PUYA RAIMONDII: CHARACTERISTICS, TAXONOMY, HABITAT, USES - BIOLOGY - 2024

Puya raimondii is a perennial plant that is part of the Bromeliaceae family, being the largest species of this taxonomic group. When it is in the inflorescence state it could reach approximately 15 meters high.

It is distributed in the Andean region of Bolivia and Peru. In Bolivia it is located on the plateau of the altiplano. In Peru it lives in the Cordillera Negra, in Punta Winchus, as well as in the mountains of the Cordillera Blanco, within the Huascarán National Park.

Puja raimondii. Source: Wilmer, from Wikimedia Commons

It is known by several local names, such as the queen of the Andes, Raimandu puya and titanka. It lives on the rocky slopes of the mountains, at an altitude between 500 and 4800 meters above sea level.

The flowering of the Puya raimondii is a natural spectacle that occurs when the plant is between 80 and 150 years old. However, specimens found in botanical gardens bloom long ahead of schedule.

This endemic species of the Peruvian and Bolivian Andes is currently in danger of becoming extinct. Among the causes that have caused the population decline are wildfires, the decline in genetic diversity and climate change.

characteristics

Stem

The stem is unbranched and grows erect from a rosette of leaves. Its height is approximately five meters and around 50 to 70 centimeters in diameter.

Leaves

The leaves are green, hard and thin, reaching up to 6 centimeters wide and 2 meters long. On the margins they have spines one centimeter wide.

flowers

This plant is monocarpic, so it dies once it has flowered and produced the seeds. Flowering occurs when the plant is between 80 and 150 years old. However, the few species raised in botanical gardens have reached their flowering stage much earlier.

Such is the case of the queen plant of the Andes found in the botanical garden belonging to the University of California, which flourished at the age of 24. Investigators are interested in investigating this case, as the reasons why it occurred are unknown.

The inflorescence is a panicle that is about 7 meters high, with 30-centimeter branches that grow individually. When Puya raimondii is in full bloom, it could have as many as 20,000 flowers in a three-month period.

The flowers are creamy white, with a total width of 51 millimeters. The petals are 5 to 8 centimeters long and the sepals about 4 centimeters. The anthers have a bright orange hue, which stands out against the light color of the petals. The bracts can be oval or elliptical, with a hairy base.

The plant could produce up to 6 million seeds, but only a small percentage will germinate and a smaller percentage could become a mature plant.

Taxonomy

Kingdom Plantae.

Phylum Tracheophyta.

Class Liliopsida.

Poales Order.

Bromeliaceae family.

Genus Puya

Species

Habitat and distribution

Puya raimondii grows in the Andean region of Bolivia and Peru. This species can be located in three Peruvian regions: Cajamarquilla, Ancash and Katak. However, the site of greatest abundance of this plant in Peru is the Titankayoc forest, where up to 200 thousand specimens can be found.

In Bolivia, it is located between La Paz, to the west, and Potosí, located to the south. The most populated region is located in Rodeo, Araní province.

In that nation, a national park was established for the protection of Puya raimondii, located in the Comanche mountain. It has an expanse of 13,000 feet of rocky and sloping terrain, with highly drained soil. The climate is cold, with temperatures that could reach -20 ° C.

Habitat

It lives on rocky and bushy slopes, between 3000 and 4800 meters of altitude. In this area, snow, hail or rain occur between the months of October and March.

This species seems to be specially adapted to the conditions of the place it inhabits, growing almost exclusively in them. This has caused that the distribution of Puya raimondii could be irregular in the extension of the terrero.

This almost "exclusivity" leads the plant not to grow even in the surrounding areas, with geological and environmental characteristics very similar to the point on the hillside where it grows.

The explanation for the low presence of this plant in humid ravines could be associated with the requirement of excellent soil drainage or its low capacity to compete with other flora in more fertile areas.

Care

It is a plant that, under the right conditions, has low maintenance. It should be grown in fast-draining soils, such as those used to grow cactus plants. In this way, if for any reason there was an excess of irrigation, the land would easily drain the water.

Although this species can withstand freezing temperatures in its natural habitat, if it is protected from severe frosts, it will probably flower much earlier than expected.

Germination

If the intention is to germinate the seeds of Puya raimondii, it would occur more efficiently if they are fresh. To prepare the soil it is advisable to make a mixture of potting soil, coconut fiber and coarse sand.

Containers, small in size and with drainage holes, are filled with this earth. In each pot one or two seeds can be placed on top and then covered with a thin layer of soil. It is necessary to verify that the soil remains moist until the sprouts emerge from the seed.

In the early stages of the seedling, the pot should be kept out of direct sun. However, in the following months it should be gradually exposed to a greater amount of light. Between 10 months and a year, it can already be directly exposed to the sun's rays.

Fertilization can be done weekly, initially being able to use a product that is liquid, since it is easier to absorb. After 6 or 8 weeks it could be changed to a granular type.

Applications

Puya raimondii is used in festivities in the Andean towns where it is located. Traditionally, the villagers consume its pulp and offer it to the inhabitants of the nearby communities.

Currently this species is acquiring a high ornamental value, within the landscaping of gardens and open spaces.

The inhabitants of some regions of Peru dry the central part of the inflorescence, and the powder that results from this procedure is used to flavor food.

In the provinces of Huascarán and Huarochir, the pulp of the inflorescence is roasted and subsequently undergoes a fermentation process. In this way, a drink known as chicha is prepared, which is consumed on special occasions.

In these same Peruvian regions, dried flowers are used as ornaments in the festivities of the «Fiesta de las Cruces», which are celebrated during the month of May.

Dried flowers are part of the diet of some animals, such as the Andean bear, sheep, and cattle. On farms, fences for livestock pens are built from the dried leaves. Roofs and walls are also made for houses.

References

1. Wikipedia (2018). Puja raimondii. Recovered from en.wikipedia.org.
2. Botanical garden at Berkery (2015). The queen of the Andes Puya raimondii. University of California, Retrieved from botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu.
3. ARKIVE (2018). The queen of the Andes Puya raimondii Recovered from arkive.org
4. Lambe, A. (2009). Puja raimondii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Specie. Recovered from iucnredlist.org,
5. Jindriska Vancurová (2014) PUYA RAIMONDII Harms - Queen of the Andes, Queen of the Puna. Botany.cz. Recovered from botany.cz
6. Hornung-Leoni, Claudia, Sosa, Victoria. (2004). Uses in a giant Bromeliad: Puya raimondii. Journal of the Bromeliad Society. ResearchGate. Recovered from researchgate.net.