LAUSR

In Mexico 762 edible fruit species are presently distributed into 288 genera belonging to 87 botanical families. There are 113 cultivated fruit tree species, of which 53 are native and 60 have been introduced; there are also 649 non-cultivated or underutilized species, of which 88 of them were introduced and 554 are native ones. The best representative botanical families are: Anacardiaceae (16 spp.); Anonaceae (19 spp.); Arecaceae (20 spp.); Boraginaceae (10 spp.); Cactaceae (88 spp.); Canabaceae (11 spp.); Caricaceae (9 spp.); Ebenaceae (15 spp.); Ericaceae (22 spp.); Fabaceae (37 spp.); Grossulariaceae (21 spp.); Juglandaceae (15 spp.); Lauraceae (18 spp.); Malpighiaceae (11 spp.); Malvaceae (12 spp.); Melastomataceae (13 spp.); Moraceae (20 spp.); Myrtaceae (29 spp.); Passifloraceae (9 spp.); Pinaceae (12 spp.); Rosaceae (88 spp.); Rubiaceae (9 spp.); Rutaceae (28 spp.); Sapotaceae (24 spp.); Solanaceae (23 spp.); and Vitaceae (24 spp.). This taxonomic richness is related to neartic and neotropical environments, and marked by the human groups present throughout the history of the country. The in situ conservation is recommended in southern, eastern, northeastern and northwestern regions of the country. The ex situ conservation needs consider species with non-orthodox seeds. Probably a few wild edible species need to be grown for commercial cultivation but it is not a rule for all.