Yareta, here is an evergreen plant with a truly surprising longevity. His habitat is represented by the rocky territories of the Andes. This plant lives in colonies that can reach an age of thousands of years. Yareta is also known as Azorella Compactta, Azorella Yareta And Llareta in Spanish -speaking countries.
The origins
It belongs to the Apiaceae family. We can find it in Peru, Bolivia, western Argentina and northern Chile with altitudes between 3200 and 4500 meters, where the wind blows incessantly between the rocks. The environment is particularly inhospitable, with rigid temperatures and a low availability of water, but Yareta has developed exceptional characteristics to face these challenges.
To survive similar conditions, Yareta grows with such a high density as to take on an extraordinary weight, comparable to that of a man. The plant remains and develops very close to the ground, so as to retain as much heat as possible. The compact and dense form of Yareta not only allows her to resist strong winds, but also allows you to collect and store humidity, protecting it from dehydration.
Her singular conformation helps her to resist the currents that would eradicate the roots of any tree. Its leaves are covered with a cerful layer, to maintain a certain humidity and to prevent the evaporation of the water. This adaptation is crucial in an environment where every drop of water is fundamental for the survival of the plant.
Yareta has another trick to survive the inhospitable environment of the Andes. It grows very slowly, at the rhythm of only 1 centimeter and a half per year. This is how, as it is easy to calculate, a single plant capable of covering a rock can reach hundreds or thousands of years of life. Despite its slow growth, Yareta can become a fundamental element for the mountain ecosystem, since its colonies offer a refuge for various animals, protecting them from intense cold.
Since it is an easy to fire plant, in the past it was collected to turn on the fire. But his removal was becoming so frequent that it leads her to the risk of extinction. Furthermore, its slow growth rhythm means that it is not able to recover quickly from the collection activities, which makes its population particularly vulnerable.
That’s why Yareta is now a protected species and is part of the list of plant varieties in danger. Local authorities, together with various conservation organizations, are trying to sensitize the need to protect this extraordinary plant, which represents not only a unique natural phenomenon, but also a fundamental resource for the Andes ecosystem. With the right support and conservation measures, Yareta could continue to live and thrive for millennia to come.