ISSN:
1573-5109
Keywords:
chronicles
;
crop history
;
ethnobotany
;
leafy crops
;
Mexico
;
pictorial manuscripts
;
prehispanic agriculture
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract The ancient Mesoamerican peoples developed an advanced agriculture based on major crops, now distributed world-wide, i.e. maize, beans, squashes, peppers, etc. However, scarce attention has been paid to other little-known crops, cultivated or gathered from the wild that also served as food and medicine for these Indians. We attempted to reconstruct the prehispanic Mesoamerican horticultural frame through the study of several historical chronicles and three of the most complete pictorial manuscripts on Aztec-Mexica plant knowledge: The Florentine Codex, The Badiano Manuscript, and The History of the Plants of New Spain. Many of the references found to little-known crops related to vegetables whose leaves, stems, shoot tips, etc. were used as greens for salads or cooked as potherbs. A review of these native `minor' leafy crops is presented, including their distribution and uses, the portion of the plant used and the general method of preparation, as reported by chroniclers. The plants are listed by the common Nahuatl names, including their meaning, followed by family and Latin binomial, as identified by modern researchers. Different species of the Aizoaceae, Asteraceae, Chenopodiaceae, Ericaceae, Onagraceae, Oxalidaceae, Polygonaceae, Portulacaceae, Scrophulariaceae, and Urticaceae families have been identified. Current use of these crops is also discussed. Many of them are still found growing wild, as weeds, or only occasionally cultivated. However, some are species of increasing economic interest, having considerable potential for future exploitation.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1008704110054
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