Peru Andes South America Latin America flora
Bert de Ruiter / Alamy Stock Photo
Image ID: AJM7F8
From: Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.Puya is a genus of 160-180 species of terrestrial plants in the bromeliad family Bromeliaceae. They are native to the Andes Mountains of South America and southern Central America. Many of the species are monocarpic, with the parent plant dying after one flower and seed production event. The species Puya raimondii is notable as the largest species of bromeliad known, reaching 3 m tall in vegetative growth with a flower spike 9-10 m tall. The other species are also large, with the flower spikes mostly reaching 1-4 m tall. The name 'Puya' was derived from the Mapuche Indian (Chile) word meaning "point". Huascarán National Park Close up of century old Puya Raimondii plant
