Patagonia January 2010 , The Viola tour

[gervandenbeuken]

Two weeks ago we returned form our 3th Patagonia tour.
This expedition was completely focused on the rosulate Viola species.
Exactly 10 different species were planned to find and finaly we found beside these 10 species perhaps 3 new species.
We left on Newyears day and returned three weeks later.
Our tour started in San Carlos de Bariloche and finished about 500 km more to the North in Chos Mala.
To give an impression of this very succesfull tour I will post in the following days some photos and will start with the proposed subject,
Viola species!!

Viola aff. escondidaensis 1
Viola columnaris
Viola congesta
Viola coronifera
Viola cotyledon (2)
Viola dasyphylla
Viola sacculus
Viola trochlearis
Viola vulcanica
Viola aff. escondidaensis 2

[gervandenbeuken]

I need to make two corrections.
The place were we finished our tour was Chos Malal.
Also there are posted two identical photos of Viola aff. escondidaensis.
One of these must be Viola tectiflora.

[Maggi Young]

For this person who regards these south american violas as some of the most beautiful plants on the planter, Ger, your posts are making me a very happy woman!
I don't think I can remember seeing a photo of Viola tectiflora before.... what amazing leaves!  Superb posts.... I hope you will enjoy sharing with us some details of the habitats of these wonderful plants.

[WimB]

Very nice photos of beautiful plants, Ger. Have you ever tried growing these rosulate Viola's yourself?

[gervandenbeuken]

I have made a start now Wim, with seeds of Viola vulcanica,cotyledon, trochlearis and tectiflora.
It will be a very exciting spring this year.

[TheOnionMan]

Wowza!!!!!!!!!

There is nothing that sends me to a state of shock faster than rosulate violets, all are MAGNIFICENT!  Although if I had to pick just one, it would be V. sacculus, love how the colorful folaige shows off the white blooms.  Funny, just last night I found your Patagonia 2009 SRGC photos and I've hardly recovered from that shock of seeing so many fantastic plants.

[gervandenbeuken]

Maggie, Viola cotyledon, columnaris, coronifera, dasyphylla and sacculus are growing on open vulcanic rocky places.
Viola vulcanica, trochlearis,tectiflora, congesta and aff.escondidaensis are growing in very fine volcanic sand.

[gervandenbeuken]

Many thanks Mark for the nice comments. Tastes differ. I prefer Viola coronifera. We were just in time on the summit of the Cerro Colohuincul to see the last plants in flower.
We were very lucky to see so many different species in flower.

[TheOnionMan]

Many thanks Mark for the nice comments. Tastes differ. I prefer Viola coronifera. We were just in time on the summit of the Cerro Colohuincul to see the last plants in flower.
We were very lucky to see so many different species in flower.

Well, there's nothing wrong with V. coronifera, it too is fantastic.   Bright yellow flowers, like V. auricolor you posted 3 photos of in the 2009 Patagonia thread.  Just going back there now, I'm still reeling from the Junellia photos, the S. American counterpart to Verbena.  I can't wait to see more photos.

[Diane Whitehead]

How do the leaves feel?  Are they thick?

[gervandenbeuken]

I do not understand your question Diane.
From which species do you need to know.

[gervandenbeuken]

Next ten pix. Enjoy.

Adesmia boronoides on the Passo Cordoba
Chloraea cylindrostachya
Junellia patagonica f.morenonis
Junellia succulentifolia
Oxalis erythrorhyza on the Cerro Cathedral
Oxalis erythrorhyza
Oxalis nahuelhuapiensis
Ranunculus semivericillatus
Ranunculus semiverticillatus
Tropaeolum incisum

[Diane Whitehead]

All of them.  I have never seen a plant, just pictures.

At a quick glance, they look like sempervivum.  The leaves
may be thick.

But when I enlarge the pictures, the leaves look furry.

So - in general, are they thick, or thick and furry?

[fleurbleue]

Amazing pics  Thank you very much
I can't wait for the next ones 

[Martinr]

I'm always amazed by rosulate Violas but that Ranunculus beats them all. Cliff Booker will swoon and shake when he sees those pictures