The region that includes the Amazons in the South American continent is a very rich ecosystem, since in it you can find all kinds of animals, minerals and indigenous communities. However, one of the elements that stand out the most are the plants of the Amazon and in this article, you will learn everything about them. We invite you to continue reading.
Amazon plants
The plants of the Amazon show great diversity and adaptability, allowing them to create an ecosystem as unique as the jungle that houses them. Leading scientific institutions report that a mere four square mile area contains more than 1.500 floral species and 750 tree species. While these figures may seem significant, they represent only a fraction of the true picture. In the following points, we will discuss some plants found here:
river plants
The variety of plants found in Amazon rivers ranges from aquatic ones with inconspicuous flowers to floating rafts of grasses and climbing epiphytic vines. Examples of these grasses include aquatic species of Paspalum and semi-aquatic bamboos (Bambusa spp.) that grow along river banks. Aquatic flowering plants in Amazon rivers include Echinodorus species, such as the broadleaf dwarf Amazon sword plant (Echinodorus quadricostatus), which prefer the dark conditions of blackwater rivers.
On the other hand, you can also highlight plants from the Amazon with flowers, such as the precious and delicate Water Star Grass (Heteranthera zosterifolia), the water flower (Myriophyllum elatinoides), with its feathery spirals, and the Amazon grass ( Lilaeopsis brasiliensis), which, despite its name, is not actually an herb. And even, one should not forget to mention one of the main protagonists of the plants located in the Amazon rivers, which is the Amazon Victoria.
Poisonous Plants
While the indigenous people are familiar with certain plants and have been using them for shamanic and medicinal purposes, some of the plants in the Amazon are poisonous and potentially fatal if consumed incorrectly or consumed. One of them is the Strychnos, which has oval leaves, green flowers that have an unpleasant smell and red fruits the size of an apple. The plant is best known for its use in creating poisonous arrows that can seriously injure a human.
Other Amazon plants in this category are angel trumpets. It is a flower that is found and cultivated throughout the world, and some species are native to the Amazon rainforest. Jungle varieties are known to be used by shamans or healers. The flowers can cause certain visions or hallucinations in those who ingest them. Also, the poison in the plant comes from the alkaloids found in the flower and can be fatal to humans in large amounts.
Amazon plants in danger
Exactly how many plants are endangered in the Amazon rainforest is unknown, but it's safe to say that many of them are on the fringes. One of these plants are orchids, in which all their species are threatened with extinction. Another plant that can be mentioned is the rafflesia, which is very rare to find and whose mushroom-like shape makes it unique. There are other types of flora at risk, such as: ceiba, flower of the Ecuadorian jungle, bromeliad, among others.
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