Ethnobotany and domestication process of Leucaena in Mexico

23 Pages·1999·10.6 MB·English

by  Sergio Zarate

Journal of Ethnobiology
1-23 Summer
19(1):
1999
ETHNOBOTANY AND
DOMESTICATION
PROCESS OF
LEUCAENA
IN MEXICO.
ZARATE
Instituto de Ecologia, Departamento de Ecologia de Recursos Naturales
los
Mexico
Morelia, Michoacdn
Mexico
ABSTRACT
This paper analyzes
.- ethnobotanical information on
the tropical tree
legume
genus
Leucaena Benth.
It is part of a taxonomical, archaeobotanical,
and
ethnohistorical, genetical study of the domestication process
of these plants
in Mexico. In general, uses are food and medicine; the wood valued
as
is fuel, for
and
construction Young
for tool manufacturing. leaves, flower buds, immature
legumes and
seeds are eaten both raw and
fresh, cooked; seeds are either dry-
preserved whole and
toasted or ground in a paste that sun-dried and cooked;
is
the bark is a vulnerary, the leaves and seeds are antiseptic and Within
parasiticide.
distribution ranges
of taxa, local ethnic groups recognize and use natural
populations, thus emphasizing
the antiquity of this knowledge. Associated with
this, there is variable cultural relevance of the taxa. Most important cultivated
taxa are L. esculenta subsp. esculenta and L. leucocephala subsp. glabrata. The
first is
and
cultivated in central southern Mexico,
its biological area of origin and where
extensively gathered, consumed and The
it is stored. second widespread under
is
warm
cultivation in to temperate zones, and probably
originated
in coastal
Some
southern Mexico. taxa have recently been introduced management
to
which
systems, enhances management
variation of traditional
techniques.
Key
words:
ethnobotany; domestication
process; Leucaena; Mexico.
RESUMEN
.- Este articulo analiza information etnobotanica
la disponible acerca
del genero de arboles tropicales Leucaena (Fabaceae, Mimosaceae), con en
enfasis
un
los taxa cultivados. Es parte de estudio taxonomico,
arqueobotanico,
etnohistorico genetico del proceso de domestication de
y estas plantas en Mexico.
como
Sus usos son alimento medicina, madera como
y la sirve lena, para
construction para manufacturar
y utensilios. Las hojas, flores, legumbres y semillas
inmaduras comen
se frescas, crudas o cocinadas; las semillas se almacenan
preparadas enteras -consumidas tostadas-, o molidas secadas -consumida
y al sol
cocinada-; la corteza es vulneraria; las hojas semillas son
y antisepticas
y
parasiticidas. Dentro del ambito de distribution de
los taxa, las etnias locales
reconocen
y utilizan las poblaciones silvestres, indicando antigiiedad de
la este
conocimiento. Asociado
a esto existe variation en importancia de
la cultural los
mas
taxa, siendo los importantes en cultivo esculenta subsp.
L. esculenta y
L.
leucocephala subsp. glabrata. La primera, cultivada en el centro y sur de Mexico, su
area de origen donde
biologico, se recolecta extensivamente, consume
se
y
almacena. La segunda
es cultivada en las zonas calidas a templadas del
pais,
probablemente de
originaria la costa sur de Mexico. Algunos taxa han sido
recientemente incorporados
a sistemas tradicionales de manejo, incrementando
variabilidad de formas de manejo
la las
tradicionales.
Palabras clave: Etnobotanica; proceso de
domestication;
Leucaena; Mexico.
ZARATE No.
