Biodiversity, management, and commercialization of ornamental plants at nurseries in Fortin de las Flores, Veracruz

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to create an inventory of the biodiversity, management, and commercialization of ornamental plants at nurseries in the municipality of Fortín de las Flores in the State of Veracruz, Mexico.
 Design/methodology/approach: Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 150 nursery owners.
 Results: The respondents reported a total of 230 different plants. With regard to commercialization, 20 species were reported as the most sold. The most notable species were: Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Glassman, Caesalpinia echinata Lam., Anthurium andreanum Linden, and Phoenix roebelenii O’Brien. The biggest problem was the sale price; 65% of the nursery owners reported that they sold their plants to strangers, and that they did not belong to any organization or cooperative.
 Limitations on study/implications: The poor local technological development characterized by unspecialized small and medium-sized businesses that compete with each other with little trade organization is a result of the sociocultural context of the region. This context limits regional development. Therefore, more research regarding sociocultural aspects should be promoted.
 Findings/conclusions: We have concluded that there is an underutilization of the native agrobiodiversity, since species originating in other parts of the world are what is most often sold. This is evidenced in the main species sold as well as those that generate the highest profits for the nursery owners.