Galapagos Plants

The Galapagos Plants possibly started: with spores and seeds carried by the winds and "stopped" by the newly formed islands.

By seeds stuck to feet and plumage of migratory birds, or passed through their digestive system.

Via chunks of vegetation rushed to the sea by overflowing rivers and conducted throughout the ocean by the marine currents.

All or one of these reasons could have brought the plants of Galapagos to life.

Galapagos Plant

Galapagos plants and vegetation

Scalesia Gordilloi

It happened then, it happens now. Not all seeding can "fuse" with the rocky land. Only those with simple germination necessities, can adapt to the barren environment to survive and evolve in forms growing every day.

Going from shores to highlands, it has been agreed to define five zones of Galapagos vegetation life in these islands:

1.- Coastal: The sea borders are apt to salt water galapagos plants like the "Red Mangrove", with its typical aerial roots in Isabela and Santa Cruz; and the Beach Morning Glory abundant in Santiago.

2.- Desert: Cacti territories! Among a good variety, the big and famous "Opuntia Cactus", (prickly-pear) in many places the only source of food and moisture for reptiles; and the graceful Candelabra Cactus.

Among the newer black lavas you find Brachycereus Cactus (or aptly called lava cactus).

Another typical of the zone, and common on all large islands, is a bursera of light bark called Palo Santo (holy wood), after the reddish sap that bleeds from wounds.

3.- Humid: Epiphytes like orchids, mosses, ferns and lichens thrive in this zone's constant moisture and ornate trees and shrubs with color and charm.

Typical at this degree of humidity are the plants of Galapagos called Scalesias and Pisonias.

Not much is said about the highlands of Galapagos, but in reality this is a cloud forest with unique features.

4.- Miconia: Particular to San Cristobal and Santa Cruz, this zone is named after the ever present Miconias that require high humidity.

5.- Pampa: In the populated islands this is farmland or Pampas. The temperature is low and grass is abundant; good to cultivate commercial products and raise cattle.

Galapagos Plants

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