Vol. 19,
2
1
genre
RESUME.- Information ethnobotanique disponible sur le
Cet analyse
article
en sur especes
Mimosaceae), particulier les
des arbres tropicaux Leucaena (Fabaceae,
taxonomique,
d'une recherche
cultiv£es au Mexique. L'etude fait partie
de domestication
processus
des
oitMobotanique, ethnohistorique genetique,
et
comme
aliments
de ces au Mexique. Generelment, elles sont utilisees et
plantefl
comme
Le fabrication d'outils, et
remfcdes. bois sert a construction, la
la
mangees
combustible. Les feuilles, fleurs, gousses, graines, sont a l'etat jeune,
au
cnns ou cuites. Les graines sont stockees, simplement sechees (puis grillees
- m * m • « t %
U1S
OU
graines sont
nominees,
connues,
parasiticides antiseptiques. Les differences especes etaient
et
ethnic
•ep
et L leucot ephala subsp. glabrata. La premiere est cultivee au centre et au sud du
Mexique zone extensivement, preparee
d'origine biologique) recoltee
(sa est
elle
du
et stock£e. La secondeest cultivee dans zones chaudes a temperees Mexique,
les
probablement de Recentement, quelques especes ont ete
originaire cote sud.
la
incorporees aux systcmes de occasionant de nouvelles
culture traditionels,
conduitesde
culture.
Mots Mexique.
clefs: Ethnobotanique, processus de domestication, Leucaena,
INTRODUCTION
This paper analyzes species of
the ethnobotanical information available for
the genus examining
Leucaena Benth. Mexico. local
in particularly directed to
It
is
people's knowledge
legume
of these including ecology, utili-
classification,
trees,
zation and management, study
with emphasis on the cultivated taxa. part of a
It is
«!•
archaeobotany thnohistory
The
general aim of these studies
diffus
interrelat
r
Doi'h'stication-
Domestication a process ouctctuurrmiungg mi cuiiiuuiuiugicai u;f»-w .-.
is ui
humans
and and
plants interact, with each one of these having particular
entities its
mdependent
an
principles (e.g., culture and economy genetics and ecology). Plants are
vs.
economic
people
incentive needed human between
for subsistence; however, interaction
and
plants (and the ecosystem which is
mediated process,
in general) occurs as a socially
driven by human
work, management evolves
management.
i.e., Like cultural processes,
all
through
the groups
acquisition, transformation and of information by social
transmission
as
part of
economic vegetation
their activities an Management -of both
in ecological context.
and
each
kind of genetic
plant- causes changes environment and the
in both the plant's
structure of
plant populations
differentiation).
evolution, which analogous ecotypic
(i.e., to
is
The
historical trends of may be studied
the
cultural aspects of the domestication process
by
comparison change
of
ethnobotanical and sequence of
historical aspects. This cultural
finds
expression
identity
in genetic processes which become taxonomical
perceivable as
and
morphological,
ecological, and
genetical
variation.
summer K\ OF TH\OBh
1999 |Ol
\i
^ J
I
soamem
u
The cultural emit has htena distim imterof hu h
€ \1« a ci\ titration in
t
ho use of natural resovn wharact* i/ed b\ the exhaustive um* of btologn
s al
i
and management
diversity h\ a diverse spectrum of intens»t\. both of the ve
t.i
and bus
tion of individual plant s| c aballero 1994, I asas ft al 1^97) a
I
ammah
number
of plant (and tava have been utilized in thisanai in conditions
diversified production which range from gathering to docru stuation
full
iMerninde/A 1993 incU* Interaction with logical and economu conditions
ei
number now
valuahleand davs
hi ^ults of thiN long histi>r\ ane a ot imj rtant
I
mda
crop- tradition ot diventfhede* >gical um-oI *oil and vegetation (B\< 199
known
Mernandez-X This the context which spp has K«en
1993).
