Top 20 Most Common Plants in Chile

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Top 20 Most Common Plants in Chile

In Chile, you can find Potato, Weeping fig, Lemon balm, Jade plant, Blue passionflower, and more! There are 20 types of plants in total. Be sure to look out for these common plants when you’re walking on the streets, in parks, or public gardens.

Most Common Plants

Potato

The potato is native to North America and in the United States. Potato products are the second most consumed food. This starchy tuber is a staple in diets around the world and is considered the fourth most important worldwide crop.

Weeping fig

Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) is an evergreen tree native to Asia and Australia. It is one of the most popular houseplants in the world, known for its elegant, glossy leaves. However, people with allergies should avoid weeping fig, considering that it is a major source of indoor allergens. All parts of the plant are poisonous except the fruits.

Lemon balm

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is an herbaceous perennial famous for its essential oils and mild scent. Its oils and extracts are widely used in perfume and beauty products, as well as household cleaning products. Lemon balm can be cultivated as an ornamental plant that also attracts honeybees. It has been grown and cultivated by humans since at least the 16th century.

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Jade plant

Looking like a miniature fairy tale tree, jade plant is one of the world's most popular succulents. Native to southern regions of Africa, Crassula ovata is well adapted to the dry warm air of modern homes. It grows slowly but lives for so long that plants get passed from generation to generation. It is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, and even mildly toxic to humans.

Blue passionflower

5. Blue passionflower

The blue passionflower is known for its distinctive bright blue petals with striped patterns. Originally native to South America, it grows as a vine with a long, meandering reach. It produces orange fruits with red pulp. The word "passion" is incorporated in both the common and scientific names because of the flower's cultural association with the Christian "Passion of Jesus" story.

California poppy

6. California poppy

The california poppy is native to the United States and Mexico and is the state flower of California since 1903. April 6 is considered to be California Poppy Day and is a common sight on-road and landmark signs in California.

Swiss cheese plant

7. Swiss cheese plant

The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.

Roman cassie

8. Roman cassie

The bright yellow spring-blooming flowers of roman cassie make it a popular ornamental tree. Its dense and compact growth also makes it a good hedge tree that grows best in well-drained soils. The trees' flowers are a great attractor of bees, which use them as food for honey production.

Snake plant

Snake plant can be considered a houseplant and an architectural display due to its sword-like leaves with bold striping patterns, which are distinctive and eye-catching. However, use caution with this plant because it is poisonous when ingested and can cause nausea, vomiting, and even swelling of the throat and tongue.

Dwarf umbrella tree

10. Dwarf umbrella tree

Dwarf umbrella tree (*Schefflera arboricola*) is an evergreen, multi-stemmed shrub native to China. It is commonly grown as a houseplant or a garden plant in milder climates for its decorative palmate compound leaves. The leaves contain calcium oxalates, which can damage internal organs when ingested. It shouldn't be confused with the Australian umbrella tree, *Schefflera actinophylla*.

Pot marigold

11. Pot marigold

The pot marigold is a herbaceous perennial plant often recognized by its thick, orange-yellow blooms with numerous petals. Flowers of the pot marigold have a long history of table use. They are often served in salads or as a decoration. The flowers can also be made into a similarly-colored dye for foods, textiles, or cosmetic products.

Tree aeonium

12. Tree aeonium

Tree aeonium (Aeonium arboreum) is a succulent subshrub species endemic to the Canary Islands. Tree aeonium is often grown as an ornamental plant in gardens. Because it is subtropical, this species has to be grown under greenhouse conditions in other climates. Tree aeonium is also known as the tree houseleek and the Irish rose. It grows naturally in shade and on weathered, volcanic soils.

Litre tree

Endemic to central Chile, the litre tree is a shrub or smaller tree that's extremely ornamental but rarely used in cultivation. The reason for that lies in its extreme allergenic properties—when touched, its leaves and bark can cause severe dermatitis. Probably due to its toxicity, this tree is known as one of the least disturbed trees in the wild.

Small Nettle

14. Small Nettle

Small Nettle (Urtica urens) is a herbaceous annual flowering nettle known by many common names. Small Nettle is also called the dog nettle or burning nettle because it "bites" when touching (in the same way as stinging nettle). Small Nettle is native to the Eurasian continent. Butterfly species feed on this plant.

Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Beet

The beet (Beta vulgaris) provides a variety of uses for food products and garden growth. The roots are commonly consumed as nutrient-rich vegetables, the body of the sugar beet is used to make table sugar, and the leaves are harvested as a separate vegetable: chard. In 18th-Century Silesia, an area that is now part of Poland, the first-ever beet sugar extraction plant was created by a royal decree from the king.

