Torres del Paine -- Flores 4

Here are some of my favorite flora images from Torres del Paine. We crossed through a multitude of different habitats, from riverine meadows to dry steppes to moist lenga forests (dominate forest type of native beech).

The daisy meadows of the east side of the park were simply astonishing. When we looked out over the fields in the morning light, it looked like a shimmering white lake, the daisies grow so thickly. They were introduced by Europeans (a loooong time ago, I would imagine, given that Europeans came to farm these areas centuries ago, and the daisies are doing really, really well).

Topa-topa, a very common, and cheerful, native. This diminutive version was growing in soil newly exposed by Glacier Grey...perhaps an early colonizer?

One of three native orchids that we saw. This one grew in the shady lenga forests, and was very prolific. It´s name in Spanish is palomita, but for some reason in English it is called the dog orchid. There were no dogs about and I for one do not see the resemblance, so I will go with the Spanish name. The second orhid, called only the yellow orchid, also growing in moist and shady areas of the lenga forests.



Our favorite fern, called Pluma del Mar (which I believe translates as "pen of the sea"). This small fern grows only about 5 or 6 inches long at its maximum, and we saw very tiny versions of it growing high in nooks and crannies of some alpine areas.

A lovely member of the lily family, growing near one of our campsites.