is in
/
inw
man.i^i
used and Within use noteworthv
this oonti vt ot those .iv tinxl is
mav
beiause tender pods and seeds br eaten un* ooked Other legume tiers are
consumed immature todav and maybe •ware more so in the past (Messet 1978,
ami
lelker 1981), but this is not frequent trees .lie not cultivated nor e\tensi\el\
dm*
in
The legumes
gathered flesh of mesijuitel/ spp.) to extract the
-4fpis
v
* i
sugar the\ ontain, but seeds only become edibl< alter being toasted and ground
i
so are seeds other legume Invs such as villoma Candida and idtum spp
o(
(
1
(Parra 1983). I"he sott edible pulp mis) surrounding feeds of ihe genera of
le
gume
and bium <onsumed, gathered and
trees (nga Pith are fnequentlv
and producing them managed
ommerciali/ed,
the trees are
The appn consequences Spanish conquest on ethnohotam
iable of the the
>f
i
am
the genus are discussed elsewhere (Zirate 1997, 1998). The import given bv
<
m
was
Mesoamerican cultures to Lcucaena ignored b Europeans ,ind thus
stl\
by the socio-economicalh dominant class Because of thi traditional use ar\d
management most Leucaem underwent while
ot taxa of acculturation,
pp. little
modem ums
>ome
observed o
partial cultural disjunction is in taxa (Zirate 1997,
1998).
Taxonomy and ecology 1994K the gen
\limo ae- comprises about 24 tava of tret >s and shrub- -22 in Mexico including
number
14 species and v subspecies plus a of little studied Central and South
1
American taxa- in tw o set turns, Sect. Leucaena, and Sect. Macrophylla Zirate
It is
^
distributed from »uthern United Stah-s to Northern uth America (Hugh*
theJ^
grow humid
1998b) The taxa indifferent tropical environments from arid to rm-
f
,
mg
range vegetation types including mat low deciduous
part of forests,
a rales,
t
humid mangrove edges sandy and
sub-deciduous shores,
forests, gallerv forests,
Hughes R/edowskv humid
road-side vegetation Zirate 1994; 1993, 1978) In en*
dominano
vironmenfcs Lcucaena taxa belong mostly toaei ndar\ vegetation, their
increasing aridih Most cultivated taxa belong to section Leu na, character-
ith
ized by having small leaflets (Zirate 1994).
A
number oi putative interspecific hybrid* have been detected in Lcucaena,
named Hughe
some which have been formally Zarate 1994; 19S 1998b;
of
\,
Some seem
Hughes and suspected hybrids be
Harris 1994). of the to a part
<
biogeographical and genetic process of evolution the genu* while others
in
\
human Among
and
been cultivation diffusion (Zarate 1994). these
related to
been
described
rpholog the hvbrid between the gu wjo and the guaje verd*
is je
ZARATE
4 Vol. 19, No.
1
Hughes Harris This highly has been found only where
et (1994). sterile tree culti-
(Hughes and
vation of the parental taxa sympatric Harris 1994).
is
Ethnobotany- Most taxa of Leucaena in Mexico are reported as edible by people,
and some are gathered more or less intensely (Zarate 1994) (Appendix The
1).
main
1
cultigens are: the guaje rojo or guaje Colorado, "red guaje," L. esculenta (Moc.
et
Sesse ex A. DC.) Benth., with two subspecies, subsp. esculenta and subsp.
L. L.
e. e.
and
paniculata (Britton et Rose) Zarate (1994); the guaje verde, "green guaje," or guaje
"white de Wit
bianco, guaje", leucocephala (Lam.) subsp. glabrata (Rose) Zarate
L.
(1987, 1994).
METHODS
Ethnobotanical information was obtained from
diverse sources: literature (eth-
nographical and
ethnobotanical), herbarium specimen
floristic studies, labels
-mainly from
the Herbario Nacional de Mexico (MEXU). work provided
Field
in-
formation derived from open and
structured interviews (Martin mainly
1995),
during
rapid surveys beginning in 1979 throughout most of the genus' distribu-
some
and,
tion, in areas, for longer periods (Papantla, Veracruz, 1988, 1993, 1997;
Central Guerrero,
1979, 1981, 1984; Chapulco, Puebla: 1982-1984; Oaxaca, 1979-
Where
1981). possible, ethnographical works were compared
with
data.
field
Common
names
were
recorded from herbarium and work.
literature, labels field
Established phonetic when
equivalencies were used
Transcription of
available.
Whenever
ponding
knowledge
mthentic,
MEXU
which
of were
deposited
in
with when
field data, The
available. were
taxa identified following Zarate (1994)
made
of the ethnobotanical informati
piled.
