The Ronaldo Wasum Cactarium at the Botanical Garden of Joinville Region University, Santa Catarina, Brazil

Abstract

The Ronaldo Wasum Cactarium (RWC), at the Botanical Garden (BG) of Univille, Santa Catarina, was created on April 19, 2016. Its name is in honor of Professor Ronaldo Adelfo Wasum (in memoriam), ex Director of the BG of Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul State. One of the objectives of the RWC is the ex situ conservation of cactus and other succulents species, including rare and endangered ones. In the RWC collection, there are 86 species, four of Apocynaceae, 68 of Cactaceae and 14 of Euphorbiaceae, one endemic to Santa Catarina and 17 to Brazil. 63 species are threatened with extinction: one critically endangered, three endangered, six vulnerable, three near threatened, 48 of least concern and four are data deficient. The RWC is open to the community; visits are monitored by the BG team, the Trails Program and the Visit Program of Univille. Along with the other collections of live plants at the JB and the Herbarium Joinvillea (JOI), the CRW is an important source for scientific research, in addition to providing knowledge about plants and moments of contemplation of nature to visitors. This work aims to present the CRW collection, opening up possibilities for research and interaction with other institutions and professionals who work with these species.