The Botanical Garden of the Felipe II Environmental Interpretation Center: A space to conserve the urban flora of Francisco Morazán

Abstract

The Felipe II Environmental Interpretation Center was founded on February 25, 1989 with the objective of conserving the urban flora through reforestation and environmental restoration over 29 years. The objective of this study was to recognize the existing plant species in the three zones of the garden: Arboretum/grandparents' garden, oak grove and the garden of civilizations. The botanical samples have been collected by the students of the Plant Taxonomy I class and identified with the support of the staff of the TEFH herbarium. The garden reports 216 species, which only one species is endemic, 142 are native and 73 introduced, being in their majority eudicotiledóneas and herbaceous habit. The predominant family was Asteraceae, followed by Fabaceae and Lamiaceae. Dioon mejiae is the endemic species and among the native species are: Croton guatemalensis, Croton heterochrous, Sapranthus violaceus, Tithonia diversifolia, Tabebuia rosea, Cordia curassavica, Tillandsia schiedeana, Trema micrantha, Iresine diffusa, Montanoa guatemalensis, Desmodium intortum. In addition, 12 species are listed on the IUCN red list. The Felipe II botanical garden is a space that conserves and protects biodiversity of the Santa Lucía´s municipality.