The flora of Arequipa is very diverse, this department has a large amount of flora in its ecosystem due to the combination of a peculiar geographical area, its soil and altitude.
Arequipa has among its varied plants, some edible such as corn, barley, prickly pear, broad beans, potatoes and tunas. Other notable plants are those that have medicinal properties, among which are the muña and the nettle.
It is important to highlight that in Arequipa the trees have adapted to the aridity of their lands. Some of these trees are carob trees, myrtles and yaros.
There are also some quite characteristic shrubs of this department, some of them are puna straw, cacti and tola. In addition, its valleys are very fertile for agricultural production.
Types of flora in Arequipa
Of all the vast variety of flora, the following species stand out:
The Yareta
This is a plant that can be located in the upper area of Arequipa, approximately 4500 or 5000 meters high.
Yareta is a very strange plant, as it grows in environments where other plants could not exist. This usually grows around rocks like a moss, it is resistant to almost all types of soils.
This plant grows about 1 meter, however growth is slow, reaching that size can take up to 20 years.
Yareta has medicinal properties. Its infused leaves are a good medicine against pneumonia and flowers. Also in infusion, they are used for diabetes.
Queñual
It is a tree that usually grows in tropical Andean forests. These trees have a twisted trunk and can grow up to 15 meters high. Their bark is reddish in color and can measure up to two meters in diameter.
It should be noted that its foliage remains green and its leaves are small. These particular trees can grow at an altitude between 3,600 meters and 4,500 meters.
They are the main source of firewood for the locals.
Carob trees
The carob trees are trees and shrubs, the trees can reach 10 meters, while the bushes do not exceed 3 or 4 meters.
In Arequipa, these trees have a very particular shape in their branches. These are with an ascending shape and other hanging ones, which can touch the ground. Some carob trees have thorns, this in order to protect themselves from predators.
This tree grows very easily, it is also very invasive thanks to its ability to reproduce in two ways. Its seed is very light, which makes its dispersion easier.
In Arequipa they give a very particular use to their wood; They use it to make charcoal, which is used mainly to make their famous grilled chicken.
Aloysia spathulata
It is a shrub approximately one and a half meters high that is characterized as an endemic shrub to Arequipa.
The Aloysia apathulata shrub has a square, smooth stem when young, and with time the stems become rounded. It also has aromatic flowers, which makes the bush recognized by its smell.
References
- Carlos Garayar, MM (2003). Departmental Atlas of Peru: Arequipa. La República newspaper, in co-edition with Peisa.
- Edwin, G. (1971). Flora of Peru, Volume 13. Field Museum of Natural History.
- Gibaja, S. (1998). Natural Pigments. Lima: UNMSM.
- Heim, E. (2014). Flora of Arequipa, Peru: A Field Guide for Nature Lovers. Books On Demand.
- Juhani Ojasti, F. a. (1993). Use of wildlife in Latin America: situation and perspectives for sustainable management. Rome: Food & Agriculture Org.