Bencomia de cumbre (Bencomia exstipulata)

Erect shrub, highly branched, up to 2 m. Leaves are sessile, small, unevenly pinnate, with 3-4 pairs of leaflets and in rosettes at the tip of the branches. Flowers are arranged in a single male inflorescence or female raceme-like clusters. Fruits are subglobose, flattened and yellowish-green. This species is native to Tenerife and La Palma and is relegated to very few high montane areas. It grows in precipitous zones that are difficult to access and is considered vulnerable. The total number of specimens is around 650, many of which (85%) were introduced into their natural surroundings by public authorities. Populations are protected within various nature areas: Teide National Park (Tenerife), La Caldera de Taburiente National Park (La Palma), Las Nieves Nature Park (La Palma) and the following Sites of Community Importance: Barlovento, Garafía, El Paso and Tijarafe (La Palma).