Abstract

MONDRAGON, Demetria  and  VILLA-GUZMAN, Dulce María. Ethnobotanical study of epiphytic bromeliads in Santa Catarina Ixtepeji community, Oaxaca, Mexico. Polibotánica [online]. 2008, n.26, pp.175-191. ISSN 1405-2768.

In the state of Oaxaca epiphytic bromeliads are used to decorate nativity scenes, by reason of which during November and December bromeliads are collected in significant numbers from the forests surrounding the capital. This harvesting puts the survival of these bromeliads at risk, and, for this reason, authorities have begun to regulate and restrict harvesting. In order to create guidelines that will aid in the development of a plan to manage and conserve epiphytic bromeliads used in the community of Santa Catarina Ixtepeji, Oaxaca, an ethnobotanical study was conducted to answer the following questions: what species of epiphytic bromeliads are utilized?; what part of the plant is utilized?; who collects and makes use of the plants?; and what are some of the social-cultural characteristics of the users? From October 2005 to March 2006 informal and structured interviews were conducted with 102 of the 128 harvesters of bromeliads from the community, along with a participant workshop; observations of participants were also made in the field. Fourteen of the 19 species of epiphytic bromeliads present in the community were used. They were primarily sold at Christmas, although some species were used as fodder or ornamental plants. The harvesters collected entire juvenile and adult plants. The harvesting is carried out by women who are mostly 30 to 40 years of age. Based on the number of individual plants collected, the cultural value associated with them, their sale price and other indicators, it was determined that Catopsis berteroniana,Tillandsia carlos-hankii and Viridantha plumosa should be prioritized for conservation in the management plan. Furthermore, the collection of Tillandsia gymnobotrya should be prohibited. Strategies to protect these plants should be focused upon women older than 30 years of age. Additionally, it is important to recognize that this community is governed by a communal system; therefore, the implementation of any conservation program needs to be approved by the assembly.

Keywords : Bromeliaceae; conservation; ethnobotany; Oaxaca; Sierra Norte.

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