A great biodiversity of flora in Machu Picchu. Wild flora of the region of Machu Picchu is particularly diverse because there is vegetation from nine distinct life zones, including typical Andean forest species like Polylepis sp. in the higher altitudes and epiphytes, shrubs, and palms typical of lower-altitude montane forests. The principal taxonomic groups in Machu Picchu include pteridophytes (ferns), gymnosperms, monocotyledons, dicotyledons, cryptogams, orchids, Poaceae, trees, moraceae, symplocaceae, roses (rosaceae), ericaceae, and vascular and non-vascular species. http://ping.fm/RTavH