DIVERSITY OF QUELITES IN THE MUNICIPAL MARKETS OF TABASCO, MEXICO

Abstract

Tropical quelites are found in the municipal markets of Tabasco according to the seasonality and agroecological conditions of the species. The objective of this research was to determine the diversity of quelites present in the municipal markets of the state of Tabasco, the habitat, the way of life and management, presentation in marketing and consumption. Visits were made to markets with an influx of regional vegetable producers and traders were scheduled to conduct open interviews with each vendor, with a fixed or temporary position, who offer their vege- table products. They were asked the plant common name and its part marketed, in addition, it was inquired about the degree of management (cultivated or wild) to recognize the biological status of the plants in the suggested categories. Interviews were conducted every month on Sundays from January to December 2019 during which plants considered as quelite were identified. In addition, data on their form of consumption were collected with sellers and buyers of each species. An inventory of the plants was carried out confirming their scientific name in the herbarium of the Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco. There were 39 species of quelites, located in 19 botanical families, of which 48% are consumed leaves, 21% inflorescence, 18% stem and leaf, 8% flower and guide and 5% stem. 36% of quelites have a medicinal use in addition to food. Research on nutritional y medicinal properties of quelites must be increased in order to improve their consumption among young people in Tabasco and the region.