Ethnobotany Resources from Metropolitan Parks of Quito City

Abstract

Background: Quito, the largest city in Ecuador, has a population of over two million. Despite significant growth in the last 50 years, remnants of native flora can still be found within the city’s metropolitan park system. These parks contain large areas of both native and introduced ethnobotanical resources. This study aimed to collect and catalog species based on their medicinal, nutritional, ritual, and cosmetic properties. The opinions of informants with extensive knowledge of traditional medicine were considered, and many scientific documents were analyzed to obtain more information on each identified species.

Methods: Under the guidance of Andean sage Tayta Alberto Taxo Taco Chicaiza and accompanied by six informants, we visited five metropolitan parks in Quito known for their significant biodiversity. Between March and July 2017, we collected and identified medicinal species over several working days. To confirm the traditional knowledge, we then complemented our findings by evaluating approximately one hundred scientific documents.

Results: Ninety-two species were identified as valuable plants, highlighting their medicinal, food, cosmetic, and ritual uses. The highest percentage corresponded to native Andean species, 68%, and endemism reached 3.3%. Forty-nine botanical families were identified, with Fabaceae, Asteraceae, and Solanaceae standing out. The use of a significant number of plants is related to magical-religious practices.

Conclusion: This study reveals that even in large urban areas, pockets of plant biodiversity exist as small refuges that maintain a connection to life. These refuges can be utilized to enhance the health and well-being of city dwellers.

Keywords: Quito, Andean biodiversity, metropolitan parks, ancestral knowledge