Canary Flora > Wild species
Justicia hyssopifolia
Justicia hyssopifolia L.
Familia
ACANTHACEAE
Mataprieta
A small, very woody and branched shrub, usually measuring between 1 and
1.5 metres in height. It has somewhat stiff, quadrangular branches that
are light brown in colour.
The leaves are light green to yellowish-green, entire and oblanceolate to ovate-lanceolate in shape. They are arranged oppositely or in whorls.
It produces relatively large, solitary, axillary flowers. These have a creamy-white, two-lipped corolla. Its main flowering season runs from January to June.
It is found mainly in the low-lying and coastal areas of the south and west of Tenerife and La Gomera, forming part of the cardonal-tabaibal communities and associated thermophilic scrublands. It is found from practically sea level up to an altitude of 500 metres, and is particularly abundant in areas such as the Teno Massif on Tenerife.
In the islands’ folk medicine, it has traditionally been believed to possess properties for treating intestinal problems, as well as cardiotonic and antiviral effects.
Distribución: La Gomera, Tenerife.
The leaves are light green to yellowish-green, entire and oblanceolate to ovate-lanceolate in shape. They are arranged oppositely or in whorls.
It produces relatively large, solitary, axillary flowers. These have a creamy-white, two-lipped corolla. Its main flowering season runs from January to June.
It is found mainly in the low-lying and coastal areas of the south and west of Tenerife and La Gomera, forming part of the cardonal-tabaibal communities and associated thermophilic scrublands. It is found from practically sea level up to an altitude of 500 metres, and is particularly abundant in areas such as the Teno Massif on Tenerife.
In the islands’ folk medicine, it has traditionally been believed to possess properties for treating intestinal problems, as well as cardiotonic and antiviral effects.
Distribución: La Gomera, Tenerife.
