A survey of species of Orchidaceae family from Botucatu, Sao Paulo state, Brazil: ornamental potential and cultivation

The regional survey of wild plant species is useful for programs of restoration of deforested areas, and allows the prospection of ornamental and medicinal plant species. The aim of this work was evaluate the species richness of Orchidaceae in the state of Sao Paulo and evaluate its ornamental potential. The survey area consisted of different types of forests, as riparian area, reminiscences of cerrado, Atlantic forest and reforested areas located at municipality of Botucatu, Brazil. There were identified the morphological characterization of the orchid species observed at different types of vegetation in Botucatu municipality. Also, there was collected information about its habitat and the habit of development for establishment of the growth techniques, and the evaluation of ornamental potential of these species. There were found 16 species from the genus Campylocentrum, Catassetum, Cattleya, Cyclopogon, Encyclia, Eulophidium, Eurystiles, Ionopsis, Lophiaris, Oncidium, Pleurothallis, Polystachia, Prescottia, Sarcoglottis and Zygostates. Five of these species, Catassetum fimbriatum, Cattleya forbesii, Encyclia patens, Ionopsis utricularioides and Oncidium crispum showed good ornamental characteristics, as color, number and size of its flowers. Other species as Sarcoglottis fasciculata showed potential for use as foliage. A part of all species were micro-orchids, small plants with small flowers and reduced ornamental potential. However, these species could be used for breeding purpose of orchid species.