La espeletia It is a genus of plants belonging to the Asteraceae family, native to Colombia, although they are also present in Ecuador and Venezuela. Members of this genus are commonly known as frailejones, and we find more than 175 different species described, although only 73 have been officially accepted.
For you to understand the importance of this plant in Colombian culture, one fact is enough: the frailejón of the espeletia grandiflora variety appears on the Colombian 100 peso coins issued since 2013. In addition, the popular television series Cuentitos Mágicos has a character inspired by a plant of this genus, called Frailejón Ernesto Pérez.
Origin and habitat of the espeletia
Frailejones are a group of plants endemic to the mountainous regions of the Andes. It is believed that they evolved in the high mountains of the region millions of years ago, and that They adapted to the unique conditions of these high altitude places.
In the wild they can be found in high mountain habitats, at heights between 2.500 and 4.800 meters above sea level. Although there are species that can survive even at a higher altitude. As you can imagine, They are plants capable of thriving in very extreme conditions, enduring cold temperatures, very strong winds, and feeding on soils that are very poor in nutrients.
Espeletias are especially common in Colombia, in the regions of the Andes Mountains and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. In these mountain ecosystems they play an important role, providing food and shelter to many animals. As well as helping to regulate the flow of water and prevent soil erosion.
Physical characteristics of speletias
There are many varieties of frailejones and each one has its own distinctive features, but there are a series of physical characteristics that we can seen in all plants of the espeletia genus.
leaf rosettes
These plants show rosette-shaped growth, so that the leaves appear arranged in a dense and compact basal formation. Depending on the species, the rosette can be from a few centimeters to more than a meter in diameter.
succulent leaf
The leaves of the espeletia are succulent, since they have the capacity to store water and that gives them a fleshy appearance.
They have a dense layer of woolly-looking hairs that are responsible for protecting the leaves against extreme cold, wind and intense solar radiation. Definitely, an example of adaptation to the environment.
Growth form
Some varieties develop a columnar shape, so that the leaves are distributed around a single stem that rises from the ground. But there are others of spherical shape, which They have multiple stems that form a compact, rounded structure.
Flowers grouped in capitate structures
The flowers of these plants are grouped in capitate structures or capitula that rise above the height of the leaf rosette. They are generally bright yellow or greenish in color, and They can be very striking.
A peculiarity of this genus is that the flowers are heterogamous ray. This means that the inflorescence It is composed of ray female flowers that surround an inner disc of tubular male flowers.
Ray flowers are distinguished by having longer petals and brighter colors. Tubular flowers, on the other hand, are smaller, have a characteristic tube shape, and may have a less intense color.
Medicinal uses of espeletia
The use of frailejones in the traditional medicine of the Andean communities where these plants grow is very widespread. There are no scientifically validated studies on its medicinal properties, but in their place of origin the plants of this genus are highly appreciated for their positive effects on health.
Treatment of respiratory diseases
The leaves of some frailejones are used to treat common respiratory conditions such as colds and flu. Qbecause it is attributed to the infusion made from these leaves an expectorant property that helps relieve congestion and reduces inflammation of the airways.
Anti-inflammatory and analgesic
The leaves of some varieties are used externally, in the form of a poultice, to relieve pain caused by bruises, arthritis and musculoskeletal injuries. because anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties are attributed to it.
Healing
Commonly, poultices and ointments made from speletia are used to accelerate the healing of wounds and burns, as it promotes skin regeneration and helps prevent infections.
Digestive
Some Andean communities resort to infusion of espeletia as remedy to treat simple digestive problems such as indigestion or heartburn.
It is believed that certain parts of frailejones have carminative and digestive properties that are responsible for improving digestion and calming an upset stomach.
Curiosities of the espeletia
Before finishing, we are going to review some curious facts related to this genus of plants.
- Endemic species. Espeletias are plants endemic to the Andes of South America, and many of their species are exclusive to certain mountainous regions, they do not grow anywhere else in the world.
- Birds of the moor. Although most espeletias grow in a columnar or spherical shape, some rare species are known as “moor birds” because they have thin, upright stems that resemble bird legs.
- Specialized pollinators. The fact that these plants grow at high altitude prevents pollinating insects from accessing them. For this reason, the frailejones have established a symbiotic relationship with certain species of hummingbirds, which are responsible for pollinating their flowers.
- Longevity. It is believed that some varieties can live more than 100 years. In fact, some specimens that grow wild could have been alive for several centuries.
- Synchronized flowering. In some species of speletias, flowering occurs synchronously in all plants. This facilitates its pollination by migratory birds.
Without a doubt, the espeletia is a unique genus that shows us what evolution and adaptation to the environment are capable of doing, giving rise to unique living beings that we must try to conserve.