Title

Plants of the Popol vuh, the sacred book of the Maya

Plantas del Popol Vuh, el libro sagrado de los Mayas

Author

CANDELARIA ISABEL PEREZ MARTIN

SIGFREDO EDMUNDO ESCALANTE REBOLLEDO

SILVIA VERGARA YOISURA

FRANCISCO ALFONSO LARQUE SAAVEDRA

Access level

Open Access

Dataset reference

datasetDOI/DOI: https://doi.org/10.35196/rfm.2022.2.271

Summary or description

A compilation of the plants mentioned in the sacred book of the Mayans Popol Vuh, recognized as the framework of their cosmogony that was written in the K’iche’ area in Guatemala around the year 1550 was made. Thirty-two different species were identified, from 21 plant families, all native to Mesoamerica. The largest number of species was in Fabaceae with four species, Moraceae and Solanaceae with three species each, in addition to Bromeliaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Malvaceae and Poaceae with two species each. The five most important and frequently named species are maize (Zea mays), jícaro (Crescentia cujete), copal (Protium copal), rubber (Castilla elastica) and cocoa (Theobroma cacao). Eleven species were identified, such as pito wood (Erythrina berteroana) and zibak (Cyperus canus), considered of cosmogonic significance and food plants that are integrated into five groups: fruit trees [zapote (Manilkara zapota), nance (Byrsonima crassifolia), jocote (Spondias mombin), anona (Annona reticulata), matasano (Casimiroa edulis)], grains and seeds [maize, beans (Phaseolus lunatus), cocoa, pataxte (Theobroma bicolor)], vegetables [squash (Cucurbita moschata), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), chilacayote (Cucurbita ficifolia)], flavourings [chili (Capsicum annuum)], and beverages [maguey (Agave americana)]. Seven species were domesticated: maize, squash, chilacayote, tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), beans, tomato and cocoa and others for medicinal purposes, fuel and instruments. The description of the creation of man asserts the close relationship of the Mayan culture with plant biodiversity; moreover, the famous milpa, a multi-species Mesoamerican agroecosystem is mentioned that was practiced by their gods © 2022. Revista Fitotecnia Mexicana.All Rights Reserved.

Publish date

2022

Publication type

Article

Publication version

Published Version

Format

application/pdf

Source

Revista Fitotecnia Mexicana, 45(2), 271-271, 2022.

Language

English

Relation

&

Vergara-Yoisura, S. (2022). Plants of the Popol vuh, the sacred book of the Maya. Revista Fitotecnia Mexicana, 45(2), 271-271.

Citation suggestion

Pérez-Martin, C., Escalante-Rebolledo, S.,

Source repository

Repositorio Institucional CICY

Downloads

34

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