Flora of the Near North of Chile: A Guide to Native Plants
Flora of the Near North of Chile
Region III and IV
The Near North of Chile, encompassing Region III and IV, is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with scarce winter rainfall and extended periods of drought. The landscape features transverse valleys intersected by towering mountains and glaciers that traverse the Andes to the Pacific Coast. A unique phenomenon known as the Desierto Florido (Flowering Desert) occurs every few years, resulting in a vibrant display of plant and animal life. The Fray Jorge National Park is home to a relict forest area, showcasing the region’s diverse ecosystems.
Cacti
Eulychnia acida (Copao)
Habitat: Region III and IV, from Illapel northwards.
Description: Tree-like cactus reaching 1.5 to 4 meters in height, typically with a single, highly branched trunk. It boasts white flowers with a pink midrib, a green floral tube covered in dark hairs, and edible greenish-yellow fruits adorned with green flakes and hairs.
Copiapoa
This genus is endemic to Chile, featuring numerous species with limited local distribution, making them highly sought after by cactus collectors. Many Copiapoa species are categorized as vulnerable or endangered and require conservation efforts. These cacti generally form large cushions with hundreds of branched heads. The apex of the plant is often covered in wooliness, and they produce soft yellow flowers with a short, broad floral tube.
Copiapoa dealbata var. carrizalensis
Habitat: Carrizal Bajo, Huasco Province, Region III.
Description: Highly branched from the base, forming dense hemispherical cushions up to 2 meters wide. It has a grayish epidermis with a densely felted apex and clear yellow, funnel-shaped flowers. The fruit is rounded.
Copiapoa cinerea var. column alba
Habitat: Region III, north of Chañaral.
Description: Characterized by regularly branching stems, black spines, and yellow flowers. This species is typical of the Pan de Azucar National Park.
Copiapoa hypogaea
Habitat: Coastal hills of Chañaral, Region III. The term “hypogeal” refers to its underground growth habit. This species is categorized as rare and should not be collected.
Description: Solitary or slightly branched body with a gray-green epidermis, often concealed beneath the ground. It grows at or below ground level, with a felt-covered apex and reddish-yellow flowers that bloom for only one day. The fruit is very small.
Echinopsis deserticola fma. spinibarbis
Habitat: Near the coast, from Region II to IV.
Description: Gray-green stem with basal branching and robust spines. The large flowers are located at the apex and covered with white wool, similar to the fruit.
Trees
Prosopis chilensis (Algarrobo)
Habitat: Found between Region II and VI in stony soils of the central valley and mountain range.
Description: Deciduous tree in the south and evergreen in the north, reaching up to 10 meters in height. The branches have strong spines, and the greenish-yellow flowers are arranged in spikes resembling a swab. The fruit is a legume.
Uses: Reforestation of dry and arid areas.
Geoffrea decorticans (Papilonaceas, Chañar)
Habitat: Thrives from Region I to IV in dry, stony environments with full sun exposure, up to 2500 meters in altitude.
Description: Deciduous tree reaching up to 7 meters in height, with bark that peels off in thin strips. It has irregular, tortuous branches ending in thorny twigs. The compound leaves are accompanied by yellow flowers that appear before the leaves in short racemes. The fruit is a fleshy, yellowish to reddish-brown drupe.
Uses: The fruit is used for making jam or syrup, the bark and leaves have applications in folk medicine, and the wood is utilized for handicrafts.
Shrubs
Cordia decandra (Borragináceas, Charcoal)
Habitat: Region III and IV, along the coast and inland up to 1500 meters in altitude.
Description: Shrub or small tree reaching 4 meters in height, covered with short hairs. It has gray bark, a crooked trunk, evergreen leaves, and white flowers in panicles. The cup of the flower is covered with black hairs, giving it a dark appearance when in bud. The fruit is an oval drupe.
Uses: The wood is used in crafts and charcoal production. The roasted seeds are consumed by children.
Fuchsia lycioides (Onagraceas, Palo de Mare)
Habitat: Grows on the coast of Region IV and V.
Description: Shrub ranging from 1 to 2 meters in height, with alternate leaves that fall during the dry season. The flowers are pendulous and range in color from red to fuchsia. The fruit is a dark purple berry.
Uses: The fruits serve as a food source for hummingbirds.
Heliotropium stenophyllum (Borragináceas, Palo black)
Habitat: Found in the littoral zone and inland, from Region IV to the metropolitan region.
Description: Branched shrub with a strong aroma, straight branches, dark green color, and a height of up to 1.5 meters. It has very thick linear leaves and white flowers collected in panicles with a yellow base on the corolla. The fruit consists of 4 coffee-colored nutlets.
Balbisia peduncularis (Ledocarpaceas, Amancay)
Habitat: Coastal region between Region II and IV.
Description: Shrub with upright branches, reaching 0.6 to 1 meter in height. The leaves are opposite or alternate towards the base, and the yellow flowers have long stems and are terminal. The fruit is a capsule with red hair.
Flourensia thurifera (Composite, Wonder Golf)
Habitat: Coastal and central region, from Region IV to VIII.
