Inspired by João Guimarães Rosa, in The Devil to Pay in the Backlands [Original title: Grande Sertão: Veredas.“Study, sir:The buriti palm tree grows at the banks, its coconut fall into the Paths – and the waters take them away – waters replant the small coconut; then, the buriti tree aligns itself on both sides, as if it were pure math”.

Inhotim’s Garden of Tropical Paths brings an interesting reading of typical landscapes in Brazil. The garden lies in area of approximately 6,000m², gathering plants, paths, benches and water mirrors. Over 1,000m² are dedicated to three large water mirrors, filled with plants that blend into the gardened area. In addition to buriti palm trees, you can also find an array of aquatic plants, semi-submerged plants, “amphibious” plants, able to survive during the rainy season and also capable of overcoming the dry season. Among other species that stand out are palm trees such as the buritiranas, dendezeiros and macaúbas, in addition to mulungus and several types of ­imbés.

The buriti is the tallest and most abundant Brazilian palm tree, and the popular name Buriti (Mauritia flexuosa) has indigenous origins: Mbyryti, which means “the tree of life”. Thus, indigenous people consider it to be sacred.Emblematic in the rich Cerrado (Savannah) biome, it is present like any other tree in the veredas (paths) region. It forms large woods known as buritizais as it grows.

The water found in the veredas has close relationship with the buriti palm tree, as Guimarães Rosa once again describes: “the fruits falls into the water and are dragged to other places, breaking the seed dormancy and helping spread and perpetuate the species, which has a thousand and one uses, in addition to embellishing the savannah and serving as food to several mammals and birds”. The buritizais offer refugee to several animals, as they form large clusters and serve as corridors connecting one part of the savannah to the other.

These species are threatened in their natural habitat, as the savannah vegetation is replaced mainly for eucalyptus and excavations in search of artesian wells, causing the water level to decrease. The dry season also brings along the serious fired threats. Waterless organic matter acts as a larger powder barrel.

The Garden of Tropical Paths is a way to represent these biomes and allow those visiting the Institute to find out the beauty and diversity of several plant species. During the month of November, this space is the theme of the environmental theme tour. Don’t miss out on the chance to take part in it.Check out the program here.