In addition to its originality, native plants bring local communities great advantages, namely: cultural identity, close relationship to biodiversity and ecosystems; they can also be used as medicines (bark and roots), food (fruits), textile stuff ( fiber) and wood in different applications.
The current use of native plants in our country is not significant enough because many of them -the most important ones - were treacherously eradicated throughout years of deforestation. However, it is possible to observe well-preserved natural landscapes in the south due to water quality, soil and air, and protective actions. In other forest areas there are high-value species that have evolved under low water availability, semi-arid soils and climate. These plants are vulnerable or are endangered, so they deserve to be protected.
The native flora of our country, nevertheless, remains rich and varied. It is possible to find friendly animals that pollinate them and others that regulate their growth, reproduction and multiplication by eating them.
Some native plants like Ceibo (Erythrina crista galli), White Algarrobo (Prosopis alba), Creole Sauce (Salix humboldtiana) and creosote bush (also called carrier’s money) have curative properties, they are desirable species to grow a park.
Native plants make our parks beautiful, and help us raise awareness of the need for their conservation. But they also reassess their presence as our own plants. By knowing their origin and characteristics, they can be combined with other species.
Let’s work on that.
