Abstract

RAMIREZ-HERNANDEZ, Sebastiana Guadalupe et al. Criteria for selecting ornamental herbaceous species to be used in landscape design. Rev. Chapingo Ser.Hortic [online]. 2012, vol.18, n.1, pp.71-79. ISSN 2007-4034.

Mexico has a great diversity of plants, many of them with ornamental potential that has not been used due to the lack of information. There is a world-wide tendency to rescue wild plants with ornamental potential to be included in the design of green spaces. The objective of this study was to develop and apply a methodological matrix for the selection of native wild species with ornamental potential. A survey and collection of herbaceous species was carried out in eight municipalities in central Veracruz (Huatusco, Tepatlaxco, Coscomatepec, Paso del Macho, Amatlan de los Reyes, Cuitlahuac, Tezonapa and Zongolica) in areas little disturbed. Herbaceous species with attractive characteristics of foliage and flowers were collected. A total of 18 species belonging to 10 families and 16 genera were identified, the majority of them has not been used in landscape design. Based on the methodology developed, five plants had high ornamental potential. Ruellia coerulea Morong, Cosmos sulphureus, Zinnia elegans L., Salvia coccinea Buc'hoz ex Etl. and Lantana camara L. had the highest scores of potential for ornamental use.

Keywords : Native plants; landscape design; ornamental plants; criteria selection.