Chapter 15 Contributions of ethnobotanics to the use and conservation of Cactaceae biocultural heritage in northwestern Córdoba. Identity studies, agro-diversity and conservation of traditional practices

TRILLO, CECILIA; TORRICO CHALABE, JULIETA KARINA; AHUMADA MARÍA LUJAN; JUANEDA ALLENDE MICAELA; MARIANI ANABELLA; GEMETH SANDRA; DÍAZ GAVIER MARÍA FELISA

La Plata

Congreso; III Jornadas Argentinas de Etnobiología y Sociedad: Naturaleza/s en construcción; 2021

There has been an increasing interest in the study of plants used for family consumption grown in cultivated and domestic areas. Inter and intraspecific diversity is high in the two settings as a result of management practices that respond to environmental, cultural and market factors. Pencas or cactu, from the Cactaceae family, belong to this group of interest and they are found in Chaco ecoregion within the province of Córdoba. There are multiple ethnobotanical references about cacti that give account of their uses mainly as food, fodder and fencing material. Thirteen native taxa and one exotic taxon with their vernacular names were registered, as well as twelve different uses and six management practices. In the specific case of the tuna, Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill., six ethno-varieties were identified that belong to two botanical forms. This species was found to be the most highly rated for its productivity and identitarian qualities, apart from being also the one that had the greatest diversity of uses. With financial support of the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, work was carried out by the Secretaría de Extensión Universitaria, along with people from the community to establish a native cacti garden in Cerro Colorado and graphic material was designed. In common grounds from Quilino and Chuña, gardens with all the ethno-varieties of tunas were set up. Measuring equipment, tags and leaflets were provided in order to support and make things visible for local people who still keep traditional practices transmitted through generations when manipulating native and foreign species.