Native Seeds Research Articles

Foreword: International Standards for Native Seeds in Ecological Restoration

Restoration practitioners must increasingly incorporate seed procurement models and seed use planning early in project development, despite insufficient guidance about what are reasonable expectations for the sourcing and use of native seeds. This special issue presents a series of articles examining each key step in the native seed supply chain, and provides a framework for the “standards” that need to be applied to native seed batches if the native seed supply chain is to achieve the levels of reliability and transparency required. These Standards provide seed buyers, end users, and funding bodies with a level of confidence and reliability in the sourcing of quality native seeds, and a pathway toward global best practice in native seed use.

Indigenous territories and governance of forest restoration in the Xingu River (Brazil)

During the early 2000s, indigenous and non-indigenous peoples inhabiting the headwaters of the Xingu River (Mato Grosso state, Brazil) engaged in a collective decision to undertake the `Y Ikatu Xingu Campaign, a social phenomenon and forum for the restoration and protection of Xingu’s headwaters and riparian forests–a common-pool resources shared by indigenous, farmers, and urban populations in the region. These areas have been significantly deforested over the last 50 years due to public policies and land privatization aiming at economic development, agricultural and agribusiness expansion in Central and Amazonian Brazil. These political and economic drivers contributed to the conversion of five million hectares of Seasonal Evergreen Forests and Cerrados (Brazilian savanna) into agricultural land. In order to reverse the damaging trends of the future of the Xingu River and promote common benefits to indigenous and non-indigenous peoples, the Campaign fostered the creation of the Xingu Seed Network to promote exchange and commercialization of native seeds demanded by farmers and landholders for planting and restoring permanent preservation areas, such as riparian forests, and vegetation associated with lakes and springs of the Suiá-Miçu River Basin. The aim of this study is to examine the role played by the 'Y Ikatu Campaign in the conservation of these common-pool resources – Xingu’s headwaters, riparian forests and rivers–and in mobilizing heterogeneous social groups living in this region to engage in the protection of the watershed.. Our analysis focuses on socially and culturally diverse inhabitants (indigenous and farmers) of the Suiá-Miçu River Basin, who are searching for innovative technologies for the recovery of riparian areas, and for income generation for local communities. The Institutional Analysis and Development framework was adopted as an approach for understanding interactions of multiple social agents, governmental and non-governmental organizations, engaged in the process of restoration and protection of common resources. Spatial and temporal land-cover changes analysis of the Suiá-Miçu River Basin show an increase in deforestation during the past 40 years, primarily for soybean farming and pastures. We showed that indigenous people have a fundamental role in questioning and advancing the outcomes of restoration efforts, and monitoring environmental impact on water quality of rivers, as well as on conditions of forests and other ecosystems surrounding indigenous lands. We discuss the perspectives of Kĩsêdjê indigenous inhabitants of the environmental governance related to restoration efforts and monitoring, and their concerns with a dynamic scenario of agribusiness expansion in the Xingu River Headwaters region.

Fate of proanthocyanidins and anthocyanins along fermentation of cocoa seeds (Theobroma cacao L.)

Condensed tannins, also called proanthocyanidins, play a substantial role in the sensory characteristics of chocolate. Little is known about their fate along fermentation. In the present study, location and behavior of tannins in the cotyledons and testae of cocoa seeds are studied during fermentation by light and transmission electron microscopy. Tannins along with anthocyanosides were also measured. Tannins are located in special tanniferous cells from both cotyledons and testae of native seeds. The most striking phenomena occurring during fermentation are an almost complete disappearance of the testa tannins and, in the cotyledons, a translocation without losses of the tannins from the tanniferous cells towards surrounding tissues. Quantitative analyses confirm these observations and show that little oxidation of the cotyledonary tannins occurs. The anthocyanosides from the cotyledons completely disappear. It is assumed that this translocation could hinder proteolysis of the cotyledon proteins by formation of resistant tannin-protein complexes.

Seed storage: maintaining seed viability and vigor for restoration use

Effective seed storage after sourcing (harvesting or purchasing) is critical to restoration practitioners and native seed producers, as it is key to maintaining seed viability. Inadequate seed storage can lead to a waste of both natural and economic resources when seeds of poor quality are sown. When working with native species with unknown storage behavior, general assumptions can be made based on studies on related species, and standard practices may be applied with caution; however, an investigation should be conducted to understand if specific storage requirements are needed and for how long seeds can be stored before they lose significant viability. In this paper of the Special Issue Standards for Native Seeds in Ecological Restoration, we provide an overview of the key concepts in seed storage and the steps to take for effective storage of native seeds for restoration use.

