Galápagos Islands Wildflowers 2022
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These bright yellow flowers could be seen in the coastal woodland from our boat. We also saw Muyuyu in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Palo Verde (Parkinsonia aculeata)
I shot this photo at the Isla Baltra airport, there were many native plants used in the landscaping there. Since our visit was during the dry season, many trees had lost their leaves.
Quinine Tree (Cinchona pubescens)
I was not happy to see this tree growing on the edge of the Los Gemelos crater, it is a highly invasive non-native that is crowding out many of the native plants. It was introduced in 1946 for quinine, the treatment for malaria.
False Mallow (Sida rhombifolia) Spanish name - "Escoba"
I found this flower growing at the edge of the Los Gemelos crater too.
Blackberry is another introduced, highly invasive plant that is threatening the native plants in the highlands of the islands.
Radiate-headed Scalesia (Scalesia affinis)
I was very excited to find this flower blooming during a hike on Isla Isabela. The Scalesias are the botanical equivalent to the Darwin Finches. This genus has differentiated into many separate species on the different islands and habitats.
Galápagos Lantana (Lantana penduncularis)
This is an endemic plant, I found it on Isla Isabela.
Lava Cactus (Brachycereus nesioticus)
This endemic cactus grows on old lava flows.
