Diversity of "quintoniles" (Amaranthus spp.) in the Sierra Norte of Puebla, Mexico.

Amaranths (Amaranthus spp.) used as edible greens in Mexico are called quintoniles, these being among other classes of quelites, a concept including all herbs of which young leaves are consumed. The Sierra Norte of Puebla region is one of the highly interesting regions for studying the knowledge, use and management of amaranths as edible greens.

We have made extensive collecting of germplasm (seeds) and herbarium specimens of quintoniles througout the Sierra Norte of Puebla region, described the management of the plants by different communities, made physicochemical analysis of mineral and vitamins contents of ten different accesions, and characterized the germplasm of amaranths present in the study region. The germplasm of amaranths used as edible greens in the Sierra Norte of Puebla displays high morphological variation.  The most important characters were related to different aspects of leafs, lateral branching and form of inflorescence.

Also, we have created trptychs, booklets, and posters for sensitizing the populations about amaranths.