The Colca Canyon is home to a wonderful range of flowers and fauna from the exotic Yareta, to the Cantuta Peru’s national flower.

Poroporo

Close relative of the yellow passion fruit, this vine produces round fruits with many seeds submerged in a slightly gelatinous substance of bitter taste. It grows close to the creeks and has some of the most beautiful flowers that can be found in the kingdom of the plants.

Yareta

Typical plant of the Andes that grows slowly by forming compact cushions at altitudes above the 3,800 masl. It contains large quantities of oils and a high caloric content which is why in the past few years it has been used as a fuel, which has led to excessive extraction that has threatened the species.

Cardo of the heights

One of the largest pillar cacti of the Andes. It grows in arid areas on the bases of volcanoes, such as the Chachani, and stores water in its thick trunk. Its flowers attract a multitude of pollinating birds and insects.

Cantuta

Considered Peru’s native flower it is also a symbol of welcome in the southern Andes. It grows as a bush on the mountain slopes at heights between 2,000 and 3,500 masl.  Its flowers can be red, white or yellow.