Sonoran Desert Food Plants

Recipient of the Mary W. Klinger Book Award from the Society for Economic Botany, this volume presents a comprehensive account of the edible plants utilized by over fifty traditional cultures inhabiting the Sonoran Desert and its peripheral areas. Drawing on three decades of extensive research, author Wendy C. Hodgson has synthesized the widely dispersed literature and combined it with her own firsthand experiences to create an exhaustive catalog of the desert's flora and their diverse applications.

Contrary to the Sonoran Desert's seemingly inhospitable nature, a remarkable one-fifth of its plant species are in fact edible, providing sustenance to indigenous peoples for centuries. Food Plants of the Sonoran Desert delves into not only the more familiar plants such as gourds and legumes, but also uncovers unexpected food sources, including palms, lilies, and cattails, all of which played a vital role in nourishing desert dwellers.

Each species entry meticulously documents the recorded names and indigenous uses, which often extend beyond just food to encompass therapeutic and commodity applications. The agave, for instance, is renowned for its multifaceted utility, serving as a source of food and beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, as well as providing raw materials for the production of syrup, fiber, cordage, clothing, sandals, nets, blankets, lances, fire hearths, musical instruments, hedgerows, soap, and medicine, not to mention its ceremonial significance.

Detailed information on harvesting, roasting, and consumption methods, along with distinguishing characteristics between edible and inedible varieties, further enriches the entries, making this volume an invaluable resource for both general readers and specialists alike.

Accessible and comprehensive, Food Plants of the Sonoran Desert stands as a unique and indispensable compendium, shedding light on the hidden bounty of the desert and the resilient traditions of the indigenous cultures that have thrived in this seemingly inhospitable landscape for centuries.

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