Plant · GBIF taxon 2874907
Lenga Beech
Nothofagus pumilioAlso 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
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Photosynthetic
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
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyNothofagaceae
- SpeciesNothofagus pumilio
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- 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.
Invasive Herbivore (c) Rodney Campbell, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Felipe Horton, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative Close Relative
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