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Photography from Bolivia, Chile, Peru and elsewhere in South America.

I have many more images available in my archives which are in the process of being uploaded and am always shooting new work. If you can't find the images you are looking for please get in touch, I may well be able to help!

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Polylepis Trees

Polylepis is a genus comprising twenty eight recognised shrub and tree species that are endemic to the mid and high altitude regions of the tropical Andes. They belong to the rose family, Rosaceae; uniquely in that family they are mainly wind-pollinated. They are usually gnarled in shape and have evergreen foliage with small, dense leaves. The name Polylepis is derived from the Greek words poly (many) plus letis (layers), referring to the peeling, multi-layered bark that is common to the genus. Some species of Polylepis form woodlands growing well above normal tree lines at elevations over 5000 m, making them the highest naturally occurring trees in the world.

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Queñua bushes (Polylepis tarapacana) next to ceque line on Cerro Montecielo, Payachatas volcanos in background, Sajama Nation...
Queñua bushes (Polylepis tarapacana) and cairn next to ceque line from Cerro Montecielo to Sajama village, Payachatas volcano...
Stone sign of summit of Cerro Montecielo explaining that it is a sacred ritual site, Sajama volcano in background, Sajama Nat...
Asociación Ecosistemas Andinos (Ecoan Peru) sign with information about queñua / polylepis forests near Abra Malaga Pass, Cus...
Polylepis tarapacana or queñua bushes and River Isluga valley, Isluga National Park, Region I, Chile
Polylepis tarapacana or queñua bushes and River Isluga valley, Isluga National Park, Region I, Chile
Polylepis tarapacana bush and puna steppe vegetation on hillside below Tunupa volcano, Oruro Department, Bolivia
Polylepis tarapacana tree on hillside below Tunupa volcano, Oruro Department, Bolivia
Polylepis tarapacana or queñua bushes, Lake Chungará and Cerro Quisi Quisini, Lauca National Park, Region XV, Chile
Polylepis tarapacana or queñua bushes, Lake Chungará and Cerro Quisi Quisini, Lauca National Park, Region XV, Chile
Polylepis tarapacana or queñua bushes on rocky hillside
Polylepis tarapacana or queñua bushes on rocky hillside
Polylepis tarapacana or queñua bushes on rocky hillside
Close up of trunk and peeling bark of Polylepis tarapacana tree
Close up of leaves of Polylepis tarapacana
Close up of leaves of Polylepis tarapacana
Close up of leaves and trunk of Polylepis tarapacana tree
Leaves and trunk of Polylepis tarapacana tree
Polylepis racemosa bushes, Choquetanga Valley, Cordillera Real, Bolivia
Polylepis racemosa bushes, Choquetanga Valley, Cordillera Real, Bolivia
Close up of leaves of Polylepis racemosa bush
Sajama volcano and queñua bush (Polylepis tarapacana), Sajama National Park, Bolivia
Sajama volcano and queñua bush (Polylepis tarapacana), Sajama National Park, Bolivia
Sajama volcano and queñua bush (Polylepis tarapacana), Sajama National Park, Bolivia
Payachatas volcanos and queñua bushes (Polylepis tarapacana), Sajama National Park, Bolivia
Payachatas volcanos and queñua bushes (Polylepis tarapacana), Sajama National Park, Bolivia
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