The name "Xochimilco" comes from Nahuatl and means "field of flowers". This refers to the many flowers and other plants that have been cultivated here in Chinampas since pre-Hispanic times. The Xochimilcas were farmers and established their first government under a leader named Acatonallo. He is credited with inventing the chinampa system of agriculture to increase production. These chinampas eventually became the main producers of crops such as corn, beans, chili peppers, squash, and more. The city of Xochimilco was founded in 919. Over time, it grew and dominated other areas on the south side of the lakes such as Micquic, Tláhuac, Culhuacan, and even parts of the current state of Morelos. Xochimilco had a ruler that was not found anywhere else in Mesoamerica in pre-Hispanic times. He is credited with adding a number of distinctive dishes to the region's cuisine, including necuatolli, chileatolli (atole with chili), esquites, and tlapiques.