Canarina canariensis

Canarina canariensis is a species of flowering plant in the bellflower family Campanulaceae, commonly known as the Canary Island bellflower, and known locally as bicácaro.

Description
It is a scrambling herbaceous perennial with glabrous (smooth), glaucous (grey-green) leaves, The leaves are opposite, petiolate, triangular or hastate with dentate margins. Latex is present. There are no stipules. Flowers are axillary, solitary, bell-shaped, 3–6 cm long, orange (darkening when dried). It has a thick tuberous root, from which hollow, scrambling stems about 3 m are produced each year.

The fruit is a large ovate, fleshy berry, orange when ripe, and edible.

The species is bird pollinated by passerine species such as the chiffchaff.

Distribution
Canarina canariensis is endemic to the Canary Islands.
 * Tenerife: Frequent in laurel forests and forest margins, Anaga region, north coast from Orotava to Los Silos 300–1000 m, local in the south of the island.
 * Gran Canaria: Los Tiles de Moya, frequent in the laurel woods, very depleted in other localities near San Mateo, Santa Brigida, Pino Santo, Teror etc.
 * La Palma: Mazo, Los Tilos, Barranco Nogales etc., open areas in laurel forests or forest relicts.
 * La Gomera: Rare in the forest regions.
 * El Hierro: Frontera, las Playas etc.

Cultivation
This species is valued in cultivation for its scrambling habit and attractive deep orange bell flowers. As it does not tolerate temperatures below 0 C, in temperate regions it must be grown under glass. It can be expected to reach 1.5 m in height. In cultivation in the UK it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.