One hundred sixty-one specimens were collected, corresponding to 65 taxa, of which 38 are used mainly as medicine, food, and/or ornament (Table 2). Nineteen interviewees reported 20 species used for therapeutic purposes, 14 non-lichenized fungi, mainly gasteroids, and six lichens of the genus Xanthoparmelia. The first ones are mainly used to treat skin conditions, while lichens are employed to treat heart and urinary tract diseases. In addition, the dietary use of eight fungal taxa and nine ornamental lichen species were documented.

Table 2 Mushrooms and lichens found in the Yuman territories in Baja California Norte, MexicoMedicinal mushrooms

In Cucapah el Mayor, eleven Spanish local names were documented to name Podaxis pistillaris, although its Cucapá denomination was not reported. It is known as hongo de polvo negro (black powder mushroom) because of the mature spore mass color; or hongo bule due to its resemblance to the bule (bottle gourd, Lagenaria siceraria [Molina] Standl.) used to make musical instruments (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2

A Hongo bule (Podaxis pistillaris) in sandy soils in the vicinity of Cucapah el Mayor. B Smooth spores under SEM, image by D. Delgado. C Bules used as sound instruments (maracas) in Kumiai ceremonies, image by Anselmo Domínguez. Scales: A = 5 cm, B = 10 5 µm, C = 10 cm

Three respondents use P. pistillaris to treat skin conditions, such as infected or not bleeding wounds, sores, cuts, scrapes, burns, and skin infections. They clean the skin and place the spores on the affected area to anesthetize, close the wound and stop the bleeding. One of them mentioned that the spores are also sprayed directly to the face to anesthetize the persons and make them sleep, but with the warning to wash the hands after handling this remedy since the mushroom can be harmful.

Kumeyaay peoples also appreciate gasteroid mushrooms for their medicinal attributes. In La Huerta, four interviewees recognize Astraeus hygrometricus, Lycoperdon cf. candidum, and Pisolithus tinctorius as medicine. Altogether they are called kak ñaup (crow’s tobacco) or kak shit (crow’s poop) because they expel “smoke” (spores), and crow because the mushrooms are dark, like these birds. The spores are used to treat skin (mat), injuries such as akath (bleeding wounds), minor scrapes and cuts, mutilations or wounds caused by firearms, burns, and infections. According to local experts, this remedy helps close and scar the wound, juath spaawa (stop bleeding). An interviewee recommends, before applying the spores, washing the wound with plants such as moronel (Lonicera subspicata Hook. & Arn.) and golondrina (Euphorbia micromera Boiss.).

In San Antonio Necua (Kumeyaay community), four interviewees mention the medicinal use of eight gasteroids: Chlorophyllum sp., Disciseda candida, D. hyalothrix, Geastrum floriforme, G. kotlabae, Pisolithus tinctorius, Tulostoma fimbriatum, and T. pygmaeum (Fig. 3). These are not considered mushrooms in the Kumeyaay classification, so they did not appear in the free lists. Gasteroids are conceived and named as kaak ñusip (kaak = crow; sip = to smoke; ñusip = cigarette or tobacco), kaak up, kaak ñu up (up = cigarette), cigarro del cuervo (crow cigarette), or tabaco de cuervo (crow tobacco) because they have seen that these birds smoke the humo (smoke = spores). Also named bolsitas para cortadas (little bag for cuts) by a woman. These mushrooms are used to heal skin lesions: bleeding and surgical wounds, wounds, scrapes, cuts, sores, and burns. As well as for the rasquera (≈ itch), a disease characterized by dryness, redness, irritation, and intense itching caused by contact with chilly water, soil, or soap; by sunstroke, and because “pega el Norte” (cold front strikes). Local experts attribute astringent and hemostatic properties to these gasteroids. The interviewees also say these mushrooms are beneficial for facial skin to reduce wrinkles.

Fig. 3

Some medicinal mushrooms of San Antonio Necua and their spores. A, B Disciseda candida, C, D Geastrum kotlabae, E, F Tulostoma fimbriatum, SEM image by D. Delgado. G, H T. pygmaeum. Scales: A, C, E and G = 1 cm; B, D, F and H = 5 µm

The spores, called mat naj (tierrita—little earth) or polvito (dusty), are applied directly to previously washed skin as plaster and left uncovered or covered with a cloth.

To relieve skin conditions with gasteroids, Cucapá and Kumeyaay repeat the treatment as many times as necessary, only once in case of minor wounds or several times a day for weeks in severe injuries.

