Etnobotanica del Quintonil: Conocimiento, Uso y Manejo deAmaranthus spp. Como Verdura en la Sierra Norte de Puebla, Mexico

Abstract

In addition to the seeds consumed as a pseudocereal, amaranths provide important edible greens. In the Sierra Norte de Puebla, Mexico, the management and utilization of amaranths occur within a wide variety of environmental, biological and cultural contexts. This paper presents both the results of ethnobotanical exploration in this region and the comparison of different species and races of amaranths used as greens that were grown in common experimental garden plots in Chalco, Mexico. Ethnobotanical exploration, cultural practices and growth analysis suggests that these plants have been selected for their use as leafy vegetables. The experimental data support the divergence of amaranths used for greens from those used principally for edible seed.