Candombá in the Chapada Diamantina, Bahia: the Flower of Fire

Published on May 17, 2016 · Updated on October 15, 2026

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Candombá (Vellozia sincorana) is a flower typical of and endemic to the Campos Rupestres in the Chapada Diamantina National Park, in Bahia. The plant only blooms en masse after controlled burns, which is why its flowers are a rare sight in Chapada Diamantina. The Candombá, which had not bloomed for 17 years, re-emerged in an area burnt in 2015, transforming the landscape. The footage was released in March 2016, and the video can be found below.

What is candombá and where is it practised?

Candombá belongs to the Velloziaceae family, the same as the emu canes, plants typical of rocky grasslands. It is a rosette plant, with an aerial stem and several branches, which grows at altitudes of between approximately 1,040 and 1,200 metres in the Serra do Sincorá, in the Chapada Diamantina. Scientific studies classify it as a threatened species. This species has several characteristics that make it unique and endemic:

Endemism: the Candombá is found exclusively in the rocky outcrops of the Chapada Diamantina, which means it is not found anywhere else in the world.
Dependence on fire: the species depends on fire to flower. In a scientific study, flowering and fruiting began around 40 days after the burn, whilst the botanist interviewed for the report puts the figure at around 30 days.
Adaptations to fire: adventitious roots grow downwards from the dried-out leaf bases, absorbing moisture from mist and rain and helping to protect the stem from the flames. The rosettes regrow around 15 days after the fire.
Irregular flowering: the Candombá does not flower according to a fixed schedule. The 17 years covered by this report correspond to the interval between two fires in that area, rather than to a cycle of the plant.
Abundant nectar: according to the botanist, the flowers produce a large amount of nectar, which attracts pollinators. Studies of other species of Vellozia, carried out in the Serra do Cipó (MG), show that hummingbirds and bees drive the reproduction of these plants.
Ecological importance: as well as its aesthetic value, the Candombá helps to maintain the biodiversity of rocky fields and provides food for pollinators.
Threatened species: its branches are resinous and flammable, and the plant is collected by local residents for use as fuel. Illegal and very frequent burning also puts the species at risk.

Candombá is flourishing once again in the Serra da Larguinha

Candombá has begun to flourish once more on the stumps of burnt trees in an area devastated by a fire in the Serra da Larguinha, between the municipalities of Palmeiras and Lençóis.

Images of the valley of Candombá flowers, which has formed in the area, were captured by photographer Rui Rezende, who was hiking through the Vale do Capão to reach Cachoeira da Fumaça, Brazil’s second-highest waterfall, with a drop of around 340 metres, when he came across this rare sight. “It was a pleasant surprise. We were heading towards Cachoeira da Fumaça from below. Whilst on the trail, I came across that scene on the way up. In nature photography, we’re always coming across stunning scenes. And this time was no different,” he said.

Candombá na Chapada Diamantina

According to the botanist Abel Augusto Conceição of the State University of Feira de Santana (Uefs), the flowers of the Candombá species depend on fire to bloom.

In the last three months of 2015, fires devastated 51,000 hectares in Chapada Diamantina, according to the Bahia Department of the Environment. Of this total, 15,000 hectares affected by the fires are within the National Park, which covers around 152,000 hectares, was established in 1985 and encompasses six municipalities: Andaraí, Ibicoara, Itaetê, Lençóis, Mucugê and Palmeiras.

The fires were only completely extinguished after the rains in January 2016. “This lush and marvellous display of flowers is an extremely rare sight.”

This population of Candombá flourished 17 years ago and has only just begun to flourish again. It depends on fire and only flourishes in the presence of fire. Therefore, if there is no fire, there will be no flowers. […] In the case of Candombá, it flowers 30 days after the fire.

“What’s more, the amount of nectar is incredible,” the expert points out. Throughout his career, the photographer says he has photographed the Chapada Diamantina on numerous occasions, including during the fires caused by human activity the previous year. “The trees burn completely. All that remains is the black stump, and anyone looking at it will be absolutely certain that the tree is dead. It’s a fantastic sight. It’s the work of nature. Man brings the fire, and nature responds with flowers,” he comments.

