FLOWERS & PLANTS OF ECUADOR

Ecuador is one of the riches places in the world for flora. Ten percent of the world's vascular plant species are located here within an area of only 0.2% of the Earth's surface (about the size of Nevada). Ecuador houses some 25,000 species of vascular plants when all of North America only has 17,000. This is largely due to the diverse ecological conditions created by the great altitudinal differences in this small land. More than 10% of all the orchid species in the world grow here. There are 124 species of hummingbirds in Ecuador, 35% of the world's total. We saw a beautiful hummingbird in our yard today with a very long "tail." By the time I got the camera it was gone...darn! As we have wandered around Ecuador, I am amazed how many plants and trees I recognize. On our hikes in the hills we see cedar, cyprus, eucalyptus and pine trees. In our yard we have hibiscus, roses, daisies, mums, lavender, vinca and honeysuckle. It seems just about anything will grow here.