List of South and North American Countries with Estimated Number of Plant Species and Famous Native Plants
South America:
Argentina: 10,000 plant species estimated.
Most famous native plant: Ceibo (Erythrina crista-galli), a bright red flowering tree and national symbol of Argentina.
Bolivia: 20,000 plant species estimated.
Most famous native plant: Coca (Erythroxylum coca), a plant used for traditional medicine and in the production of cocaine.
Brazil: 55,000 plant species estimated.
Most famous native plant: Brazil nut tree (Bertholletia excelsa), known for its large, delicious nuts and important role in the Amazon rainforest ecosystem.
Chile: 5,000 plant species estimated.
Most famous native plant: Chilean wine palm (Jubaea chilensis), a slow-growing, long-lived palm tree that can reach up to 25 meters in height.
Colombia: 50,000 plant species estimated.
Most famous native plant: Wax palm (Ceroxylon quindiuense), the tallest palm tree in the world, reaching heights of up to 60 meters.
Ecuador: 25,000 plant species estimated.
Most famous native plant: Galápagos giant tortoise food (Opuntia echios), a cactus species found only in the Galápagos Islands and an important food source for the islands' giant tortoises.
Guyana: 7,000 plant species estimated.
Most famous native plant: Victoria amazonica, a giant water lily with leaves that can grow up to 3 meters in diameter.
Paraguay: 6,000 plant species estimated.
Most famous native plant: Lapacho (Tabebuia impetiginosa), a tree species with pink or purple flowers that is used in traditional medicine.
Peru: 25,000 plant species estimated.
Most famous native plant: Maca (Lepidium meyenii), a root vegetable native to the Andes that is known for its nutritional and medicinal properties.
Suriname: 6,000 plant species estimated.
Most famous native plant: Kapok tree (Ceiba pentandra), a large tree species that is sacred to many indigenous peoples and produces a silky fiber used in textiles.
11. Uruguay: 3,500 plant species estimated.
Most famous native plant: Ombú (Phytolacca dioica), a large, umbrella-shaped tree species that is resistant to drought and is used as a shade tree in urban areas.
12. Venezuela: 25,000 plant species estimated.
Most famous native plant: Angel's trumpet (Brugmansia suaveolens), a flowering shrub or small tree that produces large, trumpet-shaped flowers with a sweet fragrance.
North America:
Canada: 5,700 plant species estimated.
Most famous native plant: Maple tree (Acer saccharum), known for its distinctive leaves and sweet sap used in the production of maple syrup.
Mexico: 25,000 plant species estimated.
Most famous native plant: Agave (Agave americana), a plant species used to make tequila, mezcal, and other alcoholic beverages.
United States: 17,000 plant species estimated.
Most famous native plant: Bald eagle tree (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), a tree species that is a favored nesting site of the bald eagle, the national bird of the United States.