In Santa Catarina, a Paipai woman referred the use of Coriolopsis gallica (Fig. 4) to treat diabetes, a condition known as muil sharau (sugar disease). She explains that it affects the shjoat (blood), patients turn pale and sad; it is caused by excessive intake of soda or honey; she recommends avoiding sweets, butter, and flour during treatment. According to her, if diabetes is treated early with this mushroom, it can be cured, but at an advanced stage, it only controls it. The preparation consists of boiling an esporome per cup of water and drinking it as agua de uso or agua de tiempo (time water), meaning the intake of the infusion (hot or cold) throughout the day on a regular basis instead of water, up to several months.

Fig. 4

Medicinal polyporoid Coriolopsis gallica growing on a dead trunk. Scale = 5 cm

Medicinal lichens

The use of six medicinal lichens was reported by three interviewees from the Kiliwa community: Xanthoparmelia isidiigera, X. joranadae, X. lineola, X. maricopoensis, X. mexicana, and X. novomexicana (Fig. 5). Mrs. Leonor Farldow, a distinguished local connoisseur, calls Xanthoparmelia spp. as uja' tebiyauup (stone flower), and ipa tebiyauup (stick flower) to the foliose corticolous lichens and mentions that both are used as a remedy. All these lichens are used to relieve ailments of sempaapo (kidney), bladder, and urinary tract in general, conditions known as sitam micha, sit jaam ju'looy (sit = go out; u'looy = bad), or mal de orín (bad urine), whose recurrent symptoms are scanty urination with pain or burning, as well as bleeding in severe cases.

Fig. 5

Medicinal lichens collected in Ejido Kiliwas. A Xanthoparmelia lineola. B X. isidiigera. C X. joranadae. Scales: A, B and C = 2 cm

In the Kiliwa dictionary, mal de orín appears as pamaay cheen (pamaay = to urinate) [36]. According to the interviewees, this is caused by eating acidic foods such as immature fruits or walking barefoot. They attribute to the lichens a diuretic effect, bladder purifier, and renal healing. These are also employed to treat lepée (liver) diseases, such as cirrhosis; and to treat kuti'p gap (kuti'p = heart; gap = pain or illness) caused by anger, depression, or intense gratifying emotions. According to local perception, feelings turn into blood clots causing cardiac disturbances, and lichens can unclog the fat in the arteries.

In four interviews conducted in Santa Catarina, the traditional medicinal knowledge of Xanthoparmelia lineola, X. mexicana, and X. novomexicana was documented. The local names for saxicolous lichens are registered in Spanish, Ku’ahl, and Paipai. Spanish: flor de piedra (stone flower), lama, alfombrita (little carpet) or hongo de piedra (stone mushroom). Ku’ahl: wuiy tapsh (wuiy = stone; utapch = flower), wuiy ugtapch chpach (flower that comes out of the stone) or jam shkual (born in the water). Paipai: shaá (extended), wui tabsh, wui tab or iwuil taosh (stone flower), and wui shishai (lying on the stone or stone rug).

These three Xanthoparmelia species are used to disintegrate gallstones (wui wui bjá in Paipai) and relieve stomach pain (iwuai rab in Paipai or tu urrap kieu in Ku’ahl). This last condition occurs when food “cae mal o pesada” (settles bad or heavy); it can be due to an infection from eating spoiled food or stew outside the common diet. In addition, a woman mentioned that older adults from Ejido Kiliwas taught her that these lichens have an antihypertensive effect; in that location, a traditional healer described that the mosses called alfombra de piedra (stone carpet) were used to control hypertension.

In La Huerta, one person reports the medicinal use of Xanthoparmelia lineola and X. mexicana, locally known as wui tabsh (stone flower), to treat cancer administered as a decoction.

In Ejido Puerta Trampa, Bertha Hernández Garcíaꝉ mentions the medicinal use of flor de piedra (Xanthoparmelia spp.) to alleviate gastrointestinal disorders, such as stomach pain and empacho. It is believed that during empacho the food sticks to the stomach and inflames it; and it is caused by excessive food intake, ingesting spoiled or unwanted food, and feeling embarrassed or disgusted while eating. She explains that the lichen “nutrients” remove these foods from the stomach.

In this site, a Yaqui descent woman uses Xanthoparmelia spp. to cure urinary ailments such as mal de orín characterized by lumbar pain and white sand in the urine, which turns into kidney stones and causes infection and kidney failure leading to death. She says that lichens clean the urinary tract because they are “fresh” and calm the kidney “heat.”