AND
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
Ethnographic
studies
of peoples Mexico use of
of give information about the
taxa of
Leucaena. The
Jt data range from the
detailed descriptions of uses to
ihon
of the
plant's names. work
Field confirmed knowledge and uses of
the
:ies of the genus by
indigenous and country
mestizo erouos throughout the
knowledge
seemingly mos
and
is ancient
n
(Zarate
1997).
classifi
taxa
of Leucaena
are
found, have
local names for them, some native languages.
in
ocai people
s perception
of variation and general,
identification of plants in
is,
rase and
P
usually
agrees with
rf™ it taxonomic The exceptions to this state-
criteria.
dUG
t0 lack of ex ignorance of
Plo™tion,
rather than people's
to
F F
the an
ts (Zara^te ^
Pl 1994) (Appendix
1).
etter
and
folk
Mixtec
classifications of Leucaena arP thp Nahuatl.
Summer
JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY
1999
5
(M
in these languages are respectively, maxim, nduva, and which
\ya, are applied with
the
Within
the area of cultivation of the
known
Maya
xaxitn
in Puebla and Veracruz, and guashe Chiapas, where Leucaena
in
taxa are also
named
non-Nahuatl Some
in local native languages. designations
distinguish
lo-
cal native wild taxa from introductions by epithets denoting Chiapas
In the
this.
guash
native de monte, Rose
Britton subsp.
L. collinsii et (Zarate
collinsii 1994),
is
distinguished from guash
the de
Castilla,
L. esculenta.
e.
Uses and parts used- Use for food consistent, except few which
is in a cases in
it is
mostly
medicinal. In the Yucatan Peninsula the leaves of uaxim
(L. I leucocephala)
are fed to chickens as a systemic ectoparasiticide and
to kill lice, for other medici-
nal applications (Barrera et ah 1976; Martinez 1979). Also, in the Balsas River Basin
L. e. subsp. matudae Zarate is not used as food but the bark is used as a remedy for
and
witchcraft as a vulnerary (Zarate Flower buds and young
1994).
leaves of
The
know
from Nahuatl composed
uaxizquitl and
of uaxin, guaje
izquitl, toasted seeds
from
the native area of L. esculenta, guajesquite, derived mainly from wild
e. trees,
is
prepared and
commercialized. In Morelos, mature seeds gathered from wild
trees
of L. macrophylla Benth. subsp. macrophylla are likewise consumed
(Zarate 1994). In
Baja California Sur, the immature legumes of Watson
L. lanceolata S. subso. lanceolata
dry
insects
raw
called bolochocos or polochocos, are eaten in combination with other such
foods,
as beans (Messer 1978, Vazquez 1986, Casas et 1987, Zarate 1994; Casas and
al.
(Appendix
Caballero
1996)
1).
Culinary tradition includes several recipes, the most relevant being the guaxmole
composed
-from Nahuatl, uaxmolli, of uaxin and stew (Simeon
tnolli, 1977)- pre-
meat. Several
with without
or
usually with garlic. The tortas de guaje a // immature
is
with
until
popcorn, and eaten in tacos with chili pepper sauces, or alone adding lemon
juice,
ennedv
1992). In
when
during the season goats are sacrificed (matanza), guaje seeds are cooked
rojo
Colin
1977). In this
Mill
In
m
some lm
may
While
be most
this valid for
ZARATE
No.
Vol.
19, 1
6
Such
sometimes more important in the diet, supplying protein. is the case of the
products which may be stored (the guajesquite and the "bread" described
elaborate
based on main
with
corresponds a strategy staple
below). This alimentary pattern
supplemented with seasonally available foods
usually crop species,
foodstuffs,
frequently gathered.
that are
wood and used by the Popoloca
The used as firewood, that of L. esculenta is
is
and
Puebla house construction (Jacklein 1974). Utensils tools are also report-
in for
wood by Huaves (Zizumbo and
made from cultivated the
edly the of L. lanceolata
wood known
Colunga Similar uses and properties of of Leucaena spp. are
1982).
