Cayambe Coca | Morten Ross

Tag Archives: Cayambe Coca

Odontoglossum sp?

Altitude 2700 metres. Please help me identify it – leave a comment!

Oncidium sp?

Altitude 2700 metres. Please help me identify it – leave a comment!

Racinaea goudae

This is one of the less conspicuous of the bromeliads. Altitude 2700 metres. Native range is Ecuador.

Cyrtochilum sp

Altitude 2700 metres. Please help me identify it – leave a comment!

Telipogon

Altitude 2700 metres. Please help me identify it – leave a comment!

A vital and dominant plant with large leaves that effectively support its growth while suppressing that of the smaller plants in close proximity. Altitude 2700 metres. It is found in Panama to Bolivia.

Erato polymnioides

Thalictrum podocarpum

Altitude 2700 metres. It is found in western South America.

Thalictrum podocarpum

A very “flimsy” and widespread inflorescence where the flowers hang like constant moving bells. Altitude 2700 metres. It is found in western South America.

Liabum sp

Altitude 2700 metres. Please help me identify it – leave a comment!

Liabum sp

Yet another wild flowering plant that should make its way to parks and gardens, as you’re richly rewarded when it’s in bloom. I found it close to the bridge crossing the river Papallacta. Altitude 2700 metres. Please help me identify it – leave a comment!

Common Centaury (Centaurium erythraea)

Altitude 2700 metres. It has a very wide distribution.

Cyrtochilum macranthum

Altitude 2700 metres. It is found in northwestern South America.

Guango Lodge plant 01

Altitude 2700 metres. Please help me identify it – leave a comment!

Shanshi (Coriaria ruscifolia ssp. microphylla)

Grows widespread in high altitudes, and I saw it in all stages from pre-bloom to ripe fruits like here. Looks like licorice, but don’t be fooled! The berries are toxic to cattle and hallucinogenic to humans. Supposedly one of the experiences is the feeling of flying or floating! Better stay firmly on the ground then, […]

Cayambe Coca plant 26 (Rubus sp)

Altitude 3083 metres.

Cayambe Coca plant 26 (Rubus sp)

Altitude 3083 metres.

Salvia scutellarioides

It is found in Colombia to northern Peru. Altitude 3083 metres.

Salvia scutellarioides

Altitude 3083 metres. It is found in Colombia to northern Peru.

Cayambe Coca insect 01

Altitude 3083 metres. Please help me classify it – leave a comment 🙂

Macleania rupestris

This is an epiphytic plant. Altitude 3083 metres. It is found in Nicaragua to Venezuela and Bolivia.

Macleania rupestris

This is an epiphytic plant. Altitude 3083 metres. It is found in Nicaragua to Venezuela and Bolivia.

Cyrtochilum pardinum

Altitude 3083 metres. It is found in northwestern South America.

Cyrtochilum pardinum

Altitude 3083 metres. It is found in northwestern South America.

Bidens andicola

Altitude 3083 metres. It is found in Colombia to northwestern Argentina.

Bidens andicola

Grows widespread at this altitude and should be popular in gardens and parks due to it’s large flower. Altitude 3083 metres. It is found in Colombia to northwestern Argentina.

Red Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia sanguinea)

Looks like a wild mango, but it’s far from it! Altitude 3083 metres. It is found in western South America to northern Chile.

Calceolaria tripartita

One of several very similar of the Calceolaria and grows commonly at this altitude. Altitude 3083 metres. It is native to Mexico to Peru.

Cayambe Coca plant 22 (Rubus sp)

Altitude 3083 metres.

Cayambe Coca plant 22 (Rubus sp)

Yet another species of Rubus! Altitude 3083 metres.

Red Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia sanguinea)

An incredibly large flower which attracts insects in droves, especially small flies inhabit the flower for the duration of its flowering period. I saw most of them had a ring of flies sitting inside. It is a great combination of safety, food and insulation against the elements. Although this is a wild and native plant […]

Hesperomeles obtusifolia

Altitude 3083 metres. It is found in Venezuela to western South America.

Lepidium sp

Altitude 3083 metres

Lepidium sp

Altitude 3083 metres

Field paintbrush (Castilleja arvensis)

The intense and unique red is simply mesmerizing to me, and this specimen was the absolute grandest of them all! Altitude 3083 metres. It is native to Mexico to northern Argentina.

Field paintbrush (Castilleja arvensis)

Altitude 3083 metres. It is native to Mexico to northern Argentina.

Senecio repens

At this altitude many plants have limited heat and energy to produce flowers, and thus all energy is invested in one huge. It seems disproportionate to the rest, as the leaves are so small and seems to have too little surface area to photosynthesize sufficient energy. Altitude 3720 metres. It is native to Colombia, Ecuador […]

Chikku Chikku (Hypochaeris sessiliflora)

Altitude 3720 metres. Bolivia to northewestern Venezuela.

Hesperomeles obtusifolia var. microphylla

Altitude 3720 metres. Its native range is Bolivia to Colombia.

Hesperomeles obtusifolia var. microphylla

Altitude 3720 metres. Its native range is Bolivia to Colombia.

Tristerix longibracteatus

Altitude 3720 metres. Its native range is Colombia to Peru.

Clinopodium nubigenum

Altitude 3720 metres. Its native range is Bolivia to Peru.

Clinopodium nubigenum

Altitude 3720 metres. Its native range is Bolivia to Peru.

