puya raimondii

The most spetacular plant of Peru is the gigantic Puya raimondii seen near Huaraz.

Even more amazing is a rare plant called Puya raimondii from the Andes in South America; it doesn't grow a flower until it is 150 years old - and after that it dies too.

Protected in Peru's Parque Nacional de Puya Raimondii, near Huaras, elsewhere in the Andes the plant is said to be an endangered species, prey to its harsh climate and to wanton tourists and natives.