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International Flowers & Florists: Ecuador Roses, Gypsophila, Heliconia, Hypericum And Tropical Flowers
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Published: November 30, 2006
The tropically varied climates of Ecuador foster a myriad of plant life forms.
Ecuador is named after the equator, which it borders. Though it is only as large as Nevada, Ecuador houses three different geological regions: the coastal lowlands, mountain highlands and eastern jungle lowlands. Each of these regions hosts a variety of different international flowers.
Compared with the 17,000 species found in North America, there are more than 21,000 species of vascular plants in the country. Plant life is fostered year round by the lack of definitive seasons; wet and dry are the only seasons in Ecuador.
According to Holdridge Life Zones, there are approximately 116 different zones capable of fostering plant life; Ecuador is home to at least 24, making it one of the most species-rich countries in the world. Some species prevalent in Ecuador's fertile soil include roses, Gypsophila, Hypericum, Heliconia, Limonium and Liatris.
There are more than 60 species of roses growing naturally in Ecuador. These include varieties of red, yellow, pink and purple colored blossoms. A fertile breeding ground for different roses, Ecuador's cut flower industry is one of the strongest in the world market. It internationally imports Ecuador flowers to the United States, Canada, Russia and Germany.
Ornamental plants, like Gypsophila, are quickly becoming more prominent international flower exports from Ecuador. Commonly called babies breath, Gypsophila thrives in the full, year round sunlight and rich soil provided by Ecuador's ecosystem.
Another ornamental flower, Hypericum is commonly referred to as St. John's Wort and the Rose of Sharon. Hypericum is known for its large, shady flowers. Some herbalists also note its capabilities as a natural antidepressant.
Grown in Ecuador's tropical region, approximately 30 species of Heliconia flourish in the country's moisture-rich jungles. Also called lobster-claw and false bird-of-paradise, Heliconia flowers pepper the landscape, providing small red and orange floral accents across the wet jungle forming the upper basin of the Amazon jungle.
Limonium, also known as sea lavender, is a feathery bundle of flowers. Each bundle contains hundreds of tiny florets spread throughout multi-branched stems. Typically used as ornamental bouquet fillers, Limonium plants are commonly found along Ecuador's coasts and mangrove salt marshes.
Like Limonium, Liatris is composed of densely-packed tiny florets. Instead of being grown on bushes, Liatris flowers blossom along spiked stems which can grow to be as high as 32 inches. Long and thin, Liatris is grown year round in Ecuador's sprawling fields.
Though Ecuador is a prime ecological breeding ground for thousands of international flower species, several factors threaten the country's biological landscape. The coastal lowlands, for example, used to be heavily forested; however, the region now hosts an abundance of agricultural and shrimp farms. Shrimp farms also threaten the coastal mangrove swamps, which are home to Limonium plants. Oil exploration and population expansion threaten the jungle lowlands.
In an effort to protect the vast and varied landscape, Parks in Peril began funding the Machalilla National Park in 1991. Located on the west coast of Ecuador, Machalilla encompasses 113,000 acres of fog forest, dry forest and coastal scrub. The country's only coral reef and 40 percent of Ecuador's fisheries are protected by the park.
Machalilla's strategy for success includes protecting the landscape, properly training park rangers and teaching farmers sustainable agricultural techniques. With its mission statement focusing on the future of Ecuador's ecosystem, both the country's landscape and its thriving international flower business can look forward to a blossoming future.
Sources:
Esmeralda Farms. 2006. 29 Nov. 2006.
Flowers of Ecuador. 2005. Flora & Fauna. 29 Nov. 2006.
Geography, Climate and Flora & Fauna. 2006. Ecuador Amazing. 29 Nov. 2006.
Machalilla National Park. 2006. Parks in Peril. 29 Nov. 2006.
The Best of Ecuador. 2001. 29 Nov. 2006.
Ecuador is named after the equator, which it borders. Though it is only as large as Nevada, Ecuador houses three different geological regions: the coastal lowlands, mountain highlands and eastern jungle lowlands. Each of these regions hosts a variety of different international flowers.
Related Articles
Compared with the 17,000 species found in North America, there are more than 21,000 species of vascular plants in the country. Plant life is fostered year round by the lack of definitive seasons; wet and dry are the only seasons in Ecuador.
According to Holdridge Life Zones, there are approximately 116 different zones capable of fostering plant life; Ecuador is home to at least 24, making it one of the most species-rich countries in the world. Some species prevalent in Ecuador's fertile soil include roses, Gypsophila, Hypericum, Heliconia, Limonium and Liatris.
There are more than 60 species of roses growing naturally in Ecuador. These include varieties of red, yellow, pink and purple colored blossoms. A fertile breeding ground for different roses, Ecuador's cut flower industry is one of the strongest in the world market. It internationally imports Ecuador flowers to the United States, Canada, Russia and Germany.
Ornamental plants, like Gypsophila, are quickly becoming more prominent international flower exports from Ecuador. Commonly called babies breath, Gypsophila thrives in the full, year round sunlight and rich soil provided by Ecuador's ecosystem.
Another ornamental flower, Hypericum is commonly referred to as St. John's Wort and the Rose of Sharon. Hypericum is known for its large, shady flowers. Some herbalists also note its capabilities as a natural antidepressant.
Grown in Ecuador's tropical region, approximately 30 species of Heliconia flourish in the country's moisture-rich jungles. Also called lobster-claw and false bird-of-paradise, Heliconia flowers pepper the landscape, providing small red and orange floral accents across the wet jungle forming the upper basin of the Amazon jungle.
Limonium, also known as sea lavender, is a feathery bundle of flowers. Each bundle contains hundreds of tiny florets spread throughout multi-branched stems. Typically used as ornamental bouquet fillers, Limonium plants are commonly found along Ecuador's coasts and mangrove salt marshes.
Like Limonium, Liatris is composed of densely-packed tiny florets. Instead of being grown on bushes, Liatris flowers blossom along spiked stems which can grow to be as high as 32 inches. Long and thin, Liatris is grown year round in Ecuador's sprawling fields.
Though Ecuador is a prime ecological breeding ground for thousands of international flower species, several factors threaten the country's biological landscape. The coastal lowlands, for example, used to be heavily forested; however, the region now hosts an abundance of agricultural and shrimp farms. Shrimp farms also threaten the coastal mangrove swamps, which are home to Limonium plants. Oil exploration and population expansion threaten the jungle lowlands.
In an effort to protect the vast and varied landscape, Parks in Peril began funding the Machalilla National Park in 1991. Located on the west coast of Ecuador, Machalilla encompasses 113,000 acres of fog forest, dry forest and coastal scrub. The country's only coral reef and 40 percent of Ecuador's fisheries are protected by the park.
Machalilla's strategy for success includes protecting the landscape, properly training park rangers and teaching farmers sustainable agricultural techniques. With its mission statement focusing on the future of Ecuador's ecosystem, both the country's landscape and its thriving international flower business can look forward to a blossoming future.
Sources:
Esmeralda Farms. 2006. 29 Nov. 2006.
Flowers of Ecuador. 2005. Flora & Fauna. 29 Nov. 2006.
Geography, Climate and Flora & Fauna. 2006. Ecuador Amazing. 29 Nov. 2006.
Machalilla National Park. 2006. Parks in Peril. 29 Nov. 2006.
The Best of Ecuador. 2001. 29 Nov. 2006.
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