A literature review about the diversity of alimentary species used by indigenous communities in Colombia was carried out. The collected information included the reports published in different sources between 1975 and 2003 mainly. The study focused on 17 indigenous communities from the principal bio-geographic regions of Colombia: The Pacific Region, The Caribbean Region, The Andean Region, The Orinoquia Region and The Amazon Region. It was found out that each community cultivates a large variety of alimentary species; some of the most used and known species are: corn (Zea mays L.), banana (Musa spp.), yucca (Manihot esculenta Crantz), beans (Phaseolus spp.) , chontaduro (Bactris gasipaes Kunth), achiote (Bixa orellana L.), achira (Canna spp.), chili (Capsicum spp.), papaya (Ca­rica papaya L.), mafafa (Xanthosoma sp.), name (Dioscorea sp. ) guamo (Inga sp.), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.), and avocado (Persea americana Mill.) among others. It was found out as well a large variety of alternative and alimentary uses of each specy and plant; 322 species grouped into 72 families. The culture management reflects the cultural practices and the region where they are, as well as the different ways indigenous communities manage each specy forming their native varieties.