The Ethnobotanical Garden in Oaxaca, Mexico was a monastery in colonial times, and later it became a military post. Then in 1992 the military pulled out and after a long debate the government decided to hand the property over to a group of local artists and activists to create this garden.
The garden emphasizes native plants, and especially those that were used by native peoples.
In colonial times the most valuable product of this region was a dye made from these tiny Cochineal insects, worth more than its weight in gold. The Spanish kept trying to establish these insects in other regions but it never worked.
The Ethno- part of the garden includes sections planted in the main local crops, using traditional techniques.
Ruined section of the colonial monastery, incorporated into the garden.
Seems like a lovely place. Unfortunately they have had so much trouble with people stealing or damaging their rare plants that they no longer let people just wander around, and the only way to see it is as part of a tour.
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