Polylepis
| Polylepis | |
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| Polylepis rugulosa | |
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| Genus: | Polylepis |
Polylepis is a genus of trees and shrubs restricted to the Andes of South America. These plants are wind-pollinated and can be recognized by their pinnate leaves and a multi-layered, papery bark, the latter feature also prompting the scientific name, a combination of Greek and Latin meaning "many-scales".
Distribution
The Polylepis species frequently grows at or above the natural tree line in the Andes. Polylepis tarapacana is especially remarkable for being the woody plant occurring at the highest elevations worldwide. It forms monotypic stands at 3,800 - 4,600 m.a.s.l. (12,000-15,000 feet above sea level), far above the natural treeline which is typically between 3,200-3,500 m.a.s.l (10,000-11,000 feet above sea level). These Polylepis forests are separated by the true treeline of the forests of the humid yungas or dry Interandean valles by shrubs or grasses of the puna.
Controversy exists between tropical ecologists whether its currently fragmented distribution is natural or the result of human land-use. Some scientists believe that much of the open grasslands of the Andean altiplano that currently separate isolated Polylepis forests were in fact one continuous forests before early native Andean peoples cleared or burned the ancient forests.
Conservation issues
Polylepis forests exist primarily as small, widely isolated fragments, which are being rapidly depleted by rural communities. Remaining Polylepis forests are used for firewood and building material and provide protection against erosion and habitats for endangered animals. In some countries, conservation and reforestation measures are underway.
Taxonomic History
The genus has a complicated taxonomic history. Researchers have variously regarded it as comprising 15 to more than 30 species[1][2]. The last treatment recognizes 28 species[3].
Species include
- Polylepis australis
- Polylepis crista-galli
- Polylepis hieronymi
- Polylepis incana
- Polylepis lanuginosa
- Polylepis microphylla
- Polylepis multijuga
- Polylepis neglecta
- Polylepis pauta
- Polylepis pepei
- Polylepis racemosa
- Polylepis reticulata
- Polylepis rugulosa
- Polylepis subsericans
- Polylepis tarapacana
- Polylepis weberbaueri
References
- ^ Simpson, B.B., 1979. A revision of the genus Polylepis (Rosaceae: Sanguisorbeae). Smithsonian Contributions to Botany 43
- ^ Bitter, G. (1911). Revision der Gattung Polylepis. Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie 45: 564-656
- ^ Kessler, M. & A.N. Schmidt-Lebuhn (2006). Taxonomical and distributional notes on Polylepis (Rosaceae). Organisms, Diversity & Evolution 6: 67-69. Online supplement