In all the studied communities, tea is prepared in a clay or pewter pot with a fist or “three fingers” of lichen per liter of water (traditional measures are equivalent to approximately 3 to 7 g). They wrap the lichens in a cloth before immersing them in hot water or strain them before ingestion. The tea may be drunk once in mild ailments or up to three times a day during weeks of severe illness. According to local connoisseurs, these remedies have no adverse side effects for anyone, including children. However, avoiding irritating beverages and junk food during the treatment is recommended. In addition, for empacho they sweeten the tea with honey, and advise rubbing the abdomen and the back with it. In the Ejido Puerta Trampa, it is mentioned that to treat urinary tract ailments lime can be added to the remedy.

Edible mushrooms

In general, in all the studied communities, edible mushrooms are considered healthy and energy-providing because they are natural and rich in vitamins, have fiber, and are more nutritious than meat.

In La Huerta, it is mentioned that the ancient Kumeyaay ate mushrooms to become strong and avoid illnesses, such as the flu. While in the Ejido Puerta Trampa, a women said that eating mushrooms (like Volvopluteus sp.) in broth or stews can help mitigate the effects of menopause.

Kiliwa speakers mention that mushrooms are called s'pooy, and recognize four classes: (1) s'pooy megay (good mushroom), meltaay s'pooy or ijáau s'pooy, an edible ethnotaxon growing on wood, probably Inonotus cuticularis whose consumption was not verified; or perhaps one or more species of Volvariella or related genera; (2) s'pooy m'pool or hongos conitos (little cone mushroom) growing on soil (Coprinellus sp.); (3) maat s'pooy (soil mushroom) described as a champignon (maybe Agaricus sp.), and (4) s'pooy ku'looy (bad mushroom) for any other inedible mushroom. The cap is named m´pool (hat) and the stipe is called jaal.

Diverse ways of preparing edible mushrooms were documented among the Kiliwa people. Cooked with beef rinds and cebollín de monte (possibly Allium unifolium Kellog.) [37]; as espesadura (thickening) where the mushrooms are ground in metate with tukojaa (red chili), flour, and lard; as a soup called s'pooy tcha' (mushroom broth) with ground coriander seeds; and finally, boiled in water, strained, and cooked on browned flour with rabbit meat.

In Santa Catarina, mushrooms are called kook, including edible such as Volvariella bombycina, while in Ejido Kiliwa, this species is called hongo (mushroom), hongo de sauce (willow mushroom), or hongo de álamo (poplar mushroom). Its consumption is a memory kept by only a few elders who still crave it but for whom it is difficult to collect.

In La Huerta, V. bombycina is called jlhaush, jlaush, jlshau, or jlhaush asaw (mushroom that is eaten), although it also receives other names such as hongo or hongo de álamo (poplar mushroom). Some people also recognized Tricholoma sejunctum and T. equestre as edible. Most of the interviewees mention that mushrooms are very tasty and compared them with abalone because of their high quality and exquisite flavor.

Locals from San Antonio Necua consume several mushrooms, such as Volvopluteus sp. and Agaricus campestris, warn if “their time is passed” they become poisonous, and their acordión (gills) turns black. Some people from Ejido Puerta Trampa, Ejido Kiliwas, and Cucapah el Mayor mentioned the hongo de lata (canned mushroom) (commercial Agaricus bisporus) in the free listings. On this last site, they also report a small white fungus from the plains (possibly Agaricus sp.).

Three Cucapá interviewed recognized Ustilago maydis as edible, they cooked it with pumpkin, onion, tomato, and occasionally with cheese. In the other communities, it is not consumed.

In Ejido Kiliwas and La Huerta, only putrefied specimens of Phellinus sp. were found, still recognized as edible by the locals, but only when immature. However, the edibility of this taxon was not confirmed, since it can be confused with other edible lignicolous polyporoids, such as Laetiporus sulfureus, reported for the region [38] but not found during this study.

In general, edible mushrooms are roasted on embers or comal with wild chives, salt, and a bit of oil; boiled in water, strained, and stewed minced with garlic, onion, tomato, chili, pepper, and beef lard; and as soups or quesadillas.

Neurotropic mushrooms

Eight interviewees in the Cucapá community mentioned the psychotropic effects of P. pistillaris. They considered it a strong drug, so they did not use it, but pointed out that some foreigner hippies called them “mushrooms” and paid up to 40 USD for them. To consume them recreationally spores are inhaled, others say that the mushroom is smoked. On the other hand, a person who witnessed their consumption described that it is necessary to shake off the poisonous powder and lit the “little veins” (columella and capillicium remains), inhale the smoke, and after three or four minutes, in the words of the interviewee: “they began to fly, they were hallucinating, and became crazy.”

