The paper presents the first ethnobotanical application of Ellenberg indicator values, which are widely used in European plant ecology. The aim of the study was to find out if Ellenberg values ...(indicating habitat preferences) differ for wild food and medicinal plants used in north-eastern Istria (Croatia). We used Ellenberg-Pignatti values (the version of Ellenberg values used in this part of Europe).
Fifty semi-structured interviews were carried out among local key informants, asking which wild food and medicinal plants they used.
The mean number of food and medicinal plants mentioned per interview was 30. Altogether, 121 species were recorded as food or medicine used or previously used in the study area. Thirty-one species are used exclusively as food or everyday drink, 50 species are used exclusively as medicine and 40 species are used for both food and medicine. There were no significant differences between Ellenberg values for food and medicinal plants, apart from the Nitrogen indicator value - the plants used exclusively as food had a significantly higher index than those used in medicine. This probably stems from the fact that plants with soft fleshy shoots are attractive as food and they are more likely to come from nitrogen-rich ruderal habitats.
Food plants and medicinal plants are collected from a variety of habitats and no clear difference between the two categories of plants was detected, however further testing of Ellenberg values in ethnobotanical studies could be interesting.
The aim of this study was to determine the chemical composition and nutritional value of the dominant species and subspecies of the grassland community Scorzoneretalia villosae. The research was ...carried out on the grasslands of the Cicarija plateau. In the collected samples of 17 dominant plants, the content of the dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ash, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), in vitro digestibility of DM (IVDMD) and net energy for lactation (NEL) were determined. According to the spring content of CP and IVDMD, Hippocrepis comosa (CP 181 g/kg DM, IVDMD 63.5%), Scorzonera villosa (CP 121 g/kg DM, IVDMD 61.5%) and Satureja montana ssp. variegata (CP 83 g/kg DM, IVDMD 60.4%) were the most nutritious and very palatable for sheep while the most unfavorable chemical composition had Stipa pennata ssp. eriocaulis (NDF 790, ADF 396 and ADL 112 g/kg DM) and Brachypodium pinnatum ssp. rupestre (NDF 789, ADF 483 and ADL 86 g/kg DM). A high IVDMD was determined for Salvia pratensis (up to 70.6%) and Teucrium chamaedrys (67.1%), generally hepatotoxic species, but not toxic for the local herd. In this paper, nutrition indicators of collected species and subspecies are presented for the first time. Keywords: chemical composition, dominant species, in vitro digestibility, Mediterranean dry grassland, Scorzoneretalia villosae Cilj ovog istrazivanja bio je utvrditi kemijski sastav i hranjivu vrijednost dominantnih vrsta i podvrsta travnjacke zajednice Scorzoneretalia villosae. Istrazivanje je provedeno na travnjacima visoravni Cicarije. U sakupljenim uzorcima 17 dominantnih biljaka odreden je sadrzaj suhe tvari (ST) i u njoj sadrzaj sirovog proteina (SP), organske tvari, neutralnih detergent vlakana (NDV), kiselih detergent vlakana (KDV), kiseli detergent lignin (KDL), in vitro probavljivost suhe tvari (IVPST) te neto energija (NEL). Prema proljetnom sadrzaju SP i IVPST, najhranjivije za ovce i vrlo palatabilne su bile Hippocrepis comosa (SP 181 g/kg ST; IVPST 63,5%), Scorzonera villosa (SP 121 g/kg ST; IVPST 61,5%) i Satureja montana ssp. variegata (SP 83 g/kg ST; IVPST 60,4%), a najnepovoljniji kemijski sastav imale su Stipa pennata ssp. eriocaulis (NDV 790; KDV 396; ADL 112 g/kg ST) i Brachypodium pinnatum ssp. rupestre (NDV 789; KDV 483; ADL 86 g/kg ST). Utvrdena je visoka IVPST vrste Salvia pratensis (maks. 70,6%) i generalno hepatotoksicne vrste Teucrium chamaedrys (67,1%) koja za lokalno stado ovaca nije toksicna. Pokazatelji hranjivosti istrazivanih vrsta i podvrsta prvi su put prikazani u ovom radu. Kljucne rijeci: dominantne vrste, in vitro probavljivost, kemijski sastav, Mediteranski suhi travnjak, Scorzoneretalia villosae
