xocoyolli (FCbk11f137v)

This xocoyolli does not exactly resemble the one in the Xocoyoltepec place name glyph in the Codex Mendoza (see below), which clearly has red stems. For another painting of a xoxocoyolli plant, see the DFC Book 11, folio 148v. And for a plant called texoxocoyolli, see folio 164v and forward. That the xocoyolli blossoms resemble bells (coyolli), the plant is edible, and has a sour (xococ) taste explains the name. According to ethnobotanist Richard Tan, xocoyoles (as the term has been Hispanized) are "a large class of plants with a characteristic sourness, used to flavor dishes," although they can also be enjoyed by just munching on the leaves when one is out in the field. He says they are also referred to in Spanish as "agritos," because of their sour taste. He adds that "Many Begonia species are xocoyoles, but many edible Oxalis species are, too." (Personal communication 9 March 2022.) Xocoyol was also the name of a famous Mexicatl ruler.