Podocarpus National Park

 

Localization

South Ecuador between Loja and Zamora, (No. 8 in the map of national parks on Ecuador introducing page)

Access

Easy

Characteristic

1 463 km²; Mountainous area from two spurs of the eastern range of the Andes to the basins of the Nangaritza, Numbala and Loyola rivers (altitude from 1000 to 3600 m) - sparsely settled. Typical ecosystems: mountainous biotopes, lake and river ecosystems (more than 100 lagoons and many waterfalls), cloud forests, mountainous steppe (paramo zone) and mounainous desert. One of a few worldwide places with the biggest biodiversity of plant and animal species. Up to 90 tree species per hectar.

Fauna + Flora

Mammals:

More than 40 mammal species

Marsupials - Shrew Opossums (Caenolestidae): Common Grey Shrew Opossum

Insectivores - Shrews (Soricidae): Ecuadorean Small-eared Shrew (Cryptotis montivaga)

Bats - True Bats (Vespertilionidae): Brazilian Brown Bat; Eastern Red Bat; Black Myotis; Hairy-legged Myotis; Riparian Myotis

- Molossidae: Pallas´s Mastiff Bat

- New World Leaf-nosed Bats (Phyllostomidae): Little Big-eared Bat; Buffy Broad-nosed Bat; White-lined Broad-nosed Bat; Great Fruit-eating Bat; Jamaican Fruit-eating Bat; Pygmy Fruit-eating Bat; Velvety Fruit-eating Bat; Lesser Long-tailed Bat; Carriker's Round-eared Bat; Chestnut Short-tailed Bat; Silky Short-tailed Bat; Tailed Tailless Bat; Tent-making Bat; Brown Tent-making Bat; Vampyre Bat; Big-eared Woolly Bat; Bidentate Yellow-shouldered Bat; Highland Yellow-shouldered Bat; Hairy Yellow-shouldered Bat; Little Yellow-shouldered Bat; Sturnira sorianoi; Vampyressa thyone

- Emballonuridae: Greater Dog-like Bat

Edentata - Armadillos (Dasypodidae): Giant Armadillo

Carnivores - Weasels, Otters, Badgers (Mustelidae): Neotropical River Otter

- Bears (Ursidae): Spectacled Bear

- Dogs (Canidae): Culpeo Fox

- Cats (Felidae): Ocelot; Jaguar; Puma

Odd-toed Ungulates - Tapirs (Tapiridae): Mountain Tapir

Even-toed Ungulates  - Deers (Cervidae): Northern Pudu

Birds:

More than 500 bird species

Tinamiformes - Tinamous (Tinamidae): Andean Tinamou; Grey Tinamou; Little Tinamou; Tataupa Tinamou; Tawny-breasted Tinamou

Anseriformes - Gees, Swans and Ducks (Anatidae): Torrent Duck

Birds of Prey - American Vultures (Cathartidae): American Black Vuture

- Hawks, Eagles, Buzzards, Kites and Old World Vultures (Accipitridae): Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle; Black-and-chestnut Eagle; Black Solitary Eagle; Broad-winged Hawk; Grey-lined Hawk; Harris's Hawk; Plain-breasted Hawk; Red-backed Hawk; Roadside Hawk; Savanna Hawk; White-throated Hawk; Black Hawk-Eagle; Swallow-tailed Kite

- Falcons and Caracaras (Falconidae): Bat Falcon; Barred Forest-Falcon; American Kestrel

Galliformes - Chachalacas, Guans and Curassows (Cracidae): Speckled Chachalaca; Bearded Guan; Crested Guan; Sickle-winged Guan

- Quails (Odontophoridae): Rufous-breasted Wood-Quail; Rufous-fronted Wood-Quail

Gruiformes - Rails, Crakes, Coots and Gallinules (Rallidae): White-throated Crake; Plumbeous Rail

Charadriiformes - Wading Birds (Scolopacidae): Solitary Sandpiper; Imperial Snipe

