There is a plant that resembles a massive lime-green blob of goo that grows in the high Andes Mountains of Chile and Bolivia. But it’s not goopy at all; it feels substantial to the touch. This plant, known as llareta, is related to parsley, carrots, and fennel and is a member of the Apiaceae family. But what distinguishes it from its relatives is how slowly it grows. Some llareta specimens, which only grow a little more than a centimeter a year, are more than 3,000 years old, predating the birth of Jesus.
The llareta resembles green gift wrap, and one can speculate that it is actually a mold-like substance that wraps itself around stones. That is not the case, though. The llareta’s hard exterior is actually a compact surface made up of tens of thousands of flowering buds that are tightly packed together at the ends of long stems. Due to its extreme dryness, it makes excellent kindling and can even be used to light campfires and power locomotives. It is also reputed to relieve muscle discomfort.
But the appearance of llareta is arguably its most astonishing feature. Nothing else in the world is like it. When you’re climbing up to 10,000 to 15,000 feet into the Andes, you’re surrounded by boulders, loose rocks, and sharp edges. So when you suddenly come upon this round, soft object that looks like a lime-green beach ball, you’re left wondering what it is.
In her latest book, artist and photographer Rachel Sussman documents llareta, calling it “ludicrously beautiful.” She is not the only one who admires this old plant, either. It’s not hard to understand why llareta has awed hikers and tourists alike. The ability of nature to endure in one of the toughest conditions on Earth for countless years is a testament to its resiliency and adaptability.
In conclusion, despite the fact that the llareta appears to be a massive green blob of goo, it is truly a natural wonder that has endured for more than 3,000 years. It serves as a wonderful illustration of nature’s beauty and adaptability and serves as a reminder of the amazing things we might discover when we travel the world.
