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Table 1 Crescentia cujete varieties found in the study area, their characteristics and management

From: Phenotypic differentiation between wild and domesticated varieties of Crescentia cujeteL. and culturally relevant uses of their fruits as bowls in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Habitat

Variety

Main characteristics according to Maya people

Management

Savanna

uas

Wild variety. Small, thin elongated fruits.

Spontaneous growth. Not harvested. Useful for shadow where the savanna is used as pastureland.

Homegarden

uas

Wild variety. Small, thin elongated fruits.

Spontaneous growth. Tolerated. Used occasionally for making bowls, mainly for shade or aesthetics, as well as a living fence and for its medicinal properties.

luch

Domesticated variety. Round fruit, larger and thicker than wild variety.

Cultivated from cuttings, occasionally through seeds. Used mainly for making bowls, to a lesser extent for its medicinal properties.

sac luch

Domesticated variety. Round fruit, light green when fresh, whitish aspect after being prepared, thinner pericarp.

Cultivated from cuttings. Used mainly for making bowls, sometimes for preparing remedies.

yaax luch

Domesticated variety. “Not so round” fruit, dark green color when fresh, brownish aspect after preparation, thicker pericarp.

Cultivated from cuttings, occasionally through seeds. Used mainly for making bowls, but also for medicinal applications.

  1. Table adapted from [13].