from documents of the sixteenth century (Zarate 1997).
common and
Medicinal uses are also and widespread. In general, leaves seeds
and
of these plants are used to fight infections both of the digestive of the respira-
ground bark subspecies of esculenta
tory systems. Topical use of the of all three L.
wounds
recommended
(sometimes mixed with honey) for infected
(Zarate 1994) is
The named considered an eupeptic and
(vulnerary). seeds of these last taxa are
"Mimosa
Hernandez of
aphrodisiac (Diaz 1976, 1960). In the original illustration
which
Hunt Documentation),
esculenta" (slide no. 6331-627, Institute for Botanical
and
forms Mexicana compiled by Sesse Mocirio
part of the Iconografia de Flora
la
(1887, 1893), both the edibility and the aphrodisiac properties of L. esculenta subsp.
mentioned. The bark matudae used magic medicine for
esculenta are of in
L. is
e.
treatment of witchcraft, which associated with the Nahuatl invocation repeated
is
by when remedy the pa-
in silence the healer gathering, preparing, giving the to
and ending from Chiapas reported as
the Leucaena
tient, ritual. collinsii is
c.
antirheumatic (Diaz (Appendix
1976)
1).
and
seeds
These medicinal uses contrast with reports of toxicity of the leaves,
When
pods known
for cattle, a fact already by Spanish conquerors (Zarate 1997):
eaten, causes and, ruminants, The responsible of this effect is
hair-loss in goiter.
it
po-
the mildly toxic amino acid mimosine, which ruminants degraded to the
in is
may
ruminants
tent goiterogen 3-hydroxy-4-lH pyridone (DHP). Toxic effects in
which
be avoided by ca-
inoculating with is
cattle the bacteria Synergistes jonesii,
DHP mimosine
pable degrading and of
of (Jones Megarrity 1986). Biological activity
and nucle-
in animal cells has been attributed the decondensation of chromatin
to
component inhibition
olar synthesis
fibrillar (Vogt This highly protein
1991). specific
may and
a
explain the loss of hair and the reported properties against infections
poten-
broad range could have
of This
parasites. fact suggests that Leucaena spp.
in the treatment of tumors.
tial
Leucaena
Economic importance- Commercialization of products of several species of
common many Among markets are
is in markets of parts of Central Mexico. these
markets,
weekly and In
local daily marketplaces markets.
as well as established
u
n cunnlv
~..,.i^ t_ »~;« supply
j permanent . , . . . i ii
Mexico
City,
wig=
called who buy and otner
acaparadores, from
guajes producers. In this
local
animal
towns and and
plant
cities guajes are usually with ethnic
offered together
common veg-
mav
foodstuffs. Less freauentlv. thpv Hp fminH n inner with more
More
upermarkets
Summer JOURNAL OF 1NOBIOLOGY
1999
ET1
7
The legumes day
of the short plant L. esculenta, and those of paniculate
e. L.
e.
which mature during
the rainy season, are replaced during most part of the year
by which
produces legumes
L. glabrata, year round, as long as water pro-
all
I. is
vided. Regionally (State of Mexico), the legumes of m. macrophyUa are ottered;
L.
so are the leaves, pod galls (bolochocos) and dry seeds of
esculenta (guajesquite)
L.
(Guerrero, Morelos and Puebla); the fresh legumes of cuspidate Standley are
L.
sold in the weekly market of Ixmiquilpan, Hidalgo, during the production season
Legumes
(September). of L. conferti flora Zarate subsp. adenotheloidea Zarate (1994),
both cultivated and gathered wild Chapulco, Puebla, and nearby
at locations, are
commercialized in local markets in the area of the Tehuacan Valley. Products
in
the market come mainly from cultivated populations, but may also have wild or
somewhat managed
provenance. In the first case are all instances of L. glabrata,
/.
and most examples and
of sale of esculenta adenotheloidea. Wild provenance
L. L.
c.
dominant L
commercialized products macrophyUa and
in of
is L. cuspidata.
made
Guajesquite from esculenta mainly from wild although
L. is trees, there
e. is
evidence management some
of a possibly long history of apparently wild popu-
of
(Casas and Cabal Legumes come
lations lero 1996). of adenotheloidea markets
L. in
c.
from both cultivated and wild Most taxa are known be considered
trees. to edible
and somewhat
are gathered from wild or altered populations (Appendix
1).
