Habitats

A colony of Puya nitida, growing in the Andean subparamo at about 9,000 feet elevation above Cuenca, Ecuador. This plant genus contains over 100 species, is found mostly at higher elevations of the Andes and is the oldest genus of bromeliads. Though most bromeliads are found in tropical rainforests growing as epiphytes on trees, Puya, are solely ground-dwelling and are very tolerant of low temperatures, surviving down to -20°C. Puya are long-lived plants and some of them need about 100 years from the seed until they flower. This species grows in dense colonies. Individual plants normally die once flowering is complete, though the colonies persist. Flowers are highly attractive to bats. Hummingbirds also visit them by day. As pollinators are scarce in this high mountain region where they normally grow Puya may need to attract both birds and bats. However bats have been shown to be their most effective pollinators. Habitat

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A colony of Puya nitida, growing in the Andean subparamo at about 9,000 feet elevation above Cuenca, Ecuador. This plant genus contains over 100 species, is found mostly at higher elevations of the Andes and is the oldest genus of bromeliads. Though most bromeliads are found in tropical rainforests growing as epiphytes on trees, Puya, are solely ground-dwelling and are very tolerant of low temperatures, surviving down to -20°C. Puya are long-lived plants and some of them need about 100 years from the seed until they flower. This species grows in dense colonies. Individual plants normally die once flowering is complete, though the colonies persist. Flowers are highly attractive to bats. Hummingbirds also visit them by day. As pollinators are scarce in this high mountain region where they normally grow Puya may need to attract both birds and bats. However bats have been shown to be their most effective pollinators. Habitat

MM8034 120522 EC2 5525 Andes Bromiliaceae Cuenca Ecuador Merlin Tuttle's Bat Conservation National Geographic photography Puya nitida habitat South America bat bat conservation cute mammal myngmedit paramo photography wildlife photography

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Habitats