The Zamiaceae Family In Guatemala

Abstract

The update of the knowledge of the Conifers of Guatemala includes 57 species of plants, of which 28 species are native and 29 are exotic, grouped into different families, one of them, the Zamiaceae family, which is a group of plants similar to palms and that were studied through the University Project of Research in Basic Sciences- PUICB-057 "Taxonomic update of the flora of Guatemala, chapter 1 Pinophyta".

Specimens of the different species that make up the Zamiaceae were collected and georeferenced, this allowed the preparation of distribution maps of native species, included in the genera Ceratozamia (1 species) and Zamia (4 species), as well as exotic species such as Dioon mejiae and Zamia furfuracea, used as ornamentals.

All this information that can be cataloged from first source and unpublished was complemented with the review of the Coniferous collections of the Herbarium MEXU (UNAM, Mexico); from Herbarium F, (Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago). Herbarium N Y, (New York Botanical Garden, USA: the BIGU Herbarium of the USAC School of Biology); and the EAP Herbarium (Panamerican School of Agriculture-Zamorano, Honduras).

Therefore, the quality of the information gathered through this research is of noteworthy consideration, mainly for the enrichment of the Botanical Reference Collections which, among other reasons, are essential for the University Information System on Biodiversity and SIRBTOC Conservation, which will be of great support to institutions such as CONAP, TNAB and MAGA that must ensure the rational management of the Nation's natural resources.