Detection of Powdery Mildew Resistance Gene in Melon Cultivar Meloni Based on SCAR Markers

Powdery mildew is one of the diseases caused by fungal infections that can reduce the production of melon fruit worldwide including in Indonesia. A powdery mildew-resistant cultivar of melon is needed to increase melon yield crops. This study aimed to detect resistance gene linked to powdery mildew using a sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers. The melon cultivar Meloni was used in this study. SL-3, PI 371795, and Aramis cultivar were used to compare. Amplification of the marker was performed employing a pair of primers. The result showed that Meloni had a powdery mildew resistance gene by the presence of a DNA target band at 1058 base pair (bp). Based on this result, it could be concluded that Meloni was an excellent melon cultivar because of its ability to overcome the powdery mildew infections naturally. SCAR markers have been used for various purposes, especially to detect resistance genes to plant diseases. The present study had provided information for plant breeders about Meloni as the new melon cultivar that was genetically resistant against powdery mildew infections. Furthermore, Meloni could be proposed as an alternative to native Indonesian superior melon seeds.

International principles and standards for native seeds in ecological restoration

The growing demand for native seeds in ecological restoration and rehabilitation, whether for mining, forest, or ecosystem restoration, has resulted in a major global industry in the sourcing, supply, and sale of native seeds. However, there are no international guidance documents for ensuring that native seeds have the same standards of quality assurance that are regular practice in the crop and horticultural industries. Using the International Principles and Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration as a foundation document, we provide for the first time a synthesis of general practices in the native seed supply chain to derive the Principles and Standards for Native Seeds in Ecological Restoration (“Standards”). These practices and the underpinning science provide the basis for developing quality measures and guidance statements that are adaptable at the local, biome, or national scale. Importantly, these Standards define what is considered native seed in ecological restoration and highlight the differences between native seeds versus seeds of improved genetics. Seed testing approaches are provided within a logical framework that outline the many different dormancy states in native seed that can confound restoration outcomes. A “pro‐forma” template for a production label is included as a practical tool that can be customized for local needs and to standardize reporting to end‐users on the level of seed quality and germinability to be expected in a native seed batch. These Standards are not intended to be mandatory; however, the guidance statements provide the foundation upon which regulatory approaches can be developed by constituencies and jurisdictions.

Native Seedling Colonization on Stockpiled Mine Soils Is Constrained by Site Conditions and Competition with Exotic Species

Sites disturbed through mining practices can be challenging to restore with native vegetation, as the path of ecological succession is often unknown and hard to predict. We conducted an establishment study that explored restoration strategies to increase native vegetation on a newly formed stockpile of soil at New Gold’s New Afton Mine in British Columbia, Canada. Establishment of native species in semi-arid grasslands is often constrained by seed and seedling microsite limitations, so treatments were imposed to assist in reducing these limitations. We established a fully factorial design with a native seed treatment (seeded and unseeded) and four soil preparations: raking, hydroseed slurry, a combination of raking and hydroseed slurry, and no preparation. Raking assisted in increasing total seedling establishment, regardless of whether the site was seeded or not. Raking and seeding increased the number of native seedlings and resulted in the greatest species richness, suggesting that native seedling establishment is primarily seed-limited, but that microclimate is also important for the establishment of some native seeds. We found that exotic species were able to capitalize on the disturbance and outcompeted the native species, but reducing seed-limitations by sowing more native seeds and increasing available microclimates by raking or tilling may increase native species’ success at the establishment phase.

