Ethnobotanical survey of existing trees in the botanical garden of UFRRJ

Abstract

Ethnobotany has as main objectives not only to rescue popular knowledge linked to scientific knowledge about the use of plant materials used by social groups with different customs and cultures, but also to contribute to the identification, registration and conservation of natural resources. Aiming at these assumptions, the present work aims to produce a survey of the ethnobotanical characteristics of eudicotiledonous tree species in the Botanic Garden of the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ). The analysis of the ethnobotanical characteristics was done through specialized bibliography and also through records of uses by the local community, using its own methodology for such survey. The tree species were evaluated in 18 categories: food, handicrafts, apiculture, cellulosic, energetic, forage, wood, medicinal, oilseed, ornamental, reforestation, repellent, tannin, technology, textile, dye, ritualistic and poisonous. Among the species with more useful properties, Genipa americana L., included in 16 categories, is evident. However, this survey shows that the Botanic Garden of UFRRJ has an important collection of useful species