Traditional uses and cultural significance of three Erythrina species among the rural population of Tuís District, Turrialba, Costa Rica

A study on the traditional uses of three Erythrina species - Erythrina berteroana Urban, Erythrina costaricensis M. Micheli and Erythrina poeppigiana (Walp.) O.F. Cook - was conducted among the rural population of Tuís District, Turrialba, Costa Rica. Information on the cultural significance of these species was gathered through interviews in three rural communities. Erythrina species are used for food, medicine, fuelwood, construction material, living fences and shade. The people of the region categorize trees, crops and soils as "hot" or "cool". According to this classification system, Erythrina species are "cool" trees and are therefore considered suitable as shade trees in coffee plantations and pastures. Farmers consider that the trees refresh the crops and soil. Because E. costaricensis is native to the forests of the area, it is considered a "wild" tree, belonging to nature. It may be used medicinally, but should not be combined with crops. In contrast, E. berteroana and E. poeppigiana are considered cultivated trees and have traditionally been used as living fences and shade trees.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	106621 Powell, M.H. eds., 100024 Nygren, A., 131136 Westley, S.B., CATIE - Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza Turrialba, Costa Rica autor/a 3977, 15141 Nitrogen Fixing Tree Association, Hawaii (EUA), International Conference Erythrina in the New and Old Worlds Turrialba (Costa Rica) 19-23 Oct 1992
Format:	biblioteca
Published:	Hawaii (EUA) 1993
Subjects:	ERYTHRINA BERTEROANA, ERYTHRINA COSTARICENSIS, ERYTHRINA POEPPIGIANA, USOS, CERCA VIVA, ARBOLES DE SOMBRA, PLANTAS MEDICINALES, FERTILIZANTES ORGANICOS, TURRIALBA, COSTA RICA,
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