PLANTS FIRST DOMESTICATED IN THE AMERICAS


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MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA

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Common Name                     Latin Name

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Seed Crops

Maize, corn                           Zea mays

Chia                                        Salvia hispanica

Amaranth                              Amaranthus cruentus

Huauhtli                                 Amaranthus leucocarpus

Chia grande                           Hyptis suaveolens

Sunflower                              Helianthus annuus

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Legumes

Common bean                       Phaseolus spp. (4)

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Vegetables

Squash                                   Curcubita moschata

Pumpkin                 Cucurbita pepo

Chilcayote                             Curcurbita ficifolia

Chayote                                 Sechium edule

Tomato                                  Lycopersicon esculetum

Husk tomato                         Physalis ixocarpa

Huaozontle                            Chenopodium nuttaliae

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Fruits

Cacao                                     Theobroma cacao

Avocado                               Persia americana

Papaya                                   Carica papaya

Tuna cactus                          Opuntia

Mamey                                   Calocarpum mammosum

Chicosapote                          Achras sapote

Mexican cherry (capulin)    Prunus capuli

Hog plum (jocote)                Spondias mombin

Guava                                     Psidium guajava

Vanilla                                    Vanilla planifolia

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Tubers

Jicama                                    Pachyrrhizus erosus

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Fiber Plants

Agaves                                  Agave spp. (5 species)

Cotton                                    Gossypium hirsutum

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Condiments

Chili pepper                           Capsicum (various species)

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Dye plants

Indigo                                    Indigofera suffruticosa

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Ceremonial plants

Copal                                      Protium copal

Jimson weed                         Datura stramonium

Peyote                                    Lophophora williamsii

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Ornamentals

Dahlia                                     Dahlia (4 species)

Marigold                                Tagetes (2 species)

Zinnia                                     Zinnia spp.

Cosmos                                  Cosmos spp.

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SOUTH AMERICA

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Common Name     Latin Name

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Seed Crops

Quinoa                                   Chenopodium quinoa

Canihua                                 Chenopodium pallidicaule

Mango grass                        Bromus mango

Madi                                       Madia sativa

Jataco                                     Amaranthus caudatus

 

Legumes

Common bean                       Phaeolus sp.

Peanut                                    Arachis hypogaea

Chocho                                  Lupinus mutabilis

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Vegetables

Zapallo                                   Cucurbita maxima

Sicana                                    Sicana oderiferal

Achoccha                              Cyclanthera pedata

Bottle gourd                          Langenaria sp.

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Fruits

Pepino                                    Solanum muricatum

Pejibaye palm                        Guilielma utilis

Pineapple                               Ananas comosus

Soursop (guanabana)          Anona muricata

Cashew                                  Anacardium occidentale

Papaya                                   Carica candicans

Cherimoya                             Anona cherimolia

Granadilla (passion fruit)    Passiflora spp.

Lulo, naranjillo                      Solanum quitoense

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Tubers

Manioc, yuca                        Manihot esculenta

Arrowroot                             Maranta arundinacea

Sweet potato                         Ipomoea batatas

Yampee                                  Dioscorea sp.

Achira                                    Canna edulis

Jicama                                    Pachyrrhizus ahipa

Potato                                    Solanum spp.

Oca                                         Oxalis tuberosa

Ulluco                                    Ullucus tuberosum

Ysano                                     Tropaeolum tuberosum

Maca                                      Lepidium meyenii

Arracacha                              Arracacia xanthorrhiza

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Fiber plants

Cotton                                    Gossypium barbadense

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Chili pepper                           Capsicum (several species)

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Dye plants

Achiote                                  Bixa orellana

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Ceremonial plants

Coca                                       Erythroxylon coca

Tobacco                                                Nicotiana tabacum