Abstract Background In the intricate tapestry of food security, wild food species stand as pillars, nourishing millions in low-income communities, and reflecting the resilience and adaptability of ...human societies. Their significance extends beyond mere sustenance, intertwining with cultural traditions and local knowledge systems, underscoring the importance of preserving biodiversity and traditional practices for sustainable livelihoods. Methods The present study, conducted between February 2022 and August 2023 along the Line of Control in India’s Kashmir Valley, employed a rigorous data collection encompassing semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and specific field observations facilitated through a snowball sampling technique. Results and discussion The comprehensive inventory includes 108 edible plant and fungal species from 48 taxonomic families, with Rosaceae ( N = 11) standing out. Young and soft leaves (N = 60) are an important component of various culinary preparations, with vegetables ( N = 65) being the main use, followed by fruits ( N = 19). This use is seasonal, with collection peaks in March–April and June–August ( N = 12). The study also highlights the importance of use value (UV), with Portulaca oleracea standing out as the plant taxon (UV = 0.61), while Asyneuma thomsoni has the lowest use value (UV = 0.15). Many species such as Senecio chrysanthemoides, Asperugo procumbens, Asyneuma thomsoni, and Potentilla nepalensis were classified as new for gastronomic use. Furthermore, the study underlines the great cultural importance of mushrooms such as Morchella esculenta and Geopora arenicola in influencing social hierarchies within the community. However, the transmission of traditional knowledge across generations is declining in the region. At the same time, the conservation of endangered plant species on the IUCN Red List, such as Trillium govanianum, Taxus wallichiana, Saussurea costus, and Podophyllum hexandrum , requires immediate attention. Conclusion Conservation measures should be prioritized, and proactive remedial action is needed. Further research into the nutritional value of these edible species could pave the way for their commercial cultivation, which would mean potential economic growth for local communities, make an important contribution to food security in the area under study, and contribute to scientific progress.
During a floristic survey of the northern slopes of Matokit Mountain in the surroundings of Vrgorac in central Dalmatia, a peculiar population of
belonging to the
complex was found. Because of its ...morphology, general habit, type of leaves and fruits, the collected plants were recognized as
hitherto know only from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Morphologically,
is similar to the Serbian endemic
with which it shares following characteristics: auricules at the base of lower cauline leaves, stem and rosette leaves bipinnate, margin of leaflets serrate with hairy main stem and sepals, although it differs in having bigger petals and sepals, longer filaments and 1–2 lateral stems.
grows on lower altitudes in rocky ground within the vegetation of forest fringes of the sub-Mediterranean zone. This is the first report of the endemic species
in Croatian flora.
The Adriatic islands in Croatia, usually divided into two archipelagos – the Kvarner and Dalmatian islands – is one of the largest groups of islands in Europe. Over 40 islands are still inhabited. ...Unfortunately the traditional use of medicinal plants was never properly documented there. Our data comes from 343 interviews carried out in 36 islands, including the 15 largest islands of the archipelago. The medicinal plants are mainly used to make herbal infusions or decoctions, occasionally medicinal liqueurs, syrups, compresses, or juices squeezed out of raw plants. We recorded the use of 146 taxa, among them 131 with at least one medicinal purpose and 15 only for tea. The frequency curve of use is relatively steep – several plants are used very frequently and most are reported only by one or two informants, which can be explained both by the large geographical spread of the area, and even more so by the devolution of local knowledge and disappearance of gathering practices due to specialization in tourism, modernization and depopulation. Most of the gathered plants already occur in ancient and medieval herbals and are a part of the pan-Mediterranean pharmacopoeia.
This paper aims to record the species used for flavouring and making alcoholic drinks, mainly rakija, on the islands of the Adriatic (Croatia).
Our data comes from 295 interviews performed on 36 ...islands, in both the Dalmatian and Kvarner areas of the Adriatic.
Altogether, 114 species are used-46% from wild locations only, 15% both wild and cultivated, 38% only cultivated and two species are imported. The most common local alcohol is wine, made without spices, but grape pomace distillate is often flavoured with single or mixed species. The mix is called travarica. The most commonly used species are Foeniculum vulgare Mill., Myrtus communis L., Salvia officinalis L., Ruta graveolens L., Juniperus oxycedrus L., Ceratonia siliqua L., Juglans regia L., Citrus spp., Ficus carica L., Laurus nobilis L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Artemisia absinthium L., Rosa centifolia L., Mentha × piperita L. and M. spicata L. Unfortunately, the widespread phenomenon of distilling Arbutus unedo L. fruits and fermenting Juniperus 'wine' is now extinct. Apart from grapes, the only commonly distilled fruit now is Ficus carica.