Description: Shrub ranging from 0.8 to 1.5 meters in height, with alternate, jagged-edged leaves and yellow flowers arranged in chapters. The fruits are compressed achenes.
Uses: Historically used as incense.
Bahia ambrosioides (Composite, Chamiza)
Habitat: Littoral and transverse regions, from Region II to VIII, and in the Juan Fernández Archipelago. This is an abundant species.
Description: Small shrub reaching 0.6 to 0.8 meters in height, with opposite leaves and a tripartite lamina. The flowers are grouped into chapters with a white involucre and a yellow center. The fruit is an achene.
Senna cumingii var. coquimbensis (Caesalpinaceas, Caper)
Habitat: Coastal hills of Region IV, not exceeding 300 meters in elevation.
Description: Shrub with abundant globe-shaped foliage, reaching 0.50 to 1 meter in height. It has compound leaves and flowers grouped in clusters with long orange venation and a dark color. The fruit is a legume.
Junellia selaginoides (Verbenaceae, Verbena)
Habitat: Littoral and interior of Region III and IV.
Description: Shrub with upright branches, reaching 0.60 to 0.80 meters in height. The grayish-green leaves are alternate, hairy, and have a thorn at the tip. The fragrant flowers are grouped in a globe-shaped capitulum and are tubular with a bluish-pink color. The fruit is a nut.
Oxalis gigantea (Oxalidaceas, Churc)
Habitat: Coastal area of Region III and IV.
Description: Fleshy, old bush with trunks reaching 0.8 to 1.20 meters in height. The leaves are grouped in crowded clusters of three leaflets. The flowers are solitary or in groups of 3 to 6, yellow with dark lines. The fruit is a capsule.
Uses: Used as filler in building structures.
Calliandra chilensis (Mimosas, Espino rojo)
Habitat: Coastal and inland areas of Region III and IV.
Description: Highly branched shrub with tortuous, stiff leaves composed on the basis of short spines. The red flowers have very long, prominent stamens. The fruit is a straight pod.
Skytanthus acutus (Apocynaceae, Goat Horn)
Habitat: Sandy areas of Region III and IV, both on the coast and inland.
Description: Shrub reaching 0.5 to 1 meter in height, with somewhat fleshy, pale green leaves. The yellow flowers are clustered at the ends of the branches. The fruit is cylindrical, woody, brown, and curls to resemble a goat’s horn.
Caesalpinia angulata (Cesalpinaceas)
Habitat: Central plains of Region III and IV.
Description: Shrub reaching 0.8 to 1 meter in height, with angular branches that have black glands at their ends. It has compound leaves and yellow flowers with orange petals. The fruit is a flat pod.
Uses: The flowers are believed to have medicinal properties that improve heart rhythm.
Balsamocarpon breviflorum (Cesalpinaceas, Algarrobilla)
Habitat: Coastal and interior of Region III and IV.
Description: Shrub reaching 1 to 2 meters in height, with upright branches and a few small spines. The yellow flowers are located at the end of the branches. The fruit is a legume.
Uses: The fruit was once extensively exploited for its tannins, which were used in black ink production and the tanning industry. It also had applications in folk medicine as an astringent and hemostatic agent, although its use has declined significantly today.
Euphorbia lactiflua (Euphorbiaceae, Dairy)
Habitat: Coastal zone of Region II-III, occupying the same ecological niche as Oxalis gigantea further south.
Description: Shrub reaching 1 to 2.5 meters in height, with thick, fleshy stems containing milky sap. The leaves are sessile and clustered in knots. The flowers are grouped at the apex of the branches and surrounded by yellow-green bracts. The fruit is a rounded capsule.
Uses: Attempts were made to exploit the plant’s milky sap for rubber production. In folk medicine, it is used as a purgative.
Nicotiana solanifolia (Solanaceae, Snuff Spook)
Habitat: Grows in Region II and III.
Description: Shrub reaching 1 to 2 meters in height, with alternate, whole leaves and greenish-yellow, tubular flowers.
Phrodus microphyllus (Solanaceae)
Habitat: Distributed in Region III and IV.
Description: Shrub ranging from 20 to 70 cm in height, with full leaves and yellowish-white, tubular flowers.
Krameria cistoidea (Krameraceae, Pacula)
Habitat: From Region II to the metropolitan area.
Description: Small shrub reaching 30 to 50 cm in height, with solitary, dark pink flowers and alternate, entire, gray leaves.
Uses: Rhatany dye, used in medicine, was extracted from the root of this plant.
Dinemagonum gayanum (Malpighiaceae)
Habitat: Grows in the Third Region of Atacama.
Description: Shrub reaching 1.5 to 2 meters in height, with opposite, entire leaves and yellow flowers in clusters.
Nolana coelestis (Nolanaceas, Sigh)
Habitat: Littoral terrace of Region III and IV.
Description: Sub-shrub reaching 30 to 50 cm in height, with closely spaced, linear leaves. The flowers are terminal on the branches and blue with white markings. The fruit is a nutlet.
Encelia canescens (Composite, Chaplet of the friar)
Habitat: From the coast to 1700 meters in altitude, in Region III and IV.
