New records of Heliconia (Heliconiaceae) for the region of Chajul, Southern Mexico, and their potential use in biodiversity-friendly cropping systems

Abstract

We report 4 new records of Heliconia species (Heliconiaceae) for the region of Chajul, one of the most studied sites of the Mexican Lacandona. Records are for H. champneiana Griggs cv. Maya Gold, H. latispatha Bentham cv. Orange Gyro, H. vaginalis Bentham, and H. wagneriana Petersen. We provide a brief description of morphological and ecological traits of the species and demonstrate the high potential they have to be cultivated in biodiversity-friendly cropping systems. We suggest the use of Heliconia in the enrichment of secondary forests and forest fragments as an alternative of combining forest management with biological conservation.