FLORAL RICHNESS OF THE NATURE SANCTUARY PALMAR EL SALTO, VIÑA DEL MAR, VALPARAISO REGION, CHILE

Abstract

The Nature Sanctuary “Palmar El Salto”, is home to the third largest Jubaea chilensis (Molina) Baillon (Chilean palm tree) population in the country. The objective of this study is to contribute to the knowledge of the flora found in the sanctuary and, to achieve this, thirty vegetation census were carried out with the phytosociologic method of the Zurich-Montpellier school. The flora consists of 234 species. Conformed by 92 species, the endemic element is dominant in the flora. The most important species in the palm grove are: Nassella chilensis (Trin.) E.Desv., Chusquea cumingii Nees, Retanilla trinervia (Gillies et Hook.) Hook. et Arn. and Jubaea chilensis, all native. Stands out the presence of nine species with conservation problems, most of them vulnerable to extinction.