Polylepis

Polylepis is a genus of trees and shrubs in the rose family, native to the Andes. Its species are especially known for peeling bark and adaptation to high elevations.

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Rosaceae: Rosaceae is a flowering-plant family that includes roses, apples, plums, and many other plants. Polylepis belongs to this family despite its unusual high-Andean tree forms.
Bark: Bark is the outer protective tissue covering the stems and roots of woody plants. Polylepis bark separates into thin layers, a conspicuous feature of the genus.
Cloud forest: A cloud forest is a forest frequently covered by low clouds or mist, usually in tropical mountains. Some Polylepis stands occupy moist montane settings where cloud-forest species also occur.
Deforestation: Deforestation is the large-scale removal of forest cover, often through clearing or burning. Clearing and fuelwood collection have reduced many Polylepis forests.
Polylepis tarapacana: Polylepis tarapacana is a high-elevation Andean tree species found in the central Andes. It is among the genus's best-known species for reaching exceptionally high elevations.
Andes: The Andes are a mountain range along the western edge of South America. The genus is native to these mountains, where its species occupy varied elevations.
Plant cold tolerance: Plant cold tolerance is the capacity to survive low temperatures without fatal damage to cells and tissues. Cold tolerance helps explain how some Polylepis species grow at extreme elevations.
Watershed: A watershed is an area of land that drains rainfall and streams to a common outlet. Polylepis woodlands can help protect Andean headwaters and regulate local water flows.
Habitat fragmentation: Habitat fragmentation is the division of continuous habitat into smaller, isolated patches. Polylepis woodlands often persist as separated patches, limiting ecological connectivity.
Polylepis australis: Polylepis australis is a Polylepis tree native to the southern Andes of Argentina. Its forests illustrate the genus's southern range and conservation challenges.