| Yareta | |
|---|---|
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| inLauca National Park,Chile | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Apiaceae |
| Genus: | Azorella |
| Species: | A. compacta |
| Binomial name | |
| Azorella compacta | |
Yareta orllareta (Azorella compacta, known historically asAzorella yareta, fromyarita in theQuechua language) is a velvety, chartreusecushion plant in the familyApiaceae which is native toSouth America. It grows in thePuna grasslands of theAndes inPeru,Bolivia, northernChile and westernArgentina at altitudes between 3,200 and 5,250 metres (10,500 and 17,220 ft).[1][2]
Yareta is anevergreen perennial with a low, mat-like shape and hemispherical growth form that grows to around 6 m (20 ft) in diameter.[3] Theself-fertile, pink or lavender flowers arehermaphroditic and are primarily pollinated by small flies in the order Diptera, as well as a variety of other small insect species, including bees, wasps, and moths.[4]
The plant prefers sandy, well-drained soils. It can grow in nutritionally poor soils that are acidic, neutral or basic (alkaline) at altitudes of up to 5,200 metres (17,100 ft).[2] Yareta is well-adapted to highinsolation rates typical of the Andes highlands and cannot grow in shade. The plant's leaves grow into an extremely compact, dense mat that reduces heat and water loss.[5] This mat grows near the ground where air temperature is one or two degrees Celsius higher than the mean air temperature. This temperature difference is a result of the longwave radiation re-radiated by the soil surface, which is usually dark gray to black in the Puna.[5]
Yareta is estimated to grow approximately 1.5 centimetres (0.59 in) per year.[2] Many yaretas are estimated to be over 3,000 years old.[6] These oldest ones have been reported to grow as slowly as1⁄18 inch (1.4 millimeters) per year.[7] Its very slow growth makes the traditional practice of harvesting it for fuel highly unsustainable.[8]
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Media related toAzorella compacta at Wikimedia Commons