Argentina & Chile -- November 2008 -- Day 12-- JuJuy to Cachi --350km

[David_L]

As Mike noted there were several species of Bromeliad here . This is one in flower. Perhaps somebody can put a name to it?
[attachment 21015 bromeliad_flower.jpg]

[David_L]

There was also this rather nice butterfly.
[attachment 21016 butterfly.jpg]

[David_L]

Just up the road we made an unscheduled stop to admire some impressive Trichocerei at the roadside. I have this down as Trichocereus terscheckii.
[attachment 21017 Trichocereus_-terscheckii.jpg]

[David_L]

A close up of the very attractive flower.
[attachment 21018 Trichocereus_-terscheckii2.jpg]

[David_L]

One of the columns sported an ovenbirds's nest perched on the top like a wig.
[attachment 21019 Trich_terscheckii_ovenbird.jpg]

[David_L]

Fortunately we looked down as well as up at this site as well concealed in the dry grass were some very nice plants of Echinopsis ancistrophora.

[attachment 21020 Echinopsis_ancistrophora.jpg]

[David_L]

A particularly nicely spined example.

[attachment 21021 Echinopsis_ancistrophora2.jpg]

[Paul in Essex]

I am loving this travelogue. Thank you so much for posting it all.

The little abromeitiella (or are they all deuterochonia now?) in the pic with the opuntia - did you by any chance take a wider shot of the habitat or, if not, can you describe it? Flat? Cliff face?

[Mike P]

Paul
The plant with the Opuntia was a mystery to me until now. Thanks for that. They were growing at the base of the cliff in the accumulated leaf litter, moss etc. I may have a context shot and will check later.
Mike

[David_L]

I think it may have been the same as this plant which was widespread in a variety of cliff habitats.

[attachment 21036 bromeliad2.jpg]