- Plovers (Charadriidae): Andean Lapwing

Columbiformes - Pigeons and Doves (Columbidae): White-tipped Dove; Band-tailed Pigeon; Plumbeous Pigeon; Rock Pigeon; Ruddy Pigeon; Sapphire Quail-Dove; White-throated Quail-Dove

Psittaciformes - Parrots (Psittacidae): Military Macaw; Barred Parakeet; Golden-plumed Parakeet; Scarlet-fronted Parakeet; White-necked Parakeet; Red-billed Parrot; Red-faced Parrot; Scaly-naped Parrot; Speckle-faced Parrot; White-capped Parrot; Spot-winged Parrotlet

Strigiformes - Owls (Strigidae): Great Horned Owl; Band-bellied Owl; Buff-fronted Owl; Rufous-banded Owl; Andean Pygmy Owl; Cinnamon Screech Owl; Rufescent Screech Owl; Vermiculated Screech Owl; West Peruvian Screech Owl; White-throated Screech Owl; Stygian Owl

Cuculiformes - Cuckoos, Anis, Coucals and Roadrunners (Cuculidae): Groove-billed Ani; Dark-billed Cuckoo; Little Cuckoo; Squirrel Cuckoo; Striped Cuckoo

Opisthocomiformes - Hoatzins (Opisthocomidae):

Goatsuckers - Nightjars (Caprimulgidae): Rufous-bellied Nighthawk; Band-winged Nightjar; Blackish Nightjar; Lyre-tailed Nightjar; Swallow-tailed Nightjar; Common Pauraque

- Oilbirds (Steatornithidae): Oilbird

Apodiformes - Swifts (Apodidae): Chestnut-collared Swift; Grey-rumped Swift; White-collared Swift; White-tipped Swift

- Hummingbirds (Trochilidae): Mountain Avocetbill; Sooty Barbthroat; Black-throated Brilliant; Fawn-breasted Brilliant; Violet-fronted Brilliant; Spangled Coquette; Chestnut-breasted Coronet; Garden Emerald; Glittering-throated Emerald; Black-eared Fairy; Green Hermit; Gray-chinned Hermit; Tawny-bellied Hermit; Amazilia Hummingbird; Speckled Hummingbird; Sword-billed Hummingbird; Violet-headed Hummingbird; Wedge-billed Hummingbird; Bronzy Inca; Collared Inca; Neblina Metaltail; Tyrian Metaltail; Viridian Metaltail; Ecuadorian Piedtail; Black-breasted Puffleg; Emerald-bellied Puffleg; Glowing Puffleg; Greenish Puffleg; Sapphire-vented Puffleg; Great Sapphirewing; White-tipped Sicklebill; Buff-winged Starfrontlet; Rainbow Starfrontlet; Long-billed Starthroat; Amethyst-throated Sunangel; Flame-throated Sunangel; Purple-throated Sunangel; Shining Sunbeam; Long-tailed Sylph; Purple-backed Thornbill; Rainbow-bearded Thornbill; Wire-crested Thorntail; Mountain Velvetbreast; Sparkling Violet-ear; Rufous-vented Whitetip; Fork-tailed Woodnymph; Green-crowned Woodnymph; Purple-collared Woodstar

Trogoniformes - Trogons (Trogonidae): Golden-headed Quetzal; Black-throated Trogon; Collared Trogon; Masked Trogon

Coraciiformes - Motmots (Momotidae): Broad-billed Motmot; Blue-crowned Motmot; Highland Motmot

Galbuliformes - Jacamars (Galbulidae): Coppery-chested Jacamar

- Puffbirds (Bucconidae): Lanceolated Monklet; Black-streaked Puffbird; Striolated Puffbird

Piciformes - Barbets (Capitonidae): Red-headed Barbet

- Toucans (Ramphastidae): Black-billed Mountain Toucan; Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan; Black-mandibled Toucan; Chestnut-mandibled Toucan; Andean Toucanet; Chestnut-tipped Toucanet; Emerald Toucanet

