Q & A • Ecuador Culture and Ecology • NC Museum of Natural Sciences

What kind of plants does Ecuador have? students from Dr. W.T. Griggs Elementary, Currituck Co.

There is a huge variety of plants in Ecuador. Here's a list of a few of the plants we have seen so far: many succulents, including huge century (agave) plants and several varieties of cactus; trees, including accacia, eucalyptus (an imported species), pine and fig; and epiphytes (plants that grow on top of things such as other plants or even electric wires). We’ve also seen many flowering plants, including passion flowers, lupine, dandelinon, white clover and taxo (with nectar like honeysuckle).

What season is it now? Is the temperature similar to North Carolina? a 5th grader from Buies Creek Elementary, Harnett Co.

The season is summer, and it is the dry season (la epoca seca). In the areas that we have visited so far, the days are warm and the nights are cool. Temperatures are similar to those in the North Carolina mountains.

What is the money in Ecuador called and how much is it worth compared to the US dollar? an 11th grader from East Rutherford High School, Rutherford Co.

Formerly Ecuador used the sucre, but in 2000 they experienced an economic crisis and switched to US currency. So now their money is just the same as ours.

Have you eaten any strange food? students from Dr. W.T. Griggs Elementary, Currituck Co.

Yes, today we had cuy, which is roasted guinea pig. We also had a different kind of potatoes called melloca, also known as slime potatoes.