<P> About 30,000 species of vascular plants live in the Andes , with roughly half being endemic to the region , surpassing the diversity of any other hotspot . The small tree Cinchona pubescens , a source of quinine which is used to treat malaria , is found widely in the Andes as far south as Bolivia . Other important crops that originated from the Andes are tobacco and potatoes . The high - altitude Polylepis forests and woodlands are found in the Andean areas of Colombia , Ecuador , Peru , Bolivia and Chile . These trees , by locals referred to as Queñua , Yagual and other names , can be found at altitudes of 4,500 m ( 14,760 ft ) above sea level . It remains unclear if the patchy distribution of these forests and woodlands is natural , or the result of clearing which began during the Incan period . Regardless , in modern times the clearance has accelerated , and the trees are now considered to be highly endangered , with some believing that as little as 10 % of the original woodland remains . </P>
<P> About 30,000 species of vascular plants live in the Andes , with roughly half being endemic to the region , surpassing the diversity of any other hotspot . The small tree Cinchona pubescens , a source of quinine which is used to treat malaria , is found widely in the Andes as far south as Bolivia . Other important crops that originated from the Andes are tobacco and potatoes . The high - altitude Polylepis forests and woodlands are found in the Andean areas of Colombia , Ecuador , Peru , Bolivia and Chile . These trees , by locals referred to as Queñua , Yagual and other names , can be found at altitudes of 4,500 m ( 14,760 ft ) above sea level . It remains unclear if the patchy distribution of these forests and woodlands is natural , or the result of clearing which began during the Incan period . Regardless , in modern times the clearance has accelerated , and the trees are now considered to be highly endangered , with some believing that as little as 10 % of the original woodland remains . </P>
what is the most common type of vegetation in the andes
what is the most common type of vegetation in the andes
vascular plants
vascular plants