Siempreviva imbricada, siempreviva (Limonium imbricatum)

Low-growing rosette plant of basal leaves producing 3-4 flower stems. Leaves are lobulate or lyrate, rather imbricate, with lanceolate to ovate, pubescent lobes. Flowering stems are winged as in many other species of the genus Limonium. Floral bracts are mauve or violet and flowers are whitish. A native of Tenerife and La Palma and scattered along the north coasts of both islands; in some zones (especially in La Palma) populations can be plentiful. The total number of specimens counted in 2005 was 5,000, but there are almost certainly more, since not all populations were sampled. Although this species is clearly halophytic, it is occasionally found in some inland ravines, at high altitudes. Most populations are located in several protected natural areas. Seeds have also been deposited at institutions containing germplasm banks, so survival is assured.