Much of Venezuela is covered by a variety of forest ecosystems, including rainforest, lowland woodland savanna and high elevation forests in the Andes Mountains. Each forest ecosystem is defined by the presence of certain tree species, including carao tree (Cassia grandis), guamuchil tree (Pithecellobium dulce), cigar-box cedar (Cedrela odorata) and Andean oak (Quercus humboldtii). Carao and guamuchil trees grow primarily in the lowland rainforest and savanna habitat. Both are small trees, seldom exceeding 30 feet in height, with easily identifiable flowers. Much of their range overlaps with cigar-box cedar, a semi-deciduous species found in humid, mid-elevation mixed forests. Within the foothills of the Andes Mountains, cigar-box cedar forms mixed forests with Andean oak, an evergreen species endemic to the Venezuelan Andes.
A variety of shrub species thrive in Venezuela, due to the diverse terrain and abundant habitat of the region. The erect prickly pear (Opuntia stricta) exists across much of northern Venezuela, forming dense thickets of prickly, succulent paddles. In areas of sandy, well-draining soil, erect prickly pear often exceeds 6 feet in height and will form massive hedge-like clumps. In the northernmost range of erect prickly pear, brush holly (Xylosma flexuosa) appears in abundance. It is an evergreen shrub that will reach 20 feet in height under ideal circumstances. Known for its red and yellow berries, brush holly is named for its superficial resemblance to common holly. In the humid, lowland forest of Venezuela, two species of flowering shrub grow in abundance: guarana (Paullinia cupana) and red justicia (Megaskepasma erythrochlamys). Both are known for their ornamental appearance and ease of cultivation, making them popular garden plants throughout much of Venezuela.
Flowering plants occur in all ecosystems in Venezuela, from the Andean highlands to the dense rainforest canopy. Species such as golden arrow (Plumeria pudica), scarlet flame bean (Brownea grandiceps) and Moss' cattleya (Cattleya mossiae) appear frequently in the wild across Venezuela, as well as in gardens around the world. Golden arrow is a species of evergreen shrub found in humid lowland forests. It is known for its distinctive spoon-shaped foliage and fragrant white flowers, which appear throughout the summer. Scarlet flame bean shares its lowland habitat with golden arrow, but its range extends into the Andean foothills and the coastal savannas of Venezuela. It is a small tree prized for its large, pendulous clusters of brilliant fuchsia-orange flowers. Deep within the rainforest, Moss' cattleya thrives amid the branches of trees. It is an epiphytic orchid known for its frilly lilac and magenta flowers. Although somewhat rare in the wild, Moss' cattleya is widely cultivated and is the national flower of Venezuela, according to Roberto M. Rodrigues, author of "Flora of Amazonia."
