Prospects for sustainable use and development of wild food plants in Ethiopia

Field and herbarium studies on wild flowering plants of Ethiopia furnished 203 species consumed by the community. These account for about 3% of the higher plant species in the country and comprise herbs (37%), shrubs (32%), and trees (31%). Species with edible fruits contributed to 61.6%, leaves 27.7%, stems 14.4%, roots 13.3%, and seeds 10.3%. About 15% are considered famine foods. Forest habitats gave 102 species, woodlands 99, grasslands 83, bushlands 52, rocky and dry areas 47, cultivated places 41, riverbanks 31, and roadsides/ disturbed areas 25. The altitudinal distribution gave 148 species between 1500-2400 m, 144 below 1500 m and 81 above 2400 m a.s.l. Some species are wild and others slightly or strongly associated with humans, revealing a living analogue of the wild-semiwild-domesticated continuum. Full-scale ethnobotanical studies, implementing appropriate conservation measures and domesticating and integrating promising taxa into existing crops are favored for the purpose of diversification of food sources, ensuring food security, and maintenance of biodiversity and environmental integrity.     

Wild food plants traditionally used in the province of Madrid, Central Spain

This paper reports an ethnobotanical investigation, performed between 1999 and 2002, to determine the wild food plants traditionally used in the province of Madrid (central Spain). One hundred and twenty-three vascular species belonging to 31 families were at one time used as vegetables, wild fruits, in the making of beverages, as seasonings, or as other preparations. Wild vegetables formed the largest group, withScolymus hispanicus, Silene vulgaris, andRumex pulcher the most frequently cooked vegetables, andRorippa nasturtium-aquaticum andMontia fontana the most commonly used in salads. Also common was the consumption of asparagus and several species of climbing plants such asBryonia dioica, Tamus communis, andHumulus lupulus. Ethnobotanical novelties includedSonchus crassifolius, the young sprouts of which were used in salads, and Inula salicina, used to make herbal tea. Some ecological and cultural aspects of the collection of wild plants for food are discussed, as well as the relationships between the food and medicinal uses of some species.     

Effects of ozone on wild plants

Although there is a great deal of concern about the effects of human activities on biodiversity, until recently there has been very little interest in the effects of ozone on the species that constitute the major part of the flora, the diverse herbaceous and shrubby species of natural and semi-natural communities. However, many wild species have been shown to be at least as sensitive to ozone as crops that show significant yield losses, so there is a pressing need for an evaluation of the risk to wild species posed by ozone. This review attempts to assess progress and highlight problems. It begins with a comment on semantics, discusses the difficulties involved in measuring relative ozone resistance and then proceeds to consider the effects of ozone on growth and resource allocation. The evidence for evolution of resistance is appraised and then the potential effects of several interactions (cutting/grazing, competition, soil water deficit and nutrition) are considered. The review ends with some remarks on observation of oxidant-induced changes in ecosystems.     

Ethnobotanical investigation of 'wild' food plants used by rice farmers in Kalasin, Northeast Thailand

This paper reports on the plant use of laypeople of the Oromo in Southern Ethiopia. The Oromo in Bale had names/uses for 294 species in comparison to 230 species documented in the lower reaches of the Bale area. Only 13 species was used for veterinary purposes, or as human medicine (46). Plant medicine served mostly to treat common everyday ailments such as stomach problems and diarrhea, for wound treatment and as toothbrush-sticks, as anthelmintic, for skin infections and to treat sore muscles and. Interestingly, 9 species were used to treat spiritual ailments and to expel demons. In most cases of medicinal applications the leaves or roots were employed. Traditional plant knowledge has clearly declined in a large part of the research area. Western style health care services as provided by governments and NGOs, in particular in rural areas, seem to have contributed to a decline in traditional knowledge, in part because the local population simply regards western medicine as more effective and safer.     

