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Page 5 - Machu Picchu
Of course, one cannot visit Cusco without also seeing Machu Picchu! One of the wonders of the ancient world, it is a popular destination in Peru, and there are quite a few interesting plants here. At around 8,500' (plus or minus, depending on what part of the area), this climate is wet, cloudy, and frost-free. Not photographed are Also Oreopanax ischnolobus, some small, Geonoma-looking palms, and a medium size treefern in the town of Aguas Calientes.
This proves I was really there... second goofball from the left!
This tree growing in the middle of Machu Picchu looks like a Cercopia species. Of course, not a lot of people think about how when Hiram Bingam found Machu Picchu, it was covered completely in trees and lush rainforest until people cleared it off.
These large bromeliads at Machu Picchu could be an Ochagavia species.
One of three bamboos I saw in this area, and the only one I got a picture of. It is probably a Chusquea species that is not likely to be frost hardy. Of the others, one was a very large, scandent plant draped down a hill for perhaps 200', with small leaves (probably another Chusquea); the other a larger leafed and quite impressive, more upright plant.
Oreocallis grandiflora, not uncommon in the Cusco area. Machu Picchu is actually at the lower and wetter end of its altitude/climate tolerance. A member of the Proteaceae family, it shows an obvious affinity to Embothrium and Telopea. On the western slopes of the Cordillera Blanca, I saw a similar plant to this one, but with paler, white and pink flowers (not pictured).
We ascended a steep trail to the top of the mountain behind Machu Picchu, where I took this set of pictures to make a panorama with my digital camera. The cleared space is Machu Picchu and the road coming up from Aguas Calientes is quite obvious. Had it been a clear day, glacier-clad mountains would be visible in the distance! Given the ruggedness of the terrain here, it's not hard to imagine how Machu Picchu remained undiscovered for so long. Click the picture to enlarge it.
Another interesting Puya, this one formed small rosettes.
A large colony of the above Puya. I also saw one more Puya here, with smooth, green, strap-like leaves (not pictured).
Many interesting ferns grew here, including some Aspleniums (not pictured), and this Blechnum species with red new growth!
After many more adventures, which had nothing to do with plants, it was time to say goodbye to Peru and to the wonderful people and beatiful scenery. ¡Hasta luego niño's! I hope someday I can return to visit! |
