FLORA AND FAUNA

If there is a flower characteristic of this region it is the flower of the "andinista". The chuquiragua grows at more than 3,400 m.a.s.l. Another well-known plant is the alchemila that grows in small remainders of woods on the western south part of the Rumiahui.

Inside the park, one may find up to four bio-regions, with their respective flora. Between the 3,400 and 4,000 m the forests of the mountain grow. Trees like Pumamaqui (Oreopanax), Quishar or "the tree of God", Mortio (the floribundum of Vaccinium) and the Romerillo (the laricifolium of Hypericum).

The plains are roofed with native grass. In the areas over 4,400 m.a.s., the vegetation is scarce. formed by lichens and moss.

In regards to the fauna, deer, llamas, rabbits and other species live in Cotopaxi. Among the birds -besides the condors- quilicos, Andean gulls, quindes and curiquinques deserve to be observed. A singular case is that of the hummingbird of hot blood called "Star of the Andes" that has the ability to change its corporal temperature, in a range that fluctuates between 40 and 15 centigrade.