Re: [aroid-l]

Dear Peter,

I hope you have a great time in Brazil, one of the main aroid countries in the world. We have 30 genera growing here and a few of them are endemic such as: Gearum, Zomicarpa, Dracontioides, Asterostigma (as recircunscribed) and Bognera (as yet). Other genera also occur in other countries but has most of the diversity occurring here, as: Taccarum, Alloschemone, Philodendron subg. Meconostigma, Anthurium sect. Urospadix, etc.
In Manaus, make a stop at INPA. They have small collection of interesting aroids around the buildings of the Research Labs. I canīt remember any good site in Salvador, but if you are going to Rio, donīt miss Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden and the Burle-Marx collection, that is not so far from there. Burle-Marx collection worths itself the trip. I donīt remember nothing special in Sao Paulo, but if you have some time, try to visit the Instituto Plantarum, in Nova Odessa (more or less 100km from Sao Paulo, near Campinas). It is not opened to the public, but you probably can book a visit (www.plantarum.com.br). You can also see the plants in the field. They are everywhere. If you want a specialized guide, contact Mauro Peixoto (http://sites.uol.com.br/mpeixoto/) and he can take you to many interesting places.
Just an important note. Brazilian brand new laws concerning diversity turns any intention of bringing home plants into a potential nightmare. It is prohibited to take plants out of the country without appropriate authorizations, that can take months or even years to be obtained. Most plant dealers are not exactly happy with this law, but "dura lex, sed lex". Smuggled plants, if found, can put any foreign person in an embarassing trouble, including TV appearance and all that stuff... If you are in Manaus, the probability of having serious problems is even doubled up. I have no sympathy for this biodiversity taliban, even because most of our diversity is already growing in Europe or USA since the late 1700īs. Anyhow, I can only try to use the democracy to fight against its excesses. As an aroid man, all I can do is warn people and avoid unespected troubles. I am usually known for throwing sand in other peopleīs camp-fire when the subject is visiting Brazil to get plants. However, I would hate if I could plan a trip to get plants in another country, waste a lot of money to travel and obtain plants and, after all, to be arrested at the airport, with my picture in the Newspapers saying "Biopirata!" (Portuguese word for biopirate). It is a silly paranoia, but it has spreaded like a disease in whole country. In the meanwhile, weīre burning everything!!!

Very best wishes,

Eduardo.


From: <pmdes@ionet.co.za>
Reply-To: aroid-l@lists.ncsu.edu
To: <aroid-l@lists.ncsu.edu>
Subject: Re: [aroid-l]
Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 19:37:24 +0200

 Hi Everybody,
I am going to Brasil for about 2 weeks and make stops in
Rio, Manaus, Salvador, Iguassu and Sao Paulo.
What are must see Botanical Gardens and nurseries that
specialise in Anthuriums,Philodenrons, Palms and maybe other interesting
plants in these stop over places.
Best Regards
Peter
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