Árbol de Santa María, folhado, folhadeiro (Clethra arborea)

Tree to 10 m, evergreen foliage, trunk smooth and whitish-grey or chestnut. Leaves large (hence its common name of folhado or large leaf), up to 20 cm long and 7 cm wide, generally oblong-lanceolate, with serrate margins, pubescent on the underside, petioles greenish with reddish tones. Flowers are numerous and striking, arranged in terminal spikes, white and pleasantly scented. Fruits are small round capsules (3-5 mm across). A native of Madeira, where it is one of the main features of evergreen woodland and often dominates the landscape in areas above 600 m. It has a considerable ability to naturally regenerate degraded forest areas. This species was recorded in the mid-19th century for the Anaga mountain range in Tenerife, but has not been found since.