Anagyris latifolia listed as Endangered because its distribution is severely fragmented, with an area of occupancy of less than 80 km². Continuing decline has been identified in the extent and quality of its habitat, number of subpopulations and number of mature individuals. Grazing, predation by rabbits, competition with native and invasive plants and changes in land use are the main factors affecting the species. The total number of mature individuals is 387, and each of the subpopulations has less than 250 mature individuals.

Anagyris latifolia is endemic to the islands of Tenerife, Gran Canaria, La Gomera and La Palma, the Canary Islands, Spain (Mesa et al. 2004), where it can be found between 150 and 1,300 m asl. In Tenerife, there are about 30 subpopulations distributed in the western midlands and the south of the island, Anaga and an area of the coast of Icod. There are three known populations in La Gomera, three in La Palma and four in Gran Canaria. Its area of occupancy is more than 10 km² but less than 80 km². Several locations reported in the past have not been found again. Populations remain in retreats on inaccessible rocks and cliffs (Buord and Lesouëf 2006). Regressive trends have been reported for its distribution range, especially in La Palma and Tenerife (Gobierno de Canarias 2004).

This plant appears distributed into small populations with a reduced number of individuals, sometimes one single individual. A progressive dynamic has been observed in some locations where grazing was stopped, but the majority of populations exhibit very low to zero recruitment, although seedlings have been frequently found (Mesa et al. 2004).

Main populations occur in Tenerife, where 27 subpopulations have been recorded, with a total of 208 individuals. In La Palma, there are three subpopulations, totalling 160 individuals. In La Gomera, three populations are known, totalling nine individuals. In Gran Canaria four subpopulations are known totalling 10 individuals.

The total population is around 387 individuals. Numerous populations that were known in the past are now extinct (Buord and Lesouëf 2006).

The populations count as severely fragmented, as the majority of the known subpopulations correspond to isolated individuals. Apart from that, the populations on Tenerife are very dispersed. Although, the seeds of this plant are dispersed by birds, those birds are moving in a localised and geographically restricted manner, so that a dispersal between populations is unlikely. Urbanisation and agricultural land use in between the populations increases the fragmentation affect.

A. latifolia is a deciduous shrub of up to 3 m height with yellow flowers (Mesa et al. 2004). It is a component of the dry scrub found at low altitudes (Buord and Lesouëf 2006).

Tenerife populations generally develop on salic materials, from the coast (in the northern side) to 1,300 m asl (on slope facing south), always within thickets of Kleinia neriifoliae-Euphorbietea canariensis, especially in the potential distribution area of Junipero canariensis-Oleetum cerasiformis or transition scrublands from Juniperus sp. forest to pine forest (Mesa et al. 2004). In La Gomera it appears within Brachypodio arbusculae-Juniperetum canariensis; in La Palma it is integrated into communities Rhamno crenulatae-Juniperetum canariensi and in Gran Canaria it grows within Pistacia lentisci-Oleetum cerasiformis. Frequent accompanying species include: Rubia fruticosa, Olea europaea ssp. guanchica, Juniperus turbinata ssp. canariensis, Euphorbia obtusifolia, Hypericum canariense and Kleinia neriifolia.

It blooms from mid-autumn to mid-winter. Fruits ripen from January to March and pulses around April and May, which is also the season from which the leaves begin to be lost. It has been observed that the flowers are pollinated by bees (Apis mellifera). It is suspected that dispersal is carried out by birds, even as large as ravens. Seeds viability can last more than four years.

Major threats to the species are grazing and the predation by rabbits which eat young plants and seedlings. Competition with native and invasive plants has negative effects on A. latifolia. Some populations grow near roads and areas of urban or agricultural expansion (Mesa et al. 2004).

Anagyris latifolia is listed as priority species on Annex II of the Habitats Directive and under Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention). It is included as species "En peligro de extinción" in the national catalogue of threatened species and in the regional catalogue of protected species. It is listed as CR B1ab(iii,iv,v) in the Spanish Red List (Moreno 2008).

Some populations occur within protected areas. Part of the populations are located in the Reserva Natural Especial Guelguén (SCI), Parque Rural Anaga (SCI), Parque Natural Corona Forestal (SCI), Paisaje Protegido Siete Lomas, Parque Rural Teno (SCI), Reserva Natural Especial Barranco del Infierno (SCI) and the Parque Rural Majona (SCI). Seeds are stored in the germplasm banks of the E.T.S. de Ingenieros Agrónomos, Jardín Botánico Viera y Clavijo and Viceconsejería de Medio Ambiente (Mesa et al. 2004).

Proposed measures include population reinforcement actions at the most isolated sites and development of habitat restoration programmes.

Seed collection from isolated shrubs is crucial to maintain a relatively large genetic diversity for future reintroduction needs (Buord and Lesouëf 2006).