Identifying Mechanisms for Successful Ecological Restoration with Salvaged Topsoil in Coastal Sage Scrub Communities

Although aboveground metrics remain the standard, restoring functional ecosystems should promote both aboveground and belowground biotic communities. Restoration using salvaged soil—removal and translocation of topsoil from areas planned for development, with subsequent deposition at degraded sites—is an alternative to traditional methods. Salvaged soil contains both seed and spore banks, which may holistically augment restoration. Salvaged soil methods may reduce non-native germination by burying non-native seeds, increase native diversity by adding native seeds, or transfer soil microbiomes, including arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), to recipient sites. We transferred soil to three degraded recipient sites and monitored soil microbes, using flow cytometry and molecular analyses, and characterized the plant community composition. Our findings suggest that salvaged soil at depths ≥5 cm reduced non-native grass cover and increased native plant density and species richness. Bacterial abundance at recipient sites were statistically equivalent to donor sites in abundance. Overall, topsoil additions affected AMF alpha diversity and community composition and increased rhizophilic AMF richness. Because salvaged soil restoration combines multiple soil components, including native plant and microbial propagules, it may promote both aboveground and belowground qualities of the donor site, when applying this method for restoring invaded and degraded ecosystems.

Shading enhances plant species richness and diversity on an extensive green roof

Green roofs can promote biodiversity in urban areas. The extent to which green roofs stimulate plant diversity can depend on roof characteristics such as roof age, substrate depth and shading. We exploratively studied the vegetation on a Dutch green roof in 50 permanent plots (1 m2) over eight years (2012–2019) following roof construction. Plots were situated either on low substrate depth (6 cm light-weight extensive substrate) or high substrate depth (6 cm light-weight extensive substrate topped with 14 cm native soil) and differed in the amount of shading received from a higher building floor. Increased substrate depth and shading additively increased plant species richness and plant diversity, with high shaded plots supporting on average 6.4 more plant species than low unshaded plots. Shading likely acts via reducing drought stress, whereas increasing substrate depth with native soil may also enhance plant diversity via addition of nutrients and native seeds. The vegetation composition on the roof was dynamic and changed over the years. Sedum acre was initially dominant but disappeared within the first years, whereas Sedum kamtschaticum increased and became dominant in the last years. Trifolium arvense was the most abundant forb species and was especially dominant three years after roof construction. We conclude that increased substrate depth and shading can promote plant species richness and diversity and recommend that both aspects are considered when green roofs are designed. Shading can be achieved by a stepped building architecture and by placing structures on the roof itself, such as solar panels on standards.

Seed Networks for Upscaling Forest Landscape Restoration: Is It Possible to Expand Native Plant Sources in Brazil?

In this paper, we explore how diverse community networks in Brazil have locally advanced seed production and institutional systems to enhance a restoration economy. By focusing on the experiences of the six major native seed suppliers in Amazonia, the Cerrado, and the Atlantic Forest, we estimate the capacity to scale-up community-based systems to meet a large-scale restoration target as a rural development strategy. Over one decade, 1016 collectors traded 416.91 tonnes of native seeds representing, on average, 31.41 kilos yearly and USD 256.5 as household income. Based on this well documented empirical evidence, we estimate that Brazil’s restoration goal would require from 3.6 to 15.6 thousand tonnes of native seeds depending on the share of each restoration method adopted with potential work opportunities for 13.2 to 57.1 thousand collectors yearly and total income from USD 34 to 146 million. We argue that community networks represent feasible arrangements for increasing the availability of plant material sources which provide high socio-economic benefits. For scaling up native seed sources, we suggest the following key strategies: (i) government incentives and subsidies; (ii) enforcement of ecosystem restoration; (iii) community participation; (iv) adaptation of the seed regulations; (v) technological development; and (vi) seed market diversification.

Percepción de los asesores técnicos en torno a las implicaciones del TLCAN en la producción de frijol de temporal en la Región de los Llanos, Durango

Objetivo: identificar, mediante revisión bibliográfica y consulta a expertos, las implicaciones del TLCAN perceptibles, actualmente, en el mercado local y la economía de los productores de frijol de la Región de los Llanos en el estado de Durango, México. Esto es desde la perspectiva de los asesores técnicos locales. Metodología: el trabajo se llevó a cabo en dos etapas, en la primera etapa se realizó una revisión bibliográfica sobre TLCAN y sus principales efectos a nivel nacional sobre la producción y los productores de frijol en México. Para la segunda etapa, se diseñó una entrevista semiestructurada, derivada de la revisión bibliográfica, y se aplicó a asesores técnicos agrícolas que han prestado sus servicios a productores de frijol en la Región de los Llanos Durango (RLlD). Resultados: el análisis de las entrevistas reveló cinco efectos principales del TLCAN en esta región entre los cuales se encuentran: la baja competitividad, problemas en la comercialización de frijol, un impacto negativo a causa de las importaciones, reducción de la planta productiva de frijol y la pérdida de variedades criollas. Limitaciones: la principal limitación radica en la necesidad de profundizar en el contexto histórico de los programas, instituciones o empresas en los que han trabajado los asesores técnicos, para una comprensión más integral del fenómeno. Conclusiones: a través de este estudio se concluye que el TLCAN ha tenido más efectos negativos que positivos en la economía de los productores de frijol de temporal de la RLlD, puesto que deben competir bajo condiciones económicas y de infraestructura deficientes con respecto a los socios comerciales de México. A los efectos del TLCAN reportados en la literatura, se añade la perdida de variedades de semillas criollas como un problema latente que representa una pérdida de patrimonio agrícola y de identidad en la región.

