Asteraceae
Espeletia

Espeletia grandiflora Bonpl.

First published in F.W.H.A.von Humboldt & A.J.A.Bonpland, Pl. Aequinoct. 2: 11 (1808)
This species is accepted
The native range of this species is Colombia. It is a subshrub or shrub and grows primarily in the montane tropical biome. It is has environmental uses and as a medicine.

Descriptions

Distribution
Biogeografic region: Andean. Elevation range: 2120–4100 m a.s.l. Endemic to Colombia. Colombian departments: Antioquia, Bogotá DC, Boyacá, Cundinamarca, Meta, Santander.
Habit
Herb, Shrub.
Conservation
IUCN Red List Assessment (2021): LC. National Red List of Colombia (2021): LC.
Ecology
Habitat according IUCN Habitats Classification: forest and woodland, shrubland, native grassland, wetlands (inland), desert, artificial - terrestrial.
Vernacular
Frailejón, Orejas de burro, Tabaqueros, Tabaquillos, Trementinos
[UPFC]

The Useful Plants of Boyacá project

Distribution
Endemic from Colombia.
Ecology
Alt. 2120 - 4100 m.
Morphology General Habit
Herb.
[UPB]

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/134494814/134650395

Conservation
LC - least concern
[IUCN]

Extinction risk predictions for the world's flowering plants to support their conservation (2024). Bachman, S.P., Brown, M.J.M., Leão, T.C.C., Lughadha, E.N., Walker, B.E. https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nph.19592

Conservation
Predicted extinction risk: not threatened. Confidence: confident
[AERP]

Bernal, R., G. Galeano, A. Rodríguez, H. Sarmiento y M. Gutiérrez. 2017. Nombres Comunes de las Plantas de Colombia. http://www.biovirtual.unal.edu.co/nombrescomunes/

Vernacular
frailejón
[UNAL]

Bernal, R., Gradstein, S.R. & Celis, M. (eds.). 2015. Catálogo de plantas y líquenes de Colombia. Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá. http://catalogoplantasdecolombia.unal.edu.co

Distribution
Endémica y nativa en Colombia; Alt. 2120 - 4100 m.; Andes.
Morphology General Habit
Hierba, arbusto
Conservation
Preocupación menor
[CPLC]

Uses

Use Environmental
Environmental uses.
Use Materials
Used as material.
Use Medicines
Medical uses.
[UPFC]

Use Environmental Ornamentals
Leaves - Ornamental (Galvis & Morales 2010).
Use Environmental Other Environmental Uses
Live plant (in situ) - Grows in the paramo (alpine tundra) (Florez-Cárdenas et al. 2010).
Use Materials Gums Resins
Exudates - Resin used as incense (Galvis & Morales 2010).
Use Materials Unspecified Materials Chemicals
Materials (State of the World's Plants 2016).
Use Medicines Immune System Disorders
Used in liquid medicines in the treatment of asthma (Florez-Cárdenas et al. 2010).
Use Medicines Muscular-Skeletal System Disorders
Exudates - Resin from leaves and stems is used in the treatment of rheumatism (Galvis & Morales 2010). Used in poultices (Florez-Cárdenas et al. 2010). Exudates - Used in the treatment of broken bones (Florez-Cárdenas et al. 2010).
Use Medicines Pain
Used in medicines to alleviate earache (Galvis & Morales 2010).
Use Medicines Respiratory System Disorders
Leaves - Used in liquid medicines in the treatment of bronchitis (Florez-Cárdenas et al. 2010).
Use Medicines Sensory System Disorders
Exudates - Used to make ear drops (Florez-Cárdenas et al. 2010).
Use Medicines Unspecified Medicinal Disorders
Medicinal (Instituto Humboldt 2014).
[UPB]

Common Names

Spanish
Frailejón, carraco, monje encapuchado, orejas de burro, tabaqueros, tabaquillos, trementinos.

Sources

  • Angiosperm Extinction Risk Predictions v1

    • Angiosperm Threat Predictions
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

  • Art and Illustrations in Digifolia

  • Catálogo de Plantas y Líquenes de Colombia

    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Herbarium Catalogue Specimens

    • 'The Herbarium Catalogue, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet http://www.kew.org/herbcat [accessed on Day Month Year]'. Please enter the date on which you consulted the system.
    • Digital Image © Board of Trustees, RBG Kew http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

  • IUCN Categories

    • IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Kew Backbone Distributions

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2025. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

  • Kew Names and Taxonomic Backbone

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2025. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

  • Universidad Nacional de Colombia

    • ColPlantA database
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Useful Plants and Fungi of Colombia

    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Useful Plants of Boyacá Project

    • ColPlantA database
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/