José Angel Villarreal

Ethnobotany in the Cumbres de Monterrey National Park, Nuevo León, México

An ethnobotanical study in the Cumbres de Monterrey National Park (CMNP), Nuevo Leon, Mexico was conducted. In spite of the large area (1,773.7 km2), heterogeneous physiography, contrasting plant communities and high species diversity of the CMNP, very little was previously known about its useful plants. Based on 95 interviews with inhabitants of the region who were 35 years or older, we recorded ethnobotanical data of 240 species (comprising 170 genera and 69 botanical families), and 146 different uses. Most of the cited uses (98) were found to be medicinal ones.BackgroundAn ethnobotanical study in the Cumbres de Monterrey National Park (CMNP), Nuevo Leon, Mexico was conducted. In spite of the large area (1,773.7 km2), heterogeneous physiography, contrasting plant communities and high species diversity of the CMNP, very little was previously known about its useful plants. Based on 95 interviews with inhabitants of the region who were 35 years old or older, we recorded ethnobotanical data of 240 species (comprising 170 genera and 69 botanical families), and 146 different uses. Most of the cited uses (98) were found to be medicinal ones.MethodsNinety five inhabitants 35 years old and oldest were interviewed to know what are the main plant uses in the Cumbres de Monterrey National Park.Results and discussionTwo hundred and forty species, 170 genera, and 69 families of useful plants and 146 different uses were recorded. We found most of the uses to be medicinal (98), while the rest (48) represent various purposes. Herbaceous plants are the most used, followed by shrubs and trees.

The confusing identity of Agave wislizeni (Agavaceae)

The use of the name Agave wislizeni Engelm. is controversial. There is uncertainty about the type locality, the original description is vague, and the illustrations and specimens that have been associated with this name have only added further to the confusion. According to the description and possible type localities, A. wislizeni could be confused with what is now known as A. parryi Engelm., A. parrasana A. Berger or A. ovatifolia Starr & Villarreal. However, because A. wislizeni was originally proposed as a substitute name for A. scabra Salm-Dyck, its identity can be resolved as a synonym of A. asperrima Jacobi.