Abstract

NUNEZ-COLIN, Carlos Alberto  and  HERNANDEZ-MARTINEZ, Miguel Ángel. The problems in the taxonomy of the genetic resources of tejocote (Crataegus spp.) in Mexico. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2011, vol.2, n.1, pp.141-153. ISSN 2007-0934.

The genus Crataegus (Rosaceae subtribe Pyrinae) is one of the most difficult to treat taxonomic complexes. Furthermore, past mistakes are being repeated today by publications misclassifying specimens of the genus Crataegus, just as there are scientific names that cause confusion when identifying taxonomic identities. Due to this, the present study aims to describe the problems that exist in published taxonomies of the genus, mainly in Mexico, and thus try to clarify the best way to systematize of systematic of the genetic resources of the genus Crataegus. It also attempts to identify the geographical origin of tejocote (Crataegus spp.). The genus Crataegus presents reproductive complications known as "the Crataegus problem". Moreover, in Mexico, only two taxonomic treatments in this respect, one in the early twentieth century and the other only focused on the northern and part of central Mexico. A higher number of taxonomic studies on this genus are recommended, mainly for the states of Puebla, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Guerrero, Morelos, and Chiapas, where the keys are insufficient to identify them.

Keywords : Rosaceae subtribe Pyrinae; systematics; the Crataegus problem.