Common name: Cardon de Jandía
Scientific name: Euphorbia handiensis
Status: Species exclusive to the south of Fuerteventura, of limited worldwide distribution reduced to a few ravines in Jandía. Although there are still some relatively large populations, its local endemism and the fragile nature of its habitat mean that this rare plant has been declared vulnerable and is strictly protected. It is forbidden to pull out or collect both specimens and seeds.
Habitat and distribution: Fuerteventura is the only one of the islands in the archipelago that, apart from the Canary cardón, has a second species of cactus-shaped euphorbia: the Jandía cardón, which is exclusive to the island.
How to recognize it: Its smaller size and much longer spines differentiate this plant from the Cardón canario at first sight. It reaches a maximum of between 1 and 1.5 meters in height, although most specimens are much shorter. Some branch from the very base, others develop a main trunk in which the branches appear higher up.
Curiosities: The cardón de Jandía was declared a plant symbol of the island of Fuerteventura by the Government of the Canary Islands in 1991. It is also known as hairy cardon. This species faces a somewhat uncertain future: there are populations in very good condition, with specimens of all ages and good renewal, but in others the death of many individuals has been observed for some years without their being replaced.
