About Rubia agostinhoi Dans. & P.Silva
Rubia agostinhoi produces branched, hairless stems that may be either brushed or smooth, and can reach up to 3 metres (9.8 ft) in length. Its leaves are leathery and dark green, with shapes ranging from narrowly elliptical to linear or oblanceolate. The leaf margins bear very small, slightly revolted spines. Leaves growing on side shoots are shorter and smaller than leaves that develop on the main stem. Flowering stems of this species measure 1–6 centimetres (0.39–2.36 in) long, and they typically produce a large number of flowers. Ripe fruits are 5–10 millimetres (0.20–0.39 in) across, globose in shape, and shiny black in color. This plant occurs on all Azorean islands except for the island of Graciosa. It grows most commonly in ravines, craters, natural forests, and heather bush habitats, and can be found from sea level up to altitudes above 1,000 metres (3,300 ft).
