Traditional Knowledge of Edible Wild Plants Used by Indigenous Communities in Zongolica, Mexico.

ABSTRACT

Edible wild plants (EWP) continue to be an important food source for indigenous communities. A survey was conducted to identify the consumption and management of EWP known as quelites in the Zongolica region of Mexico. 15 species of quelites are consumed mainly during the rainy season, whose local name is associated with the plant's shape, smell and flavor. Changes in food patterns and land use threaten the permanence and consumption of these species. Indigenous and local knowledge is crucial for the use, management and conservation of this group of plants, whose consumption can be leveraged to address malnutrition and unhealthy food use.