Garden nasturtium

17. Garden nasturtium

The garden nasturtium is often associated with the "Elizabeth Linnaeus Phenomenon", an optical illusion that makes the contrasting orange flowers and green foliage appear to flash brightly as it shakes in the wind. Garden nasturtium is cultivated as an ornamental plant. The disc-shaped leaves and seed pods are edible, usually getting used as garnishes and dressings.

Swedish ivy

18. Swedish ivy

Swedish ivy (Plectranthus verticillatus) is a plant species that is also referred to as whorled Plectranthus, creeping Charlie, and Swedish Begonia. The common name swedish ivy is a misnomer because this plant is not native to Sweden, is not a true ivy plant, and does not grow along walls.

Petty spurge

19. Petty spurge

Petty spurge (Euphorbia peplus) is an annual plant from Europe, Asia, and Africa. It is fast-growing and has become invasive in some countries because it outcompetes other species for resources such as moisture and sunlight. Petty spurge latex is mildly toxic, has nevertheless attracted the attention of researchers in the US and Germany who hope to isolate useful compounds from it.

Marijuana

Marijuana (Cannabis sativa) has a very long history of cultivation for various purposes. Marijuana can be used for manufacturing industrial fiber, hemp oil, and food (seeds) in medicine and pharmacy as a recreational drug, and as an entheogen among other applications. Each plant is either male or female, with only the females producing useful amounts of oil.

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South America > Chile

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More Plants in Chile

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Most Common Toxic Plants

Chile's diverse climates, extending from the Atacama Desert to the southern temperate regions, foster environments conducive to various plant species, including toxic ones. Evaluating the prevalence of toxic flora is critical, considering the vast ecological gradients. Specimens such as , , and are noted concerns, rooted in Chile's rich botanic landscape, and pose potential risks to both local biodiversity and human well-being.

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Most Common Flowers

Chile's diverse climate and soil conditions offer an ideal environment for a plethora of native flowers to flourish. Among these are , , and . These stunning blossoms not only enhance the visual beauty of the region but also hold great symbolism and ecological significance. Reliable sources attest to their presence and importance, making Chile a haven for floral enthusiasts and nature-lovers alike.

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Most Common Flowers of Spring

As the Chilean spring breathes life into once dormant landscapes, a symphony of colors emerges. Amongst the blossoms signaling the season's start, the vibrant , the elegant , and the emblematic stand out. These flowers not only add a splash of color but also herald the time of renewal and growth, capturing the essence and vibrancy of Spring in Chile.

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Most Common Spring Fruits

Spring in Chile unfurls in a tapestry of blossoming flora and warming climes, providing a rich nurturing ground for an array of fruits to thrive. Vital to the season's harvest are , offering succulent sweetness, , bursting with vibrant flavors, and , emblematic of Spring's fresh bounty. These fruits, pivotal to the local agriculture and cuisine, mirror the country's lush diversity and cultural richness.

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Most Common Fruits

Chile's diverse climate, ranging from the dry Atacama Desert to the cold southern regions, along with fertile valleys and optimal soil conditions, creates a unique agricultural haven for local fruit cultivation. Prominent plants like , , and have thrived here, becoming central to both the country's economy and its cultural heritage. Their growth is bolstered by the natural barriers provided by the Andes and the Pacific, which offer protection and microclimates ideal for fruit development.

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Most Common Trees

Chile's diverse climate and soil conditions provide a conducive environment for the growth of a variety of native trees. Three emblematic local trees are , , and . These trees hold significant cultural and ecological value within the region. They contribute to the biodiversity of Chile's ecosystems and play vital roles in providing habitat, conserving water, and preserving the country's natural heritage. They are treasured by the local communities and are an integral part of Chile's environmental identity.

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Most Common Weeds

Chile's diverse climate, ranging from the arid north to the humid central regions, provides ample opportunity for garden weeds to prosper. Prevalent weeds such as , , and are amongst those that gardeners frequently grapple with. These invaders thrive in the rich soils of Chilean gardens, challenging the maintenance of both aesthetic landscapes and productive horticulture, necessitating diligent weed management practices to curb their spread.

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Most Common Tall Trees

Chile's diverse climate, ranging from the arid Atacama Desert to the rain-soaked Valdivian forests, coupled with its varied topography, provides a fertile ground for some of the most magnificent and towering trees on Earth. Among these, the colossal , the majestic , and the venerable stand as silent sentinels of the forest, encapsulating centuries of history in their rings and contributing irreplaceably to the biodiversity of the region.

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Most Common Flowers of Winter

Winter in Chile may be cold and frosty, but it is also a season when certain flowers bloom with resilience and beauty. Among them are , , and . These flowers not only withstand the chill, but also add a touch of color and symbolism to the serene landscape.

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