All about the natural beauty and riches of Madeira. From Laurissilva forest, ocean creatures, to cloud milking
Pitanga Trees The Pitanga Fruit ( Eugenia uniflora ) is originally from South America, mostly Brazil. However, it can be found today in Africa, in the Caribbean and on the Portuguese island of Madeira. The English name for Pitanga varies between: Brazil Cherry, Suriname Cherry, or Cayenne Cherry. Furthermore, it is only distantly related to …
The Madeiran Speckled Wood is a … butterfly endemic to Madeira Island. The Madeiran Speckled Wood belongs to the family of the Nymphalidae, and is considered to be an endangered species. This endangered species condition is due to the fierce competition for habitat and food with a very common and related butterfly, Pararge Aegeria. (Source) …
Passion Fruit – Maracuja There are about 4 to 500 different sorts of Passiflora (or Passion Fruit) in the family. Some are edible but not all. The most popular is the Passiflora edulis. Its fruits can be eaten fresh or used to make juices, drinks, jams and many different deserts. The passion fruit is born …
Madeira’s Annona cherimola During our Madeira discovery we came across many different fruit varieties. However, one fruit puzzled us: the Annona. Biologist know it as under Annona Cherimola in Latin. Though its more common names are Annona, Cherimoya or Custard Apple. The Portuguese call the green fruit anona. What is a Cherimoya also called Anona …
Madeira Buzzard After writing about Europe’s largest spider living on the Desertas of Madeira Archipelago, we wanted to write about the largest bird found on the island. We are pleased to introduce the Madeira Buzzard to you. The Madeira Buzzard, scientifically known as Buteo Buteo Harterti, is the endemic buzzard of Madeira Archipelago. The Portuguese …
Madeira Archipelago Madeira Archipelago is a sub-tropical group of islands with warm and mild climate, lush forests, beautiful sand and pebble beaches, interesting fauna and flora and food and wine specialties. The Madeira archipelago is also an archipelago of extremes: Largest firework display (Guinness World Record), extreme sports, extreme means of transportation and house to …
History of Madeira Botanical Garden – Funchal Madeira Island is a spectacular and smallish island famed for its balmy climate and for its wonderful and renowned gardens. We already presented the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens (here) in an earlier post. This time we will talk about the Madeira Botanical Garden. The Madeira Botanical Garden (Jardim …
The rainforest destination you’ve been missing out on: Madeira a fertile island off the northwest coast of Africa Cloud Milking Cloud milking, scientifically known as occult precipitation or cloud water is precipitation that cannot be measured with a standard rain gauge. It is, for example, the condensation of mist and fog on foliage. The vegetation …
Curral das Freiras Nuns’ Valley The mountainous interior of Madeira Island is home to Curral das Freiras – Nun’s Valley, a parish belonging to the municipality of Camara de Lobos. It is geographically isolated from other localities by natural cliff, peak and formations. Curral das Freiras was initially only reached with great difficulty. Therefore only …
Madeira Bird – Cory’s shearwater For those of you who have been to Madeira, it is likely that you have heard this strange noise at dusk: Cory’s Shearwater call recorded by Cedric Mroczko No, this bird is not cracking up over your 8PM terrace jokes, exchanged with your friends over a glass of poncha. Similarly, …
Zino’s Petrel Zino’s Petrel (or Pterodroma Madeira) is an endemic seabird of Madeira. Furthermore, Zino’s Petrel is Europe’s most endangered seabird species with only 75 to 80 pairs alive today. It only breeds on Madeira island and nests above 1600m on extremely steep ridges in the central mountain range of the island, thus between Pico …
