abstract

• Orchidaceae is the most extensive family of flowering plants. There are approximately 30,000 - 35,000 species, belonging to 850 genera, dispersed in almost all the ecosystems on earth, except in polar zones and extreme deserts. In Mexico, there are more than 1,200 species distribuited in approximately 170 genera, of which 40%25 are endemic to the country. In this review, aspects related to geographical distribution, ecology, conservation, biotechnological applications and uses of orchids growing in Mexico are discussed. The geographical zones where their ecological niches are located are described and the zones that belong to priority conservation areas in Mexico are highlighted. In addition, all works on Mexican orchids related to micropropagation, medicinal uses, beneficial applications for humans, and microorganism-host interaction are discussed. In summary, this study provides perspectives for new studies and research focused on the use, propagation and conservation of Mexican endemic orchids. © 2018, Plant Science and Biodiversity Centre, Slovak Academy of Sciences.

authors

• Alonso-Castro A.J.
• Carranza Álvarez Candy
• Castillo-Pérez L.J.
• Maldonado Miranda Juan José
• Martínez-Soto D.

publication date

• 2019-01-01

funding provided via

• 269491/2016  Grant

published in

• Biologia  Journal

keywords

• conservation; ecology; endemic species; Mexican orchids

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• 10.2478/s11756-018-0147-x

start page

end page

volume

• 74

issue

• 1