Ornamental Plants
Madeira owes its reputation as the island of flowers to the ornamental flora that has been introduced from all round the world. Pratically all the notable ones grow here. Characteristic levada plants are hydrangeas and African Lily-of-the-valley trees that are often the walkers companion for miles, Bougainvillea, Hibiscus and Bird of Paradise flowers bloom all year round. The latter, also called Parrot flower, has become the botanical symbol of Madeira.
In the airport before your flight home you can quickly buy a bunch of these flowers as a small present, packed carefully in a box for easy transport.
Late autumn brings the Belladonna lily which has been introduced from the Cape of South Africa. Acacias are very decorative which originated in Australia and plunge whole hillsides into a sea of yellow from January to March. At their best in winter you will also see poinsettias, camelias and the Coral tree from Brazil.