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Natural Monuments
Monumento Natural La Montaña Centinela
Description
This natural monument forms part of the typical landscape of the south of the island.
It is a Strombolian volcanic cone carpeted by cardón or Canary Island spurge (Euphorbia canariensis) and tabaiba (Euphorbia balsamifera, Euphorbia lamarckii) in a magnificent state of conservation.
Recommended time to visit: After the rains.
Geology
The reddish-coloured cone of Montaña Centinela, its slopes strewn with lava bombs, stands out from the rest of the landscape.
All around you will see deposits of pumice produced by large explosive eruptions that occurred hundreds of thousands of years ago.
Like all the Natural Monuments on the island, this occupies a small area, protected for its uniqueness, beauty, and scientific, cultural and scenic values.
Flora and fauna
The plant life found here is typical of the “cardonal-tabaibal” plant formation. The dominant species is tabaiba dulce or balsam spurge (Euphorbia balsamifera), accompanied by balo (Plocama pendula), salado (Schizogyne sericea) and cardoncillo (Ceropegia dichotoma).
In the abandoned terraces there are species such as tabaiba amarga (Euphorbia lamarckii), jarilla (Helianthemum canariense) and the introduced prickly pear. Cardón or Canary Island spurge (Euphorbia canariensis) grows in the cone of Montaña Centinela, especially on the upper slopes, which are more humid, accompanied by aulaga (Launaea arborescens), leña santa (Neochamaelea pulverulenta), verode (Kleinia neriifolia), cornical (Periploca laevigata) and duraznillo (Ceballosia fruticosa).
Despite the lack of in-depth studies on invertebrates, scientists have already recorded several different species of endemic beetles and millipedes in the area. You may also come across the pimelia tinerfeña, a locally endemic species of darkling beetle, and some molluscs in damper spots, especially near leaks from irrigation pipes.
The most abundant birds are those typically found in arid areas, such as Berthelot’s pipit, blackcaps and spectacled warblers. Kestrels and yellow-legged gulls are also a common sight.
And you will almost certainly spot Tenerife lizards scurrying about in the area.
Technical information sheet
Surface area
132.3 ha (0.06% of the island).
Species of interest
Tabaiba dulce (Euphorbia balsamifera), balo (Plocama pendula), salado (Schizogyne sericea), cardoncillo (Ceropegia dichotoma), tabaiba amarga (Euphorbia lamarckii), jarilla (Helianthemum canariense), cardón or Canary Island spurge (Euphorbia canariensis), aulaga (Launaea arborescens), leña santa (Neochamaelea pulverulenta), verode (Kleinia neriifolia), cornical (Periploca laevigata), duraznillo (Ceballosia fruticosa), pimelia tinerfeña, Berthelot’s pipit, blackcap, spectacled warbler, kestrel, kestrel, yellow-legged gull, Tenerife lizard.
Ecosystems
Cardonal-tabaibal, malpaís, volcanic cone.
Places of interest
Montaña Centinela.
Regulations
To consult permits for use and updated regulations for this Protected Natural Area, visit the official website of the Government of the Canary Islands.
Municipalities
- Arico