Leucaena esculenta- This species is native to the Balsas River Basin at elevations
m
from 850 to 2200 above sea level, it is found cultivated in this area and in Cen-
tral Mexico, in Zacatecas, Jalisco, Hidalgo, Puebla, Veracruz, Michoacan, Mexico,
Guerrero, Morelos, Oaxaca and Chiapas (Zarate 1994:132, figure Outside
this
6).
common
found The
area it is occasionally cultivated. subspecies esculenta is in the
northern and western whereas
part of the distribution, the subspecies paniculata
is
found at higher altitudes in Zacatecas, Puebla, Guerrero, Morelos and Oaxaca. In
Oaxaca, the characteristics distinguishing subspecies esculenta and paniculata
-re-
and
spectively, angled branches red flowers vs. terete branches and reddish flowers,
among
combined
others- are frequently in cultivated individual Local wild
trees.
populations do not have such mixed
of paniculata characteristics (Zarate
L. 1994).
e.
may
This be due to hybridization between both subspecies, aided by the above
mentioned overlap in phenology, as suggested by the polyploidy of these south-
ern populations of the guaje Archaeobotanical evidence supports such
rojo. that
hybridization would have derived from the diffusion of L. esculenta to areas
e.
with native paniculata populations (Zarate 1994). Subspecies paniculata some-
L.
e. is
margins
times cultivated, particularly in the of the distribution of subspecies
esculenta, at or above 2000 m, in the states of Morelos, Puebla and Oaxaca. Subspe-
endemic and
cies matudae, to the Central Balsas Basin area, has not been seen
is
cultivated (Zarate 1994).
The gathered from wild and managed consumption
guaje rojo is trees for of
the fresh (green) seeds, which are eaten raw or cooked. The reddish legumes
-tied
many
up in bundles- are sold in markets in parts of Mexico. Subspecies esculenta
is
deciduous, flowering while -an adaptation dry
leafless of tropical tropical forest
Legumes most highly prized subsp. ma-
trees. of L. esculenta trees (hueyuaxin)
e.
while other populations -having lower mature
ture in the spring, quality-
later.
Thus, the legumes of guaje rojo are available from August to March. Subspecies
ZARATE
No.
Vol.
8 19, 1
summer and The Valley Zapotec from
matures during the Mitla,
paniculata fall.
them
Oaxaca, take advantage of both subspecies, recognizing as lya gusghi (lya,
Valley Zapotec generic name, and gusghi, rainy season; "rainy season guaje") and
lya kures (similarly, "dry season guaje") (Messer 1978; Zarate 1994).
Canada Region
Guerrero,
Within the heartland of the guaje in the of the
rojo,
gathered from wild and managed popu-
seeds of subsp. esculenta are extensively
may
which be
lations to be prepared as guajesquite stored for further use. It is sold
and Huamuxtitlan, Guerrero and Cuernavaca,
markets Iguala
in local
(e.g.,
Morelos) by seed merchants. Within another form of storable prepara-
this area,
tion known: the fresh seeds are ground into a bread-like cake and stored wrapped
is
consumed
being sun-dried. This preparation in stew-like dishes,
in plastic after is
and two
with or without meat. According to Casas Caballero (1996), these prepa-
rations are the only wild food resources stored by the Mixtec people in Guerrero.
may
same
This "guaje bread" be the as that noticed during the sixteenth century
by Hernandez
Zarate
(1960; 1997).
