Understanding Bencomia caudata: Origin and main characteristics
Bencomia caudata It is a shrub species belonging to the Rosaceae family and constitutes one of the endemic jewels of the Macaronesian flora, specifically of the Canary Islands and Madeira. This plant has historically been valued not only for its rarity, but also for its ornamental attribute, especially in small gardens where its silhouette and peculiar foliage bring personality and native nature to the green spaces.
It is named after the Guanche mencey Bencomo, a symbol of resistance and tradition in the Canary Islands. This shrub, also known as "bencomia de monte", has a wide parasol-shaped canopy and evergreen foliage, providing shade and freshness year-round. It reaches a height of between 2 and 4 meters in its natural habitat, although in gardens it is usually kept smaller thanks to regular pruning.
Botanical description: Leaves, flowers and fruits
Bencomia caudata is characterized by having thin branches and fissured brownish bark, which comes off in thin layers. Its compound leaves, up to 30 centimeters long, form false rosettes At the ends of the branches, each composed of 7 to 11 leaflets with strongly serrated edges. The leaves are dark green and somewhat shiny on the upper surface, while the underside is tomentose and has a bluish-green hue.
This species is dioecious, which means there are both male and female specimens. The flowers, very tiny and grouped in hanging catkins, are especially interesting: the male ones They can exceed 40 cm in length and have a yellow color; the females are smaller, up to 15 cm, and exhibit pinkish tones. Both the flowers and the fruits appear in hanging clusters, adding to their ornamental value.
As for the fruits, Bencomia caudata develops small subglobose fruits, measuring between 4 and 6 mm in diameter. Initially green, they turn reddish or yellow when ripe in direct sunlight, and acquire a rough texture. These fruits, arranged in pendulous spikes, are fleshy and provide visual appeal, although they lack significant nutritional value.
Natural habitat and distribution
Bencomia caudata is endemic to various ecosystems of the Canary Islands and Madeira. Although it was much more common in the past, it is now a rare plant, mainly present in areas of Laurisilva, Fayal-Brezal, thermophilic forests and pine groves, preferably inhabiting humid cliffs and sunny areas, at altitudes ranging from 600 to 1.500 meters above sea level. Its presence is characteristic of difficult-to-access cliffs and in the vicinity of springs or waterways, benefiting from environmental humidity but without requiring excessive shade.
In small gardens, Bencomia caudata can be successfully grown by adapting the conditions to its natural preferences, allowing you to contribute to the conservation of an endangered species and enjoy a native specimen of great beauty.
Bencomia caudata care for small gardens
Although it is a wild and relatively rustic species, Bencomia caudata appreciates certain basic care to develop healthily in small spaces:
- Light and location: It prefers sunny or semi-shaded locations, avoiding dense shade. It's ideal to locate it in a spot where it receives several hours of direct sunlight, replicating its natural environment.
- Ground: It requires well-drained substrates, rich in organic matter and with a good moisture content, but not waterlogged. A mixture of garden soil, compost, and sand is usually suitable.
- Irrigation: Although it tolerates periods of drought, it appreciates regular watering during its active growth phase (spring and summer). In winter, reduce the frequency to avoid excess moisture.
- Pruning: Prune dry, damaged, or disproportionate branches to shape and control size. Pruning after flowering helps keep the shrub compact.
- Fertilizer: Applying slow-release organic fertilizer once a year promotes vigorous growth and improves flowering and fruiting.
For small gardens, it is recommended to plant Bencomia caudata in locations where it can show off its unique canopy and structure without excessive competition from other species, achieving a natural focal point that is resistant to common pests and diseases.
Flowering and reproduction of Bencomia caudata
La flowering It usually occurs in the cooler months, lasting well into spring. It's common to find specimens with flowers and fruit at the same time, which adds ornamental value to small gardens. If the goal is to obtain fruit, it will be necessary to have male and female specimens nearby due to their dioecious nature.
Reproduction can be done through seeds or cuttingsSowing is more challenging, as dioecious conditions can limit the production of fertile seeds. Cuttings, on the other hand, offer a reliable option for multiplying the plant in home gardens, ensuring the genetic maintenance of valuable specimens.
Ornamental uses and conservation
Beyond its botanical value, Bencomia caudata stands out as ornamental species Ideal for small gardens thanks to its size, foliage, and the spectacular nature of its hanging catkins. It's used as a single specimen, in groups, or combined with other native plants to create Canarian-inspired environments and contribute biodiversity to the garden.
Its domestic cultivation contributes to the conservation of endemic species, which is especially relevant given its current rarity in the wild. Participating in the protection and dissemination of Bencomia caudata in private gardens is an excellent way to support the Canary Islands' natural heritage and ensure the survival of this exceptional plant.
Incorporating Bencomia caudata into small gardens allows you to enjoy a rare, distinguished, and symbolic plant from the Canary Islands, capable of combining low maintenance, ecological value, and distinctive beauty throughout the seasons.
