Chilean Desert Wildflowers (Blue and Purple)

Calandrina longiscapa (Pata de Guanaco) Pata de Guanaco is one of the best examples of a species of flower that appears from nowhere after an appropriate amount of rain and can otherwise be virtually non-existent for many years.

Alstroemeria magnifica - A largely Chilean genus, better known to gardeners outside of Chile than inside. Sometimes called "Lirio del campo". People often think they are orchids (which they are not). They're best called Alstromeria. They are striking whatever you choose to call them. "A rose by any other name..."

Leucocoryne coquimbensis ("Huilli azul") Huillis are one of the signature flowers of the floración. They come generally in three main varieties, blue, white and purple, almost the Chilean national colors. A large field of white huillis will grow next to a field of blue ones but they virtually never mix.

Leuococoryne purpurea ("Cebollin Purpura" - Purple Hulli) This species seems to grow preferentially in the region of Guanaqueros and Tongoy, for whatever reason.

Pasithea coerulea ("Azuillo) - Intensely blue, not as purple as it appears in this photograph.

Cristaria aspera ("Malvilla") Nice flower but the plant itself is rather scruffy.

Schizanthus litoralis ("Pajarito" -Butterfly flower) Small and elegant, it often grows in fairly extensive patches.

Nolana paradoxa ("Suspiro") N. paradoxa are annual (usually) succulents which grow in large, dense patches early in the season. There is also a related plant (N. coelestis) which has almost identical flowers, but grows in the form of a perrenial bush. It makes a nice robust garden plant which if watered, flowers almost all year, though out of ignorance it is seldom cultivated.

Back to "Floración"

---

tingerson@noao.edu