Abstract

LASCURAIN-RANGEL, Maite et al. Use and associated woody flora of Oecopetalum mexicanum (Icacinaceae): An edible species native to the Sierra de Misantla, Veracruz, Mexico. Bot. sci [online]. 2013, vol.91, n.4, pp.477-484. ISSN 2007-4476.

We evaluated the use of the Mexican tree species Oecopetalum mexicanum (cachichín) in the Sierra de Misantla, Veracruz, Mexico. Based on vegetation samples, interviews and field observations, we describe the woody plants associated with this species, management sites and the collection and use of the edible fruit. The cachichín grows under four types of management: natural forest, cachichinal (O. mexicanum dominated forest), coffee plantation and orchard. Vegetation was sampled in six plots representing the first three management types, comprising a total area 0.3 ha, and including all individuals > 1cm diameter at breast height. Fruit production was estimated in 60 trees at the same sites. Due to the limited area of the orchards, eight independent floristic samples were taken. Total richness was 79 species from 35 families, distributed as follows: natural forest (52), cachichinal (27) and coffee plantation (28). The orchards presented eleven dominant species. Physiognomy in the forests was unaffected by cachichín collection. Cachichinal retained physiognomic attributes that were similar to that of the forests, but with an abundance of useful native species. The coffee plantation featured exotic species with few cachichín individuals. Annual average fruit production was 680 (± 167.4) fruits/tree and did not differ significantly between management types (P = 0.75). Cachichín is widely collected in the region for direct consumption and sale in the Sierra and in cities such as Misantla and Xalapa.

Keywords : cachichín; plant conservation; wild edible fruits.