Cayambe Coca plant 16

Altitude 3720 metres

Cayambe Coca plant 16

Altitude 3720 metres

Monnina crassifolia

My first encounter with monninas was close to the wall of Mount Roraima in Venezuela, albeit a slender specimen compared to this incredibly vital and beautiful member of the family. Altitude 3720 metres. Native range is Colombia to Peru.

Monnina crassifolia

Altitude 3720 metres. Native range is Colombia to Peru.

Tristerix longibracteatus

A parasitic plant, so the wonderful flowers are possible only due to the nutrients stolen from the host plant! In Europe we have the mistletoe – but no such floral extravaganza! Altitude 3720 metres. Its native range is Colombia to Peru.

Monticalia vaccinioides

Altitude 3720 metres. Its native range is Ecuador to Venezuela.

Monticalia vaccinioides

Altitude 3720 metres. Its native range is Ecuador to Venezuela.

Monnina crassifolia

Altitude 3720 metres. Native range is Colombia to Peru.

Brachyotum jamesonii

Native to Ecuador and Peru and this altitude called Páramo. I saw several individuals on my trip here. Altitude 3720 metres

Hypericum laricifolium

Compared to all the European species of Hypericum this is a very large plant, and I didn’t even see the resemblance. The spiral arrangement of the petals for one, and the leaves and the size for another. Grows commonly at this altidtude. Altitude 3720 metres. Its native range is Peru to Venezuela.

Valeriana microphylla

Leathery, thick, shiny and geometrically arranged leaves. In addition to this, each and every leaf has an artistic burgundy droplet on the tip! Altitude 3720 metres. Its native range is Colombia to Peru.

Valeriana microphylla

Easy to see when in bloom, and when in groups like here. They were in many stages – from almost past blooming to just buds, so they are a source of food for insects for quite some time. Very hard to get a sharp image here, as it was very windy! Altitude 3720 metres. Its […]

Cayambe Coca plant 14 (Asteraceae)

Altitude 3720 metres Please help me identify it – leave a comment!

Cayambe Coca plant 14 (Asteraceae)

Altitude 3720 metres Please help me identify it – leave a comment!

Diplostephium hartwegii

In some locations this plant grows in dense groups, and when in bloom they form equally dense fields of flowers. I was lucky to visit during the flowering season! Altitude 3720 metres. Native range is Colombia and Ecuador.

Diplostephium

Altitude 3720 metres

Diplostephium

Altitude 3720 metres

Nertera granadensis

Common and easy to find when bearing fruits. Altitude 3450 metres. Native range is very wide.

Cayambe Coca plant 12 (Epilobium)

Altitude 3450 metres.

Cayambe Coca plant 11 (Achyrocline)

A dense, soft, sun reflecting and protective layer of white hairs protects against the cold climate at this altitude. With this layer of dense sun reflecting hair, the photosynthesis must be rather inefficient! Altitude 3450 metres.

Cayambe Coca plant 11 (Achyrocline)

An almost white plant! Only the infloresence and flowers are different in color. Altitude 3450 metres.

Phlegmariurus hystrix

One of several species of Lycopodium at this altitude. Looks like spruce! Altitude 3450 metres. Native range is Colombia and Ecuador.

Cayambe Coca plant 09 (Neobartsia)

Altitude 3450 metres.

Baccharis padifolia

Altitude 3450 metres. Native range is Colombia and Ecuador.

Baccharis padifolia

Some places it grows in dense and large groups, so much so that they effectively have overpowered all other species. Altitude 3450 metres. Native range is Colombia and Ecuador.

Gaultheria myrsinoides

Altitude 3450 metres. Native range is Mexico to northwestern Argentina.

Gaultheria myrsinoides

One of very few purple fruits. Altitude 3450 metres. Native range is Mexico to northwestern Argentina.

Deer’s Antlers (Halenia weddelliana )

Looks at first glance like an orchid, but it’s not. It’s common at this altitude. Altitude 3450 metres. Native range is Bolivia to Colombia.

Baccharis genistelloides

Altitude 3500 metres. Native range is Colombia to Chile.

Baccharis genistelloides

Altitude 3500 metres. Native range is Colombia to Chile.

Cayambe Coca plant 06 (Miconia)

Altitude 3450 metres.

Cayambe Coca plant 06 (Miconia)

Altitude 3450 metres.

Barnadesia arborea

The leaves are leathery, pointy, thick and shiny. Native range is Ecuador and Peru. Altitude 3450 metres. Here you see the long spines.

Incan Earring (Brachyotum ledifolium)

The leaves are covered with rather stiff hairs. Altitude 3450 metres. Native range is Colombia to Peru.

Incan Earring (Brachyotum ledifolium)

I found none with open flowers, but the promise is beautiful nonetheless. Altitude 3450 metres. Native range is Colombia to Peru.

Halo (22° Circular Halo)

Altitude 3083 metres. See Atmospheric Optics for more on halo and how it forms.

Barnadesia arborea

This shrub was growing close to the dirt road leading deeper into Cayambe Coca and was growing on private grounds where cows were grazing. Fortunately cows do not find this plant edible – not even the flowers. It could be due to the long spines or simply because it’s just not suited for food. Despite […]

Aetanthus nodosus

Looks edible and tempting – but are they? First of all red here is not ripe – black is! Should I trust black berries from a plant that is parasitic? Then again a parasite might offer chemicals not much different than that of the host. Altitude 3450 metres. Native range is Colombia to Peru.