It is striking that nearly all the plants are either wild or cultivated locally, which, in addition to the fact that the alcohol is made locally, shows the incredible local culinary self-sufficiency of the area. The number of species used is also very impressive.
Kultivirano bilje, a među njima tradicionalne, stare sorte važan su resurs za očuvanje genskog biodiverziteta, ublažavanje negativnog utjecaja klimatskih promjena, a posljedično i za povećanje ...održivosti poljoprivrede određenog područja. Zbog nedostatka informacija o poljoprivrednoj aktivnosti na području zakonom zaštićenog Parka prirode Žumberak - Samoborsko gorje, provedeno je etnobotaničko istraživanje poznavanja biljnih svojti i njihovih tradicijskih sorti. Primarni ciljevi su bili dokumentirati lokalno ekološko znanje i povećati interes za tradicijske sorte te jačati ekološku svijest stanovnika zakonom zaštićenih područja. U istraživanju je sudjelovalo 30 ispitanika iz 17 naselja grada Samobora. Dokumentirana je upotreba 85 svojti kultiviranih sorti žitarica, povrća i voća, 31 samonikla biljna svojta te 4 gljive. Kultivirane biljke se uzgajaju u ograđenim vrtovima, voćnjacima i vinogradima, najčešće inventarizirane svojte (>50 %) su: Vitis vinifera, Malus domestica, Prunus domestica, Zea mays, Solanum lycopersicum, Pyrus communis, Daucus carota, Allium cepa, Lactuca sativa te Phaseolus vulgaris. Od samoniklog bilja najčešće korištene su Urtica dioica i Rosa canina. Zabilježeno je 18 sorti vinove loze, od kojih su tradicionalne tri: ‘Šipelj’, ‘Izabela’ i ‘Žametovka’. Tri stare sorte jabuka su ‘Kanada’, ‘Božićnica’ i ‘Petrovka’. Po jedna stara sorta poznata je za šljivu (‘Bistrica’), krušku (‘Tepka’) i grah (‘Kifl’). Ovim istraživanjem zabilježena je upotreba Ranunculus ficaria u prehrani te upotreba rijetke ilirske vrste Polygala chamaebuxus u dekorativne svrhe. Skoro zaboravljena je upotreba Fagopyrum esculentum. Više se ne sade Cannabis sativa, Nicotiana tabacum, Carum carvi. „Nova moda“ je uzgoj Ipomoea batatas i Lavandula angustifolia. Evidentirane su štete od divljači, posebice divlje svinje, koje prelaze razinu opravdanosti na kulturama kukuruz i krumpir, a sve češći kasni mrazevi, koji su posljedica negativnog utjecaja klimatskih promjena, izazivaju velike gubitke u voćarskoj i vinogradarskoj proizvodnji. Rezultati ovog rada mogli bi doprinijeti edukaciji pučanstva i reintrodukciji zaboravljenih upotreba kultiviranog i samoniklog bilja te gljiva u ljudsku i životinjsku prehranu, očuvanju tradicije i narodnih običaja, kao i prevenciji očuvanja zdravlja ljudi i životinja.
Cultivated plants, among them traditional, old varieties, are an important resource for preserving genetic biodiversity, mitigating the negative effects of climate change, and consequently increasing the sustainability of agriculture in a given area. A prerequisite for their successful use for the above purposes is a good knowledge of the current situation. Due to the lack of information on agricultural activity in the area of the legally protected Žumberak - Samoborsko gorje Nature Park, an ethnobotanical survey of plant taxa and their traditional varieties was conducted. The main objectives of this research were to document the local ecological knowledge, increase interest in traditional varieties, and to increase ecological awareness among the inhabitants of protected areas. In the survey participated 30 respondents from 17 settlements in the town of Samobor. The use of 85 taxa of cultivated cereal, vegetable, and fruit varieties, 31 wild plants and 4 fungi was documented. The cultivated plants are grown in fenced gardens, orchards and vineyards, the most common (>50%) taxa are: Vitis vinifera, Malus domestica, Prunus domestica, Zea mays, Solanum lycopersicum, Pyrus communis, Daucus carota, Allium cepa, Lactuca sativa, and Phaseolus vulgaris. Among wild plants, the most commonly used are Urtica dioica and Rosa canina. 18 grape varieties were recorded, 3 of which are traditional: ‘Šipelj’, ‘Izabela’ and ‘Žametovka’. The three old apple varieties are ‘Kanada’, ‘Božićnica’ and ‘Petrovka’. One old variety of plum (‘Bistrica’), pear (‘Tepka’) and bean (‘Kifl’) are known. This research has recorded the edible use of Ranunculus ficaria and the decorative use of the rare Illyrian species Polygala chamaebuxus. The use of Fagopyrum esculentum is almost forgotten. Cannabis sativa, Nicotiana tabacum, Carum carvi are no longer planted. The “new fashion” is the cultivation of Ipomoea batatas and Lavandula angustifolia. Damage by wild game, especially wild boar, has been recorded, which exceeds the level of justification on corn and potato crops. Increasingly frequent late frosts, which are a consequence of the negative impact of climate change, cause great losses in fruit and wine production. The results of this work could contribute to the education of the population and the reintroduction of forgotten uses of cultivated and wild plants and mushrooms in human and animal nutrition, the preservation of traditions and folk customs, as well as the prevention of the preservation of human and animal health.