Management- managed
These trees (both subspecies) are in various agricul-
tural systems, grading in intensity, including in situ selection of L. esculenta in
e.
under and
sites fallow cultivation in dry tropical forests (Casas Caballero 1996),
home
gardens, and in high density pure stands. Frequently, planted along
it is
water channels and furrow between Vegetative
(apantles) in ridges milpas (bordos).
propagation is not practiced for any species of the genus which are always seed-
commonly
propagated, by direct planting, but they can also be transplanted. In
some
cases, the presence of a seedbank makes planting unnecessary.
some
Diffusion- Cultigens of the species seem have been dispersed from
to
Some
parts of the Balsas Basin to parts of the range of cultivation. places of
all
known
origin of cultigens today upper Morelos (Cuernavaca
are the valleys of
and and
surrounding
areas), an area in the State of Mexico (Temascaltepec area),
the Tierra Caliente region Guerrero and Michoacan Guerrero-
of (Teloloapan,
Michoacan
Tiquicheo, where Nahuatl spoken.
area); these are regions
all is
Leucaena leucocephala- Subspecies leucocephala native along the Caribbean Coast
is
of Mexico, and widespread in
the
Antilles, Florida, while the subspecies glabrata
is
Mexico, but native area not completely below) (Zarate 1987, 1994).
its is certain (see
The
weed.
subspecies
glabrata cultivated and has been dispersed as a
is recently
While being humid broad
has a
typical of tropical environments, in cultivation
it
A
ecological range. (Zarate
cultigen subspecies leucocephala
initially identified as
known
Totonac
1987,
1994) bv and bv the
is cultivated the Coast Totonac of Veracruz,
from
this
I
May native L.
the
jpulverulenta the
In
.
leucocephala home
is part of gardens Rico-Gray 1990)
(Barrera 1980; et al.
Mana
lash
and
burn managed pas-
milpas,
acahuales (managed and
secondary vegetation) in
tures and
(Kelly Palerm distribution
1952; Medellin elsewhere, within its
1990);
range, etai
mainly found (Lazos
it is homegardens and pure stands
in patios,
in
on
depend largely
seem
to
~,^^
*L
„,nwn on the
Jalcomul
i
Summer JOURNAL OF HNOBIOLOGY
1999
ET 9
Jalcomulco River banks, apparently forming spontaneous hybrids with
the native
taxon
Benth. subsp.
L. diversifolia (Schldl.) diversifolia (Zarate 1994).
Diffusion. This species colonized the tropics of the world through European
introduction via the Philippines (Zarate 1987, 1997, 1998). However, the aggres-
sive subspecies leucocephala has become a problem for some countries, leading to
more
the introduction of the useful subspecies glabrata (Dijkman 1950, Anony-
mous Hughes
1984, 1993). This trend has reached Mexico, where importation of
germplasm
occurring even
today.
is
Cultigens of subspecies glabrata probably originated along rivers in the Sierra
Madre
del Sur or along the southern Pacific Coast of Mexico. From here, reached
it
present area of traditional cultivation along MichoacAn, Guerrero, Morelos,
its
Puebla and Oaxaca. Archaeological evidence suggests that I glabrata was intro-
L.
duced to the Tehuacan Valley during the Classic period (Palo Blanco phase), and
perhaps to the Gulf of Mexico area, and that was associated with irrigation agri-
it
culture (Zarate 1998). The cultivation of glabrata occurs where water available
L. is
/.
and low do
temperatures not growth. Conversely, however,
limit cultivation of
its
may
L. esculenta does not occur at low elevations and be damaged by excessive
humidity
(Zarate
1994).
Other cultivated taxa- Other taxa are cultivated in lower degree, including some
newly and seem
introduced cultigens others that traditional. In the case, the
first
multiple-stemmed
guaje zacatzin, L. adenotheloidea is a small, tree cultivated at
c.
m
1800-2000 above Chapulco, Puebla The
sea level in (Zarate 1984, 1994). ethno-
botanical evidence indicates that this shrubby tree was initially planted at the
grown home
beginning of the present century. It is in gardens with other trees in
borders limiting the corn fields (milpas). Native populations exist in the neighbor-
where
ing Sierra de Zongolica, has traditionally been gathered for consumption,
it
and seems
trade sale (Zarate 1994). Irrigation to be causing the preference of the
guaje zacatzin over the older cultigens of the guaje Colorado e paniculata), because
(L.