- Woodpeckers, Wrynecks and Piculets (Picidae): Lafresnaye's Piculet; Bar-bellied Woodpecker; Crimson-bellied Woodpecker; Crimson-mantled Woodpecker; Golden-olive Woodpecker; Little Woodpecker; Powerful Woodpecker; Smoky-brown Woodpecker; Yellow-tufted Woodpecker; Yellow-vented Woodpecker

Perching Birds - Woodcreepers (Dendrocolapidae): Greater Scythebill; Red-billed Scythebill; Long-tailed Woodcreeper; Montane Woodcreeper; Olivaceous Woodcreeper; Olive-backed Woodcreeper; Plain-brown Woodcreeper; Strong-billed Woodcreeper; Wedge-billed Woodcreeper; Tyrannine Woodcreeper

- Ovenbirds or Horneros (Furnariidae): Spotted Barbtail; Many-striped Canastero; Bar-winged Cinclodes; Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner; Lineated Foliage-gleaner; Montane Foliage-gleaner; Ruddy Foliage-gleaner; Equatorial Greytail; Pacific Hornero; Tawny-throated Leaftosser; Spectacled Prickletail; Ash-browed Spinetail; Azara's Spinetail; Dark-breasted Spinetail; Dusky Spinetail; Line-cheeked Spinetail; Rufous Spinetail; Lafresnaye's White-browed Spinetail; Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper; Mouse-colored Thistletail; Black-billed Treehunter; Flammulated Treehunter; Striped Treehunter; Pearled Treerunner; Streaked Tuftedcheek; Streaked Xenops

- Antshrikes (Thamnophilidae): Blackish Antbird; Immaculate Antbird; Long-tailed Antbird; Scale-backed Antbird; Chapman's Antshrike; Great Antshrike; Lined Antshrike; Russet Antshrike; Uniform Antshrike; White-spotted Antvireo; Foothill Antwren; Ornate Antwren; Rufous-rumped Antwren; Rufous-winged Antwren; Slaty Antwren; Yellow-breasted Antwren

- Antbirds (Formicariidae): Chestnut-crowned Antpitta; Chestnut-naped Antpitta; Crescent-faced Antpitta; Jocotoco Atpitta (described at 1999!); Peruvian Antpitta; Plain-backed Antpitta; Rufous Antpitta; Slate-crowned Antpitta; Tawny Antpitta; Undulated Antpitta; White-bellied Antpitta; Barred Antthrush; Rufous-breasted Antthrush; Short-tailed Antthrush

- Antpipits and Gnateaters (Conopophagidae): Chestnut-crowned Gnateater

- Cotingas (Cotingidae): Andean Cock-of-the-Rock; Chestnut-bellied Cotinga; Chestnut-crested Cotinga; Red-crested Cotinga; Barred Fruiteater; Black-chested Fruiteater; Green-and-black Fruiteater; Scaled Fruiteater; Dusky Piha; Olivaceous Piha; Amazonian Umbrellabird

- Manakins (Pipridae): Blue-rumped Manakin; Golden-winged Manakin; Wing-barred Piprites

- Tapaculos (Rhinocryptidae):  Ash-colored Tapaculo; Blackish Tapaculo; Chusquea Tapaculo; Ocellated Tapaculo; Paramo Tapaculo; Unicolored Tapaculo; Northern White-crowned Tapaculo