广西野生果树资源调查研究

广西有丰富的野生果树资源,计有野生果树50科99属290种(含变种、变型),其科属种分别占全国野生果树73科173属1157种(含变种、变型)的68.49%、57.23%、25.07%。蔷薇科(46种)、猕猴桃科(38种)、壳斗科(29种)、葡萄科(12种)、芸香科(12种)和桑科(11种)六个科共有148种,共占广西野生果树种类的51.03%。这六个科是广西野生果树的优势科。根据目前广西野生果树开发利用状况、技术经验、经济价值等,将广西野生果树分为具备成熟开发条件的种类(48种),进一步研究可开发种类(33种)以及亟待开发种类(209种)。对具备成熟开发条件的种类和进一步研究可开发种类的分布、生境、果熟期、果实用途等进行了详细介绍。提出了保护和合理开发利用广西野生果树资源的建议。     

Gathered wild food plants in the upper valley of the Serchio River (Garfagnana), Central Italy

A study of the traditional gathered food plants in the upper valley of the Serchio river (Garfagnana), Lucca Province, north-west Tuscany, central Italy, was carried out. One hundred thirty-three species (including fungi), belonging to 48 families, were encountered. The geographical isolation of the valley and the survival of old gastronomic traditions have permitted a rich popular knowledge to be main-tained. In particular, the tradition of preparing in springtime a characteristic vegetal soup (minestrella) based on about forty wild vegetables in a very restricted area of the valley might be correlated with influences of pre-Roman civilisations. An uncommon specific food utilization ofBryonia dioica andPrunus laurocerasus as well as the consumption in some districts ofFagus sylvatica seeds,Taxus baccata andCrocus napolitanus fruits as snacks and the very common use ofClematis vitalba shoots seem to demonstrate a well established tradition to use unpalatable vegetal sources. Ethnopharmacological aspects of the consumption of these species are discussed.

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Piante Spontanee ad Uso Alimentare Raccolte Nella Parte Superiore della Valle del Serchio (Garfagnana), Italia Centrale

Resumen  E’ stato effettuato uno studio sulla raccolta tradizionale di piante ad uso alimentare nella parte superiore della valle del Serchio (Garfagnana), Provincia di Lucca, Toscana nord-occidentale, Italia centrale. 133 specie (inclusi funghi), appartenenti a 48 famiglie, sono state censite. L’isolamento geografico della valle e la sopravvivenza di vecchie tradizioni gastronomiche hanno permesso ad una ricca conoscenza popolare di mantenersi inalterata fino ai nostri giorni. In particolare, la tradizione della preparazione in primavera di una caratteristica zuppa vegetale (minestrella) basata talvolta su più di quaranta specie spontanee in un ’aerea molto ristretta della valle potrebbe essere messa in relazione ad influenze di civiltà pre-romane in quel territorio. L’utilizzazione alimentare non comune diBryonia dioica ePrunus laurocerasus così come il consumo di semi diFagus sylvatica, di frutti diTaxus baccata eCrocus napolitanus come snack e I’uso molto comune di giovaniparti aeree diClematis vitalba sembrano dimostrare una consolidata tradizione ad usare fonti vegetali non palatabili. Aspetti etnofarmacologici legati al consumo di queste specie vengono discussi.

     

Folate biofortification in food plants

Folate deficiency is a global health problem affecting many people in the developing and developed world. Current interventions (industrial food fortification and supplementation by folic acid pills) are effective if they can be used but might not be possible in less developed countries. Recent advances demonstrate that folate biofortification of food crops is now a feasible complementary strategy to fight folate deficiency worldwide. The genes and enzymes of folate synthesis are sufficiently understood to enable metabolic engineering of the pathway, and results from pilot engineering studies in plants (and bacteria) are encouraging. Here, we review the current status of investigations in the field of folate enhancement on the eve of a new era in food fortification.     

Traditionally used wild edible plants of district Udhampur,J&K,India

Background

Wild edible plants (WEPs) refer to edible species that are not cultivated or domesticated. WEPs have an important role to play in poverty eradication, security of food availability, diversification of agriculture, generation of income resources, and alleviating malnutrition. In the present study, an inventory of traditionally used WEPs from Udhampur district of J&K, India, has been prepared.

