Native plants of the serpentine flora with ornamental potential for gardening in the city of Santa Clara, Cuba

Abstract

The city of Santa Clara has developed for the most part on serpentine substrate, which has become a process of deforestation, mostly of the thorny xeromorphic scrub on serpentine. However, native plants with ornamental potentials that grow in this ecological environment are not used in green areas and gardening, which could be reversed in a sustainable gardening practice. The present study aimed to propose native plant species of the serpentine flora for use in green areas and gardening of this city. For the selection of the species, the expert criterion was followed, followed by the collection of bibliographic information, and direct observation in nature about the habit of the plant, its foliage, flowering and fruiting. As a result, 31 species of plants were proposed, represented by trees, shrubs, rosy herbaceous and climbers, which demonstrate the ornamental potential of the native flora and feasible to fulfill functions of shadow projection, delimitation of spaces, visual protection and as focal points