Species Spectacular: The Beautiful Flowers of Madeira

The flowers of Madeira are famous the world over; the intense colours and astounding diversity of species makes the sub-tropical archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean one of the world's premier places for floral enthusiasts. During the peak of the spring flowering season, a huge array of endemic and introduced exotic floral species is on display in the cultivated parks and gardens of Funchal, as well as growing wild around the roadsides and levadas.

With 1,163 recorded plant species (113 of those endemic) it would be hard to give a definitive round up of the most beautiful flowers of Madeira, but below are some of the better-known ones.

Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia)

Originally from Brazil and Argentina, the striking blooms of the Jacaranda decorate the botanical collections of local parks and gardens in a profusion of long lasting lilac flowers. This lovely sub-tropical species thrives in warmer climates but can also survive in colder temperatures. As such it has been widely introduced to many countries around the world.

Arum Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica)

The robustness of the Arum Lily belies its delicate beauty – in fact it has been declared a pest in some parts of the world (namely Australia). The elegant pure-white 'spathe' of the bloom surrounds a long, spherical yellow spadix and the plant itself can grow up to a metre tall.

Agapanthus (Agapanthus africanus)

The Lily of the Nile (aka African Lily) is perennial native to South Africa, but grows in wonderful wild abandon along the roadsides throughout the summer months. Reaching up to 60cm high, the blue and white tubular flowers of the plants have a soft scent and grow in a globe-like cluster, or inflorescence.

Strelizia (Strelizia reginae)

Also known as the Bird of Paradise or Crane Flower, for their unusual appearance, although again native to South Africa, the Strelizia has been naturalised to the island (and other parts of the world) and is also the national flower of Portugal. It grows up to two metres tall and the vibrant orange and purple flower that forms at the top of the stem is particularly hardy and long lasting.

Giant Madeira Foxglove (Isoplexis sceptrum)

One of the island's native plants, which grows in select sunny spots secreted in the Laurisilva forests, the Giant Madeira Foxglove is as rare as it is beautiful. Despite being quite robust it is nonetheless uncommon; this elusive bloom is one of the most sought after flowers of Madeira. Taller than most other species of foxgloves, it has broad green leaves and a striking orange-yellow candle shaped bloom. 

Lady Slipper Orchid (Paphiopedilum insigne)

While there are a number of species of orchid that thrive wild and in cultivation around the archipelago, the perennial Lady Slipper is the most common. While originally from the Himalayas where it is found at elevations up to 3000 metres, it has adapted to the rocky roadsides and cliff edges of Madeira and its yellow and pink blooms are a common sight in December and January.

History on Display

These are just a few of the many exotic species to be found throughout the islands. Many of the naturalised flowers of Madeira were imported by the plant hunters of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and cultivated to be used in the parks and gardens of Europe. Today, this warm, temperate island bears the heritage of those pioneering botanists and it endures as an extremely rewarding destination for flower lovers.