The total of existing species of flora in the national park amounts to 1,451 , of which 994 are cryptogams (447 lichens, 27 lichenicolous fungi, 177 bryophytes and the rest are fungi) and 457 spermatophytes (28 of them are cultivated).

The vascular flora of La Caldera has 4 endemic species endemic to the park (3 of them still to be described), 37 endemic to La Palma, 85 endemic to the Canary Islands and 24 endemic species of Macaronesia. Moreover, there are some endemic genera of the Macaronesia (Aichryson, Argyranthemum, Bencomia, Bystropogon, Monanthes, Pericallis and Schizogyne) and of the Canary Islands (Gonospermum, Greenovia, Spartocytisus, Tinguarra and Todaroa).

The following chart lists the taxa listed as "endangered" (END) and "vulnerable" (VUL), as shown in the Spanish Catalogue of Threatened Species or in the Canary Island Catalogue of Protected Species:

The species are distributed in plant communities, where the pine is the most characteristic vegetal formation of this park.

The Pine Grove

A great part of the national park is covered with a mature and well preserved forest of Canary Island pine, at altitudes between 450 and 2,000 m. Specimens can reach up to 40 m in height and surpass 500 years and they adapted to the water shortage, developing long roots that allow them to get water it in depth. The main characteristic of the Canary Island pine is its resistance to fire, being capable of withstanding the high temperatures due to the protection provided by its thick bark.

The predominant pine grove in La Caldera is dry, accompanied by thickets composed of amagante (Cistus symphytifolius), perennial shrub with showy flowers of pink color, and carpet species such as the corazoncillo (Lotus hillebrandi), an endemism of the island. At the foot of the rocky escarpments, where the humidity is concentrated, you will find the pine grove and the brezo (Erica arborea) and, in the areas of higher altitude, it is surrounded by the codeso (Adenocarpus viscosus), which determines the top of the pine grove.

In areas of lower altitude, where temperatures are milder, the pine grove is combined with the escobón (Spartocytisus filipes), a canary endemism with flowers in bunches, which are very fragrant and whitish.

Rock outcrop vegetation

This is a set of species that live in compact rocks, practically naked and with steep walls, characterized by an adaptation to extreme conditions in terms of the availability of soil and water. The variety and richness of species able to adapt to these conditions is remarkable in La Caldera. You can see bejeques (genera Aeonium and Greenovia), cerrajones (sonchus hierrensis), cabezotes (carlina falcata), tagasastes (chamaecytisus proliferus), pimpinelas (sanguisorba verrucosa), coles de risco (crambe microcarpa), vinagreras (rumex lunaria) and many others that are perfectly preserved, because it is difficult for the herbivorous to reach them.

Vegetation of the summit

In the areas of the summit, with a low level of precipitation and a lot of variation in temperature and relative humidity, where the summer is warm and very dry and the winter leaves ice and snow behind, the species adopt hemispherical shapes and are arranged at ground level, in order to offer less resistance to the wind; others cover the surface with thick cuticles or are covered with hair. Among all species, the codeso (Adenocarpus viscosus) dominates. It is a legume with showy yellow flowers. Less frequently, it is possible to find the retama del Teide (Spartocytisus supranubius). At the same altitude, in rocky escarpments, you can find the cabezón de cumbre (cheirolophus teydis), the alhelí del Teide (erysimun scoparium), the hierba tonática (nepeta teydea), the bencomia de cumbre (bencomia exstipulata) and, in the limits of the park, the tajinaste rojo (echium wildpretii). It should be noted the presence of unique endemic species to La Palma, such as the retamón (genista benehoavensis), the tajinaste azul (echium gentianoides) and the violeta de cumbre (viola palmensis). The flowering of all these species is really spectacular, mainly due to the need to get large amounts of seeds, so that a part of them, at least, can germinate in these extreme conditions.

Plants associated with watercourses

In areas where water is available and flows continuously and abundantly, you can observe typical species of the laurel, such as the faya (morella faya), the brezo (erica arborea), the viñátigo (persea indicates) and the follaos (viburnum rigidum), in addition to ferns as the píjara or helecho de cumbre (woodwardia radicans).

The willow ( Salix canariensis ) is one of the tree species that develops in channels of ravines and springs. It is an indigenous tree, frequent in areas of mist produced by the trade winds and in the channels of the ravines. In the park you can observe a large stain in the vicinities of the camping area and scattered throughout the channels with water. Tasks for the repopulation of the species were carried out above the Playa de Taburiente.

Introduced species

Whether intentionally or on a voluntary basis, in the national park you can see the presence of species such as the rabo de gato (pennisetum setaceum), invasive grass that occupies all the lower parts of the island. It is already possible to find isolated individuals inside La Caldera. In terms of aggressiveness, it is much more important the haragán (ageratina adenophora), which colonized all wetlands of the park.