Col de Risco
Crambe feuilleei
Crambe feuilleei (Col de Risco) is a rare endemic cruciferous plant species found in the Canary Islands, characterized by its distinctive white four-petaled flowers and thick, succulent-like leaves adapted to arid conditions. This perennial herb plays a crucial role in its ecosystem by providing nectar for endemic pollinators and helping stabilize soil in rocky coastal areas.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Helder Santiago, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Helder Santiago
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Order
Brassicales
Family
Brassicaceae
Genus
Crambe
Col de Risco belongs to the family Brassicaceae, order Brassicales, within the Magnoliopsida class.
Species Profile
Crambe feuilleei (Col de Risco) is a rare endemic cruciferous plant species found in the Canary Islands, characterized by its distinctive white four-petaled flowers and thick, succulent-like leaves adapted to arid conditions. This perennial herb plays a crucial role in its ecosystem by providing nectar for endemic pollinators and helping stabilize soil in rocky coastal areas.
Crambe feuilleei is critically endangered due to its extremely restricted range on the remote island of Deserta Grande in the Madeira archipelago, where it faces severe habitat degradation from invasive plant species and historical overgrazing. The species' tiny population size and limited genetic diversity make it highly vulnerable to stochastic events and environmental changes.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Col de Risco inhabits steep volcanic cliff faces and rocky coastal terraces in the Canary Islands, typically growing in crevices and ledges between 50-400 meters elevation. The species thrives in well-drained volcanic soils with high salt tolerance, often in areas exposed to maritime winds and salt spray.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Crambe feuilleei is critically endangered due to its extremely restricted range on the remote island of Deserta Grande in the Madeira archipelago, where it faces severe habitat degradation from invasive plant species and historical overgrazing. The species' tiny population size and limited genetic diversity make it highly vulnerable to stochastic events and environmental changes.
Extremely small population size
Habitat degradation from historical overgrazing
Invasive plant species competition
Limited genetic diversity
Climate change and drought stress
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Col de Risco (Crambe feuilleei). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/col-de-risco