damaged
the by constant moisture while the responds with luscious
latter is first
growth and abundant legume production (Zarate
1994).
same
In the case cuspidata Stand a small tree from arid vegetation
is L. ley, in
San Luis Potosi, Queretaro and Hidalgo (Zarate 1994), of incipient cultivation at
(Hughes As Otomi
the Mezquital Valley 1993). a tradition, the people gathered
this shrub's legumes (Zarate 1994) and currently are turning to its cultivation.
unknown
Of
antiquity in cultivation, lanceolata -belonging to Leucaena Sec-
L.
grown
tion Macrophylla Zarate (1994)- in live fences for fodder by the Huaves of
is
San Mateo Mar, Oaxaca (Zizumbo and Colunga
del 1982).
Two grown
other taxa are in living fences in Southern Mexico:
L. collinsii,
c.
and shannonii D. Smith subsp. shannonii. Both taxa are of Central American
L.
J.
and are Mexican subspecies (Zarate 1994) disjunct from other subspecies
affinity
America (Hughes unknown.
in Central 1993). Precise antiquity of their cultivation
is
Management and systems- Physical such and
agricultural factors as climate,
soil
vegetation influence the decision about which taxa to cultivate, but the choice
is
by The degree and
also influenced cultural factors. of intention the effectiveness
known
managed
of the various systems for Leucaena spp. ranges from individual
ZARATE
No.
Vol.
19,
10 1
and
(without planting)- esculenta (Casas Caballero
selection of trees in situ L. e.
L
and Palerm Medellin Zarate
and leucocephala (Kelly 1952; 1990; 1994);
1996), I
the favoring and encouragement of volunteer recruits in culture- L. paniculata.
e.
in Chapulco, Puebla (Zarate 1994); to, the planting of seeds either directly to the
L
and
and
fields- L. esculenta (Casas Caballero 1996), L. glabrata, c. adenotheloidea-
e. /.
(Zarate
be transplanted- adenotheloidea 1994).
or ex situ to L.
c.
CONCLUSIONS
From and from
importance taxa- the data presented here, the
Relative
of
may
ethnohistorical analysis (Zarate 1997), be concluded that the taxon with
it
most ethnobotanical relevance in Mexico esculenta, followed in order of
is L.
e.
importance by The native area of esculenta has been approxi-
glabrata.
L. L. e.
/.
mately outlined, also has been determined that the highly prized cultigens of
it
this species (the hueyuaxin) originate in the higher portions along the northern
border
of this region.
Most
The and
eeoeraohic oriein of vlabrata of cultivation less certain.
L. its is
/.
from Mexican
the
mentioned
Gulf Mexico
originate in the of
Mexico Basin area during the
s
seems
Isthmus
American
management and
in living fences of native Mexican subspecies of collinsii
taxa. L.
L. shannonii (Zarate 1994) are cultivated in the northern portion of this area ex-
tending Guatemala (Hughes The with this
into associated
1993, 1998b). tradition
area seems be independent from
to those in the Balsas River Basi
Mexico could
regions. History of migrations of the Pipil Nicarao (Fowl r 1989)
have
influenced While L
this cultivation tradition, but that uncertain.
is
did not beyond
diffuse Mexico, knowledge of the genus did: the Pipil
from
El Salvador records the word waixin, wahwaixin, meaning
plural,
(Campbell
1985).
A
model
ifLeucaena.-
domestication
made
study forms
popu-
from same wild and selected
the in situ
w
the
lahons
morphologically studied by Casas and Caballero agrees ith
(1996),
differentiation observed by these authors those characteristics of the fruit
in
together
are by
selected people
(Zarate 1999). This genetic evidence (Zarate 1999),
with
inferences coming
1997)
must
esculenta have
proceeded, by form m.magerru'nt
in part, a of
observed by
Casas and
Caballero during prolonged
acting
(1996),
p