Fauna
Plant

Lenga Beech

Nothofagus pumilio

Also known as Lenga, Patagonian Oak

Lenga beech dominates the cold, wind-swept high-altitude forests and treelines of the southern Andes across Chile and Argentina. In autumn, vast mountainsides turn a brilliant crimson and gold as its small, serrated leaves change color before dropping. Near the alpine limit, constant gale-force winds dwarf this resilient tree into twisted, stunted krummholz formations.

DeciduousMontaneHardwood
Lenga Beech reference1 / 7
(c) Kristof Zyskowski, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kristof Zyskowski · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyPhotosynthetic
Predators
  • North American Beaver
  • Red Deer
  • Guanaco
ThreatsClimate change, fire, introduced herbivores like red deer and beavers
HabitatsTemperate forests, subalpine slopes, high-latitude valleys
Life span300–500 years
Classification
  1. FamilyNothofagaceae
  2. SpeciesNothofagus pumilio
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Autumn Foliage: Visit Patagonian national parks in April to see whole valleys turn deep red.
  • Treeline Forms: Look for wind-sculpted dwarf shrubs at high elevations where gales prevent tree height.
Related species
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…