“As part of this third event, it will be offered some conferences about the usefulness and conservation of species of interests and others with the participation of prestigious specialists in this festival.” Expert Blanca Elena Sorribes Amores, who is a specialist in communication from the National Botanic Garden, stated in an exclusive interview granted to Radio Rebelde news station.
That way, Blanca Elena Sorribes Amores will give a conference about the palm trees in respect of the decoration of interiors and another one named Corypha umbraculifera which flourishes to die. The visitors will have the chance to see a specimen which is 44 years of age and it is in the middle of its flowering process. It was introduced at the National Botanic Garden of Cienfuegos province in 1972 as a seedling that was one year old and used to grow under the palm tress. It is treasured by that related institution.
The Corypha umbraculifera is specie which described for the science by Linneo and it was published in one of its more important works entitled ´Species Plantarum´ (1973). It is native from the south east region of India (Malabar Coast and Sri Lanka), and it has been said that it has a confused origin due to is one of the plants which is most cultivated worldwide.” Blanca Elena pointed out.
In addition, its generic name ´Corypha ´ means summit or peak while the specific epithet ´ umbraculifera´ means umbrella with darkness due to the huge sixe of its leaves.
Likewise, there will be photographic exhibitions and contests of photography, exhibitions of objects made from fibers or other parts of palm trees, as well as the guided tours to the Palmetum area (Collections of palm trees from the garden).
The public will be also enjoying from different gastronomic offers from the palm tress at the ´Bambú´ ecological restaurant and the chance to get seeds and pieces of handcrafts. Moreover, the main activity will be carried out on August 23rd when it will be delivered the prices of the photographic contest on the occasion of the Cuban Women Federation where it will be granted a prize to the woman number 23 who visits the National Botanic Garden.
Cuba has a rich diversity of palm trees with an 84% high percent of endemic species which becomes the highest one in the Caribbean region. There are around 96 ones and the genders of the highest diversity are the Cocothrinax, Copernicia, Roystonea, Sabal and Hemithrinaz species.
The first event of the local Palm Tree Festival took place in 2013. The thematic festivals of the National Botanic Garden (cactus and succulent, Bonsais, useful plants and Palm trees) take place in the summer. They have a national vision and are dedicated to group of plants and techniques of cultivation that are planned, programmed, coordinated and carried out by the group of educators on environment from the deputy management direction department of the Environmental and Recreation Education from the JBN which are dedicated to the visitors, especially to children and young people.
Thanks to them, the visits have increased, especially those from children, teenagers and young people who have contributed to the encouragement of the environmental culture and the conservation. The JBN collections have been enriched from donations given by the collectors of plants and the working bonds with the net of Botanic Gardens and other cultural institutions and non governmental organizations.
By Lucía Sanz Araujo
