Wild Edible Mushroom Lore in A Suburban Mestizo Community Traditional knowledge of edible wild mushrooms
Main Article Content
Keywords
ethnomycology, macromycetes, nomenclature, urbanization
Abstract
Objective: To record the traditional mycological knowledge of wild edible mushrooms (WEM) in Santa Ana Jilotzingo, a mestizo rural community with great influence from the urban area of Mexico City.
Design/methodology/approach: Unstructured and semi-structured interviews were conducted during 3 years.
Results: Sixty-six species of WEM, 91 traditional names, 65 Spanish names, 3 nahuatlisms, 4 mixed names, and 19 indeterminate names were recorded. The local gatherers have a precise knowledge of the biology, ecology and distribution of the used species; the older people preserving more diverse and precise knowledge. Nowadays, gathering of WEM in the rainy season as an economic activity has lost relevance. However, WEM gathering as a livehood food supplement continue being important for the community.
Limitations on study/implications: The field work in 2020 was complicated by the pandemic.
Findings/conclusions: In the study area, relevant traditional mycological knowledge still survives despite complex adverse conditions such as acculturation, migration and deforestation.