10 ENDEMIC PLANTS OF ECUADOR - BIOLOGY - 2025

Some of the most outstanding endemic plants of Ecuador are the Dracula vampira, Juglans neotropica, Gentianella longibarbata, Bejaria subsessilis, Cotopaxia asplundii, Polylepis microphylla or Taxilejeunea galapagensis.

Ecuador is one of the twelve megadiverse countries on the planet. That is, it has a great variety of animal and plant species in its territorial extension, which makes this country home to many endemic species.

Endemic species are only found in their country of origin, and nowhere else in the world. Their survival goes hand in hand with the natural conditions of a specific ecosystem.

According to the red book of endemic plants of Ecuador, this country has more than 4500 endemic plants to its credit.

Vampire dracula

Also known as a small dragon orchid. It is found on the wooded slope and slopes of the Pichincha Volcano, in the western Andean mountain range of Ecuador.

This plant has large flowers, with white petals. In addition, it has large leaves that can reach up to 28 centimeters long.

Juglans neotropica

It is commonly known as Ecuadorian walnut. It has a brown bark with reddish tones, and leaves up to 40 centimeters long.

It is a kind of plateau that produces edible fruits from which the Andean nut or tocte nut is derived.

Cotopaxia asplundii

A terrestrial herb in danger of extinction, whose existence is limited to the center and north of the Ecuadorian Andes. It is strongly threatened by the destruction of the habitat in which it develops.

Gentianella longibarbata

Terrestrial herb located in the province of Azuay, more specifically in a small area of ​​the páramo to the northwest of the region.

Bejaria subsessilis

Pinkish flowers located in the province of Loja, south of Ecuador. It is typical of high vegetation areas, and its existence is categorized as "vulnerable".

Polylepis microphylla

It is a bush located exclusively in the Chimborazo volcano, southeast of Ecuador. It is located between 3500 and 3600 meters above sea level.

The threats of extinction are low, given the difficulty of access to the area.

Gentianella jamesonii

Attractive bell-shaped flowers, located on the western slopes of the Atacazo and Pichincha volcanoes, in the western mountain range north of Ecuador.

Its main threat is the expansion of urban areas in the vicinity of Quito, in addition to grazing practices.

Passiflora roseorum

A single population of this species is known, located in the Saraguro forest, south of Ecuador.

This plant is under threat of extinction due to the extensive cultivation practices in the area, in addition to the felling of trees.

Frullania darwinii

It is found in the Galapagos Islands. It is an epiphytic plant; It grows on other plants and uses its structure as a support for its own growth.

It is long and generally hangs over the bark of trees in humid forests.

Taxilejeunea galapagensis

Bryophyte plant that is present in the humid areas of the Galapagos archipelago.

It is generally found on the branches and leaves of coffee and citrus plantations, and on the bark of wet green vegetation.

References

1. Ecuador: a treasure of endemic plants at risk of extinction (2012). London England. Recovered from: bbc.com
2. León-Yánez, S., Valencia, R., Pitman, N., Endara, L., Ulloa, C., and Navarrete, H. (eds.). (2011). Red book of endemic plants of Ecuador, 2nd edition. Publications of the QCA Herbarium, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito.
3. RED LIST Guiding conservation by 50 years. (2017). © International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Recovered from: iucnredlist.org
4. Sousa, G. (2017). Native plants of Ecuador. Recovered from: worldatlas.com
5. Viteri, S., Núñez, A. (2016). Ecuador is home to more than 25 thousand different species of flowers. The Telegraph newspaper. Quito, Ecuador. Recovered from: eltelegrafo.com.ec