myrica faya, also known as beech, island beech, beech tree or Canary Island beech, is a tree species endemic to Macaronesia, found mainly in the Canary Islands, Azores and Madeira. This evergreen tree or shrub is one of the most representative elements of the Atlantic laurel forests, standing out for its rapid growth and exceptional adaptability, both in humid environments and in dry and windy areas.
Botanical characteristics of Myrica faya
- Size: It can reach heights ranging from 3 to 18 meters, although under optimal conditions in dense forests it can exceed 18 meters. Branching from the base, older specimens develop large trunks with rough, sometimes suberized bark.
- Sheets: Lanceolate or oblanceolate, simple, alternate, and slightly leathery, the leaves measure between 4 and 12 cm long. In adult specimens, the margin is entire or gently wavy, while in young shoots it has a serrated-crenate edge. The upper surface is glossy dark green, the underside paler, and the leaves are quite aromatic.
- Flowers and fruits: Dioecious species, with separate male and female specimens. Flowering occurs in winter and spring, producing elongated axillary catkins: the male ones are yellowish; the female ones are pinkish. The fruit, known as creses or phytos, is a globose, rough, and fleshy drupe up to 8 mm in diameter, which turns black when ripe. They are edible, although they leave rough and astringent sensation in the tongue.
- Cortex: Its bark is grey or brown, rough and fissured, acquiring over the years cork-like texture.
Habitat and distribution
myrica faya It is endemic to the Macaronesian region, present in all the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Azores. Its natural habitat ranges from 350 to 1700 meters above sea level, adapting to humid slopes and ravines, being one of the Key components of fayal-brezalIt is common in the transition between laurel forest and humid pine forest, especially in shady areas and soils rich in organic material. In Gran Canaria, lives mainly in the north and east of the island, above 500 m.
Outside its natural range it has been introduced in countries such as Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand, where it has become wild. high-impact invasive species ecological, altering native ecosystems and hindering the regeneration of native species. For this reason, it is included on the IUCN's list of the 100 most harmful invasive alien species worldwide.
Ecology and reproduction
The beech is a pioneer species in the recovery of degraded soils. It protects the substrate and contributes to the formation of soil banks. local seeds. It requires some light and absence of dense mulch to germinate, but adapts to shady conditions by producing pacifiers which replace the initial trunk, forming vegetative regeneration nuclei. Their fruit is dispersed primarily by gravity and by frugivorous birds.
Traditional uses and exploitations
The versatility of myrica faya has generated multiple traditional uses:
- Wood: It is used to make forks, poles, agricultural tool handles (especially the roots), beams, doors, and windows. In La Gomera, the carving of 'astias,' or clubs associated with the shepherd's leap, is famous.
- Forage and manure: Its leaves and branches are used as bedding for livestock and, later, to obtain manure.
- Fruits: The creces or fitos were occasionally consumed fresh or dried, ground to obtain flour similar to gofio.
- Natural dyes: The decoction of its bark has been used to dye fabrics in shades of brown or yellow.
- Reforestation: Due to its resistance and rapid growth, it is planted in reforestation of monteverde and humid pine forests.
Medicinal properties and curiosities
In Canarian folk medicine, the infusion of bark, flowering tops and fresh fruits of faya have been used as catarrhal remedies, analgesics, astringents and vulnerariesIt has also been used as an intestinal tonic and to stop minor external bleeding. These practices are part of traditional knowledge, although many endemic species are protected and their collection is restricted.
Interestingly, in Hawaii, the faya tree was nicknamed the 'fire tree' for its rapid colonization of ancient volcanic fields.
Myrica faya stands out in the Canary Islands' ecosystems not only for its ecological and cultural value, but also as an example of the ecological consequences that can result from the introduction of a species outside its habitat. Its identification and responsible management are essential for preserving local biodiversity.
