Abstract

MOSTACERO LEON, José; MEJIA COICO, Freddy; GASTANADUI ROSAS, Danilo  and  DE LA CRUZ CASTILLO, Jordan. Taxonomic, phytogeographic, and ethnobotanical inventory of native fruit trees of northern Peru. Scientia Agropecuaria [online]. 2017, vol.8, n.3, pp.215-224. ISSN 2077-9917.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17268/sci.agropecu.2017.03.04.

The mega phytodiversity of Peru includes native species of all types; among them are fruit trees, which despite having been consumed forthousands of years, still have not been subject to research to validate their use. Further research on these native species could determine whether the fruits being consumed surpass the quantity and quality of vitamins, mineral salts, and anthocyanin pigments. Thus, the aim of this study was the realization of a taxonomic, phytogeographic, and ethnobotanical inventory of the fruit trees in northern Peru. This research was realized through specimen collections made during botanical explorations of northern Peru. Later a critical revision of the specialized bibliography was conducted, and the findings reinforced with information obtained through personal experience and that of local and regional inhabitants. Forty-five species are reported, distributed among 18 families, chiefly in Ericaceae (7 species), Myrtaceae (6 species), Cactaceae (4 species), Solanaceae (4 species), Caricaceae (3 species), Passifloraceae (3 species), and Rosaceae (3 species). Of the species inventoried, 29 species (64%) are eaten in a raw or natural form, while 16 species (36%) are consumed raw or processed in jelly, marmalade, frozen, wine, juice, custards, and puddings.

Keywords : Ethnobotany; phytogeography; fruit trees; taxonomic inventory.

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