Tabaiba de Bravo (Euphorbia bravoana)

Branched shrub, to 1.5-2 m tall. Dark stems and branches, leaves purple below the inflorescence, the lower being reddish-green, sessile, linear-lanceolate. Inflorescences are umbelliform, with purplish-red or dark red flowers, less abundant and smaller than those of the sister species, Euphorbia atropurpurea, an endemic of Tenerife. Fruits (capsules) are glabrous, reddish-brown or golden purple. This species is native to La Gomera, where it is relegated mainly to the northwest, up to 800 m, and is characteristic of thermophile vegetation (remains of juniper forests and associated scrub). Only relatively common locally, over 10 000 specimens having been counted, distributed in six different populations, in an area of occupation of around 10 km2. It is mainly threatened by grazing animals and competition from other plants, but the high degree of protection afforded to its habitat and the conservation measures adopted mean that it is not in imminent danger.