Dragon Trees of Roque de las Ánimas

Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Category: Leisure · Subcategory: Singular trees

Roque de Las Ánimas is an impressive geological structure of the dyke-dome type, 375 m high, located on the northeast slope of the hamlet of Taganana, being a major orographic landmark of the area.

Also known as Roque de Enmedio, the name of the Ánimas (Souls) comes from popular legends referring to the presence of strange lights, souls in torment, that occasionally appeared at its summit. Another interpretation given is that it alludes to the number of souls that remained there during the years of orchilla harvesting, a plant from which the coveted purple dye was extracted, which grew abundantly on its steep slopes.  

The roque presents very rich thermophilic vegetation. On its northern face it preserves a considerable group of wild dragon tree ( Dracaena draco ) specimens perched on an almost vertical slope. Some of these specimens have been named (D os brazos, El drago de la directa, Los dragos gemelos, El drago de la mantis, El drago de los nombres …) by climbers who dare to ascend the steep walls of this impressive crag.

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