FLORA OF ICA: MOST RELEVANT CHARACTERISTICS - BIOLOGY - 2024

The flora of Ica, a city in Peru, is not abundant; however, there are many cacti, a vegetation that supports extreme arid climates. The loss of flora is due to deforestation and agricultural fields.

These lands are generally dry and do not offer the ideal conditions for the growth of wild flowers.

Although the diversity of floral species is low in this area, it is not easy to classify the existing plant life.

The nature of the floral life of Ica is quite fragile, since it has been subjected to constant climatic changes and the scarcity of water is increasingly visible.

However, despite the harsh climate, the flora of Ica has exceptional species that have been able to adapt and offer great beauty.

The 7 most representative plants of Ica

1- Bulnesia retama (calato)

This extraordinary plant is able to survive in extreme conditions and withstand high temperatures and winds.

It can survive without rain for many years and its presence plays an important role in the area, since it captures the seeds and generates "fertile islands", offering refuge to small migratory animals.

Its flower is yellow and is shaped like a star. It secretes a lot of nectar, getting insects to visit it. Its petals also serve as food for lizards.

2- Galvezia fruticosa

This shrub is rigid and can measure up to 1.5 meters. It is highly branched, the stem is brown, with a characteristic purple hue in the older parts and greenish in the young ones. Its leaves are small and the flowers are velvety cherry-colored.

It has fruits that provide many seeds, and thanks to these seeds these plants can proliferate and protect the area against desertification and erosion.

This plant is also used in the field of medicine.

3- Jacaranda

The jacaranda is typical in the intertropical and subtropical zones. They can reach up to 30 meters in height.

Its flowers are purple and it has woody fruits of a brown color in the shape of a castanet, where it keeps the seeds.

4- Ñorbo

These small passionflower flowers give off an intense aroma and can be seen on many balconies in the area.

5- Marshmallow

This plant is also used for medicinal purposes and is highly appreciated throughout the world. Its roots are full of beneficial properties and its flowers are pink or whitish.

This plant is also characterized by supporting the saline waters of the coastal areas.

6- Cotton

Cotton from the Peruvian zone is considered one of the best in the world for the textile sector.

The quality and texture offered by this flower is fine and resistant. Its color is white and it is a great source of income in the country.

7- Huarango

The huarango is a tree capable of living a thousand years or more. They are ancient trees with a very peculiar survival method: they collect the mist through the leaves and branches and return it to the ground.

The huarango stimulates the land where it is found, thereby establishing an exceptional microclimate.

References

1. Peru info (2013). Ica - Flora and Fauna, 2017, from Peru Info Website: peruinfo.net
2. Conica (2016). GALVEZIA FRUTICOSA, 2017, from Peru Cónica Website: conservamosica.org
3. Oliver Whaley (2009). Plants of Ica, 2017. Website: kew.org
4. Wikipedia (2012). Cumulopuntia, 2017. Website: es.wikipedia.org
5. Ica (2010). Flora Ica, 2017, by Empresas Ica. Website: ica.com.mx