Maya Traditional Knowledge of Cnidoscolus spp. in the Yucatán Peninsula.

This article focuses on the traditional knowledge and use of the genus *Cnidoscolus* (Euphorbiaceae) among contemporary Maya communities in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico. Through interviews in nine Mayan communities, researchers identified eight species or cultivars used locally, primarily six cultivars of *Cnidoscolus aconitifolius* (known as chay or chaya in Spanish and Yucatec Maya) along with *C. multilobus* and *C. souzae*. These plants serve multiple roles in homegardens and agroecosystems, including food, medicinal remedies, fodder, living fences, spiritual-religious practices, and handcrafts, reflecting their biocultural importance. The study highlights the differentiation between cultivated varieties (chay) and wild or tolerated varieties (tsaj), documents their diverse uses, and notes concerns about knowledge transmission due to youth migration. Preservation of this traditional knowledge is emphasized as vital for sustaining cultural heritage and promoting sustainable management within Maya agroecosystems.