Table 1.
Comparison of Life-forms recognized among five Zapotec communities of Oaxaca
| Biological form | Trinidad Buenavista | Santiago Xanicaa1 | San Juan Mixtepec2 | Mitla3 | Valles Centrales4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trees and shrubs |
Ya’a |
Yak |
Yàg |
Yahg |
Yága |
| Climbs and lianas |
Lús |
|
IbÈ |
Behúk |
|
| Herbs |
La’a bixhs |
Quiish |
Guizh |
Kwan |
Quijxi |
| Grasses (zacate) |
Ixhs |
|
|
Gishi |
|
| Magueyes |
Dob,Yes |
Toob |
Dòb |
|
Toba |
| Canegrasses |
Yií |
Shiil |
|
|
|
| Palms |
Yiin |
|
|
|
|
| Quelites |
Yed * |
|
|
|
|
| Bromeliads |
Bla,bla lo ya |
|
|
|
|
| Orchids |
Goo lad ya, Xhil |
|
|
|
|
| Ferns |
Yoóh |
|
|
|
|
| Mosses, hepatics, lichens |
Mbaxhs |
|
|
|
|
| Flowers |
Iyé * |
Kiée |
Guièe |
|
Guije |
| Fruits |
|
Nguith shlea |
|
|
|
| Mushrooms |
|
Meí |
|
|
|
| Nopales |
|
Blaa |
|
|
|
| Tuberous roots and corms |
|
Kú |
|
|
Còo |
| Leaves |
|
|
Blâg |
|
|
| Medicinal herbs |
|
|
Ncuàan |
|
Nocuana |
| Beans |
|
|
Bziàa |
|
|
| Corns | Yähl |
*Terms applied to groups of plants that have utilitarian value in the communities of San Agustín Loxicha, while in other communities of Oaxaca are reported as life-forms.
aNames applied to each plant form, but it is not indicated like this by authors.
1Cruz and Cruz, 1992; 2Hunn and Acuta, 2001; 3Messer, 1978; 4Marcus and Flannery, 2001.