Wellswood and the Lincombes were built up by wealthy Victorians who, influenced by their travels around the Mediterranean, built large villas with Italianate features and towers. There are many pine trees, Bay bushes and trees ("Laurus nobilis"), various palm tree species and "Phormiums". Cabbage trees or "Torbay Palms" are a notable feature of the area; the trees were introduced into the area from New Zealand in 1820, and since then have flourished. The vegetation gives Torquay a look of a more exotic climate than its high latitude cool oceanic location.