Life on bare lava

Vinagrerilla roja (Rumex vesicarius) / the Canary Island bladderdock is one of the most successful endemic plants for colonising new territory in arid and volcanic areas. The photo was taken on the crater rim of the volcano Montana Bermeja, located at the northernmost edge of the little Canary Island La Graciosa. The volcano is composed of red lapilli which seems to impede any kind of life. But as the photo shows, the bladderdock is actively growing in this apparently hostile environment.