Here are a pair of plants that I found growing at about 3300 meters altitude. The first reminds me of a cross between Cleome and Capparis, and I can't find it in any of my books (although I'm reasonably sure it's native, as I was in a closed and difficult to access valley at the time). Of course, it could be some strange Fuchsia (fruit and leaves are consistent to this.) The second, I want to say Birch or Poplar but the fruit and flowers aren't consistent to that, only the leaves. Help?
I wonder if there may be lots of undocumented plant life in Equador? I know that new species descriptions are written up, hundreds per day where people are looking. Maybe not this particular plant, but it would be cool to find something like that!
There are estimated to be more undescribed species here than there are described ones. That said, I'd expect these to be described since they are literally all over the paramo. I have three new plants in my own queue waiting until I can find enough wild specimen data that is collectable to do the final descriptions; two Anthuriums and a little tiny epiphytic Begonia. I'll say here that I'm not an accredited scientist; I'm a graphic designer with sharp eyes and a botanical bent. Ecuador is woefully understudied flora-wise.
