In danger of extinction in Chile

In danger of extinction in Chile

By Dr. Kyle Muller

Plants are living beings that, like animals, depend on environmental conditions to develop and reproduce. However, these present the peculiarity of not being able to escape before the threat of some danger to their survival and, when there is sufficient pressure to increase the probability that there is no specimen of the species on the planet, we speak of endangered species. For centuries, the landscapes of Chile have suffered great pressures of anthropic origin, by the hand of the human being, such as over-passing, the fragmentation of the landscape due to the intrusion of urban land, climate change, large forest fires and replacement of the native flora of Chile of high ecological value for another exotic. All this has encouraged that today there are more than 10 endangered species in the country and more than 20 in a vulnerable state of conservation.

If you wondered what species of flora are in danger of extinction in Chile, stay reading this ecology article, since here you will discover +40 plants in danger of extinction in Chilesome of its morphological characteristics and the causes of their threats.

Avellanita (Avellanita Bustillosii)

Chile’s endemic bush and belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae. It is typical of Mediterranean climate areas of the Cordillera on the coast of the regions of Valparaรญso, Metropolitana and O’Higgins. It can reach 2-3 meters high and is a monoic species, where female flowers are separated from male flowers, but both present on the same shrub. The foliage of The Avellanita (Avellanita Bustillosi)It is not dense and the arrangement of the leaves is at the end of the branches. It is one of the Chilean threatened plantssince there are few specimens and is especially threatened by the typical forest fires of the Mediterranean climate regions.

In danger of extinction in Chile - Avellanita (Avellanita Bustillosii)

Image: Pinterest

South Belloto (Beilschmiedia Berteroana)

This Chile native tree And similar to laurel is found in the Chilean drylands of O’Higgins, Maule and Biobรญo and concentrate 23% of the threatened plants of this country. It is a species whose ideal light conditions are shadow. Currently, the South Belloto (Beilschmiedia Berteroana) It is severely affected by human influence and it is estimated that there are 8 subpopulations of no more than 2,000 individuals in total.

In danger of extinction in Chile - Belloto del Sur (Beilschmiedia Berteroana)

Dalea (Azurea Dalea)

In addition to in danger of extinctionthis species is cataloged as weird for being present in a single region of Chile (Antofagasta on the southern coast) and, in addition, for having few individuals. The Dalea (Dalea Azurea) It consists of a series of branches that grow at ground level and rise at the end. Its flowers grow in spike and have blue and white and the fruit is a legume with a seed. The threats suffered by this plant are grazing, as well as extreme rainfall events.

In danger of extinction in Chile - Dalea (Azurea Dalea)

Image: Chilean Endemics

Lucumillo (Myrcianthes coquimbensis)

It is an endemic species of Chile that inhabits Elqui’s rocky coast. The plant Lucumillo or myrtle (Myrcianthes coquimbensis) It is, in fact, a shrub that has the glass with rounded and dense shape, which can measure up to 1.5 meters. It is found threatened Because it is present in areas of great urban and industrial pressure and by tourist expansion, factors that are linked.

In danger of extinction in Chile - Lucumillo (Myrcianthes coquimbensis)

Image: Pinterest

Woolly metharma (put me lanata)

He woolly metharma (Get me Lanata) It is a deciduous subarbust and its small size does not exceed 10 cm high and 15 cm in diameter. Inhabits the precordillera regions of Arica and Parinacota and Tarapacรก. It grows in sandy areas, of high altitude and its regrowth is favored when abundant rains occur.

In danger of extinction in Chile - Metarma Lanosa (Metharme Lanata)

Image: Flickr

Michay de Aposa (Berberis coast)

Another of the native plants in danger of extinction in Chile It is this endemic bush of the northern part of the country, in the vicinity of the paposo. Those of Michay de Aposa (Berberis coast) leaves are oval, hard, dark green and thorny edge. The flowers are yellow in the form of a cluster and the fruits are greenish blue berries. Problems for conservation are due to grazing activities and their use for firewood.

In danger of extinction in Chile - Michay de Aposa (Berberis coast)

Michay Rojo (Berberidopsis Corallina)

He Pilfuco or Michay red voqui (Berberidopsis Corallina) It is a climbing bush that can reach 5 meters high. Its distribution is restricted to the area of โ€‹โ€‹the Cordillera de la Costa in Chile. Its leaves are perennial, the most ideal light conditions for this plant are generally gloomy and is usually found close to water courses.

It is found in danger of extinction Because the habitat in which it is, Native coastal forest in the mountain range indicated above, has been reduced due to the enormous destruction caused by the expansion of livestock and commercial plantations of eucalyptus and distinguishing pine.

