<p><strong>Background</strong>: The morphological traits and germinative behavior of seeds vary within a species in response to multiple factors. Knowledge of this variability is important in understanding adaptation of species to environmental conditions.</p><p><strong>Question</strong>: Does the provenance of seeds of <em>Cakile edentula</em> affect seed traits? Does the climate of the sites of origin of the seeds influence their variability? Does the presence of light affect seed germination?</p><p><strong>Study species</strong>: <em>Cakile edentula</em><em> </em>(Bigelow) Hook.</p><p><strong>Study site</strong>: Coastal dune vegetation on the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in August and October 2017.</p><p><strong>Methods</strong>: Seeds of <em>Cakile edentula</em> were collected in different locations on the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. Under laboratory conditions it was assessed whether the origin of the seeds influenced some traits such as seed mass, moisture content, viability and germinative behavior.</p><p><strong>Results</strong>: Seed provenance significantly affected seed mass and moisture content in <em>C</em>. <em>edentula</em>. Moreover, the seeds of <em>C</em>. <em>edentula</em> collected from hot and humid sites germinate quickly and in greater proportion than the seeds from warm and dry sites of the Yucatan Peninsula. The seeds of <em>C</em>. <em>edentula</em> germinate preferably in darkness, regardless site of provenance.</p><strong>Conclusions</strong>: Some seed traits of <em>C</em>. <em>edentula</em> are affected by the site of provenance. Evidence suggests that climatic variation is likely to influence the initial characteristics of the life history in this coastal dune species.
A compilation of the plants mentioned in the sacred book of the Mayans Popol Vuh, recognized as the framework of their cosmogony that was written in the K’iche’ area in Guatemala around the year 1550 was made. Thirty- two different species were identified, from 21 plant families, all native to Mesoamerica. The largest number of species were in Fabaceae with four species, Moraceae and Solanaceae with three species each, in addition to Bromeliaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Malvaceae and Poaceae with two species each. The five most important and frequently named species are maize (Zea mays), jícaro (Crescentia cujete), copal (Protium copal), rubber (Castilla elastica) and cocoa (Theobroma cacao). Eleven species were identified, such as pito wood (Erythrina berteroana) and zibak (Cyperus canus), considered of cosmogonic significance and food plants that are integrated into five groups: fruit trees [zapote (Manilkara zapota), nance (Byrsonima crassifolia), jocote (Spondias mombin), anona (Annona reticulata), matasano (Casimiroa edulis)], grains and seeds [maize, beans (Phaseolus lunatus), cocoa, pataxte (Theobroma bicolor)], vegetables [squash (Cucurbita moschata), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), chilacayote (Cucurbita ficifolia)], flavourings [chili (Capsicum annuum)], and beverages [maguey (Agave americana)]. Seven species were domesticated: maize, squash, chilacayote, tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), beans, tomato and cocoa and others for medicinal purposes, fuel and instruments. The description of the creation of man asserts the close relationship of the Mayan culture with plant biodiversity; moreover, the famous milpa, a multi-species Mesoamerican agroecosystem is mentioned that was practiced by their gods.
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