Indigenous Biological Conservation of Medicinal Plant
Resources at the Itzamma Garden:
Status & challenges
By: Patrick Audet
Introduction;
The Itzamma Medicinal Plant Project is a collaborative conservation and agronomy initiative
between the University of Ottawa, Cleveland State University, the Belize Indigenous Training
Institute, and the Q’eqchi Traditional Maya Healers’ Association focused on identifying,
characterizing, and cultivating medicinal and/or traditionally important plants used by the
Q’eqchi Maya. Located near the village of Indian Creek adjacent to the Mayan Mountain
foothills of southern Belize, the Itzamma Ethnobotanical Garden represents a cornerstone of this
project where endemic plant species are grown, cultivated, and used in regular practice for
community primary health care by 9 healers of the Q’eqchi’ Maya Healers’ Association
(Bourbonnais-Spear et al. 2006). From a recent field expedition, we present here a biological
survey of the Itzamma Garden describing the diversity, distribution, and abundance of medicinal
species, as well as a description of development challenges and improvement strategies currently
employed at the site.
Method
The biological survey was conducted via a coordinated grid-line mapping method. Strategic
reference markers were dispatched throughout the site to triangulate the Garden’s periphery and
ecological features. GPS points were also noted for each marker. All lengths and relative width
distances between cultivated rows were measured directly. The plant species lists were tabulated
by cross-referencing folk names and voucher specimens from previous data-bases by
Bourbonnais-Spears et al. (2005) and Treyvaud-Amiguet et al. (2005, 2006). Information on the
history, challenges and solutions to the cultivation issues were provided by the Healers and
Canadian plant scientists.
Biological survey
Characterized as a mixed submontane and lowland broadleaved forest, the Itzamma
Garden is a 70 acre site comprising over 130 cultivated medicinal plant species grown locally or
transplanted from nearby regions (Table 1). In the wake of Hurricane Iris, the cultivated zones
within the Garden are described as a mid- to late-succession forest ( mainly 8 year old) canopy
and managed grasslands surrounded by a seasonal floodplain due to the bordering Golden stream
(Fig.1a). As member species originate primarily from upland localities, the majority of
medicinal plants at the Garden are cultivated in the forest canopy zone which provides much
needed shade and soil moisture (Fig.1b), whereas better adapted commercial cultivars such as
chamomile and lemongrass are more prominent in the managed grassland which is exposed to
high levels of sunlight and seasonal water drainage (Fig.1c). In this latter zone, medicinal plants
have been successfully grown through intercropping with ornamental plants by providing added
protection from desiccation; albeit, their growth and medicinal potency was found to be greatly
reduced compared to those found in the canopy zone. For this reason, fruit trees are being
planted at the periphery of the grassland to improve shade cover and promote the growth of early
succession species. Moreover, an innovative feature at the Garden is the use of fallen trees for
the cultivation of epiphytic plants. As shown (Fig.1d), moisture and nutrient rich logs harbor a
high abundance and diversity of rare and often precarious species numbering well over 100
individuals, including many low bushes and runner vines.
Challenges and Solutions at the Itzamma garden
The Izamma Garden (created between 2000 and 2009) was an initiative of the traditional healers,
themselves, who cited concern for disappearing wild species and the long travel required to
collect medicinal plants in the Maya mountains. This is a strategy previously never attempted in
the area and subsequently involved numerous challenges (Table 3). First, no templates or
protocols were available. Plants were collected with soil and roots in the Maya mountains during
field trips by the healers. A high rate of mortality among transplanted species exists due to root
disturbances, leaf desiccation and predation by leaf cutter ants. To meet these challenges, the
healers are using irrigation with water from the adjacent creek to prevent desiccation. Also,
transplantation measures are being adapted making better use of shade trees. Since log resources
are rapidly depleted in tropical ecosystems, careful considerations are being made for the
construction of raised bed microcosms containing enriched soils for a more sustainable
cultivation of epiphytic plants. For ant protection, the healers are using traditional ceremonies
and intercropping methods. Peer reviewed literature has shown that the latter is effective in
reducing a number of insect pests. Other challenges of the project include an inability to attract a
full time agronomist due to short term funding which was resolved by inviting volunteer
Canadian plant scientists and increasing healer participation at the Garden. An unresolved
concern is the issue of clear rights to land tenure. Here, ongoing measures are being taken to
acquire full title rights from the Government of Belize.