An experimental assessment of the grinding characteristics of some native seeds used by Aboriginal Australians

Numerous plant seeds (the caryopsis or achene) from a wide variety of genera were traditionally ground for food by hunter-gatherer peoples, including over 200 varieties by Aboriginal Australians. In Australia, these seeds varied greatly in size, shape and hardness. Except for a broad distinction being made between grass and tree seeds, differences in the morphological and other characteristics of seeds — in particular their performance in seed-grinding — are rarely documented. A recent experimental examination of the efficiency of millstones using commercial proxies for difficult to obtain Australian native seeds has shown significant differences in workability and output of different types of seeds. This paper tests predictions as to whether the grinding characteristics of a number of widely used native seeds also vary significantly, the implications this has for the selection, treatment and use of seeds by Aboriginal people in Australia and elsewhere, and generates quantitative data which can supplement and explicate other experimental research. It also makes a preliminary assessment of whether domesticated seeds can provide useful grinding analogues for unavailable native seeds. Our findings have broad relevance for an understanding of prehistoric seed-grinding and species selection in Australia and other parts of the world.

ASSESSMENT OF THE PHYSICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF Piptadenia gonoacantha SEEDS (MART.) J. F. MACBR. USING IMAGE ANALYSIS

ABSTRACT The assessment of the quality of native forest species seeds is extremely important and, in this sense, it is necessary to integrate new technologies that can complement the quality analysis traditionally used. This study aimed to evaluate the physical and physiological quality of Piptadenia gonoacantha seeds using image analysis techniques and to relate aspects of tissue integrity with physiological attributes. Seeds from 10 lots were collected and submitted to automatic and visual analyses of radiographic images, with the determination of parameters related to tissue density and seed filling. After the X-ray test, the seeds were subjected to physiological analyses of germination and vigor. It was observed that the lots that presented higher values of tissue density, filling, and solidity, presented higher germination and vigor. It was also evident that the damage present in the seeds was causally related their physiological condition. Therefore, the results showed that the use of the X-ray technique in seeds combined with the automated analysis of the radiographs is efficient in the evaluation of the internal morphology of P. gonoacantha seeds. The physical integrity of the seed tissues is directly related to the physiological quality and allows the classification of different lots as to vigor. Visual analysis of digital radiographs is adequate to identify malformation in P. gonoacantha seeds.

Ameliorative Effect of Olive Seed or Nano-olive Seed Powder Against Endothelial Dysfunction Induced by High Fat-High Fructose Diet in Rats

Finding new uses for wastes of table olive and olive oil production are of great value to the economy, environment, and human health. This study was designed to investigate the possible modulatory effect of nano or native olive seeds powder (OSP) against endothelial dysfunction induced by high fat high fructose (HFHF) diet in rats. For the current work, 60 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 120g±5g were divided into six groups 10 rats for each group. Group 1: rats were fed a balanced diet and served as normal control. Group 2: rats were fed HFHF diet served as positive control rats diet for 8 weeks. Group 3: rats were fed HFHF diet supplemented with 5% olive seeds powder. Group 4: rats were fed HFHF diet supplemented with10% olive seeds powder. Group 5: rats were fed HFHF diet supplemented with 5% nano olive seeds. Group 6: rats were fed HFHF diet supplemented with 10% nano olive seeds. Results of phytochemical analysis of (OSP) showed that each 100g of OSP contains 1004.9 mg total polyphenols as gallic acid equivalent (GAE%) and 24 mg total flavonoids as quercetin equivalent (QE%). Results of the biochemical analysis indicated that feeding HFHFdiet caused a significant increment in serum glucose, insulin level, calculated HOMA-IR, lipids profile total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerols (TAGs), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), lipase enzyme activity with a significant decrease in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) as compared to control group. Also, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP), malondialdehyde (MDA), Endothelin (ET-1), vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E- selectin were significantly increased in HFHF fed rats as compared to the control group. Whereas, serum nitric oxide, prostacyclin, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNos) activity were significantly decreased in HFHF fed rats as compared to the control group. These results suggesting that feeding rats HFHF diet for 8 weeks induced endothelial dysfunction. Also, the histopathological examination of aorta sections supported results of biochemical analysis showed significant swelling and corrugation of the endothelial cells that lining the intima in the untreated HFHF group as compared to the control group. Results confirmed that dietary supplementation with olive seed powder either in native or in nano form at the tested doses reversed both alterations biochemical parameters and pathological changes in aorta tissue. Moreover, Nano form showed a more powerful effect than native powder.

