Ethnobotany resources from Metropolitan Parks of Quito city

A study of Quito's metropolitan parks identified 92 ethnobotanically valuable plant species, with 68% being native Andean and 3.3% endemic. These plants hold significant medicinal, nutritional, ritual, and cosmetic uses, often tied to magical-religious practices. The research, conducted between March and July 2017, involved collecting and cataloging species in five parks under the guidance of traditional knowledge holders and complemented by a review of scientific literature. The findings highlight that urban areas can still preserve biodiversity, serving as small refuges that support health and well-being. This study underscores the importance of integrating ancestral knowledge with modern research to conserve and utilize these natural resources.

Noriega, P., Calderón, L., Taxo Taco, A., Montaluisa, M. B., Jaramillo, K., & Noriega, P. (2024). Ethnobotany resources from Metropolitan Parks of Quito city. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 28. https://doi.org/10.32859/era.28.23.1-20