References
N. Bourbonnais-Spear, J.T. Arnason & al., Econ Botany 59, 326-336 (2005).
N. Bourbonnais-Spear, J.T. Arnason & al., Ambio 35, 138-140 (2006).
V. Treyvaud Amiguet, J.T. Arnason & al., Econ Botany 59, 29-42 (2005).
V. Treyvaud Amiguet, J.T. Arnason & al., Econ Botany 60, 24-38 (2006).
Figure 1.
Ecological survey of the Itzamma Ethnobotanical Garden at Indian Creek, Belize, C.A. The
site’s succession history (a) is shown outlining the cultivated (solid line) and uncultivated zones
(dotted line), as well as the distribution of plant species (e.g. row cultivars and field plots) within
the forest canopy (b) and managed grassland zones (c); the waking trails are represented as
dotted lines. A précis of epiphytic plants associated with Log 1 (d) is shown where the species
distributions and relative sizes are represented as solid circles and runner vines and bushes
represented as dotted free-forms. The corresponding identification numbers for species taxons
and Q’eqchi folk names are presented in Tables 1 and 2.
Table 2. Log Epiphytes
Family
Taxon
Folk Name
I.D.
Acanthaceae
Aphelandra scabra (Vahl.) Sm.
Justicia aff.fimbriata (Nees) V.A.W. Graham
Justicia albobracteata Leonard
Adiantum pulverulentum L.
Pteris pungens Willd.
Annona aff. glabra L.
Chamadorea sp.
Anthurium willdenowii Kunth.
Anthurium sp.
Philodendron sp.
Syngonium sp.
TBD
Xilix
Jolom chakmut
Xna' k'ejen
Sisb' k'itche'
Rok' chitwan
Jolob'ob'
Xate'
X ch'ich ma'us
Xtye' aj pu'
U'xb
Ruk' ma'us
Letzeb /
Sankil pim /
Sankil kejen
German Camomile
Ra'an k'antyaj
Jackass Bitter
Joblo' te'
Bak'nel pim
Juruch aj pak'
Rax i juruch' aj pak'
Pa' ulul
Xak' pek
K'ajal
Chik babak'
K'um pim
K’uk mukoch
Rax i ch'ajom k'ajam
Kak' i uk'ub
K'an che' /
K’an i che’
Karabans' che'
Kak' i pim /
Cua' bon
Jub'ub
Jix
63
63
72
50
9
23
48
25
3
61
13
31, 44
K'otz /
Ch'up i xim
Subin
Chich' i mo'or
Sankil kejen
X cua chak'bo' lai
Xak' pek
Jolom k'an tyaj
Cui i xul
Cui ajawchan
Mai pim
Pu'chuch re'tzul
Tziri tok'
75
Adiantaceae
Annonaceae
Arecaceae
Araceae
Asteraceae
Begoniaceae
Burseraceae
Cactaceae
Cucurbitaceae
Davalliaceae
Desconocida
Euphorbiaceae
FabaceaeCaesalpinioideae
Gesneriaceae
Marcgraviaceae
Melastomataceae
Mimosaceae
Monimiaceae
Moraceae
Moraceae
Orchidaceae
Piperaceae
Matricaria recutita L.
Mikania guaco Humb. & Bonpl.
Neurolaena lobata (L.) Cass. sepi
Vernonia stellaris La Llave & Lex.
TBD
TBD
TBD
Begonia glabra Aubl. var. Glabra
Begonia heracleifolia Schltdl.& Cham.
Bursera simaruba (L.) Sarg.
Wilmattea minutiflora (Britton & Rose) Britton & Rose.
Gurania makoyana (Lem.) Cogn.
