Lapageria rosea (Copihue)

Description:

This is probably the most famous Chilean plant, the bell flower. It is the National Flower of Chile. It generally comes is red-pinkish color, and very rarely one can find in nature albine flowers as well. The fruits are edible and have pleasant sweet taste, especially when they are not yet ripe. The ripe fruits have hard seeds, and eating becomes rather complicating.

Habitat:

In Chile this species grows in the following environmental conditions: Habitat according to altitude: Low altitude, interior valleys Coastal mountains, 500 - 2000 m. Coastal areas, 0 - 500 m Watering conditions: The plant grows in water or it has its roots within a permanent water course. This corresponds to marshes, bogs, water courses, lake and river shores. Humid areas, with almost constant rainfall. Short dry periods are possible (generally not longer than 1 month). Light conditions: In shadow. Steep slopes facing south or a vegetation cover which filters 40 - 80 % of light. In deep shadow. Deep ravines facing south with additional shadow from trees, or where there is a very dense vegetation cover which gives 80 - 100 % shadow (for instance, the Valdivian forests)