Traditional knowledge of wild edible fungi in the p'urhépecha community of Comachuén, Nahuatzen, Michoacán

Abstract

The aim of this text was to document and to report the traditional knowledge (TK) of eatable wild fungi from Comachuen, an indigenous community in Nahuatzen, Michoacán. Through ethnomycology’s methodologies and the Popular Environmental Education, interviews, life stories and workshops were carried out, as well as fungi’s collection and identification. The results show the characteristics and importance of local taxonomy in this kind of organisms. Of the 25 common names that are given to the wild fungi, three have cultural relevancy. So, it is concluded that the community has extensive TK with respect to edible wild fungi and that these are important in their diet during the rainy season; therefore, its conjugation with the scientific knowledge can be used for management plans that ensure its conservation, as well as the development of community bylaws to contribute to its empowerment and biocultural heritage management.