Nephrolepis biserrata (Sw.) Schott.
TBD
Acalypha arvensis Poepp.
Acosmium panamense (Benth.) Yakovlev
Senna hayesiana (Britton & Rose) H.S. Irwin & Barneby
Columnea sulfurea Donn. Sm.
Souroubea gilgii V.A. Richt.
Clidemia capitellata (Bonpl.) D. Don. var dependens (D. Don.) J.F.
Macbr.
Hyptis verticillata Jacq.
Acacia sp.
Mollimedia guatemalensis Perkins
Epiphyllum phyllanthus (L.) Haw. var strictum (Lem.) Kimnach
Dorstenia sp.
Dorstenia contrajerva L.
TBD
Peperomia hispidula (Sw.) A. Dietr.
Peperomia sp.
Peperomia sp.
Piper aequale Vahl
Piper amalago L.
C3
10
C2
74
65
19
51
33
58*
35
11
8
71, 52
18
69
6, 46
59
76
37
32
40
45
17
58*
41
14
15
30
42
56
Family (cont’d)
Taxon (cont’d)
Folk Name (cont’d)
I.D.
Piperaceae
Piper auritum Kunth
Piper hispidum Sw.
Piper peltatum L.
Piper sp.
Piper sp.
Cymbopogon sp.
Securidaca diversifolia (L.) S. F. Blake
Gouania polygama (Jacq.) Urb.
U'bel
K'an pom
Tyut it
Pu' jix
Rax pu'chuch
Lemon Grass
Ch'up k'an tyaj
Ik'l /
Ch'ajom kajam /
X abon' kajam
Chaj max
Ruxbi kaq
47
1
39
16
43
C1
73
60,62
Chok'l pim
Rok' so'sol
Ruj i rak'i tza
70
5
55
Bisib k'ajam
Chakbo'li pim /
Rix chakbo'li
Cho condo'
Ik'bo' lai pim
Jol jol
Jolom i posp
K'ak' i chok'l
Kak' i tzimaj
K'an uxb
Ku ku meka /
Re'ak'
La'
Lok' ab'
Ojoj
Rix ik'bo 'lai
Rutzaj k'opopo'
Sak' i pajl
Sak' i tu' lux
Sak'I kuruz kix
Wukub k'ejen
X xabaj tza
Xab ajpak'
Xna' ichaj pim
21
4
Poaceae
Polygalaceae
Rhamnaceae
Rubiaceae
Schizaeaceae
Selaginelliaceae
Verbenaceae
Hamelia patens Jacq.
Lygodium heterodoxum Kunze,
Lygodium venustum Sw.
Selaginella umbrosa Lem. Ex Hieron.
Hoffmannia sp.
Adiantum wilsonii Hook.
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
*Folk name associated with more than one taxon
TBD – Taxon to be determined
70
2
38
12
24
68
66
53
49
34
28
54
20
26
7
57
64
29
67
27
36
22
Table 1. Row Cultivars
Family
Taxon
Folk Name
I.D.
Acanthaceae
Justicia pectoralis Jacq.
Justicia sp.
Xu kui kok
Jolom chakmut
Adiantaceae
Arecaceae
Araliaceae
Begoniaceae
Costaceae
Pteris pungens Willd.
Chamadorea sp.
Dendropanax arboreus (L.) Decne.& Planch.
Begonia glabra Aubl.
Costus laevis Ruiz & Pav.
Roq chiq'wan
Xate
Cojl che'
Kaki pim
Tzu'un
Davalliaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Gesneraceae
Haemodoraceae
Loganiaceae
Nephrolepis biserrata (Sw.) Schott.
Acalypha arvensis Poepp.
Columnea sulfurea Donn. Sm.
Xiphidium caeruleum Aubl.
Strychnos panamensis Seem.
Malvaceae
Melastomataceae
Pavonia paniculata Cav.
Blakea cuneata Standl.
Clidemia capitellata (Bonpl.) D. Don. var dependens (D. Don.)
J.F. Macbr.
