THE FLORA OF THE PERUVIAN COAST: SPECIES AND CONSERVATION - ENVIRONMENT - 2025

The flora of the Peruvian coast is one of the most exotic and diverse on planet Earth with approximately 10% exclusive species. These plant species include 128 native genera, both domestic and wild. It is also observed that the flora of the Peruvian coast boasts the greatest amount of multiplicity in cotton in all that is known as South America.

The flora of the Peruvian coast, and the entire territory itself, is also credited with the first place in the world ranking for having among them the largest number of orchid species with around 1,816 known so far.

One of the factors that influence the proliferation of flora on the Peruvian coast is the climate, which is dry without reaching aridity. The coast has an extension of 2,500 kilometers in length, almost one tenth of the country.

It is understood that thanks to its large portion of land that is 500 meters above sea level both in the north, center and south; it includes coastlines, valleys, pampas, deserts, saline depressions, tablazos, estuaries, hills and saline depressions.

Another factor that encourages the variety of species is the proximity of the border with the Pacific Ocean and the foothills of the Peruvian Andes.

Most important flora species of the coast of Peru

Here are some of the most important and common species that can be found on the Peruvian coast, both in its northern, central or southern zone, where the coastline culminates.

1- Algarrobo

While the traditional carob is native to the Middle East, the Peruvian carob is shaped like a large legume tree, like a runner bean plant.

Pods similar to those of other legumes grow from it, from which a syrup called algarrobina can be extracted, which is in great demand in Peruvian gastronomy. It can be found in the Piura region, among dry tropical forests.

2- Huarango

Known by the scientific name Prosopis pallida, the huarango belongs to the carob family. Although this family has spread throughout the world, its qualities have given it a critical role on the continent.

This plant grows along the northern coast of Peru, where it is known for its abundant fruits and highly nutritious seeds that are used to make nougat candy.

3- Suche

It is known as Plumeria Rubra or Flor de Mayo. It grows in the shape of a candelabrum, with a trunk and multiple branches of similar length that support an open canopy. This species grows 0.9 to 5 meters tall and is partially deciduous, losing all of its leaves during long, dry periods.

Its yellow flowers are often used as a herbal remedy. It is one of the most common and well-known ornamental trees grown in the tropics.

4- Ponciana

The llama tree, also known as Royal Ponciana, is a member of the bean family and is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful tropical trees in the world. This tree produces flowers like scarlet and yellow flowers in spring before the leaves emerge.

As the trees mature, they develop broad umbrella-shaped crowns. The leaves resemble ferns and are composed of smaller ones that fold at the beginning of dusk. In addition, the tree produces brown woody seed pods that reach lengths of up to 60 cm. They commonly flourish in dry coastal climates.

5- Fig tree

Called the common fig, it is a deciduous shrub or small tree. It is noted for its spreading habit, attractive foliage, and edible fruit. Old trees have thick gray bark and are used as attractive ornaments. The leaves are large, palmate and hairy; rough dark green above and soft light green below.

The fruit develops within each receptacle, ripening in late summer. In some areas, a smaller harvest may appear in spring times.

6- Ceibo

Its scientific name is Erythrina crista-galli, although it is also called in some parts of the world the Coral Tree. It is a small deciduous tree that grows to 15 to 20 feet tall and wide thanks to its twisted trunk with dark bark. The leaves are composed of 3 green leaflets that have curved spines along the veins on the petioles.

Its flowers are generally scarlet red, sometimes tending to a pink or purple hue with white markings. This species is widespread in South America from Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay, being the national tree in the latter two.

It is also commonly known as a rooster comb tree. This species received the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit in 2012.

7- Salvajina

Source: Albedo-ukr CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)

The scientific name of Salvajina is Tillandsia usneoides, but it is also known as guajaca, Ucar beards and Witch hair (Colombia). It is a plant similar to lichen. They usually grow in areas with a warm climate or with high humidity.

They are plants with a flexible stem, swirling and thin leaves. As it grows, hanging structures are formed that can measure up to 2 meters in length. Among its peculiarities, the Salvajina does not have roots and rarely flowers.

Its distribution is wide, found in countries such as Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador and the United States.

8- Flower of Amancaes

Source: user: Gpinoi CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Its scientific name is Ismene amancaes, it is a type of bulbous plant and it is endemic to Peru. It is common in the cold and wet seasons. It is a natural symbol of the city of Lima.

It is characterized by having white bulbs, green leaves and yellow flowers with green lines inside. It blooms once a year in rocky areas and its life span is a maximum of 4 days. The plant is not very common today and is in danger of extinction.

9- Tara

Source: user Consultaplantas CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Known by its scientific name Caesalpinia spinosa, it is a bushy legume plant. It can reach up to 5 meters in height, its bark is dark gray. Its branches are short with thorns.

Its flowers are yellow with orange tints. Its fruit is a pod with black seeds inside. The testa and aril of the seed are edible, while the endosperm is used to stabilize and emulsify some foods.

10- Toothpick

Source: Carlos Enrique Sánchez Ocharan. National University of San Marcos, Lima, Peru

Its scientific name is Capparis sprucei and it is a species of shrub-like plant with a very showy flower. Its foliage is used for ornamental purposes. Its fruit is an edible berry when its color turns yellow.

It is an endemic plant in some regions of Brazil and Peru. The toothpick is currently a species threatened by the loss of its habitat.

11- Huaranguay

Source: H. Zell CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)

Its scientific name is Tecoma stans and it is a small tree native to Peru. It has a hard wood, green leaves, showy yellow flowers and an elongated fruit that is 7 to 21 centimeters long.

The plant have medicinal properties. It is used to treat diseases such as diabetes, dysentery, and some gastric conditions.

Conservation

At present, at least 800 species of plants and flowers on the Peruvian coast are threatened; not only because of the imminent deforestation, but also because of the climatic phenomena that hit the region from time to time; the phenomenon the child is an example of this.

All this has triggered the alarm of the local authorities, which is why the National Strategy for Biological Diversity of Peru has prioritized some processes to try to conserve the great variety of species in danger of extinction.

Factors such as the loss of natural habitats and species smuggling are taken into account. Proposals such as The Green Alternative of Peru have also been added.

The richness of the endemic Peruvian flora represents a very great challenge for any public or private organization. It is taken into account that the entire coast is protected under the name of sites such as the Historic Sanctuary of Machupicchu, the Abiseo River National Park and the Allpahuayo Mishana National Reserve.

All these parks are creditors of many of the most important species of flora and fauna in their interior. Each park has at its disposal a huge staff made up of park rangers and biologists, who in turn study new ways to protect threatened species.

Themes of interest

Native plants of Peru.

Animals of the Sierra del Peru.

Native animals of Peru.

References

1. The Ecology of Seashores - CRC Press Book. Recovered from crcpress.com.
2. Erythrina crista-galli at San Marcos Growers. Recovered from smgrowers.com.
3. Ceibo - Definition of Ceibo. Recovered from Merriam-Webster.com.
4. Ficus carica - Plant Finder. Recovered from missouribotanicalgarden.org.
5. Flamboyant - Delonix regia. Recovered from eol.org.
6. Plumeria rubra - Useful Tropical Plants. Recovered from tropical.theferns.info.

Peruvian Carob, Algarrobo, Imparts Great Flavor -. Recovered from cuzcoeats.com.