be noticed. The spherical cones are slightly blue.

Site:

The Blue Lawson’s Cypress flourishes in all regions at 600-1300 m (655-1420 yd.) altitude that are the natural habitat of the laurel forest. You will find various specimens both in the parks (e.g. Quinta do Santo da Serra, 196) and along the roadside. Moreover it grows in exotic collections of trees that have been cultivated in projects by forest management services (e.g. lining the road from the Poiso pass to Ribeiro Frio).

Interesting to know:

This attractive conifer is native to North America, mainly to the northwest of the USA. There it grows in big populations and reaches a height up to 50 m (55 yd.). The conical or columnar species of these “false” cypresses are cultivated as ornamental plants in these regions that are not supported by the similar genuine cypresses. False cypresses are more resistant and grow faster. There have been grown more than 100 horticultural cultivars of Blue Lawson’s Cypress.

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In the Gardens

Queensland Kauri

Agathis robusta

Bloom time

March.

Characteristics

The tree reaches a height of 10-20 m (11-22 yd.). Its crown is larger in height than in width. The tough leaves are slender and tapered and stick rigidly out from the twigs. The female blooms are light brown, longish and slightly curved cones that are shorter than the leaves. They disintegrate at maturity of the fruits.

Site:

The Queensland Kauri requires sunlight and warmth, thus you will mainly find it close to the southern coastal line. It barely grows in regions higher than 100 m (110 yd.) above sea level. It is frequently found in the parks and hotel gardens of Funchal and lines roads in the city centre; e.g. the Avenida do Mar or the Avenida do Infante.

Interesting to know:

The tree is native to Northeast Australia. Although seeming to resemble a deciduous tree, Queensland Kauri is a conifer and part of the Araucaria family. The natural habitats of the Araucariaceae can all be found on the southern hemisphere. Two species related to Queensland Kauri, the Borneo Kauri (Agathis dammara), native to the Philippines, and the New Zealand Kauri (Agathis australis), native to New Zealand, are providing wood and kauri resin. The amber-coloured, hard resin is for example used to produce varnishes.

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In the Gardens

Weeping Fig

Ficus benjamina

Bloom time

All around the year.

Characteristics

The giant tree that may grow up to 20 m (22 yd.) tall can develop various trunks and spreading branches with aerial roots. The oval, tapered leaves are quite small and similar to amber leaves but dispose of a milky sap. The inconspicuous blooms develop fig-like, red fruits (Ø 1 cm (0,4‘‘)).

Site:

You will find the Weeping Fig in parks up to an altitude of 200 m (220 yd.) above sea lev-el. Either as a single tree or in groups it may decorate a square and provide shade simulta-neously (e.g. at Largo dos Milagres in Machico, at the viewpoint in Rua das Cruzes, close to the Quinta das Cruzes (Funchal)). It may also line avenues like the Avenida do Mar, Funchal.

Interesting to know:

The Weeping Fig is native to Malaysia; anyway it is cultivated today in many tropical and sub-tropical countries. Younger specimens are used as indoor trees in many Central European hous-es. It is closely related to the Indian Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica). The Common Fig Tree (Ficus carica), native to the Mediterranean region, is another representative of this species-rich ge-nus. Single specimens of the latter are cultivat-ed on Madeira as useful plants (mainly in the northeast close to Faial and São Roque do Faial).

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In the Gardens