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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=Cafesombra@aol.com
href="mailto:Cafesombra@aol.com">Cafesombra@aol.com</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A
title=MPWG@lists.plantconservation.org
href="mailto:MPWG@lists.plantconservation.org">MPWG@lists.plantconservation.org</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Cc:</B> <A title=ethnobotany@yahoogroups.com
href="mailto:ethnobotany@yahoogroups.com">ethnobotany@yahoogroups.com</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, December 02, 2003 12:26
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [MPWG] caribean
lowlands</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Hello Friends,</DIV>
<DIV> 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.</DIV>
<DIV> 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.</DIV>
<DIV> 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.</DIV>
<DIV> Thank you in advance for your ideas, </DIV>
<DIV> Jennifer Chesworth</DIV>
<DIV>FYI Here are a few descriptive paragraphs taken off the web about the
climatic conditions: </DIV>
<DIV>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.</DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>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 <EM>norte</EM>) 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</DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<P>
<P>Jennifer,</P>
<P>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.</P>
<P>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.</P>
<P>Regards,<BR>J.N.Covanes<BR>Director of Research<BR>Botresearch USA<BR>23410
Harpergate<BR>Spring, Texas 77373<BR>USA<BR>fax: (281)355-1857<BR><A
href="http://www.botresearch.com">www.botresearch.com</A></P>
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