Methods

A systematic and extensive ethnobotanical survey was carried out in different villages of the district for the collection of information on WEPs. The data collected through questionnaire and interviews was then analyzed for cultural importance index (CI) and factor informant consensus (F_ic) to know the cultural significance of WEPs and consensus for the knowledge of WEPs among the informants.

Results

A total of 90 plant species belonging to 45 families and 78 genera were edible and serve as wild phytofoods in the present study. Species richness of wild edible species was the maximum for vegetables (46 species) followed by fruits (37 species) and medicinal plants (36 species). Culturally (on the basis of CI), the most important vegetable and fruit species were Diplazium esculentum, Fumaria indica, Taraxacum campylodes, Urtica dioica, Phyllanthus emblica, Punica granatum, Cordia dichotoma, Syzygium cumini, Ficus palmata, etc. The highest use-report (626) was recorded for vegetables whereas the maximum mean use-report (14.8) was recorded for fruits. On an average, 20.7 wild edible species were used per informant. Informant consensus index (F_ic) varied between 0.83 and 0.94 for raw vegetables and preserved vegetables, respectively.

Conclusion

One of the most important issues of this era is hunger for which one of the possible solutions is the usage of WEPs. The local populace of Udhampur has good knowledge of WEPs, and this legacy of traditional culture must be conserved.

     

Traditional knowledge of wild edible plants used in Palestine (Northern West Bank): A comparative study

Background

A comparative food ethnobotanical study was carried out in fifteen local communities distributed in five districts in the Palestinian Authority, PA (northern West Bank), six of which were located in Nablus, two in Jenin, two in Salfit, three in Qalqilia, and two in Tulkarm. These are among the areas in the PA whose rural inhabitants primarily subsisted on agriculture and therefore still preserve the traditional knowledge on wild edible plants.

Methods

Data on the use of wild edible plants were collected for one-year period, through informed consent semi-structured interviews with 190 local informants. A semi-quantitative approach was used to document use diversity, and relative importance of each species.

Results and discussion

The study recorded 100 wild edible plant species, seventy six of which were mentioned by three informants and above and were distributed across 70 genera and 26 families. The most significant species include Majorana syriaca, Foeniculum vulgare, Malvasylvestris, Salvia fruticosa, Cyclamen persicum, Micromeria fruticosa, Arum palaestinum, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Gundelia tournefortii, and Matricaria aurea. All the ten species with the highest mean cultural importance values (mCI), were cited in all five areas. Moreover, most were important in every region. A common cultural background may explain these similarities. One taxon (Majoranasyriaca) in particular was found to be among the most quoted species in almost all areas surveyed. CI values, as a measure of traditional botanical knowledge, for edible species in relatively remote and isolated areas (Qalqilia, and Salfit) were generally higher than for the same species in other areas. This can be attributed to the fact that local knowledge of wild edible plants and plant gathering are more spread in remote or isolated areas.

Conclusion

Gathering, processing and consuming wild edible plants are still practiced in all the studied Palestinian areas. About 26 % (26/100) of the recorded wild botanicals including the most quoted and with highest mCI values, are currently gathered and utilized in all the areas, demonstrating that there are ethnobotanical contact points among the various Palestinian regions. The habit of using wild edible plants is still alive in the PA, but is disappearing. Therefore, the recording, preserving, and infusing of this knowledge to future generations is pressing and fundamental.     

Ethnobotanical review of wild edible plants in Spain

This paper compiles and evaluates the ethnobotanical data currently available on wild plants traditionally used for human consumption in Spain. Forty-six ethnobotanical and ethnographical sources from Spain were reviewed, together with some original unpublished field data from several Spanish provinces. A total of 419 plant species belonging to 67 families was recorded. A list of species, plant parts used, localization and method of consumption, and harvesting time is presented. Of the seven different food categories considered, green vegetables were the largest group, followed by plants used to prepare beverages, wild fruits, and plants used for seasoning, sweets, preservatives, and other uses. Important species according to the number of reports include: Foeniculum vulgare , Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum , Origanum vulgare , Rubus ulmifolius , Silene vulgaris , Asparagus acutifolius , and Scolymus hispanicus . We studied data on the botanical families to which the plants in the different categories belonged, overlapping between groups and distribution of uses of the different species. Many wild food plants have also been used for medicinal purposes and some are considered to be poisonous. This review highlights the rich traditional knowledge on edible plants that has remained in rural Spain. Until recently, many wild plants were used as dietary supplements. However, most of this knowledge survives only in the memory of the elderly, and will probably disappear in a few decades.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 152 , 27–71.     

