Chaparro canario (Convolvulus caput-medusae)

Compact woody shrublet, generally scrambling or low (to 60 cm), often semi-spherical. Branches are firm with pointed spines. Leaves are small, densely pubescent, glaucous or greyish-green, oblanceolate to spathulate. Flowers are solitary, whitish or pinkish. This native of the Canaries is only found on Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria, where it generally grows in sandy-stony ground near the coast, although in Fuerteventura it extends to inland rock-strewn hillsides, up to 500 m. Despite the existence of important populations (nearly 90 000 specimens have been counted), some of which are within protected areas, it is considered a species under threat and is classified as Endangered. The main threats are quarry extractions, residential areas, grazing animals and infrastructure.