THE GRAND PUYA RAIMONDI
This gigantic plant is one of Peru 's most emblematic, but also one of the most threatened, due to climate change and human activity that is gradually encroaching on its natural habitats. It bears the name of the Italian explorer Antonio Raimondi , who discovered it in 1874. Also known as "the queen of the Andes ," it is one of the most impressive endemic species of the high Andean flora of the Peruvian Andes . It typically grows above 3,800 meters in altitude and is currently included on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List as it is endangered. Despite everything, this plant fulfills a vital function for the environment. A study conducted in 2017 revealed that just 1 hectare of Puya raimondii can absorb more than 187 tons of carbon dioxide ( CO2 ). The Puya belongs to the Bromeliad family and can reach 15 meters in height. Its leaves measure between 15 and 25 cm wide and 1 meter long with spiny edges. Its ma...