In the heart of Chile’s Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth, grows a plant so unusual that many mistake it for moss glued tightly to rocks. This bright green wonder is called llareta (Azorella compacta), a species that belongs to the carrot family (Apiaceae).
Not Moss, But an Ancient Plant
At first glance, llareta looks like soft, cushiony moss. In reality, it is a dense, woody, flowering plant that forms massive bright-green clumps across the desert’s rocky landscape. Each cushion is made up of thousands of tightly packed stems and leaves, allowing the plant to resist freezing temperatures and retain moisture in one of the most arid regions in the world.
Older Than Empires
Llareta is not only unique in appearance—it is also incredibly old. The plant grows extremely slowly, at less than 1.5 centimeters per year. Some specimens are estimated to be over 3,000 years old, making them older than the Roman Empire and among the longest-living plants on Earth.
Survival in Harsh Conditions
Native to the high-altitude Andes of Chile, Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina, llareta thrives at elevations of 3,000–5,000 meters (10,000–16,000 feet). Its compact cushion form helps it endure harsh winds, intense sunlight, and freezing desert nights.
Cultural Significance
For centuries, local communities used llareta as fuel because its dense, resin-rich tissue burns well. However, this practice has greatly reduced its population, since its slow growth makes recovery almost impossible within human lifetimes. Today, the plant is protected in many regions to prevent further decline.
A Living Symbol of Resilience
Llareta is more than just a desert plant—it’s a living relic of Earth’s history, silently growing for millennia in one of the planet’s harshest environments. To see one is to witness a survivor older than entire civilizations.