Suni (geography)

The Suni ( from identical Quechua "wide, spacious " ), Jalca or Sallqa ( Quechua " wild, wilderness ") is an elevation level of the Andes from about 3500 to 4000 m above sea level (after Javier Pulgar Vidal ).

The climate is cold and humid with a lot of fog and rain, and the temperature fluctuations between day and night are strong. Heavy frost is common.

In the Suni mainly grow only herbs, perennials and some shrubs. The main wood species are Polylepis species ( qiwuña ), Buddleja incana ( Kiswar ), Escallonia resinosa ( chachakuma ), Black Elderberry (Sambucus nigra), Cantua buxifolia and Cassia species and species of the genus Cereus cactus. In addition, the epiphytic orchid genus epidendron ( Wiñay wayna ) and grasses of the genus Chusquea be mentioned.

Grown for tubers of potatoes, Oka ( Oxalis tuberosa ) and Olluco ( Ullucus tuberosus ), as apparent grain amaranth plants Kiwicha ( Amaranthus edulis), Kinua or quinoa ( Chenopodium quinoa) and Qañiwa ( Chenopodium pallidicaule ), further Tarwi (Lupinus mutabilis, a type lupine ). Very frequent wild animal, but also bred, are guinea pigs, the main source of meat.