Chile - December 2009

[Hans A.]

Thanks Gerd,
to find this large beetle was fascinating, never have seen such a large one before.
You are right the colours are similar to Loasa tricolor but the size and  appearance (and also habitat) are distinct (will post a picture later) - the flower of this one is about triple of the size of L. tricolor and the plant is growing much more upright. The large leaves are marked white - it seems more to be close to Loasa acanthifolia.

[Ragged Robin]

Hans, I would love to go to Chile and see some of these wonderful plants you show by the seaside like the Carex spec. and others too Libertia, Chlorea Crispa, Loasa spec & Jovellana punctata - are any of them scented? Thanks for sharing your trip 

[Hans A.]

Thanks Robin,
sorry I did not check if the those plants were scented - and especially checking if Loasa is could be painful.

Here some more pics.
From coastal area of the eigth Region we went to the east (9th), the area of volcanos and Araucaria araucana. First large Araucarias we saw were Araucaria angustifolia planted on a Cementary.
On the way we some beautiful plant like the giant fern Lophosoria quadripinnata, climber  Bomarea salsilla, shrubby Viola portalesia, another white Chlorea and Buddleja globosa.

[BULBISSIME]

fantastic Chloraea again Hans !
But I think you use a very hard jpeg compression as your pics are lee sharp than usual...

[Hans A.]

Thanks Fred,
 Sorry for the worse quality, used different computer and different program for resizing Hope this are better now.

Volcano Llaima can be seen from far away - on the way we stopped at a waterfall and found some fine plants.

IX - Llaima 
IX - Waterfall 
IX - Hymenophyllum spec. + Luzuriaga radicans
IX -Azara serrata

[BULBISSIME]

Haaaaa !
Much Much better 
and stunning flora !

[fermi de Sousa]

Hi Hans,
great pics!
What is all that purple in the landscape pic?
cheers
fermi

[Hans A.]

Thanks Fred and Fermi!
That purple is Echium plantagineum, one of the many introduced and naturalized european Species.

[fermi de Sousa]

That purple is Echium plantagineum, one of the many introduced and naturalized european Species.

I was about to say that it reminds me of "Patterson's Curse" (or "Salvation Jane") which covers the hillsides around Australia as well! I think it's a different species of Echium but it maybe the same one!
cheers
fermi

[Hans A.]

Seems to be the same species  : http://www.csiro.au/resources/ps29o.html

[arillady]

A bit late Hans but what other plants were growing in the cemeteries - an interest of mine!!!
Sorry to see the dreaded Salvation Jane covering the hillsides like here. Looks pretty but when dry it is a real pest plus it crowds out other plants and is poisonous to stock.