Cantua buxifolia

Cantua buxifolia on the island of Taquile (Peru ) in Lake Titicaca

Cantua buxifolia (Spanish Cantuta, also Kantuta or Qantuta designated by qantu Quechua ) is a flowering plant in the family of locking cabbage family ( Polemoniaceae ).

Description

Cantua buxifolia grows as a shrub that reaches heights of growth 2-3 m. Their small leaves are rough and have a lanceolate shape. Its flowers are odorless, with a short calyx and very eye-catching colors, generally white, yellow, pink and intense red

Occurrence

Cantua buxifolia grows wild or cultivated in the Andean regions of Bolivia and Peru, at altitudes 1200-3800 m. The Cantuta blooms all year. It prefers loose, clayey soil with organic content and good drainage. It can be propagated by seeds and cuttings. Through breeding varieties were grown with a greater range of variation of flower colors.

Use

Cantua buxifolia was already cultivated in pre-Hispanic times and is also known by the Spanish name " La Flor de los Incas Sagrada " ( Sacred Flower of the Incas ) or "Flor del Inca " ( Flower of the Inca ) are known. It is the " national flower " of Peru and one of two "national flower " of Bolivia, the other is Patujú ( Heliconia rostrata ).

Swell

• Antonio Díaz Villamil: Leyendas de mi tierra (Editorial América srl, La Paz ); "The complete legend of the three colored Kantuta " ( translated into French )