Canary Island pine

Description:

Large, evergreen tree native and endemic to the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. It is a subtropical pine and does not tolerate low temperatures or hard frost, surviving temperatures down to about −6 to −10 °C. Within its natural area, it grows under extremely variable rainfall regimes, from less than 300 mm to several thousands, mostly due to differences in mist-capturing by the foliage. Under warm conditions, this is one of the most drought-tolerant pines, living even with less than 200 mm per year. Pinus canariensis is a large evergreen tree, growing to 30–40 m.The green to yellow-green leaves are needle-like, in bundles of three, 20–30 cm long, with finely toothed margins and often drooping. The tree's extremely long needles make a significant contribution to the islands water supply, trapping large amounts of condensation from the moist air coming off the Atlantic. The condensation then drops to the ground and is quickly absorbed by the soil, eventually percolating down to the underground aquifers.

Habitat:

Spotted in lava fields near Teide volcano, in Tenerife, Canary Islands.Teide National Park

Notes:

Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/500 sec., f/11, ISO Speed Rating: 800. Exposure Bias: 0 EV. Focal Length: 300.0 mm. No flash fired.