Vara de perlilla or rejagar (Symphoricarpos microphyllus H.B.K.) is a shrub that prospers among pine, oak and spruce forests; it is used in Christmas crafts and brooms, for local use and sale in cities. In this study, an analysis was made of the effect of radiation and seedling quality on the survival and growth of the shrub, for commercial plantation. In La Mesa, San José del Rincón, Estado de México, México, a plantation was established with two seedling qualities: small (20 to 35 cm) and large (45 to 60 cm). Of each quality, 450 shrubs were planted, of six months of age, under three conditions (pine plantation, oak forest and a control without tree canopy). The experimental design was complete randomized blocks. Morphological variables were measured and hemispherical digital images were taken to calculate solar radiation with the Hemiview program. Average annual survival was 96.4 % in both seedling qualities, and decreased slightly with the highest level of shade. The morphological variables presented higher values with 6000 MJ m ²year-1of total solar radiation.

La vara de perlilla o rejagar (Symphoricarpos microphyllus H.B.K.) es un arbusto que prospera entre bosques de pino, encino y oyamel; con ella se elaboran artesanías navideñas y escobas de varas, para uso local y venta en ciudades. En este estudio se analizó el efecto de la radiación y calidad de planta en la supervivencia y crecimiento del arbusto, para su plantación comercial. En La Mesa, San José del Rincón, Estado de México, se estableció una plantación con dos calidades de planta: chica (20 a 35 cm) y grande ( 45 a 60 cm). De cada calidad se plantaron 450 arbustos de seis meses de edad, en tres condiciones (plantación de pino, bosque de encino y un testigo sin dosel arbóreo). El diseño experimental fue de bloques completos al azar. Se midieron variables morfológicas y se tomaron imágenes digitales hemisféricas para calcular la radiación solar con el programa Hemiview. La supervivencia promedio anual fue 96.4 % en ambas calidades de planta, y disminuyó ligeramente con el mayor nivel de sombra. Las variables morfológicas tuvieron valores mayores con 6000 MJ m²año-1 de radiación solar total.

This article reports the anti-inflammatory effect of Blutaparon portulacoides (B. portulacoides), specifically the ethanolic extract of its aerial parts, on the edema formation and leukocyte influx caused by Bothrops jararacussu (B. jararacussu) snake venom and Bothropstoxin-I and II (BthTX-I and II) isolated from this venom as an alternative treatment for Bothrops snakebites. The anti-inflammatory effect of B. portulacoides ethanolic extract was compared with an animal group pretreated with dexamethasone. B. portulacoides ethanolic extract significantly inhibited paw edema induced by B. jararacussu venom and by BthTX-I and II. Also, results demonstrated that the extract caused a reduction of the leukocyte influx induced by BthTX-I. However, the extract was not capable of inhibiting the leukocyte influx induced by the venom and by BthTX-II. In conclusion, these results suggest that the ethanolic extract of this plant possess components able to inhibit or inactivate toxins present in B. jararacussu venom, including its myotoxins, responsible for the edema formation. However, the leukocyte migration caused by the venom and BthTX-II was not inhibited by the plant, probably due to the different mechanisms involved in the edema formation and leukocyte influx. This is the first report of B. portulacoides extract as anti-inflammatory against snake venoms and isolated toxins.