Ethnobotany of Mexican Weeds

Abstract

This chapter gives an overview of the relationship of people and weeds in Mexico. Weeds are understood as plants that are successful in human-disturbed habitats. It discusses origin and ecology, and focusses on their role in the traditional agricultural system and as useful plants. Mexican weeds are different because of their long relationship with humans, and the large stature of the main crop, maize. The maize fi eld plays the role of the vegetable garden, with weedy species as veg- etables at various levels of management. Many species exhibit improved traits as the result of in situ selection. Most edible wild-growing plants are products of maize fi elds, that is, agrestal species, while the largest number and most used medicinal plants grow in ruderal habitats. The importance of distinguishing agrestal from ruderal species in ethnobotanical studies is highlighted. The literature frequently emphasizes the role of weeds as a germplasm reserve, particularly the weedy rela- tives of domesticated crops. However, their economic role as part of production and risk-reduction strategy of farmers is rarely addressed with quantitative data. Several examples from small-scale studies document the considerable contribution of weedy species to the overall production of the system. The role of useful weeds for farmers and for society in general is discussed. A perspectives section analyzes which subjects are relatively well documented and those requiring more attention