Weed-Suppressive Bacteria Applied as a Spray or Seed Mixture Did Not Control Bromus tectorum

We conducted two case studies testing effectiveness of a soil-borne bacteria, Pseudomonas fluorescens strain D7, in controlling Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass) when mixed with native seeds sown after a fire and when sprayed on a native community with high abundances of B. tectorum. Each case study area (162 ha) compared treatments with D7 present and absent and was replicated four times (20.3 ha each) in a completely randomized design. Response variables (foliar cover, aboveground biomass, and density of B. tectorum; density of sown native plants) were measured pretreatment for the sprayed area and each year for 3 yr after treatment at both study areas and were evaluated as a repeated measures analysis. Foliar cover, biomass, and density of B. tectorum with sprayed or seed mixture applications did not differ between D7-treated and untreated areas at any time within the study (F1,6 ≤ 1.42; P ≥ 0.28). D7 as a seed mixture did not significantly impact densities of native seedlings (F1,6 = 1.27; P = 0.30) at any time during the study. Results contrasted with previous D7 studies that showed effective control of B. tectorum within 3 yr of treatment. Since bioherbicidal methods are being commonly applied, we believe that reporting negative results is important for future meta-analytical studies that provide managers with information on the likelihood for weed-suppressive bacteria to effectively control weeds.

Review of seed pelletizing strategies for arid land restoration

Arid lands face numerous restoration challenges due to infrequent and irregular precipitation which impacts plant germination, growth, and survival. Abundant seed predators, harsh surface conditions, and native seeds often poorly suited to mechanical distribution compound restoration challenges. Seed pellets (a.k.a. pods, seed balls, and seed bombs), an aggregation of clay, soil, water, and multiple seeds, have the potential to reduce some of the challenges. However, no formal guidelines based on an aggregated research review exist. Available publications, both peer‐reviewed and any public domain, were reviewed. Of the 24 publications found (some describing multiple tests), seed pellets tested on rangelands had 9 negative effects, 10 neutral effects, and 8 positive effects. Greenhouse testing showed five negative effects, two neutral effects, and four positive effects. Forest systems had three neutral effects and two positive effects. Advantages in mechanical distribution were not well quantified and other effects were lumped together in germination and seedling establishment totals. The use of pelleted seed would benefit from a more mechanistic understanding of the interaction between the pellets and the systemic constraints. As long as the pellets themselves do not greatly reduce germination or establishment, they appear a potentially viable method for improving seed distribution and seeding efficiency, protecting seeds, and adding amendments. While the evidence is far from conclusive, seed pellets may also hold some advantages in increasing germination and establishment.

Native Seeds in the Marketplace: Meeting Restoration Needs in the Intermountain West, United States

The scale of ecological restoration in the Intermountain West (IW), United States is likely greater than anywhere else in the world. This is largely driven by response to accelerating ecological disturbances and government programs that divert privately owned cropland into soil, water, and wildlife conservation use. While restoration in the IW is challenging due to the region’s aridity, over the past few decades considerable improvement in restoration seeding success has been achieved using native plants instead of the exotic species that have predominated previously. The IW is blessed with an extensive research infrastructure for native plant material development through the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Agricultural Research Service, and the US Forest Service. A high demand for native seeds in the IW allows for a large and diverse product base of grasses, shrubs, and forbs in the form of cultivars, selected-class prevariety germplasms, and source-identified populations. Two sister native seed industries, one based on field cultivation and another based on collection from public wildlands, are likely the largest of their kind in the world. Seed is offered, mostly on a speculative basis, to major markets (e.g., Bureau of Land Management consolidated seed buy, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources seed buy, Conservation Reserve Program). Elements of the IW native seed marketplace (e.g., plant material development and cultivated seed production), may be instructive for the development of broadscale-restoration models appropriate for other parts of the world.

