Escallonia resinosa (Chachacomo)

Recorded by Colette Copeland at the Hummingbird Sanctuary in Pacará, Sacred Valley, Peru, recorded on March 9, 2026, at 11:30am. Altitude 10,500 feet. The tree was quite old and large. I extended the tripod so that the zoom recorder could capture sound from branches and leaves, as well as the root area. Still day with no wind. Cloudy. No filters or mixed tracks. Background birds include the Rufous-collared sparrow and the Sparkling violetear.

The tree has cultural significance to traditional Andean life.

Looking up into the canopy of the Escallonia resinosa (Chachacomo) Image: Colette Copeland

The Escallonia resinosa (Chachacomo) tree is a hardy, high-altitude Andean evergreen tree native to Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador. It grows up to 20 feet, although this particular tree was taller. The trunk has an irregular shape and is often twisted, with a reddish papery bark. The leaves are spirally arranged and clustered at the end of branches. Flowers are small and white and bloom July-September. This specimen was covered in moss and not flowering.

Its ecological importance includes its use to protect and stabilize terrace systems, making it highly valuable in soil conservation and in preventing erosion on steep Andean slopes. It is highly regarded for reforestation and ecological restoration projects due to its ability to grow on difficult terrain and its high seed germination potential.

The tree has cultural significance to traditional Andean life. The larvae of the Huaytampo butterfly are harvested from its branches. Its hard wood was used for tools such as chaquitacllas (a tool used for soil ploughing) by the indigenous peoples.