- Tyrants (Tyrannidae): Barred Becard; Chestnut-crowned Becard; Green-backed Becard; Yellow-cheeked Becard; Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant; Spectacled Bristle-Tyrant; Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant; Smoky Bush-Tyrant; Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant; Crowned Chat-Tyrant; Jelski's Chat-Tyrant; Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant; Slaty-backed Chat-Tyrant; White-browed Chat-Tyrant; Yellow-bellied Chat-Tyrant; Foothill Elaenia; Mottle-backed Elaenia; Sierran Elaenia; White-crested Elaenia; Fulvous-breasted Flatbill; Bran-colored Flycatcher; Cinnamon Flycatcher; Cliff Flycatcher; Dusky-capped Flycatcher; Flavescent Flycatcher; Golden-crowned Flycatcher; Lemon-browed Flycatcher; Olive-chested Flycatcher; Olive-sided Flycatcher; Olive-striped Flycatcher; Orange-banded Flycatcher; Orange-crested Flycatcher; Ornate Flycatcher; Pale-edged Flycatcher; Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher; Rufous-breasted Flycatcher; Short-crested Flycatcher; Slaty-capped Flycatcher; Streak-necked Flycatcher; Tawny-breasted Flycatcher; Yellow-olive Flycatcher; White-browed Ground-Tyrant; Tropical Kingbird; Smoke-colored Pewee; Black Phoebe; Bronze-olive Pygmy-Tyrant; Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant; Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant; Tawny-crowned Pygmy-Tyrant; White-throated Spadebill; Yellow-throated Spadebill; Tufted Tit-Tyrant; Black-and-white Tody-Tyrant; Black-throated Tody-Tyrant; Cinnamon-breasted Tody-Tyrant; Rufous-crowned Tody-Tyrant; Ashy-headed Tyrannulet; Black-capped Tyrannulet; Ecuadorian Tyrannulet; Golden-faced Tyrannulet; Sulphur-bellied Tyrannulet; Tawny-rumped Tyrannulet; Torrent Tyrannulet; White-banded Tyrannulet; White-tailed Tyrannulet; White-throated Tyrannulet; Rufous-tailed Tyrant; Western Wood-Pewee

- Swallows and Martins (Hirundinidae): Barn Swallow; Blue-and-white Swallow; Brown-bellied Swallow; Pale-footed Swallow; Southern Rough-winged Swallow; White-banded Swallow

- Crows and Jays (Corvidae): Green Jay; Turquoise Jay

- Thrushes and Chats (Turdidae): Andean Solitaire; Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush; Spotted Nightingale-Thrush; Black-billed Thrush; Chestnut-bellied Thrush; Glossy-black Thrush; Great Thrush; Pale-eyed Thrush; Swainson's Thrush; White-necked Thrush

- Dippers (Cinclidae): White-capped Dipper

- Wrens (Troglodytidae): Black-capped Donacobius; Bar-winged Wood-Wren; Grey-breasted Wood-Wren; White-breasted Wood-Wren; Bay Wren; Chestnut-breasted Wren; Grey-mantled Wren; House Wren; Mountain Wren; Plain-tailed Wren; Rufous Wren; Sepia-brown Wren; Sharpe's Wren; Song Wren; Thrush-like Wren; Whiskered Wren

- Tanagers (Thraupidae): Ashy-throated Bush-Tanager; Common Bush-Tanager; Gray-hooded Bush-Tanager; Yellow-throated Bush-Tanager; Yellow-whiskered Bush-Tanager; Blue-naped Chlorophonia; Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia; Blue-backed Conebill; Capped Conebill; Chestnut-vented Conebill; Cinereous Conebill; Giant Conebill; Black-faced Dacnis; Bronze-green Euphonia; Golden-rumped Euphonia; Orange-bellied Euphonia; Thick-billed Euphonia; Plush-capped Finch; Black-capped Hemispingus; Black-eared Hemispingus; Black-headed Hemispingus; Oleaginous Hemispingus; Superciliaried Hemispingus; Golden-collared Honeycreeper; Purple Honeycreeper; Black-chested Mountain-Tanager; Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager; Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager; Hooded Mountain-Tanager; Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager; Masked Mountain-Tanager; Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager; Bay-headed Tanager; Beryl-spangled Tanager; Black-and-white Tanager; Blue-and-black Tanager; Blue-browed Tanager; Blue-capped Tanager; Blue-gray Tanager; Blue-necked Tanager; Fawn-breasted Tanager; Flame-crested Tanager; Flame-faced Tanager; Golden Tanager; Golden-crowned Tanager; Golden-eared Tanager; Golden-naped Tanager; Grass-green Tanager; Green-and-gold Tanager; Guira Tanager; Magpie Tanager; Metallic-green Tanager; Olive Tanager; Orange-eared Tanager; Palm Tanager; Paradise Tanager; Purplish-mantled Tanager; Red-hooded Tanager; Rufous-chested Tanager; Rufous-crested Tanager; Saffron-crowned Tanager; Silver-backed Tanager; Silver-beaked Tanager; Spotted Tanager; Swallow Tanager; Vermilion Tanager; White-capped Tanager; White-lined Tanager; White-winged Tanager; Yellow-bellied Tanager; Yellow-throated Tanager

