The “Arco Floral”: Ethnobotany of Tillandsia and Dasylirion spp. in a Mexican Religious Adornment

Abstract

celebrate Catholic feast days in a tradition dating to Huastec and Totanac harvest rituals (Espejo et al. 1994). Similar ritual usage of Tillandsia and Dasylirion spp. has been documented in other parts of Mexico, particularly during Christmas festivities (Berlin et al. 1974; Beutelspacher 1989; Rees 1976; Bogler 1994). In a recent report, authors describe the use of 2,438 inflorescences of Tillandsia multicaulis Steudel, 109 of T punctulata Schltdl. and Cham., and 12 of T. imperialis E. Morren ex Roezl in three floral arches adorning the main church in Coatepec, Veracruz (FloresPalacios and Valencia-Diaz 2007). However, little further information exists on the tradition in the