Market-based opportunities for expanding native seed resources for restoration: A case study on the Colorado Plateau

The National Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration aims to increase the use of native seeds in rehabilitation and restoration projects. This requires the development of a native seed supply industry. This paper examines the challenge of developing native seed supply for Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land holdings in the Colorado Plateau, USA. On the demand side of the market, native seed requirements are linked to events that trigger the need for restoration, such as wildfires, which are highly variable. The variability of demand is moderated somewhat by fire management and seed acquisition policies, but remains high. Acquisitions of native seeds are typically smaller in quantity and more variable than acquisitions of non-native seeds. Prices of native seeds are typically higher and more variable than prices of non-native seeds, while the price elasticity of demand for native seeds is typically lower than for non-native seeds. The variability of demand for native seeds has discouraged development of a native seed supply industry. We find that adoption of policies to stabilize demand, supported by contracts with growers, could help to encourage the emergence of a strong field-grown native seed sector in the Colorado Plateau.

Estimation of gut passage time of wild, free roaming forest elephants

Seed gut passage times, the time from ingestion to defecation, and frugivore movement patterns determine patterns of seed deposition across the landscape and are thus crucial parameters to quantify in wild populations. Recent advancements in satellite and telemetry technologies mean that animal movement patterns are readily quantifiable in increasingly high resolution. However, data on wild frugivore gut passage times are scarce to non-existent due to the difficulty of monitoring seed ingestion and defecation in natural habitats; therefore, GPT estimates are often extrapolated from captive species whose diets and activity patterns may have limited transferability to free-ranging populations. Here we develop, trial and deploy a suite of model seeds to address this shortfall in wild African forest elephants Loxodonta cyclotis – one of the most effective seed dispersers in the tropics. We use a combination of ‘active’ seed mimics, which indirectly measure gut passage through recording temperature fluctuations, and ‘passive’ seed mimics, which serve to mark the point of defecation to allow gut passage estimation from time-stamped GPS collar data. In doing so, we present the first ever GPT estimates from wild forest elephants: mean = 39.8 h (min = 16.6 h; max = 113.7 h). The estimates were derived exclusively from passive seed mimics (plastic beads and modified native seeds) as all active seed mimics were rejected by the focal elephant. The methods described are translatable to other free-ranging, GPS-collared, species and if widely adopted, will begin to address the current gap in our understanding of seed dispersal by wild frugivores.

Edible seeds, leaves and flowers as Maya Super Foods: Function and composition

Mesoamerica is a megadiverse region where one of the Vavilov center has developed; Guatemala is part of this region, and the heart of the Mayan world. The biodiversity include the traditional utilization of food (grains, fruits, herbs, flowers and rhizomes), flavors, aromas, condiments, dyes and colorants, medicinal and ritual plants, as well as other products from nature. At least 76 vegetal species were developed as food. In this paper it will be presented the information on seeds and grains (Amaranthus cruentus, Brosimum alicastrum, Crescentia alata, Cucurbita pepo, Phaseolus vulgaris, Salvia hispanica, Theobroma cacao, Zea mays), herbs (Amaranthus hybridus, Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, Crotalaria longirostrata, Dysphania ambrosioides, Lycianthes synanthera, Solanum americanum, S. nigrescens, S. wendlandii), and flowers (Cucurbita pepo, Chamedoroea tepejilote, Fernaldia pandurata, Erythrina berteroana, Gliricidia sepium, Yucca elephantipes,) traditionally used as food. Other foods include fruits, rhizomes, tubers and condiments. The functional properties and nutritive composition are described for 22 native seeds, leaves and flowers. In comparison with recognized international herbs, it is demonstrated that some native Mesoamerican herbs have an important nutritious and functional composition. A rich traditional culinary heritage is the way that these foods are consumed. The use of traditional dishes and innovative fusions with Maya Super Foods is recommended for economy improvement of the region as well as health and beauty.