Description: Subshrub with a woody base and alternate leaves preferentially located at the base of the plant. The flowers are terminal, yellow-orange with a brown interior. The fruit is an achene.
Frankenia chilensis (Franqueniaceas, Salt grass)
Habitat: Near the coast, from Region I to IV.
Description: Subshrub reaching 10 to 20 cm in height, with stems close to the ground, giving it a globe-shaped appearance. The flowers are pink and located at the apex of the twigs. The fruit is a capsule.
Herbaceous Plants
Puya chilensis (Bromeliaceas, Chagual)
Habitat: Coastal and low mountain ranges inland, from Region IV to VIII.
Description: Perennial herb with leaves clustered around a very short stem. The leaves are erect, stiff, and have marginal spines. A vigorous flower stalk emerges from the center of the stem, reaching 3 to 4 meters in height. The inflorescence blooms from the interior to the periphery, with each yellow flower opening in succession.
Uses: Stem pieces are used as floats, while the leaf fibers are used for making ropes and mats.
Puya venusta (Bromeliaceas, Chagual boy)
Habitat: Littoral Region IV.
Description: Perennial herb with a very short stem surrounded by stiff, gray leaves with spiny edges and a pungent apex. The inflorescence is borne on a deep pink stem, and the flowers are purple. The fruit is a capsule. This species grows in rocky areas, forming groups.
Aristolochia chilensis (Aristoloquiaceas, Oreja de zorro)
Habitat: Sunny areas, from Region III to the metropolitan area.
Description: Plant with several trailing stems and broad leaves. The solitary flowers are tubular with a rim that bends outward at the apex. They are purplish-brown and covered with white hairs on the inside. The fruit is a capsule. Insects that enter the flower are unable to escape due to the presence of hairs.
Uses: In folk medicine, it is used for postpartum care.
Loasa tricolor (Loasaceas, Horse-nettle)
Habitat: From Region IV to the metropolitan area.
Description: Annual plant reaching up to 1 meter in height, covered with stinging hairs. The opposite leaves are also covered with stinging hairs. The yellow-petaled flowers have bowed heads and are also hairy. The fruit is a capsule.
Rhodophiala (Amaryllidaceae)
Habitat: Coastal areas of Region III and IV.
Description: Bulbous plant with a hollow stem and a few linear basal leaves. The flowers are arranged in terminal umbels of 3 to 6, funnel-shaped blooms that are either red or yellow. The fruit is a globose capsule.
Leucocoryne (Amaryllidaceae, Huilli)
Habitat: Endemic genus to Chile, with approximately 13 species.
Description: Bulbous plant reaching 30 to 35 cm in height. The leaves are linear and usually dry when the plant flowers. The flowers are gathered in umbels.
Zephyra elegans (Tecofilaceas, Tyrant)
Habitat: Coast of Region I-III.
Description: Plant with a corm, reaching 20 to 60 cm in height, with lance-shaped leaves. The flowers are arranged in terminal panicles and are pale blue or white. The fruit is an ovoid capsule.
Cruckshanksia pumila (Rubiaceae, Rosita)
Habitat: Sandy soils of Region III. Endemic to Chile.
Description: Perennial plant with numerous stems arising from the neck. The leaves are opposite, and the yellow flowers protrude from the leaves. The fruit is a globose capsule.
Argylia radiata (Bignoniaceae, Velvet)
Habitat: Coastal and low ridges between Region II and V.
Description: Perennial plant reaching 30 to 40 cm in height. The flowers are arranged like spokes in a terminal cluster and range in color from yellow to dark red, with a hairy exterior.
Uses: The roots have medicinal properties.
Alstroemeria (Alstroemeriaceas)
Habitat: South American genus, with more than half of the species found in Chile.
Description: Rhizomatous, perennial plants of varying heights. The leaves are lanceolate and twisted. The flowers consist of 6 tepals. The fruit is a capsule.
Alstroemeria graminea
Alstroemeria violacea
Alstroemeria werdermannii var. flavicans
Discovered by the Philippi Foundation, this variety grows on the border between Region III and IV, near the coast in sandy areas.
Alstroemeria kingii
Schizanthus candidus (Solanaceae, moth)
Habitat: Littoral of Region III and IV.
Description: Annual plant reaching 20 to 50 cm in height, covered with glandular hairs. The flowers are bilabiate and white. The fruit is a capsule.
Leontochir ovallei (Alstroemeraceas, Garra de Leon)
Habitat: Restricted area of the coast in Region III.
Description: Herbaceous plant with thick, fleshy stems that lie on the ground. The leaves are oblong and twisted at the base, with a bright green color. The flowers are clustered at the end of the stalk in a bright red, globe-shaped flower head. The fruit is a globose capsule.
Cistanthe longiscapa (Portulacaceae, Pata de guanaco)
Habitat: Coastal and interior of Region III and IV. This species covers vast areas with fuchsia flowers and is a typical sight during the desert bloom.
Description: Annual plant with highly variable size and leaves clustered towards the base of the stem. The flowers are arranged in racemes and are fuchsia-colored, with a red base. The fruit is a capsule.
Uses: The leaves are believed to have medicinal properties for treating bumps and bruises.