The plant diversity of Villa de Mazo is extraordinary thanks to its position on the eastern slope of the island and the constant influence of the sea of clouds. In the lower areas, near the coast, a xerophytic scrub persists where the cardón (Euphorbia canariensis) and the sweet and bitter tabaibas (Euphorbia balsamifera and Euphorbia lamarckii) predominate, together with species such as the white broom (Retama rhodorhizoides) or the arrebol (Echium brevirame), which mark the transition between the coast and the midlands.
In areas of transition to the monteverde, although many are anthropized, there still survive notable specimens of juniper (Juniperus phoenicea), peralillo (Maytenus canariensis), wild olive trees (Olea europaea ssp. cerasiformis), hawthorn (Rhamnus crenulata) and Canary Island hypericum (Hypericum canariense).
Higher up, in the domains of the sea of clouds, the monteverde develops, with laurel forest and fayal-brezal formations. Here grow the laurel (Laurus novocanariensis), the viñátigo (Persea indica), the acebiño (Ilex canariensis), the faya (Myrica faya) and the tree heath (Erica arborea), accompanied by ferns, lichens and mosses, especially abundant in the humid valleys.
At higher altitudes, above 1,800 m, the summit scrub appears, dominated by the sticky broom (Adenocarpus viscosus ssp. spartioides) and accompanied by endemic species such as the palm violet (Viola palmensis), Teline benehoavensis, Echium gentianoides and Tolpis calderae. In the pine forests, whose dominant species is the Canary Island pine (Pinus canariensis), the undergrowth includes rockroses (Cistus symphytifolius), tagasastes (Chamaecytisus proliferus) and corazoncillos (Lotus hillebrandii). In areas of recent lava flows, pioneer vegetation of Plantago species and lichens initiates the colonization process.
Among the most striking La Palma endemisms are succulents such as Aeonium davidbramwellii, Aeonium nobile, the gongarillo (Aichryson palmense), and exclusive species such as the cardoncillo (Ceropegia hians), the fire pea (Lotus pyranthus) and Lotus eremiticus, both listed as endangered. There are also centennial specimens of dragon tree (Dracaena draco), protected and representative of the living plant heritage of the municipality.
Fauna
The fauna of Villa de Mazo is marked by the geographical isolation of the island and the diversity of its habitats. Among reptiles, the La Palma lizard (Gallotia galloti palmae) stands out as a key species of the island’s ecosystem, present from the coast to the summit and especially abundant in agricultural areas and sunny stone walls. Another common reptile is the perenquén or gecko (Tarentola delalandii), found mainly at low altitudes, particularly below 500 m.
The only endemic mammals are bats: the Madeira bat (Pipistrellus maderiensis) and the Canary eared bat (Plecotus teneriffae), both insectivorous and nocturnal.
Birds form the most visible group of fauna. The red-billed chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax barbarus), a symbol of La Palma, survives here after becoming extinct on other islands. The common buzzard (Buteo buteo insularum), the kestrel (Falco tinnunculus canariensis) and the sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) complete the group of birds of prey. At night, the long-eared owl (Asio otus) and the barn owl (Tyto alba) can be observed.
In quieter environments, species such as the wild canary (Serinus canaria), the linnet (Carduelis cannabina), the goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), several species of warblers (blackcap, Sardinian warbler and spectacled warbler), the Canary Islands chiffchaff (Phylloscopus canariensis), the robin (Erithacus rubecula), the blackbird (Turdus merula cabrerae), the La Palma chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs palmae), the La Palma blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus palmensis) and the Tenerife goldcrest (Regulus teneriffae) are common. The laurel forest pigeons, the laurel pigeon (Columba junoniae) and Bolle’s pigeon (Columba bollii), complete this group, sharing habitat with Cory’s shearwater (Calonectris diomedea borealis), Bulwer’s petrel and other seabirds.
In terms of invertebrates, La Palma harbours an exceptional diversity. Emblematic species include the grasshopper Acrostira euphorbiae, the beetle Buprestis bertheloti, the bee Eucera gracilipes, the mantis Pseudoyersinia canariensis and the dragonfly Promachus palmensis. Among the most delicate endemisms are the cave beetle Medon feloi and the flightless fly Aptilotus martini. Butterflies stand out for their beauty, including the Canary brimstone (Gonopteryx palmae) in the laurel forest, Pieris cheiranthi benahoavensis in cultivated areas and the Canary red admiral (Vanessa vulcania) in shrublands with nettles.
The marine environment along the coast of Mazo is equally diverse. Characteristic species include the Mediterranean parrotfish (Sparisoma cretense), the Island grouper (Mycteroperca fusca), the goldline seabream (Sarpa salpa), amberjacks (Seriola spp.), the Canary slipper lobster (Scyllarides latus) and species of black coral on rocky seabeds. Dolphins such as the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), sea turtles like the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), and algae of the genera Cystoseira, Dictyota, Lophocladia and Cotoniella inhabit these coastal waters.