- Blackbirds, Orioles and Cowbirds (Icteridae): Mountain Cacique; Scarlet-rumped Cacique; Yellow-billed Cacique; Crested Oropendola; Russet-backed Oropendola

- Cardinals and Grosbeaks (Cardinalidae): Golden-bellied Grosbeak; Slate-colored Grosbeak; Buff-throated Saltator; Greyish Saltator; Masked Saltator

- Vireos (Vireonidae): Olivaceous Greenlet; Rufous-browed Peppershrike; Slaty-capped Shrike-Vireo; Brown-capped Vireo

- Warblers (Parulidae): Tropical Parula; Spectacled Redstart; Slate-throated Redstart; Blackburnian Warbler; Black-crested Warbler; Canada Warbler; Citrine Warbler; Russet-crowned Warbler; Three-banded Warbler; Masked Yellowthroat; Olive-crowned Yellowthroat

- Bananaquits (Coerebidae): Bananaquit

- Buntings, American Sparrows, Juncos, etc. (Emberizidae): Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch; Pale-naped Brush-Finch; Rufous-naped Brush-Finch; Stripe-headed Brush-Finch; Tricolored Brush-Finch; White-winged Brush-Finch; Yellow-breasted Brush-Finch; Olive Finch; Slaty Finch; Black Flower-piercer; Bluish Flower-piercer; Deep-blue Flower-piercer; Glossy Flower-piercer; Masked Flower-piercer; Rusty Flower-piercer; White-sided Flower-piercer; Black-and-white Seedeater; Blue Seedeater; Ash-breasted Sierra-Finch; Orange-billed Sparrow; Rufous-collared Sparrow; Yellow-browed Sparrow; Collared Warbling-Finch

- Finches (Fringillidae): Hooded Siskin; Olivaceous Siskin

Amphibians:

Frogs - Centrolenidae: Cochranella cochranae

Insects:

260 butterfly species and 1200 moths species

 

Plants:

More than 4000 vascular plants species (!!!)

Lycophytes:

Lycopodiales - Lycopodiaceae: Running Ground Pine (Lycopodium clavatum) and Clubmosses (Lycopodium jussiaei, L. lawessonianum, Lycopodiella glaucescens and L. pendulina)

- Huperziaceae: Antilles Clubmoss (Huperzia reflexa) and Clubmosses (Huperzia eversa, H. hippuridea and H. kuesteri)

Ferns:

Cyatheales - Tree Ferns (Cyatheaceae):  Tree Ferns (Cyathea divergens, C. fulva and C. heliophila); Sphaeropteris quindiuensis

- Dicksoniaceae: Diamondleaf Fern (Lophosoria quadripinnata)

Polypodiales - Polypodiaceae: Graceful Fern (Niphidium crasifolium); Lellingera myosuroides; Melpomene assurgens and M. monilifomis; Dwarf Polypody (Grammitis sp.) and Polypody (Polypodium sessilifolium); Strapfern (Campyloneurum sp.); Swordfern (Nephrolepis pendula); Terpsichure asplenifolia

- Dryopteridaceae: Megalastrum biseriale; Tongueferns (Elaphoglossum cuspidatum, E. engelii, E. lingua, E. minutum, E. pala and E. tectum)

- Brake Ferns (Pteridaceae): Eriosorus aureonitens; Brake Fern (Pteris sp.); Goldback Fern (Pityrogramma tartarea); Dixie Silverback Fern (Pityrogramma calomelanos); Jamesonia blepharum, J. scammanae a J. verticalis; Lipfern (Cheilanthes sp.)

