In late September and early October, 2011, Jane McGary, Diane Whitehead and Don Jones, and Eugene Zielinski made a trip to Chile to observe (and photograph) the flowering desert. This page shows some of the woody flora seen, as well as some cacti. Photographs by Eugene Zielinski.
Trees and Shrubs
Acacia caven is a small tree with nicely scented flowers. It bears some resemblance to Huisache (Acacia farnesiana) of North America. Photographed at Reserva Nacional Las Chinchillas.
Balbisia peduncularis is a common and showy shrub of the flowering desert. The bright yellow flowers sit atop the stiff shrubs and are the size and shape of California Poppies. The first photo shows the flowers and the second photo shows Balbisia growing with a Solanum species. Photographs taken between Huasco and Carrizalillo.
Calceolaria thyrsiflora was frequent in the Los Andes area.
Calliandra chilensis is similar to the North American Calliandra eriophylla. Photographed at Pichasca National Monument.
Euphorbia lactiflua is a shrub with rubbery rather than woody stems. The inflorescences are about 2.5 cm (1 inch) across. Photographed in the Paposo area.
Flourensia thurifera was a common shrub at Reserva Nacional Las Chinchillas.
Fuchsia lycioides, a broad leaved evergreen shrub, photographed at Parque Nacional Fray Jorge.
Jubaea chilensis, the Chilean Wine Palm, is an endangered tree in Chile. This grove was photographed in Parque Nacional La Campana.
Nicotiana solanifolia, a large shrub with green flowers, photographed near Taltal.
Nolanas are an important shrubby component of the flowering desert.
A succulent, shrubby Nolana growing near Copiapo.
A shrubby Nolana near Huasco.
Puya caerulea photographed at Parque Nacional La Campana.
Puya chilensis was common along parts of the coast and interior. This one was photographed at Parque Nacional La Campana.
Cacti
Please note that the identification of these cacti is tentative.
Neoporteria (Eriosyce) chilensis growing near Pichidangui.
Neoporteria (Eriosyce) napina growing between Huasco and Carrizalillo.
Neoporteria (Eriosyce) subgibbosa growing near Pichidangui.
Eulychnia cactus with lichen. Photographed near Taltal.
Tristerix aphyllus is an interesting parasite that lives beneath the epidermis of Eulychnia cacti. The plants periodically break through the epidermis to produce flowers and set fruit. The first picture shows the flowers, and the second picture shows the berries. Photographed at Reserva Nacional Las Chinchillas.
To see other photos from this trip, click on the links below.
Bulbs - Annuals, Perennials, and Subshrubs - Scenery