Juan José Ochoa

Current use of wild plants with edible underground storage organs in a rural population of Patagonia: between tradition and change

BackgroundEdible plants with underground storage organs (USOs) are neglected resources. We studied the local ecological knowledge edible plants with (USOs) in rural populations of North-Patagonia in order to establish how people are utilizing these plants. Some aspect of corpus-praxis-cosmos complex associated to the local ecological knowledge was documented and discussed. In addition, variation in this ecological knowledge due to age, gender, family structure, ethnic self-determination was also evaluated.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 51 inhabitants in order to study the relationship between the current use of plants with USOs and the age, sex, family group composition and ethnic self-identification of interviewees. In addition, the Cultural Importance Index for each species was calculated.ResultsThe current richness of known species in these populations is a total of 9 plants. Plants with USOs tend to be used more frequently as the age of the interviewee increases. Women and men showed no differences in the average richness of species cited. The interviewees who share their homes with other generations use these plants more frequently than those who live alone. Our results indicate that the interviewees who identified themselves as belonging to the Mapuche people use these plants more frequently.ConclusionFor the Mapuche people, wild plants have constituted material and symbolic resources of great importance in their historical subsistence. In addition, they are currently being redefined as elements which present a connection with ancestral practices, produce a strong relationship with the ‘land’, and become markers which identify the ‘natural’ (historical) ways of their people; these are key elements in the current political processes of identity revaluation. This research is valuable to stimulate cultural revival and health promotion programs in the communities with their own local, cultural food.

Oxalis adenophylla Gillies ex Hook. & Arn.

Oxalis adenophylla Gillies ex Hook. & Arn., is a native herb of the Subantartic Forest and Stepps of Patagonia. O. adenophylla has multiple uses and a high cultural value for many local populations of Patagonia. The leaves are used to treat fever, their roots are edible, and the plant is employed as ornamental. Despite their local cultural importance as medicine, there is little understanding of the phytochemistry and bioactivity of its property to treat fever, and the nutritional characteristics of its edible root. Similarly, its ornamental potential and growing marketing have not been investigated in the region. The ecological knowledge of local populations, that have historically used and currently use this species, seems to be essential to promote the sustainable management and conservation of O. adenophylla in Patagonia.