- Spleenworts (Asplenidaceae): Creeping Spleenwort (Asplenium serra)

- Maiden Ferns (Thelypteridaceae): Gridscale Maiden Fern (Thelypteris patens) and Maiden Fern (Thelypteris rigescens)

- Dennstaedtiaceae: Batwing Fern (Histiopteris incisa); Bracken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum); Tropical Brackenfern (Pteridium arachnoideum)

- Blechnaceae: Hammock Fern (Blechnum occidentalis); Fragile Midsorus Fern (Blechnum fragile), Ravine Midsorus Fern (Blechnum divergens) and Midsorus Ferns (Blechnum auratum, B. cordatum and B. lima)

Hymenophyllales - Hymenophyllaceae: Filmy Fern (Hymenophyllum plumieri)

Gleicheniales - Gleicheniaceae: Diplopterygium sp.; Forkedfern (Gleichenella pectinata); Umbrella Fern (Sticherus arachnoideus, S. revolutus and S. tomentosus)

Horsetails:

Equisetales - Equisetaceae: Horsetail (Equisetum bogotense)

Conifers:

Podocarpales - Podocarpaceae: Plum Pines (Podocarpus glometatus, P. montanus, P. oleifolius and P. rospiglios)

Dicotyledons:

Laurales - Lauraceae: Aniba sp.; Sweetwood Nectandra sp.

Chloranthales - Chloranthaceae: Hedyosmum racemosum

Ranunculales - Ranunculaceae: Buttercup (Ranunculus sp.)

Aquifoliales - Aquifoliaceae: Holly (Ilex myricoides)

Caryophyllales - Caryophyllaceae: Spreading Sandwort (Arenaria lanuginosa); Starwort (Stellaria sp.); Whitesnow (Drymaria cordata)

- Amaranthaceae: Chamissoa sp.

- Polygonaceae: Maidenhair Vines (Muehlenbeckia tamnifolia and M. tiliifolia)

- Nyctaginaceae: Colignonia scandens

- Cactaceae: Echinopsis pachanoi

Gunnerales - Gunneraceae: Gunnera pilosa

Santalales - Lorantahaceae: Gaiadendron punctatum

Rosales - Rosaceae: Blackberries (Rubus boliviensis and R. peruvianus);  Hesperomeles obtusifolia; plum (Prunus sp.)

- Urticaceae: Clearweed (Pilea sp.); Myriocarpa sp.; Phenax sp.

Oxalidales - Oxalidaceae:  Spiral Sorrel (Oxalis spiralis); Woodsorrel (Oxalis tabaconasensis)

- Cunoniaceae: Weinmannia cochensis, W. elliptica, W. fagaroides, W. glabra, W. jelskii, W. loxensis, W. macrophylla, W. pubescens, W. rollottii and W. sorbifolia

Fabales - Fabaceae: Senna sp.; Swartzia littlei

- Polygalaceae: Monnina arbuscula and M. obtusifolia

Fagales - Betulaceae: Alder (Alnus acuminata)

- Myricaceae: Sweetgale (Myrica pubescens)

Proteales - Proteaceae:  Oreocallis grandiflora

Malpighiales - Malpighiaceae: Heteropteris sp.

- Violaceae: Violets (Viola arguta, V dombeyana and V. stipularis)

- Hypericaceae: Canadian St. John´s-Wort (Hypericum canadense) and St. John´s Worts (Hypericum lancioides and H. sprucei)

- Clusiaceae:  Attorney (Clusia elliptica)

Myrtales - Onagraceae: Peruvian Primrose-Willow (Ludwigia peruviana)

- Melastomataceae: Axinaea macrophylla; Brachyotum benthamianum, B. campanulare, B. johannes-julii and B. rugosum; Graffenrieda sp.; Glorytrees (Tibouchina laxa and T. lepidota); Huberia peruviana; Johnyberries (Miconia cladonia, M. dodsonii, M. imitans, M. ligustrina, M. radula, M. suborbicularis and M. tinifolia); Meriania sanguinea; Monochaetum lineatum

- Combretaceae: Terminalia guyanensis

- Vochysiaceae: Qualea ingens

Apiales - Araliaceae: Hydrocotyle bonplandii, H. humboldtii and H. yanghuangensis; Niphogeton dissecta; Oreopanax sp.

