EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

Each week a different image of our fascinating environment is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional ecologist.

13-19 December 2010

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Obscure Plant of the High Andes

Moschopsis subandina (no common name; sometimes Gamocarpha subandina), Family Calyceraceae
Andes Mountains, Argentina

Credit & Copyright: Dr. Bruce G. Marcot

Explanation:   This geometric little perennial occurs at ground level in the high elevations of the Andes Mountains of South America, above treeline.  

There is little information provided on the ecology and biology of this species, other than it occurs with an array of other alpine plants.   

I encountered this species on the ridges of the treeless alpine expanse of the high Andes just west of Bariloche, Argentina.  

 

Information:
     Ferreyra, M., A. Cingolani, C. Ezcurra, and D. Bran.  1998.  High-Andean vegetation and environmental gradients in northwestern Patagonia, Argentina.  Journal of Vegetation Science 9:307-316.

    

Next week's picture:  Ice on the Lake, Otters at Play

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