Fauna

Flora

FAUNA IN MISIONES

The forest in Misiones is impenetrable in many places, and this characteristic is the one that has allowed the survival of many species all ready extinguished in other parts of the country.

The abundant vegetation favours the presence of herbivore mammals that in turn ensure the survival of the carnivores. The best known amongst carnivores, though on the brink of extinction, is the jaguar, one of the most beautiful and bulkiest felines in America. Other feline specimens are the puma, the yaguarundí, the ocelot, the so called irará cat, the so called ririca, Geoffroys cat Oncifelis geoffroyi and other carnivores, such as the maned wolf or aguará-guazú, also endangered, and the tayra hurón.

Amongst the herbivores we can watch tapirs, mountain goats, the so called capaces, peccaries, anteaters and the caaguaré or The southern tamandua, which feeds on bees and honeycombs. Besides, there are rodents such as the agouti, the añuje agouti, and others of tree habits, such as the weasel, the coati, and two classes of monkeys: the carayá or Black Howler Monkey (Alouatta caraya) and the caí or Cebus apella (Black-capped Capuchins). Otters, capybaras and giant river otters live close to the watercourses.

There are over 40 species of multicoloured birds, and butterflies of different sizes and shapes in here. Amongst the reptiles we find some extremely poisonous snakes, such as the rattlesnake and the fer de lance.

In spite of there abundance, these species are hard to spot at first sight, due to the exuberance and density of the vegetation. There are species adapted to dwell in the treetops, almost never coming down to the ground.



FLORA IN MISIONES

The forest in Misiones is characteristic for its exuberant manifestation of vegetal life, presenting more than 2 thousand species. The density of this formation is due to essential conditions such as rainfalls, with an annual average of 2000 mm, and the high and permanent rates of temperature and relative humidity, which make of this area a huge greenhouse.

There are different species according to the altitude of the stratum they live on:

The Stratums

This forest is characteristic for having five perfectly identifiable stratums between the ground and the highest treetops:

1. Stratum of Giant or Emerging Trees

The highest trees, which can reach heights of 30 or 40 metres, are on the upper stratum. Amongst them we have the white guatambú, the black laurel and the cancharana, besides some representative of the family of the leguminous, such as the incense tree, the ivira pita and the rabo peppertree.

One of the most spectacular members of this group is the timbo or pacará (ear tree), of great height and width. Amongst the flashiest ones we have the guampoy, a parasite tree more than 20 metres high that strangles its host until asphyxiating it.

2. Stratum of Big Trees

They are not as high as the previous, although they blend with the stratum of the emerging trees. They are constituted basically by renewals of trees belonging to the upper stratums, the tree ferns typical of tropical regions, and smaller trees of fleshy fruits. Amongst them we can find the pindó, a 20-metre high palm tree, the aguay, the yellow laurel and the petiribí.

3. Stratum of Bushes or Intermediate

Shrubs develop on the intermediate stratum. Besides, there are immense and impenetrable reed fields, 20 and 30 metres high, scattered all over the area, such as the tacuarembó and the tacuaruzú.

4. Stratum of Herbaceous

There is a mantle of herbs extending along the lowest stratum. This and the previous one develop in a gloomy environment created by the upper stratums, with a great number of ferns and bushes. Epiphyte plants grow amongst the shrubs and renewals, and on the trunks of large trees. The gúembés and some cacti species, such as the rhipsalis, are abundant as well. The stinging nettle, a species of large leafs and itchy to the sense of touch, stands out. Orchids, ferns and bromeliads, which include carnations and caraguatás, complete the amazing density of this true forest.

5. Stratum conformed by mosses, tiny ferns and leafs falling from the trees.

Dictionary of Misiones' flora:

Incense Tree
It reaches heights of up to 20 metres and diameters of 1 metre. It replaces the European chestnut tree in the fabrication of office desks and veneered suites.

Pink Sage
Many people call it the "Giant of the Forest of Iguaçu"; it has a hard wood, suitable for all sorts of works and for carpentry in general.

Guatambú
It is amongst the tallest trees and it belongs to the upper stratum of the tree species; it is also utilised in the confection of high-quality suites.

Pau D'arco
This is a tree that requires much moisture, reaching outstanding heights of up to 30 metres with a diameter of 1.50 metres. It provides logs proper for lumbering for its trunk is usually straight, healthy and free of knots.

Paraná Pine Tree
It is an araucaria in reality. It is one of the highest and can grow up to 35 metres. Specimens more than 200 years old have been found.