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Abstract PremiseBetter understanding of the relationship between plant specialized metabolism and traditional medicine has the potential to aid in bioprospecting and untangling of cross‐cultural use patterns. However, given the limited information available for metabolites in most plant species, understanding medicinal use–metabolite relationships can be difficult. The order Caryophyllales has a unique pattern of lineages of tyrosine‐ or phenylalanine‐dominated specialized metabolism, represented by mutually exclusive anthocyanin and betalain pigments, making Caryophyllales a compelling system to explore the relationship between medicine and metabolites by using pigment as a proxy for dominant metabolism. MethodsWe compiled a list of medicinal species in select tyrosine‐ or phenylalanine‐dominant families of Caryophyllales (Nepenthaceae, Polygonaceae, Simmondsiaceae, Microteaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Amaranthaceae, Limeaceae, Molluginaceae, Portulacaceae, Cactaceae, and Nyctaginaceae) by searching scientific literature until no new uses were recovered. We then tested for phylogenetic clustering of uses using a “hot nodes” approach. To test potential non‐metabolite drivers of medicinal use, like how often humans encounter a species (apparency), we repeated the analysis using only North American species across the entire order and performed phylogenetic generalized least squares regression (PGLS) with occurrence data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). ResultsWe hypothesized families with tyrosine‐enriched metabolism would show clustering of different types of medicinal use compared to phenylalanine‐enriched metabolism. Instead, wide‐ranging, apparent clades in Polygonaceae and Amaranthaceae are overrepresented across nearly all types of medicinal use. ConclusionsOur results suggest that apparency is a better predictor of medicinal use than metabolism, although metabolism type may still be a contributing factor.
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The Heritagescape of Kichwa People of Nizag Built upon Traditional Plant Usage along a Chimborazo Variant of the Andean Road System or Qhapaq Ñan
To document the dynamics of biocultural heritage, we studied traditional uses of plants on a segment of the Andean Road System, or Qhapaq Ñan, within the central Andes of Ecuador, home of the Kichwa community of Nizag. Here, residents preserved a rich diversity of plants within their agricultural fields, or chakra, of the Andean landscapes, upholding a culture steeped in traditional knowledge. Wild and domesticated plants are a cornerstone for the community, prompting the development of ethnobotanical management strategies with a conservation approach. The diverse plant uses aim to revalue their culture, fortify their self-identification as an indigenous community, and ensure the transmission of ancestral knowledge. This research aims to ascertain the ethnobotanical applications of this venerable community. Employing participatory action research, semistructured interviews were conducted with 43 community informants to gather ethnobotanical data on the flora applied within their territory, spanning categories such as food, agriculture, crafts, living fences, construction, fuel, ornamental, environmental, technological, and medicinal services. The findings indicate that age, rather than educational level and gender, significantly influences the variation in plant usage knowledge. In total, 142 plant species were cataloged, comprising herbs (58%), shrubs (23%), trees (15%), and climbers (4%). The most represented families were Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, and Poaceae. Notably, 96% of these species provide some type of environmental service or fulfill a niche within the socioecological system. Medicinal uses were reported for 89% of the plants, while 56% served agricultural purposes, primarily in fertilizer production and forage. Additionally, 44% of the plants are utilized as food, typically consumed fresh. Among the medicinal plants, leaves are the most used part (58%), prepared as infusions and poultices. The prevalent ailments addressed include respiratory and urinary system conditions, with Borago officinalis, Carica pentagona, Vasconcellea pubescens, and Origanum mejorana being the most frequently employed plants.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2148984
- PAR ID:
- 10595175
- Publisher / Repository:
- Geographies
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Geographies
- Volume:
- 4
- Issue:
- 3
- ISSN:
- 2673-7086
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 537 to 562
- Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
- heritagescape ethnobotany wild plant Kichwa people Qhapaq Ñan traditional knowledge conservation
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.3390/geographies4030029