The agricultural practice of burning straw or vine stem is widespread in the Mediterranean to control excess biomass. Although the practice is widespread, the long-term effects on the structure of ...the flora, natural ecological restoration and the impact on biodiversity remain poorly understood and researched. Mediterranean species have post-fire ecological strategies, such as the ability to resprout, the persistence of the seed bank, or the ability to grow or disperse. In this work, an abandoned agricultural field (AAF) was burned by an induced fire. Fifteen rings (diameter 0.2 m.sup.2) were established on the studied area, five for each variant: I. unburned (UB), II. moderately intensive (MB) and III. high intensive (HB). The results showed that the functional group (FG) of grasses dominated in the MB variant, in contrast to the dominance of legumes in the HB variant. Compared to the AAF, the number of grasses FG slightly decreased in both burn variants (MB, HB). The predominant strategy was competitors (C), followed by ruderal plants (R), the number of which increased slightly after burning in the MB and HB variants, while stress tolerance decreased significantly in both variants. These results indicate that the intensity of HB does not promote the survival of grasses in the first year after burning, while legumes and grasses are more resistant to higher fire intensity and therefore have a higher chance of survival. In summary, the burning of straw or vine stem on AAF initiates complex ecological processes that shape the landscape and can significantly influence the biodiversity of the area. Keywords: functional ecology, induced fire, sustainable agriculture, Mediterranean region, biodiversity Poljoprivredna praksa spaljivanja slame strnine ili rozge vinove loze rasirena je u mediteranskoj regiji kao sredstvo za kontrolu viska biomase. Iako se vec nasiroko i dugi niz godina koristi, dugorocni ucinci ove prakse na strukturu flore, prirodnu ekolosku obnovu i njezin utjecaj na biolosku raznolikost i dalje su slabo shvaceni i istrazeni. Mediteranske vrste imaju ekoloske strategije za obnovu nakon pozara, to su; sposobnost ponovnog nicanja, postojanost banke sjemena ili sposobnost rasta i/ili rasprsivanja. U ovom radu, induciranim je pozarom opozarena napustena poljoprivredna polja (AAF). Na istrazivanoj povrsini uspostavljeno je pet celicnih krugova (promjera 0,2 m2), po pet za svaku varijantu: I. kontrola - neopozareno (UB), II. srednji intenzitet (MB) i III. visoki intenzitet pozara (HB). Rezultati su pokazali da u varijanti MB dominira funkcionalna skupina (FG) trava, za razliku od dominacije mahunarki u varijanti HB. U usporedbi s AAF, broj FG zeljanica blago se smanjio u obje opozarene varijante (MB, HB). Dominantna ekoloska strategija bili su kompetitori (C), zatim ruderalne biljke (R) ciji se broj neznatno povecao nakon spaljivanja u MB i HB varijanti, dok je postotak stres tolerantnih biljaka znacajno smanjen u obje varijante. Ovi rezultati pokazuju da visoki intenzitet gorenja HB ne potice prezivljavanje funkcionalne skupine trava u prvoj godini nakon pozara, dok su mahunarke i zeljanice otpornije na veci intenzitet pozara te stoga imaju vece sanse za prezivljavanje. Zakljucno, spaljivanje slama strnine ili rozga vinove loze na AAF-u inicira slozene ekoloske procese koji mogu oblikovati krajobraz i znatno utjecati na bioraznolikost podrucja. Kljucne rijeci: funkcionalna ekologija, inducirani pozar, odrziva poljoprivreda, mediteranska regija, bioraznolikost
State boundaries limit human contacts in a homogenous context of a landscape and its natural features, including plants. After nine centuries of separation, finally the two territories in Slovenia ...share the same political history. In this paper we tried to answer the question to which extent the past political borders, geographical and cultural drivers affect today’s traditional knowledge on wild plants use of Slovenians, living unified in the same political entity. Data were collected using 60 in-depth semi-structured interviews, from March to August 2019, in two municipalities: Komen at Karst and Izola in Istria concerning food, medicinal, economic use, and local customs. The results indicate a quite large divergence in ethnobotanical and ecological