Is this a painting? Could be a Van Gogh, or a Monet. But this is Mother Nature painting with the colors of afternoon drizzle. The green covers the brown tuff cone that forms the northeastern peninsula of Floreana island: Punta Cormorant. The plants on the slopes of the hill are "holy trees," also known as Palo Santo (Bursera graveolens).
Why "holy?" They usually get their flowers and leaves around Christmas, by the beginning of the rainy season. During the dry season they have a pale gray bark and are completely leafless.
When the tree is injured it exudes a turpentine-smelling resinous sap and its fragrant smoke repels insects. The same species of plant is found along the Ecuadorian coast. Because of its nice scent, the branches are often burned for incense in churches.
Darwin's finches love the little cherry-like fruits. People used to make ink from the lichens that hang from the tree. Today we enjoyed a refreshing walk among them. The air was impregnated with the Palo Santo aroma.
