Laurissilva - Laurel Forest
- Rabaçal/Laurel Forest
The diverse world of flora and fauna...
Laurissilva, or as some may call it "The Laurel Forest" is a unique habitat with a diversity of rare plants and animals that until this day have not all yet been identified. On December 2nd 1999, Laurissilva was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO signifying that it may no longer be seen solely as property of Madeira Island, but as a treasure to all of mankind due to its uniqueness and biological heritage.
Laurissilva is a true relic of the Tertiary period and used to spread throughout Europe. This stunning forest was a victim of the ice age and remained in the Macaronesian islands such as the Madeira Islands, Canary Islands, Azores and Cape Verde. Of the above listed islands, Madeira Islands has the largest forest area of 22 thousand acres, home to a tremendous diversity of plants and animals.
- Laurel Blossom
Laurissilva Typical Plants:
The Laurel (Laurus Azorica), Til (Ocotea foetens), Persea Indica, Marmulano, Picconia Excelsa, Clethra Arborea Aiton, Juniper, Apollonias Barbujana, The Madeira Holly (Ilex perado), the Common Holly (Ilex Aquifolium) and blueberry plants are just some of the medium sized plants which inhabit the forest.
Various shrubs and wildflowers grow nearby such as Milkweed (Sonchus Arvensis), Rainfarn (Tanacetum), the Madeira Ginster (Genista Tenera), the Evergreen (Helichrysum), Wallflowers (Erysimum bicolor), Madeira Cranesbill and several other small species of orchids. The "Além-Tejo" orchid (Orchis morio) is a rare species that grow only in Madeira Island.
- Madeira Firecrest
In addition to the exclusive world of Flora...
Madeira´s fauna requires great protection, attention and care as many of its rare species are in danger of extinction. Among the typical inhabitants of Laurissilva are the Buzzard (Buteo Buteo), Blackbird (Turdus Merula), Finch (Fringilla coelebs), Trocaz Pigeon (Columba Trocaz Heineken)(an endemic species in Madeira), and the Madeira Firecrest (Regulus Ignicapillus Madeirensis), which, was given its name due to its characteristic chirp. The forest´s altitude ranges from 300 - 1300 meters above sea level and, as it grows, protects each layer of soil from erosion and serves as a rainwater storage. Considered as a relic of old times, all of Laurissilva is under the protection of Madeira´s Natural Park, Nature Reserve.