knowledge between the two studied areas. In the Komen area, many people still use wild plants daily for various purposes (Taraxacum officinale, Melissa officinalis, Urtica dioica, Cornus mas, and Sambucus nigra). In contrast, this is limited to fewer people in the Izola area and mainly to seasonal use of specific plants (Asparagus acutifolius, Rosa canina, Salvia officinalis, Foeniculum vulgare and Rubus caesius). Unusual for the Mediterranean is the use of young shoots of Clematis vitalba, in the Izola area prepared as omelettes. We can assume that these differences are partly due to minor differences in climatic conditions and partly due to the influence of different cultures and cuisines. In the first place, the impact of Austro-Hungarian eating habits and cuisine can be seen on the area around Komen. Moreover, temporal “layers of knowledge” across the time scale are additionally mixed by the immigration of people from other parts of Slovenia or abroad, or with the influence of local herbal specialists. At last, we conclude Komen area knowledge is alive and homogeneous, and more connected to their local identity.
Samonikla flora i fauna nisu u potpunosti iskorištene u ljudskoj prehrani. U ovom radu prikazani su rezultati terenskih botaničkih istraživanja uglavnom zeljastih vrsta i podvrsta suhih mediteranskih ...travnjaka i šumskih rubova područja Ćićarije. Tijekom više vegetacijskih sezona od proljeća do jeseni floristički je istraživano područje Natura 2000 zaštićenih staništa (habitat 62A0). U cilju povećanja mogućnosti proizvodnje hrane i raznolikosti poljoprivrednih proizvoda, ovdje je izdvojeno i opisano 106 svojti. Od 32 vrste koje se koriste kao hrana (npr. Artium lappa, Scorzonera hispanica, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Diplotaxis tenuifolia, Rumex acetosa i dr.), najviše je samoniklog povrća (19 svojti), 9 vrsta se koristi kao samoniklo voće i 4 vrste kao baza za izradu pića. Od 46 vrsta koje se koriste kao hrana za životinje, većina ih spada u porodicu trava (Poaceae), među njima nalazimo 3 vrste koje se koriste kao samoniklo povrće (Portulaca oleracea, Trifolium incarnatum i T. aureum) i 3 kao arome (Elymus repens, Melilotus officinalis i Trifolium pratense). Također među njima nalazimo 8 medonosnih biljaka (npr. Marrubium vulgare, Melilotus officinalis). U kategoriji materijala odnosno tvari nalazimo biljke poput Hyssopus officinalis, Juniperus communis, Salvia officinalis i dr. Povećanje proizvodnje hrane od samoniklih biljaka koje nas okružuju, kao i povećanje prerade u određene proizvode (npr. začina i dodataka hrani) je moguće, pri tome imajući u vidu potrebu zaštite okoliša i aktualne klimatske promjene.
Wild growing flora and fauna are not fully utilized in human nutrition. This paper presents the results of field botanical research and mainly herbaceous species and subspecies of dry Mediterranean grasslands and forest edges of the Ćićarija area. During several vegetation seasons from spring to autumn, the area of Natura 2000 protected habitats (habitat 62A0) was floristically explored. In order to increase the possibility of food production and diversity of agricultural products, 106 taxa have been singled out and described here. Of the 32 species used as food (eg Artium lappa, Scorzonera hispanica, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Diplotaxis tenuifolia, Rumex acetosa, etc.), most are wild vegetables (19 taxa), 9 taxa are used as wild fruits and 4 taxa as a base for making drinks. Of the 46 species used as animal feed, most belong to the grass family (Poaceae), there are also 3 species used as wild vegetables (Portulaca oleracea, Trifolium incarnatum and T. aureum) and 3 as aromas (Elymus repens, Melilotus officinalis and Trifolium pratense). Among them we also find 8 honey plants (eg Marrubium vulgare, Melilotus officinalis). In the category of materials or substances we find plants such as Hyssopus officinalis, Juniperus communis, Salvia officinalis and others. Increasing food production from wild plants that surround us, as well as increasing processing in certain products (eg spices and food additives) is possible, bearing in mind the need for environmental protection and current climate change.
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