Ethnobotany in Iturbide, Nuevo León: The Traditional Knowledge on Plants Used in the Semiarid Mountains of Northeastern Mexico

Abstract

Iturbide is located in the Northeast of Mexico, it has a rich native and exotic flora, however, there are no ethnobotanical records, therefore, it requires attention in the documentation of traditional practices and uses of its botanical resources. In 2021, twelve field trips were carried out, applying 110 semi-structured interviews. Plant samples were collected, identified and deposited in an herbarium. We used the Chi-square test to compare ethnobotanical uses with respect to others reported in Mexico. To determine the cultural importance, three ethnobotanical indices were applied (UVI, ICF and FL). We recorded 250 species with ethnobotanical uses associated with 121 genera and 83 families, including 140 native and 110 exotic species. The most common plant families were Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, and Fabaceae. The main uses were ornamental, medicinal and food. The species with the highest UVI values ​​were Lepidium peruvianum, Ocimum basilicum and Rosmarinus officinale. The multifunctionality of the native and exotic flora demonstrates the extensive knowledge associated with botanical resources. Examples, the role of ornamental plants, with a direct impact on human well-being, the resilience of healers and traditional inhabitants by using different species for the treatment of various ailments. or indigenous edible plants in the daily diet.

The Family Fabaceae in northeastern Mexico (Subfamily Caesalpinioideae, Mimosoideae Clade, Tribes Mimoseae, Acacieae, and Ingeae)

“…Vachellia farnesiana is a typical component of areas with anthropogenic disturbance, overgrazing and excessive extraction of vegetation. It's hard, resistant wood is used in the region for fence posts, house columns, roofs, log making, firewood, furniture, shelving, hand tools and flooring (62,76]. Type: Mexico, Oaxaca.…”

“…Common in areas with human settlements, yards, sidewalks, and places with disturbances. Most abundant below 1500 m. Widely used as forage [73,76]. The young pods and stems are used as food [73], the foliage and fruits are given to domestic cattle as fodder.…”

“…It is hard and resistant wood is widely used for the construction of houses, roofs, floors, and hand tools. Its leaves and fruits are used as fodder for domestic livestock [74,76].…”

“…Popularly known of tenaza. In rural areas is used extensively for the manufacture of manual utensils, poles, chairs, and tables of great resistance [74,76]. long, united basally, forming a tube shorter, equal, or longer than corolla.…”