Que Pasa Oaxaca?

The best landscape designs are those that invite people to use and enjoy them.

It’s obviously critical that we leave as much of nature as possible as undisturbed as possible. But in those places where humans are already a fixture, we need landscapes that blend nature and humans together in ways that benefit both. This may sound obvious. Look around you, though, and you start to realize it’s not really how we approach a lot of our public and private landscaping decisions.

Many of us think of nature as existing “out there” somewhere. In a state or national park, maybe. Someplace we might go for a hike or a camping trip. It’s a place we visit. We don’t really think of it as something that is – or should be – surrounding us in our day-to-day lives. In the same vein, much of the deliberate landscaping that we see around us is intended more to decorate buildings than to provide outdoor habitat or sustenance for humans or wildlife. This insistence on separating people from nature is at the crux of our current biodiversity crisis. Human development is displacing wilderness at a pace that’s unsustainable for the planet.

What a privilege, then, to visit Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca, a botanical garden in Oaxaca, Mexico, that celebrates the confluence of plants and people. I took a few pics to share with you.

Because of its location in the narrowest strip of land separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean, Oaxaca’s subtropical highland climate supports the highest level of biodiversity in Mexico.

Ethnobotany is the study of the relationships between humans and plants, with an emphasis on indigenous peoples and their understanding of native species. Within the field, there's growing recognition of the vital role that local knowledge can play in developing effective conservation and biodiversity preservation strategies. For example, traditional cultivation practices by small-scale farmers often involve a wide spectrum of species and naturally-occurring varieties within those species – in sharp contrast to more modern agricultural practices that emphasize monocultures. As discussed here, genetic diversity helps species adapt to and survive environmental changes.

Plumeria rubra, also known as frangipani, has anti-fertility, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepato-protective, anti-microbial and other medicinal uses.

Agave macroantha, an endangered species, is used for medicinal purposes and, like other agave species, as the key ingredient in the distillation of mezcal.

Dioon planifolium, a palm-like cycad, can be used as fresh food or to make a nutritional flour.

A full rhythm section of cacti: organ pipe (Stenocereus thurberi, I believe) and prickly pear (Opuntia robusta). Organ pipe fruit is edible and the stems can be used for borders, corrals and fencing. Prickly pear is used in many dishes and also to treat diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity and hangovers(!).

Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca displays plants that have sustained the people of Oaxaca for thousands of years, serving as food, firewood, fibers and medicines, as well as spiritual and artistic inspiration. It highlights the connections between Oaxaca’s biological diversity and cultural history.

The common name, Mexican creeper (Antigonon leptopus), doesn’t do this beauty justice. A tea made from its leaves and flowers relieves cold and flu symptoms.

Baby succulents, probably a species of Graptopetalum, getting ready for planting. The leaves have culinary and medicinal uses.

I believe this is the trunk of a gumbo limbo tree (Bursera simaruba), which I would admire for the name alone but oh, that exfoliating bark. The resin is used as glue or varnish, and the leaves have medicinal uses.

Marigolds have medicinal and culinary uses. According to the Aztecs, their fragrance guides spirits to their altars, so they feature prominently in Day of the Dead celebrations. They also appeal, apparently, to monarch butterflies.

The Jardín is housed in a 16th century monastery and the landscaping was designed by artist Francisco Toledo. So in addition to its educational role, the space also happens to be beautiful. A welcome reminder that nature belongs not only “elsewhere,” but also very much “here.”

Speaking of artistry and Mexican influences: in a wonderfully incongruous leap of style, the L.A.-based punk band The Bronx put out Mariachi El Bronx* as its fourth album in 2009. The album pays tribute to Mexico's beloved mariachi bands. Hard to pick a favorite from the lineup, but this song is up there:

*A hat tip to my sister for introducing us to Mariachi El Bronx back at the beginning.

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Resources

Jeff Spurrier, “Oaxaca’s Ethnobotanical Garden,” Garden Design.

Rebecca Bailey, “Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca,” Que Pasa Oaxaca, August 10, 2018.

Natalia Hanazaki, Elaine Mitie Nakamura, Bianca Lindner and Walter Simon de Boef, “Opportunities for Ethnobotany to Contribute to Community Biodiversity Management,” Biodiversity International.