About Erysimum scoparium (Brouss. ex Willd.) Wettst.
Erysimum scoparium (Brouss. ex Willd.) Wettst. is a small shrubby perennial plant. It has stiff leaves that are linear to slightly pointed. Its flowers grow on upright stems, and darken to a purplish color as they mature. The seed pods, called siliquae, are held more or less erect, and contain brown seeds. One subspecies, E. scoparium subsp. cinereum, is distinguished by its more erect growth habit and longer inflorescences. Some populations from Gran Canaria have broader leaves and dark brown (rather than yellowish brown) seeds; some sources classify these populations as a separate species, E. albescens. Erysimum scoparium is endemic to the Canary Islands. It occurs in montane zones of Tenerife, growing at altitudes of 1600–2200 m in Las Cañadas, and 300–500 m in Valle del Santiago del Teide for the subspecies cinereum. It is also found in mountainous regions of La Palma. If E. albescens is treated as part of E. scoparium, the species' range extends to Gran Canaria, where it grows in dry habitats and pine forest at elevations of 1400–1800 m.
