Firstly, it is necessary to make a differentiation between endemic and native plants. Generally, people who do not have a broad knowledge about botany are unaware of some characteristics, and general aspects about plants. In this context, native plants are those that originate from a specific territory, and have populated that place by natural processes (currents, feces of some animals that ingested seeds, wind, water, etc.). However, they can be found in other regions or parts of the world. On the other hand, endemic plants are those that have developed in a specific place or territory through natural processes and, therefore, do not exist nywhere else in a natural way. For example, a native plant of the Galapagos Islands is the species Erythrina velutina that was established in some areas through natural and non-human processes. However, the same species can be found in other regions or countries of South America in a natural way. On the other hand, an example of an endemic plant is the cactus Opuntia echios var. Inermis that can only be found in some areas of our Enchanted Islands Some representative endemic plants of the Galapagos Islands are as follows:
Darwin’s Cotton
Its scientific name is Gossypium darwinii, a cotton plant that can only be found in the Galapagos Islands. Some species of birds use this species of cotton to make their nests such as finches and some small birds. Nowadays, it has come to be known, through scientific studies, that Galapagos cotton has a great similarity with cotton plants of South America. For this reason, it is very
probable that the first seeds arrived at the islands through natural means.
Lava Cactus
Its scientific name is Brachycereus Nesioticus. This endemic cactus of Bartolome Island is characterized by inhabiting lava fields, being the first species to dominate this terrain. It is also known that the lava cactus is the smallest cactus of the Enchanted islands.
All these species of plants can be observed in the excursions organized by the Fragata yacht, all this included in an affordable price. The Fragata Yacht invites you to spend an incredible holiday in our enchanted islands. It will be a huge privilege to have you aboard.
