[MPWG] caribean lowlands

[botresearchusa]

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Cafesombra at aol.com 
  To: MPWG at lists.plantconservation.org 
  Cc: ethnobotany at yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2003 12:26 PM
  Subject: Re: [MPWG] caribean lowlands


  Hello Friends,
       I am seeking advice regarding two botanical collections I am helping to establish in Honduras.  One will be located at a rural clinic site about 45 minutes outside of the capital city of Tegucigalpa (tropical temperate highland), the other will be located at a botanical garden on the north coast (caribean lowland).  The climate zones are distinct though many of the same plants would I am sure do well at either site.  The main difference, though, is that the caribean lowland site gets plenty of rain, while the number one challenge for garden caretakers at the temperate site will be getting enough water to the plants.  So, probably arid-land-loving plants would be best choices for that particular garden.
       If you're willing, any suggestions of plants to include in our collections would be welcome.  Both gardens are specifically medicinal plant collections, an emphasis will be placed on local plants though we are not necessarily closed to exotic ideas.  We are especially interested in selecting a few key cash crops, to develop market support that would generate enough income to keep the gardens going.  This could be an export crop of seeds, or dried herbs, or a value-added product if we could handle producing it, ornamentals, spices, or flowers for a local market... basically we want to pick whatever will work.
       We are also asking for direct market support, for market contacts who would be willing to support our gardens by contracting some crop from us specifically as a means of supporting the clinical and educational aspects of our work.  Both gardens are managed under a cooperative alliance between non-profit Honduran agencies and my agency, Herbalists Without Borders.
       Thank you in advance for your ideas, 
       Jennifer Chesworth
  FYI Here are a few descriptive paragraphs taken off the web about the climatic conditions: 
  Tropical temporate highlands have an average high temperature ranging from 30° C in April, the warmest month, to 25° C in January, the coolest.  The interior highlands have a dry season, known locally as "summer," from November to April. Almost all the rain in this region falls during the "winter," from May to September. Total yearly amounts depend on surrounding topography; Tegucigalpa, in a sheltered valley, averages only 1,000 millimeters of precipitation.
  The Caribbean lowlands have a tropical wet climate with consistently high temperatures and humidity, and rainfall fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, with daytime highs averaging between 28° C and 32° C throughout the year.  In the Caribbean lowlands, the only relief from the year-round heat and humidity comes during December or January when an occasional strong cold front from the north (a norte) brings several days of strong northwest winds and slightly cooler temperatures.  Rain falls year round in the Caribbean lowlands.  Amounts are copious along the north coast...Near San Pedro Sula, amounts are slightly less from November to April, but each month still has considerable precipitation


  Jennifer,

  There are many species in the Lamiaceae/Labiatae family that would qualify under the described conditions. Many of these species have been used for medicinal purposes for hundreds of years and are still being grown and utilized in third world countries. Some of these species have served as the basis for many of our current pharmaceuticals and many more have revealed promising research results for the treatment of many diseases. One such example is found in Agastache rugosa which has shown to have positive inhibitory effects on the HIV-1 virus. Of course we should not forget those species with culinary uses,(mint, oregano,thyme etc.) and those which are in great demand here in the U.S. (Salvia species). Many of the South American Salvias are rather difficult for the public to acquire, partly because of the limited supply and partly due to import regulations & restrictions, must be a licensed importer, and must obtain phytosanitary certificates where required.

  Assuming that all these conditions could be met, I beleive we might be able to help you obtain a market in these species in this country. Please feel free to contact me off list  if interested.

  Regards,
  J.N.Covanes
  Director of Research
  Botresearch USA
  23410 Harpergate
  Spring, Texas 77373
  USA
  fax: (281)355-1857
  www.botresearch.com




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