Ericales - Ericaceae: Befarias (Bejaria aestuans and B. resinosa); Blueberries (Vaccinium crenatum and V. floribundum; Cavendishia bracteata; Ceratostema sp.; Disterigma acuminatum, D. alaternoides and D. empetrifolium; Macleania farinosa, M. floribunda and M. rupestris; Oreanthes fragilis and O. hypogaeus; Pernettya prostrata; Snowberries (Gaultheria erecta, G. foliolosa, G. lanigera, G. reticulata, G. strigosa, G. tomentosa and G. vaccinioides); Sphyrospermum cordifolium

- Clethraceae: Clethra fimbriata, C. ovalifolia, C. parallelinervia and C. revoluta 

- Theaceae: Freziera minima

- Symplocaceae: Sweetleaf (Symplocos quitensis)

- Actnidiaceae: Saurauia bullosa, S. harlingii a S. peruviana 

- Myrsinaceae: Cybianthus marginatus and C. pastensis; Leathery Colicwood (Myrsine coriacea; and Colicwood (Myrsine andina); Geissanthus vanderwerffii

Escalloniales - Escalloniaceae: Redclaws (Escallonia micrantha and E. myrtilloides)

Gentianales - Gentianaceae: Macrocarpea ovalis; Symbolanthus macranthus

- Asclepiadaceae: Swallow-Wort (Cynanchum sp.)

- Rubiaceae: Arcytophyllum setosum; Bedstraw (Galium hypocarpium); False Buttonweed (Borreria sp.); Cappels (Palicourea heterocroma and P. stipularis); Chinchona succirubra (national tree of Ecuador - source of chinin); Wild Coffee (Psychotria sp.); Guettarda hirsuta; Makole (Nertera granadensis)

- Apocynaceae: Mandevilla sp.

Lamiales - Mints (Lamiaceae): Clinopodium taxifolium; Pitchersage (Lepechinia mutica); Sage (Salvia sp.)

- Plantaginaceae: Mexican Plantain (Plantago australis)

- Lentibulariaceae: Bladderwort (Utricularia unifolia); Butterwort (Pinguicula calyptrata)

- Scrophulariaceae: Bartsia sp.; Slipper Flowers (Calceolaria microbefaria and C. oxyphylla); Field Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja arvensis); Twintip (Stemodia suffruticosa)

Solanales - Solanaceae: Jessamine (Cestrum sp.); Larnax sachapapa; Nightshade (Solanum confertiseriatum)

Dipsacales - Valerianaceae: Valerians (Valeriana adscendens, V. microphylla and V. plantaginea)

- Sambucaceae: Black Elder (Sambucus nigra)

Cucurbitales - Begoniaceae:  Begonia (Begonia fischeri)

Asterales - Asteraceae: Achyrocline hallii; Austroeupatorium inulaefolium; Baccharis genistelloides, B. jelskii, B. latifolia, B. oblongifolia, B. obtusifolia and B. trinervis; Cronquistianthus niveus; Royal Cudweed (Gnaphalium elegans) and Cudweed (Gnaphalium dombeyanum); Erato polymnioides; American Everlasting (Gamochaeta americana); Gynoxys azuayensis, G. buxifolia and G. cuicochensis; Hawkweeds (Hieracium chilense and H. frigidum); Hempvine (Mikania chimborazensis); Canada Horseweed (Conyza canadensis); Lepidaploa sordidopapposa; Liabum eggersii and L. igniarium; Loricaria thuyoides; Marigold (Tagetes sp.); Munnozia campii, M. hastifolia, M. nivea and M. senecionidis; Oligactis coriacea; Oritrophium peruvianum and O. repens; Pappobolus sp.; Pentacalia sp.; Ragwort (Senecio iscoensis); Snakeroots (Ageratina cutervensis, A. dendroides and A. exsertovenosa); Thoroughwort (Chromolaena leptocephala); Tropical Whiteweed (Ageratum conyzoides)