In danger of extinction in Chile - Michay Rojo (Berberidopsis Corallina)

Pitao (Pitavia punctata)

He Pitao, Pitrรกn or Canelillo (Pitavia punctata) it’s a endemic tree in danger of extinction that inhabits the regions of Maule, Biobรญo and La Araucania today. It has a dense foliage, the ash gray cortex can measure 15 meters and the leaves are aromatic. Its main threats are the fragmentation of its habitat due to forest fires and the replacement of the native forest with forest plantations.

In danger of extinction in Chile - Pitao (Pitavia punctata)

Queule (Gomorta Keule)

He Queule (Gomorta Keule) It is one of the threatened Chilean trees in the country currently in the regions of Maule and Biobรญo. It is an evergreen species that can measure 15 meters high. Its fruits are large yellow drupas up to 6 cm long. It is normally surrounded by eucalyptus and pine plantations, which hinders the dispersion of its seeds, in addition to suffering the threat of uncontrolled deforestation.

In danger of extinction in Chile - Queule (Gomorta Keule)

Image: Maulee

Ruil (Nothofagus Alessandrii)

Another of the trees of the Native Flora of Chile It is the Ruil. Endemic of the coast of the Maule region, this clear green leaves can reach heights of 30 meters. It is a monoic species, of pale green flowers. The main threat that is found in Danger situation of extinction They are short for firewood and coal and the invasion of Pinus Radiata In the forests of RUIL (Nothofagus Alessandrii). Currently, 12% of the total population of this tree is protected in the Los Ruiles National Reserve (Maule Region).

In danger of extinction in Chile - Ruil (Nothofagus Alessandrii)

Other plants in danger of extinction in Chile

Next, they are indicated other plants that are at risk of becoming in danger of extinction in the near future if the threats to which they are exposed persist.

  • ACAENA MASAFUERA
  • Alerce (Fitzroya Cupressoid)
  • Carob (Prosopis chilensis)
  • Apium Fernandezianum
  • Araucaria (Araucaria Araucana)
  • Asplenium Polyodon
  • Asplenium stetelatum
  • Berberis Corymbosa
  • Berberis Masafuerana
  • Excelsa Boehmeria
  • Carbonillo (Cordia decay)
  • Chenopodium sanctaeclarae
  • Cyprรฉs de la Cordillera (Austroedrus chilensis)
  • Erected Ingae
  • Insularis hawk
  • Guayacรกn (PorLieria chilensis)
  • Haloragis Masafuerana
  • Hualo (Nothofagus glauca)
  • Hymenophyllum rugosum
  • Juania Australis
  • Lucum (Pouteria Splendens)
  • North Luma (Concinna Legrandia)
  • Machaerina Scirpoidea
  • Nicotiana Cordifolia
  • Pacama (Myrica Pavonis)
  • Chilean palm (Jubaea chilensis)
  • Chilean stick or papayo (Carica chilensis)
  • Robinsonia Evenia
  • Spergularia confertiflora
  • Tamarugo (Prosopis tamarugo)
  • Valdivia or Plant del Leรณn (Valdivia Gayana)
  • Wahlembergia Beterteroi

There are also two Chilean carnivorous plants found in the Magallanes region and they are Uniflora Drosera o Rocรญo de Sol and Antarctic penguicula o Violetilla of the swamps.

Now that you have discovered all these species of in danger of extinction in Chile, we encourage you to discover more about Chile’s flora and fauna with this other ecology article.

If you want to read more articles similar to In danger of extinction in Chilewe recommend that you enter our biology category.

Literature
  • Chilebosque. Avellanita Bustillosi. Retrieved from: http://www.chilebosque.cl/shrb/avellanita_bustillosi.html
  • Ministry of Environment. Chile Government. National Inventory of Species of Chile. Retrieved from: http://especies.mma.gob.cl/cnmweb/web/webciiudadana/ficha_inden.aspx?especieid=68
  • Botany and gardens. Berberidopsis Corallina. Retrieved from: http://www.botanicayjardines.com/beridopsis-corallina/
  • ARAUCO. Berberidopsis Corallina. Retrieved from: https://www.arauco.cl/chile/sostenibility/berberidopsis-corallina/
  • Chloris chilensis, Chilean Flora and Vegetation Magazine. Berberis coast. Retrieved from: https://www.chlorischile.cl/finger-flora%20paposo-taltal/beris%20litoralis.htm
Kyle Muller
About the author
Dr. Kyle Muller
Dr. Kyle Mueller is a Research Analyst at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department in Houston, Texas. He earned his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Texas State University in 2019, where his dissertation was supervised by Dr. Scott Bowman. Dr. Mueller's research focuses on juvenile justice policies and evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing recidivism among youth offenders. His work has been instrumental in shaping data-driven strategies within the juvenile justice system, emphasizing rehabilitation and community engagement.
Published in