Jardín Botánico Francisco J. Clavijero

The Jardín Botánico Francisco J. Clavijero is a large garden in Xalapa that combines preserved natural forest with cultivated plant collections arranged by species and family. The grounds include specialized areas dedicated to Mexican plants, cycads, bamboo, and other regional flora.

The garden was created in the 1970s and named after a scholar who had studied and recorded Mexican plants in the 1700s. This connection links two different periods of natural history research in Mexico.

The garden honors a Jesuit priest known for studying Mexican nature, and visitors can see how this intellectual tradition shapes the space today. Local people use the grounds as a place to learn about native plants and their ecological importance.

The garden sits on sloped terrain in Xalapa and is accessible to visitors planning to spend a few hours walking through the grounds. Comfortable footwear is recommended since the paths move between flat and gently rolling areas.

The garden houses an important collection of bamboo species native to the region that scientists study for plant structure and growth. This collection is significant for understanding how these plants spread and reproduce.