- General information on the vegetation of Oaxaca
- flowers
- Protected plants
- Decorative plants and trees
- Healing plants
- References
The vegetation of Oaxaca is considered one of the richest in Mexico. It is considered that there are around 30,000 species of plants in this region.
In Oaxaca there is a presence of medium and low-lying forests in the La Cañada region, in the Tehuantepec river basin, in the Isthmus and in the Pacific basin.
There are also forests of coniferías, oaks and pastures in the mountainous areas, in the Mixtec region and in the central valleys. In some areas there are also mangroves and palm groves.
Oaxaca is located in southwestern Mexico, bordering Veracruz, Puebla, Chiapas, Guerrero, and the Pacific Ocean.
You may also be interested in the natural resources of Oaxaca or its relief.
General information on the vegetation of Oaxaca
Due to the geographic and climatic diversity of Oaxaca, nature has found an excellent territory to develop. So much so that seven of the nine types of plants existing on our planet can be found in that state.
Some outstanding examples of Oaxacan vegetation are trees, such as tule, which belongs to the Montezuma cypress species.
It is estimated to be around two thousand years old. The ash, framboyan, juniper, casuarina, pochote ahueguete and coconut palms also stand out.
flowers
As for the flowers, it is estimated that there are between eight thousand and nine thousand species in this state. Some of the families present are the leguminosae, iponema, solanum, cyperus, senna, cordia, acacia, bursela, eupatorium, mimosa, asteraceae, poaceae and rubioceae.
Due to deforestation and the growth of urban centers, many species have been threatened. Among them are the sangualico, sanete, salmiche, ram, palo de leche, cortés, gallito, palmito, mangrove, guayacán and granadillo.
Protected plants
Another group of plants are also protected and their extraction and sale is considered a federal crime in Mexico.
These species are the pot-bellied palm, the sotolin and the star palm. These arid climate plants are in high demand on the black market due to the rarity of their leaves and trunk.
Decorative plants and trees
One of the peculiarities of the Oaxaca plants is that many of their wild species can be grown as decorative plants in urban areas, as they do not need special care or hydration.
The most common for these purposes are the hibiscus, very popular for its striking red flower, and the ipomea with its purple and pink flower.
Some trees typical of Oaxaca, planted for decorative purposes for their beautiful white flowers are the huntre and the bobo bird.
Guirisiña is also commonly planted in parks due to the thickness of its leaves that provides a lot of shade and also has a flowering period that tends to last several days.
Healing plants
As for the healing plants, they stand out as some of the most used by the Zapotecs:
The ahuehuete to treat skin conditions
-The capulin to improve vision
-The guarumbo, whose milk from its stem removes warts from the skin
-The sweetgum, whose leaves are used to suspend diarrhea in children.
References
- Salas-Morales, S. (2003). Flora of the coast of Oaxaca: floristic list of the Zimatán region. Oaxaca: Botanical Society of Mexico. Retrieved on November 9, 2017: botanicalsciences.com.mx
- García, A. (2004). Biodiversity of Oaxaca. Mexico: World wildlife fund. Retrieved on November 9, 2017 from: books.google.es
- González, R. (1992). Zapotec science: Farming and food in the northerm sierra of Oaxaca. Texas: University of Texas Press. Retrieved on November 6, 2017 from: books.google.es
- Oaxaca.. Retrieved on November 6, 2017 from: books.google.es
- Mercolt, M. (nd). Medicinal herbs of the Isthmus. Retrieved on November 9, 2017 from: books.google.es