Madeira, 37 miles in length and 14 miles wide, impressively possesses topographical characteristics of both California’s North and South. Because of its high elevations and peaks, Madeira boasts a sub tropic climate such as that of Northern California. In fact, the Du-Cane’s describle Madeira’s 6000 foot peaks as a “miniature” landscape, and similar to the “grandeur to that of the Yosemite Valley.”

Meanwhile, Madeira’s proximity to Africa lends a dry climate similar to Southern California’s arid landscape. And while we suffer the Santa Anas, Madeira, like its southern European neighbors, bears the “Leste,” a hot south Eastern wind blowing from the Sahara. It’s no wonder we have so many of the same plant varieties, to wit, the Datoura (and deadly!) trumpets; the ethereal Jacaranda buds that carpet our streets in June; December’s holiday-ish Flamboyants, better known as Poinsettias; the ever charismatic Purple Bougainvillea “creeper” that subsumes our porticos. And for a brief period each Spring, the brave and the bold purplish-blue Pride of Madeira.

http://www.malibutimes.com/blogs/article_36f0ce20-b5aa-11e2-a100-0019bb2963f4.html