In all study sites, hongo alucinante (hallucinatory mushroom) was mentioned, but it was not found. Due to its substrate, it is also known as hongo de caca de vaca (cow poop mushroom). Local people say these umbrella-shaped mushrooms are consumed by hippies who get stoned, dance, and undress.

Toxic and not used mushrooms

In the Yuman towns, there are mushrooms that despite not having a particular use, they do have cultural significance, so they are named, and their ecological importance is recognized. Even a Paipai woman said that all mushrooms are sacred because everything is sacred to the “indios” (a term they apply to themselves).

The term agewtaj (“that thing does not work” or “something that does not work”) is used to refer to the mushrooms in Cucapá. This is reflected in the negative attitudes and repulsion shown by the inhabitants towards these organisms. Thirteen interviewees considered that spores of P. pistillaris can cause damage to the skin and eyes, from hives to severe injuries, and are lethal when ingested; consequently, they fear them. In the past, this mushroom was used to scare children and make them cry.

Similarly, in Ejido Kiliwas and Santa Catarina they consider these mushrooms frightening since gasteroid spores cause blindness and are harmful in inhaled. A Paipai woman mentioned that toxic mushrooms (including gasteroids) are called mat kok (earth mushroom) and that she fears them. In Ejido Puerta Trampa, some people also perceive gasteroids as toxic, hongos de polvo (powdery mushrooms: Astraeus hygrometricus, Lycoperdon cf. candidum, and P. tinctorius).

In all the study sites, several locals remember when children, their parents and grandparents told them not to touch those mushrooms because they were harmful; today they tell their children the same.

In La Huerta, hongo de tierra (Agaricus campestris), hongo blanco (Coprinus sp.), hongo negro (Montagnea arenaria), and hongo café (Peziza sp.) were reported as toxic. While in San Antonio Necua years ago, some children playing kitchen collected a yellow mushroom umbrella-like shape that was ingested by a dog and died. The following genera are considered toxic on this site: Clitocybe, Coprinus, Cyathus, Omphallothus, Tricholoma, and Xerocomus. To treat mycetisms, they recommend drinking cooking oil to induce vomit and stimulate intestinal motility as soon as possible.

At all sites, most interviewees recognized from the photographic stimuli Ustilago maydis as toxic. We did not collect it since almost no corn is grown; besides, as soon it appeared, they removed it since it is considered a plague. In Santa Catarina, it is called shaj (which is useless). Kumeyaay speakers called it chomat-michap (chomat = seed, michap = white). In Ejido Puerta Trampa, U. maydis is known as the hongo de maíz (corn mushroom).

Other uses for mushrooms

Ustilago maydis is used as fodder for sheep only in La Huerta.

On the other hand, in both Kumeyaay communities, children play kitchen with mushrooms. In San Antonio Necua, Ejido Kiliwas, and Ejido Puerta Trampa, people refer to the ludic use of gasteroids, pressing them to see how spores are expelled, to make whiskers, and kick them for fun to see them burst.

In San Antonio Necua, other local names for gasteroids are kua kaak, kaak tañur, or pintura de cuervo (crow painting) because they have seen these birds using gasteroids to paint themselves during their dances. Likewise, three people testify that the ancient Kumeyaay, women and men, painted their faces and bodies with these mushrooms during festivals or wars. They remember that 20 years ago, in the last invasion, they soaked the spores in a bit of water and painted lines on their skin with their fingers to distinguish allies from enemies during battles. Agustín Domínguez, a traditional authority, mentions that these lines symbolize “the indian’s spirit and strength.”

Furthermore, mushrooms and crows in the Kumeyaay region could have another relationship. According to some interviewees, when the crows rejoice and their flock flutters intensely, it is an omen of the rain and with it the mushrooms appear.

Classification of lichens

The local classification of lichens is an issue that must be approached carefully since, in study sites, people have different perceptions about the nature of lichens. They conceive them as fungi, plants, plague, or ornaments, depending on the substrate, local name, or relationship with the phorophyte. Their classification is very variable within the same community, for example in Santa Catarina, some recognize lichens as fungi, as lama (slime), or as a tree decoration.

In La Huerta, they called the lichens toji (bad bud, plague); saxicolous foliose are known as wui tabsh, musgo, lama, or pelito de la piedra (stone little hair); most of them consider lichens as plants, only a person says they are fungi. In Ejido Puerta Trampa, in Yaqui lichens of the genus Xanthoparmelia are called guata or flor de piedra in Spanish and are considered as mushrooms because they adhere to rocks.

In the Cucapá community, an interviewee also thinks that lichens are mushrooms because they grow in the humidity of the rocks; another one says they are algae, three more classified them as a lama (slime), and one more as a plague.

