High mountain

Flora

Above 2000 m., weather conditions become quite extreme, with high levels of solar radiation, dry air, extreme temperatures, strong winds and snow and ice in winter. These conditions have led to the development of a natural, open type of vegetation.

The vegetation of the high mountain is usually spongy, which, along with deep roots and generally small down-covered leaves, enables the plants to survive in this hostile environment. Two leguminous plants stand out for their abundance: the Teide white broom and the sticky broom.

Many endemic species grow along with the broom and they make a spectacular sight to adorn the high peaks of the mountains of Tenerife when they flower in spring and early summer.

Fauna

There is a great variety of invertebrate fauna and a high percentage of endemic species. Beetles, fleas and butterflies are abundant. Vertebrates, on the other hand, are more scarce, being almost completely limited to reptiles, a few nesting birds and some bats.

More information on the flora and fauna of this zone in the section: Teide National Park