- Campanulaceae: Centropogon comosus and C. steyermarkii; Siphocampylus humboldtianus and S. scandens

Piperales - Peperomiaceae: Peperomia sp.

Monocotyledons:

Alismatales - Pondweeds (Potamogetonaceae):

- Aroids (Araceae): Flaming Flower (Anthurium andraeanum) and Laceleaf (Anthurium citrifolium)

Liliales - Melanthiaceae: Isidrogalvia falcata

- Smilacaceae: Greenbrier (Smilax benthemiana)

- Alstroemeriaceae: Bomarea brachysepala

Poales - Grasses (Poaceae): Chusquea Bamboos (Chusquea leonardiorum, Ch. neurophylla and Ch. scandens); Crimson Bluestem (Schizachyrium sanguineum) and Bluestem (Andropogon glaucescens); Common Carpetgrass (Axonopus fissifolius) and Carpetgrass (Axonopus compresus); Crowngrass (Paspalum candidum); Dropseed (Sporobolus lasiophyllus); Peruvian Feathergrass (Stipa ichu); Fountaingrass (Pennisetum peruvianum) and Kikuyugrass (Pennisetum clandestinum); Molassesgrass (Melinis minutiflora); Neurolepis elata; Purple Pampas Grass (Cordateria jubata) and Pampas Grass (Cortaderia bifida);  Lax Panicgrass (Panicum laxum) and Panicgrass (Panicum stigmosum); Streambank Rabbitsfoot Grass (Polypogon elongatus); Reedgrasses (Calamagrostis intermedia, C. macrophylla and C. planifolia); Smallcane (Lasiacis sp.); Zeugites mexicana

- Juncaceae:  Toad Rush (Juncus bufonius); Woodrush (Luzula gigantea)

- Cyperaceae: Claybank Beaksedge (Rhynchospora rugosa), Quill Beaksedge (Rhynchospora tenuis) and Beaksedge (Rhynchospora vulcani); Fragrant Flatsedge (Cyperus odoratus) and Flatsedge (Cyperus tabina); Oreobolus goeppingeri; Sedge (Carex sp.)

- Bromeliaceae: Tufted Airplant (Guzmania sp.) and Airplants (Tillandsia complanata and T. narthecioides); Pitcairnia pungens and P. trianae; Puya eryngioides and P. obconica; Racinaea seemannii

- Eriocaulaceae: Paepalanthus ensifolius

- Rapateaceae: Rapatea sp. 

- Xyridaceae: Yelloweyed Grass (Xyris subulata)

Asparagales - Iridaceae: Ennealophus foliosus; Orthrosanthus chimboracensis

- orchids (Orchidaceae): Flor de Llanten (Pleurothalis gelida); Maxillaria sp.; Bonnet Orchids (Pleurothallis acuminata, P. canaligera, P. cordata and P. coriacardia); Dancing-lady Orchids (Oncidium macranthum, O. nubigenum and O. pentadactylon); Leach Orchid (Stelis anceps); Star Orchids (Epidendrum acuminatum, E. avicula, E. excisum, E. fimbriatum, E. macrostachyum, E. orthophyllum and E. rugulosum); Tiger Orchids (Elleanthus amethystinoides, E. aurantiacus, E. maculatus and E. weberbauerianus); Sobralia sp.; Telipogon sp.

Possible activities

Very good conditions for walking or high mountains trekking (even several days trips)

horseback riding.

Note

Best time to visit X-XII

Picture - source wikipedia