Vegetables species emblematic of the Saraguro Canton, Loja Province, Ecuador

Abstract

The emblematic species are important to encourage the conservation of biodiversity of an area. This research was conducted in 11 parishes of Saraguro canton, Loja province, for the purpose of determining the emblematic species of plant of the Saraguro caton to provide inputs to visualize them in development plans and land use (PDOT) Saraguro canton. Etructured surveys at 264 respondents of 11 parishes in the canton was applied. The level of meaningful use (TRAMIL) was calculated to determine the relevance of the plants in parishes investigated. 231 species have been reported in 99 genera of 209 families. Those species for each parish are: Saraguro 133, Urdaneta 95, Cumbe 77, El Tablón 62, Tenta 113, Celen 96, Selva Alegre 112, Manú 98, Lluzhapa 90, Sumaypamba 81 and Yuluc 52 species. Of the total reported plant species, 184 are considered common; 187 are part of the identity of the population; 56 are used for different categories of use; 28 have lost their use and importance; 31 are part of myths, beliefs and stories of parishes; 31 are known to young people and 76 could be considered a symbol of the parishes. The emblematic species of the parishes of Saraguro canton are: Morella pubescens for Saraguro, Urdaneta, Cumbe, Tenta and Selva Alegre; Croton wagneri in parishes of Yuluc and Sumaypamba; Oreopanax rosei of Manu parish; Lepechinia mutica of El Tablón; Ageratina dendroides to Celen and Symplocos quitensis of Lluzhapa parish.