What science says about candombá and fire

A study published in *Acta Botanica Brasilica monitored, between 2008 and 2010, populations of Vellozia aff. sincorana in the Serra do Sincorá, in the municipality of Palmeiras.

Following a controlled burn on 8 November 2008, the rosettes regrew within about 15 days, and 24 of the 25 individuals monitored (96 per cent) flowered and set fruit about 40 days after the fire. In a population that had not been burnt since 1999, no plants flowered.

The authors also noted that, in 1999 and 2008, mass flowering occurred only in burnt areas. They consider fire to be the main trigger for flowering, although temperature, day length and rainfall may also contribute, and warn that illegal and uncontrolled burning may increase the frequency of fires, cause mortality and threaten the species.

Fire and conservation in the Chapada Diamantina

Fire is a natural part of the ecosystem of the rock fields, but fires caused by humans are a problem for the flora and for tourism. In 2015, the park’s acting director told Agência Brasil that the fires were caused by humans.

Fires remain a challenge: in January 2024, a fire affected around 2,000 hectares in the Capão Valley, in Palmeiras, and was brought under control with the help of rain. To find out more about the region’s vegetation and wildlife, see also the guide on the terrain, fauna and flora of the Chapada Diamantina, the evergreen plants, the orchids and the birds of the Chapada Diamantina.

Where to see candombá in the Chapada Diamantina

The plant grows in the rocky fields high up in the mountains, in areas that are also popular hiking routes.

The study in question monitored populations at two locations in the Serra do Sincorá, in Palmeiras, one of which was near the Cachoeira da Fumaça waterfall.

Mass flowering depends on fires, so it’s impossible to predict when it will happen, but the plant can be seen whilst out walking. To plan your itinerary, see the guides to trekking in Chapada Diamantina, the main towns and villages in the region and the complete guide to Chapada Diamantina. Whilst on the trails, hire a local guide, stay on the paths, do not pick plants and never light fires. Deliberate burning is an environmental offence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Candombá?

The candombá (Vellozia sincorana) is a plant typically found in the rocky grasslands of the Chapada Diamantina, in Bahia. It belongs to the Velloziaceae family, the same as the emu canes, and flowers in profusion following controlled burns.

Where is candombá practised?

It is endemic to the Chapada Diamantina; in other words, it is found only in the rocky grasslands of the region, in the Serra do Sincorá. The populations studied are located in the municipality of Palmeiras, at altitudes of between 1,040 and 1,200 metres.

Why does the candombá only bloom after the fire?

According to research, fire is the main trigger for flowering and fruiting in this species, although temperature, day length and rainfall may also play a part. In one study, the plants flowered around 40 days after the burn. The botanist interviewed for the report puts the figure at around 30 days.

Does candombá flourish every 17 years?

No. The figure 17 comes from the 2016 report, which documented flowering in an area where the plant had not flowered for 17 years – the time that had elapsed since the previous fire at the site. Flowering depends on controlled burning, not on a fixed cycle.

How does candombá survive the fire?

Adventitious roots grow downwards from the dried-out bases of the leaves and help to protect the stem from the heat. After the fire, the rosettes regrow in around 15 days. In the study cited, all 25 burnt individuals survived.

Is the candombá an endangered species?

Scientific studies classify the species as endangered. The branches are resinous and flammable, and the plant is collected by local residents for use as fuel. Frequent illegal burning also increases the risk to the populations.

Can you see the candombá in bloom when you visit the Chapada Diamantina?

The plant can be seen on the trails through the rocky fields, but mass flowering only occurs after fires and there is no set date for this. Take guided tours, stay on the paths and do not pick or burn plants. See the trekking guide.

What is the connection between Candombá and the Chapada Diamantina National Park?

The candombá takes place in the park’s rocky outcrops, a conservation area covering some 152,000 hectares, established in 1985, which encompasses the municipalities of Andaraí, Ibicoara, Itaetê, Lençóis, Mucugê and Palmeiras. Read the complete guide to Chapada Diamantina.

Chapada Diamantina Tourist Guide Source of the original article: Acorda Cidade, 14 March 2016.

Written by Willy Sievert

Editor of Bahia.ws since its founding in 2009. Based in Salvador, he travels frequently across the Northeast and all of Brazil to keep the guides up to date. Learn more about Willy Sievert →