Evaluation of genetic biodiversity in farm-bred and wild raccoon dogs in Poland

The aim of the study was to analyze the intra- and inter-group diversity in farm-raised and wild raccoon dogs with the use of molecular markers. Genetic differences between the particular raccoon dog groups were observed, accompanied by a relatively high intra-group genetic variation. It was noted that the wild raccoon dogs were characterized by the highest genetic diversity, compared to the three study groups of farm-bred raccoon dogs. Wild raccoon dogs and farm-bred raccoon dogs constitute separate phylogenetic groups. The results obtained suggest that farm breeding may lead to differentiation into a different phylogenetic lineage than that of the wild raccoon dogs. In each case, the genetic distance between the animals bred on the individual farms was lower than the distances between the farm-raised and wild animals. Since the Polish farm breeding is based entirely on phenotype ranking, the genotype of "native" animals is still closely related to that of wild animals.     

Fluorocitrate in plants and food stuffs

Monofluorocarbon acids can be formed from inorganic fluoride by single cell cultures of Acacia georginae and tea. Fluorocitrate is also present in small amounts in commercial specimens of tea and oatmeal. The significance of these observations is discussed, especially in relation to the toxic plants.     

Population genetics of threatened wild plants in Japan

Approximately one-fourth of Japan's native plant species are threatened with extinction. To conserve these species, it is critical to evaluate genetic diversity at species-level and population-level. Some factors, including population size and geographic distribution, are known to influence the population genetic diversity of wild plant species. This article briefly reviews the population genetic studies that have been conducted on wild threatened plants in Japan. A large population size or wide geographic distribution does not always lead to large genetic diversity, suggesting that historical factors such as speciation processes and population expansion often play more important roles in determining genetic diversity than the number of remnant individuals. The mating system of a species also affects genetic diversity; predominantly selfing species tend to have smaller genetic diversity than outcrossing congeners. Another issue of concern in the conservation genetics of wild plants in Japan is the genetic diversity of insular endemics, because Japan consists of many islands, and the insular flora contains many endemic and threatened species. Previous studies on endemic plants on the Bonin and the Ryukyu Islands are reviewed. Compared to the cases of the Bonin Islands or other oceanic islands, there is much larger genetic diversity in plants endemic to the Ryukyu Islands. This difference is probably the result of the differences in the geological history of these islands. Electronic Publication     

山东野生植物新记录

山东省有丰富的植物资源,尤以鲁中南和胶东地区最为丰富。2011年至2013年作者对山东省野生植物种质资源进行调查采集,其中对济南和烟台等地区的野生植物进行了较为广泛的调查,并在此过程中发现了山东野生植物新记录4种1变种,包含1个新记录科（沟繁缕科Elatinaceae）和1个新记录属（石龙尾属Limnophila R.Br.）。凭证标本均存放于山东中医药大学药学院标本室（SDCM）。1）细柄水竹叶Murdannia vaginata（Linn.）Bruckn.     

江西国家重点保护野生植物的时空分析

江西省国家重点保护野生植物29科45属53种,其中蕨类植物4科5属7种,裸子植物6科11属13种,被子植物19科29属33种;国家重点保护野生植物中单属科和单种科各8个,中国特有科3个,单种属15个,中国特有属16个,分布区类型12个,其中以热带或以热带分布为主的属占总属数的26.67%;以温带或以温带分布为主的属占31.11%;中国特有分布最突出,占35.56%。特有属分布型6个,与华中、西南关系最密切。同时,采用综合指数和相似度,把江西省与各省区比较,结果表明:江西省国家重点保护植物十分丰富,江西省植物区系与其周边省份关系最密切。