Marcetella moquiniana

This species is endemic to the Canary Islands, and the genus Marcetella is endemic to Macaronesia (Marcetella maderensis is found in Madeira). This large, dioecious shrub can reach up to 4 meters in height, with rough, scaly, reddish bark. It is easily recognizable by the blood-red color of its young shoots and its compound, imparipinnate leaves, with 6-10 pairs of leaflets with serrated edges. These are arranged in a rosette at the ends of the stems. The flowers are borne in inflorescences that emerge from among the leaves; the male flowers are hanging, yellowish-green catkins, and the female flowers are reddish spikes. Its winged fruits are dispersed by the wind (anemochorous dispersal) and germinate readily in the garden.