The silent guardians of the Quebrada de Humahuaca: the ethnobotany of the “cardón” (Trichocereus atacamensis, Cactaceae) among indigenous people of the Department of Tilcara (Jujuy, Argentina)

Abstract

The “cardón”, Trichocereus atacamensis, is an emblematic species in the Quebrada de Humahuaca (Jujuy, Argentina). However, although data can be found scattered throughout the literature, its ethnobotany has never been studied in depth. The aim of the present paper is to conduct a comprehensive ethnobotanical study of T. atacamensis in the Department of Tilcara (Jujuy, Argentina), among members of the Kolla people, to shed light on the complex interrelations between this human group and the “cardón”. The information collected includes narratives, uses, knowledge of the morphology, qualities, ecological and phenological distribution, details of the role of these cacti in the area and other aspects on the relationship between the plants and the people. Results suggest that the phytosanitary state of both the “cardones” and the study area is of concern, and that the very close links with the “cardón”, in accordance with traditional cultural patterns and conceptions, are fiercely maintained despite the socioenvironmental changes. This study also highlights the pressing need to devise strategies to gain a better insight into the phytosanitary state of the “cardones” and their habitat, and thus safeguard local relations and knowledge associated with them