In Ejido Kiliwas, one person argued that lichens are fungi since they grow during the rainy season. Saxicolous lichens are called flor de piedra (stone flower), while the bark foliose lichens are usually called musgo (moss), though Letharia columbiana is named flor de la manzanita (manzanita’s flower). In San Antonio Necua, the saxicolous foliose lichens are called costra de la piedra (stone crust), musgo de las piedras (stone moss), or lama. Considered as “flower” or “moss,” these lichens are perceived as plants in Kiliwas and Kumeyaay communities.

In Ejido Puerta Trampa, locals considered Letharia columbiana a parasitic plant called zacatito verde (little green grass). In Santa Catarina, people also perceived it as a pest; but, at the same time, as a decoration of the tree where it grows. It is called toje, iwuil mushmá (branch little root), kook, or hongo de la manzanita because it grows on Arctostaphylos pungens Kunth. There are several types of toje, an ethnotaxon which includes parasitic plants.

Other uses for lichens

In Ejido Kiliwas, Ejido Puerta Trampa, and La Huerta, interviewees report that foreigners from Ensenada and other cities use Letharia columbiana and Teloschistes chrysophthalmus to decorate their homes and offices, either alone or together with the branch where it grows, using it to hang jewelry. They point out that it is sold by the kilogram or by branches; or as gifts that relatives collect in regions such as the Sierra Juárez. In La Huerta. L. columbiana (alone or with the phorophyte´s branch) is used to decorate schools and houses during different festivities such as Christmas. Indigenous people from the Sierra Juárez region use L. vulpina (L.) Hue for washing their hair and removing vermin [39]. However, we did not find it.

Among the Kiliwas, the decorative use of crustose lichens of the genera Acarospora, Caloplaca, Candelariella, and Protoparmeliopsis, is observed. They appreciate these lichens for their striking colors and the figures they formed on the rocks, them and use them as home decorations, placing them on plates and watering them often. Similarly, in Santa Catarina, foliose saxicolous lichens are used as ornaments known as lujo (luxury) to decorate houses or to adorn tables.

In Santa Catarina, two Paipai and Ku'ahl speaker men, and one Kumeyaay from La Huerta, describe that using a rock, a knife, or a wood or iron stick, they scrape the saxicolous lichens and draw signs, letters, or figures to signal the right path in the mountains, to leave clues, to locate a particular point, or to leave messages. A Kumeyaay from San Antonio Necua uses saxicolous lichens, such as Xanthoparmelia spp., stepping on them to prevent slipping from the rocks. While in Cucapah el Mayor, Inocencia Gonzálezꝉ (recognized wise, native speaker) and her family believe that pulling hair-shaped saxicolous lichens can cause earthquakes since they are connected to the earth.

Availability, extraction, and storage of mushrooms and lichens

An old woman, Paipai and Ku'ahl speaker, remembers that ancient nomads collected edible and medicinal resources in wicker baskets, such as pinions and edible mushrooms, salvia (Salvia spp.) for phlegm, and flor de piedra (Xanthoparmelia spp.) to relieve stomach pain.

In all study sites, Yumans know that lichens are perennials and mushrooms grow during the rainy seasons in summer and winter. In general, local experts indicate that edible and medicinal mushrooms are difficult to find, because of the severe droughts and deforestation in the region. They walk several hours to find mushrooms, which are consumed fresh, although gasteroids can be stored wrapped in cloths, paper bags, clay pots, or glass jars. If wet, the mushrooms are sun dehydrated before storing.

None of the medicinal mushrooms and lichens are commercialized. They are considered natural resources available to everybody. Although if someone collects many edible mushrooms, these can be exchanged for other products such as lard. Only in Cucapah el Mayor, the sale of P. pistillaris was recorded just for recreational purposes.

In all the study sites, except Cucapah el Mayor, lichens are abundant and collected in less than 20 min by local knowers. These are detached from the substrate by hand or using metal or wooden objects and stored in paper or plastic bags, cloths, and jars.

Transmission of traditional knowledge

Most of the interviewees who know medicinal mushrooms or lichens mention they learned as children, through direct observation and oral tradition, mostly from their parents and grandparents; to a lesser extent from uncles or in-laws, and very rarely from outsiders (only one mention). They say that earlier, these organisms were used more often, but today young people are not interested in learning.

Sometimes traditional healers build new medicinal knowledge from their own experiences. For example, at showing the photograph of U. maydis to the traditional Kiliwa healer, she inferred that it could be applied to cure bleeding wounds, a user reported in other parts of Mexico [9].