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The interaction between maguey (Agave spp.) and people in Mesoamerica has induced high diversity in the genus. Among several indigenous localities in Central Northern Mesoamerica, the Hñähñu and mestizos towns with Hñähñu culture preserve maguey's traditional use. The objective of this study was to document the maguey intraspecific variation of two Agave species (A. mapisaga Trel. and A. salmiana Otto ex Salm-Dyck.), for “pulque" production, at 12 localities in Central Mexico within the Hñähñu culture area, and to assess the relationship between the uses and maguey variants and to estimate the biocultural heritage of maguey. Our hypothesis was that current maguey variant richness at the central northern Mesoamerican region directly relates to the variety for its use, which have persisted since prehispanic times. The experimental design was completely randomized and included 12 localities from the Hñähñu and mestizo localities in central Mexico. Key informants (16) from six localities were interviewed and maguey variants collected, both, from wild and cultivated environments. A multivariate analysis classified the localities based on its maguey variants and according to their uses. The intraspecific variation of the pulque maguey includes six A. mapisaga variants and 19 from A. salmiana. There were 21 biological variants at the Hñähñu and 15 in the mestizo localities. Agave salmiana stands out for its highest variant richness (39 % of the biological variants). A half of the variants are exclusive to a single locality. The indicator variant of the mestizo localities is ayoteco, and those of the Hñähñu localities are k'ank'uada and dämni. The Agave variants were classified in six groups, the most numerous group for “aguamiel" production, flowering stalk as candy, leaves for food, construction and medicine and as host of larvae (“worms"). Sixteen uses were recorded. Agave salmiana is the most used, followed by A. salmiana ssp. crassispina and A. mapisaga. The most important current uses are: for obtaining aguamiel, forage, construction materials and substrate for red and white worms (Aegiale hesperiaris and Hypopta agavis). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]