| Seventy-five Honduran gardens were analyzed in five geoclimatic locations. The uses and types of plants found were catalogued and qualitative descriptions were made of 309 species found growing in the gardens. Sixty-four percent of these species were ornamentals, 25% were food plants, 10% were medicinal, and the rest were used for household, seasoning or other uses.;This research found that the complexities of Honduran garden systems make a stable and reliable food production system.;Home gardens in the more mountainous areas were less diverse and more densely planted than gardens in the other areas. Some mountain gardeners had adopted of row cropping of annual vegetables. These gardens contained fewer species grown more densely than the traditional mixed garden. The gardens in areas with intermediate temperature, elevation and rainfall had significantly more species and canopy layers than gardens in areas with extreme climatic conditions. The largest gardens were found on the coastal plain. The area with the driest climate had the largest percentage of food species in the garden. During the time of the study many fruit trees which are highly productive commercially were reported to produce less than was needed. Honduran women were most often responsible for the garden and were the sources of information on the folklore, and medicinal uses of the plants. |
