SELECTION AND DOMESTICATION OF ENDEMIC SPECIES FROM MACARONESIA WITH ORNAMENTAL VALUE

Madeira Island is extremely rich in endemic species from Madeira and Macaronesia, many of them with ornamental potential. The expansion of urban areas, as well as the construction of roads, especially in the south coast of the island, has increased the number of public green areas. However, in most of the landscaping projects, plants are selected according to their immediate availability, usually corresponding to exotics which do not easily adapt to local conditions. The use of endemic species instead of exotics offers many advantages: plants are adapted to local conditions, require less water and maintenance, and are more resistant to diseases and pests. The intensive use of these plants in urban areas where human intervention takes place, can add value to this tourist destination, because tourists want to see something different from what they see in the countries where they come from or have already visited. The use of endemic plants in the island is still reduced, mainly because little is known about these plants and their ornamental value, but also because there is insufficient information about their behaviour under cultivation. To stimulate and promote the use of endemic species by nurseries, landscapers and general public, a project is being developed to overcome the lack of agronomical knowledge. Project tasks include the selection of taxa with ornamental potential, followed by studies on their behaviour in nature and under cultivation, as well as on propagation and production techniques. The results will be used to develop fact sheets for each species, containing the most important information for use as ornamentals. A booklet collating the fact sheets will be published and disseminated to all the concerned stakeholders and general public.