In South America, unlike other parts of our planet, there are an incredible number of representatives of the animal and plant worlds. All the diversity of tropical flora is most clearly represented in the vast territory of the Amazon. It is here that there are almost forty-four thousand species of various plants.
The list of representatives of woody flora alone takes more than a dozen pages. These plants of South America are mainly represented by bean plants. They are an ornament of the rainforest. Among the trees with spectacular flowering, the central place is occupied by the Caesalpin family. The highest representatives of the flora of the floodplain of the Amazon are mimosa. Trees of this species reach a height of sixty meters. In the forests of South America, tropical plants such as euphorbiae and laurel, nutmeg and kutra, as well as lecithides, are widespread.
The greatest benefit to the world's population brings the Brazilian Hevea. This tree, which belongs to the milk family, gives rubber. The plant has a rather thick trunk. Its dimensions can exceed one meter in width. The height of this tree can reach thirty meters. Interesting plants are found in Brazilian areas. Trees belonging to the kutra family also produce rubber. First of all, it finds its application in the manufacture of chewing gum. Valuable wood, which is not inferior in quality to real mahogany, gives large-leaved formations.
Plants of South America, especially lushly growing in the tropical thickets of the Amazon, are vividly represented by various species of vines. Of certain species, Indians of local tribes produce curare poison, which is applied to the tips of their arrows.
Palm trees grow on the part of the floodplain that is flooding. Many of their species are used as food by the local population.
Plants of South America are represented by a cocoa tree (or chocolate). This type of flora reaches a height of ten meters. Representatives of these trees are most often found in the lower reaches of the Amazon River.
The rainforest areas border the vast areas covered by meadows on which tall herbaceous plants grow. They are mainly represented by cereals. During the flood period, individual sections of such a meadow can separate from the upper soil layer and sail in the direction of the current like floating islands.
Plants of South America growing on the edge of the floodplain are vividly represented by swamp and water communities. Thanks to the warm and humid climate, they develop here especially magnificent.
Quite an unusual plant, which has received the greatest distribution in the tropical territory of South America, is kirkazon. It is a genus of vines and herbs. Unusual large flowers appear on the stems of the plant. Thanks to them, kirkazon is widely used by landscape designers. It can be found in home gardens, greenhouses and parks. Since ancient times, its medicinal properties have been used. Kirkazon serves as a body-strengthening agent. It is able to calm the nervous system and normalize the digestive tract. At the same time, its anti-inflammatory and diuretic function is manifested. The beneficial substances contained in the root of kircazone are used to dilate blood vessels. Tincture of this medicinal plant helps with malaria and fever, cure gynecological diseases and get rid of stomach and intestinal disorders. As an external agent, kirkason is used for allergic manifestations, scrofula and wounds that do not heal for a long time.