Clidemia crenulata Gleason
Miconia sp.
Siparuna thecaphora (Poepp. & Endl.) A. DC.
Mollimedia guatemalensis Perkins
Blakea cuneata Standl.
Pimenta guatemalensis (Lundell) Lundell
Peperomia tetraphylla (G. Forst.) Hook. & Arm.
Peperomia sp.
Piper aff. aequale Vahl
Piper hispidum Sw.
Piper schiedeanum Steud.
Uq mockoch
Kak uqub
Kaki pim
Ix qwa ihquch
Krus /
Kurus qix
Jolom pich
Xoi pim
Ixq pim
58
25,48,72,73,
75,77,84
19
44,49,51,86
62
21*
15, 22,
23,40,61
46
34
21*
20
36,37
Monimiaceae
Myrtaceae
Piperaceae
Rubiaceae
Piper tuerckeimii C.DC. ex Donn. Sm.
Piper yucatanense C. DC.
Piper sp.
Gonzalagunia panamensis (Cav.) K.Schum.
Psychotria sp.
Schizaeaceae
Selaginelliaceae
Solanaceae
Verbenaceae
Vitaceae
Zinginberacea
Lygodium venustum Sw.
Selaginella umbrosa Lem. Ex Hieron.
Solanum megalophyllum Dunal
Solanum sp.
Adiantum wilsonii Hook.
Hoffmannia sp.
Vitis tiliifolia Humb. & Bonpl. ex Roem. & Schult.
Zinginger sp.
Tzo pim
Roq muqui
Chu che
Saki kejen
Oxlaju Txajom
Pens'
Puchuch retzul
Mai pim
Puchuch rekanil
Kan pom
Marcus kejen /
Tint it puchuch
Cux sawi
Tzulub pim
Rax puchuch
Chu che /
Tzul che'
Koleras /
Koleras k’aan
Ruxbi ka'ak
Choq'l pim
Ix pim
Iq kejen
Ruj I raq'I tzi'
Rak so'sol
Tzulub pim
Xan xir
43
55
39
28
30
50
33,68,74
42
85
29
57
71,78
14,16
18,56
66,67
35
79
47,83
17,82
41,54
65
27
31
52,70
68b
35
1-13, C4
Family (cont’d)
Taxon (cont’d)
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
*Folk name associated with more than one taxon

Folk name associated with more than one taxon
TBD – Taxon to be determined
Folk Name
(cont’d)
Anx’ akajam
Chak bo’lai pim
Ix uqil li pek
Kaq'I ukub
Ki’il pim
Mes i ja’
Mul tzi
Nink’l puchuch
Qu chim
Re’etaj tyajel
Roq tzilbu’ul
Roq tzulul
Rutzaj copopo’
Telom pim
Wukub’ kejen
X cua ribali choq’l
Xiq konej
I.D.
53
81
17
63
40
80
43
60
32
76
38
24
64b,69
82
64
59
45
Table 3. Checklist of challenges and solutions at the Itzamma Ethnobotanical Garden
List of challenges
Botanical garden is not a traditional form of
agriculture; Successful cultivation methods yet to be
established
Medicinal plants are mainly upland forest species
while garden is in lowlands close to villages
Solutions
Innovative use of habitats (e.g. logs, wetlands, shade trees,
etc.) leading to successful establishment of medicinal plants
Use of cover trees and frequent watering to improve survival;
Possible relocation of endemic species to upland sites
High transplantation mortality
Efforts made to minimize desiccation and reduce root
disturbances
Leaf cutter ant damage
Traditional ceremony to reduce ant damage;
Intercropping of species
Hurricane Iris (2001) destroyed trek-force building,
reference collections and seedlings
World Bank, IPP, and IDRC aid to rebuild hurricane-proof
facilities
Limited success of micro-enterprise commercial
crops; Insufficient funds available to attract local
agronomist
Donation of land by the Government of Belize did
not result in clear legal title to land
Local agronomist replaced with Research Volunteers;
Increased Healer participation at Garden
Unresolved