Elsevier Editorial System(tm) for Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Manuscript Draft
Manuscript Number:
Title: Ethnobotanical investigation on wild plants in the Monti Sicani Regional Park (Sicily, Italy)
Article Type: Full Length Article
Keywords: medicinal plants; Mediterranean; folk medicine; cultural erosion; ethnobotanical indexes
Corresponding Author: Prof. Claudio Leto, M.D.
Corresponding Author's Institution: University of Palermo
First Author: Claudio Leto, M.D.
Order of Authors: Claudio Leto, M.D.; Teresa Tuttolomondo, M.D., PhD; Salvatore La Bella, M.D., PhD;
Giuseppe Bonsangue, M.D., PhD; Giuseppe Venturella, M.D.; Maria Letizia Gargano, M.D., PhD; Valentina
Savo, M.D., PhD; Mario Licata, M.D., PhD
Abstract: The area of the "Monte Sicani Regional Park" (Central Western Sicily, southern Italy) has
been quantitatively and extensively investigated in an ethnobotanical study for the first time. A total of
108 wild species are used for medicinal purposes, while, according to our study, the uses of 9 species
have not previously been reported in ethnobotanical studies in Italy.
The aim of this paper is to analyze, through quantitative indicators, the extent of the current
knowledge on medicinal uses of plants in the area, evaluating also the features of uniqueness and
commonality of this knowledge in comparison with other Italian and Mediterranean areas.
Semi-structured interviews were carried out in the local communities within the Monti Sicani Regional
Park with local people retained experts in rural traditions. A total of 230 people were interviewed
about their knowledge on medicinal plant uses. Local plant uses were evaluated using ethnobotanical
indices (e.g., cultural importance index, ethnobotanicity index, informant consensus factor) and then
compared with uses in other localities in Sicily, Italy and the Mediterranean basin.
Local communities currently use a total number of 108 wild species (43 families) as remedies for
human and livestock ailments. The majority of plants are used in the treatment of articular, skin and,
gastrointestinal problems.
The research shows an ongoing process of cultural erosion in an advanced stage, but results still
highlight an interesting cultural identity as regards the local folk medicine.
Cover Letter
Cover letter
Dear Editorial Board of Journal of Ethnopharmacology,
Please find enclosed the manuscript: “Ethnobotanical investigation on wild plants in the Monti
Sicani Regional Park (Sicily, Italy)”, by Claudio Leto, Teresa Tuttolomondo, Salvatore La Bella,
Giuseppe Bonsangue, Giuseppe Venturella, Maria Letizia Gargano, Valentina Savo and Mario
Licata, to be submitted as a new full length article to Journal of Ethnopharmacology. All co-authors
have seen, read and agree with the contents of the manuscript and there is no financial interest to
report. It has not been submitted for publication nor has it been published in whole or in part
elsewhere. I attest to the validity and legitimacy of the data and its interpretation and I agree to its
submission to the mentioned journal. I attest that the study was carried out following the ISE code
of Ethics. Informants were made aware of the scope of the study and Prior Informed Consent was
requested verbally.
In this manuscript we report the results of an ethnobotanical study carried out in the Monti Sicani
Regional Park (Central-Western Sicily, Italy) regarding the medicinal uses of wild plant species. A
total of 108 wild species are used for medicinal purposes. The research shows an ongoing process
of cultural erosion in an advanced stage, but results still highlight an interesting cultural identity as
regards the local folk medicine. The majority of plants are used in the treatment of articular, skin
and, gastrointestinal problems.
We believe that our findings could be of interest to the readers of the Journal of
Ethnopharmacology. The research examines, from an ethnobotanical and pharmacological point of
view, an area that is famous for its biodiversity. A total of 850 vascular plants grow in the park and
among these 68 (9.5%) are endemic. The comparison with other studies carried out in other Italian
regions and Mediterranean countries has shown that the majority of the medicinal uses are common
or similar to those reported in bibliography. Although some therapeutic uses seem to be "new" in
literature, the highlighted cultural erosion could have already eliminated important pieces of the
ethnobotanical knowledge of the study area. The investigation carried out in the Monti Sicani
Regional Park represents a first quantitative and detailed contribution to the ethnobotanical
exploration of the area. In the future it would be necessary to extend the research to the younger
generations and including more women in order to better understand the complex processes of
transmission of knowledge across generations and between genders
We hope the editorial board will agree on the interest of this study.
Sincerely yours,
Claudio Leto on behalf of the authors.
Corresponding author: Claudio Leto at Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, Università
degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy, e-mail: [email protected], phone number:
+3909123862223, fax number: +3909123862246
*Author Checklist
Author checklist
Dear Editorial Board of Journal of Ethnopharmacology,
I attest that:
a. the manuscript type is a full length research article;
b. the manuscript is in the requested structured format (title, authors, full postal address, fax
and e-mail address, abstract, keywords, introduction, materials and methods, results,
discussion, conclusions, references, tables and figures, all figure and tables captions);
c. the manuscript has been spell-checked and grammar-checked;
d. the abstract is in the requested structured format;
e. the references are cited and used in the right format;
f. all references mentioned in the reference list are cited in the text and vice versa;
g. the corresponding author’s postal address, telephone and fax numbers are complete on the
manuscript;
h. the corresponding author’s e-mail address is provided;
i. the manuscript/data, or parts thereof, has not been submitted or published elsewhere for
publication;
j. the data are valid and legitimate;
k. all the listed authors have read and approved the submitted manuscript;
l. there is no financial interest to report in the manuscript;
m. the study has been performed according to international, national and regional rules
concerning ethnobotanical and pharmacological studies and biodiversity rights;
n. informants were made aware of the scope of the study and Prior Informed Consent was
requested verbally.
Sincerely yours,
Claudio Leto on behalf of the authors.
Corresponding author: Claudio Leto at Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, Università
degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy, e-mail: [email protected], phone number:
+3909123862223, fax number: +3909123862246
*Graphical Abstract (for review)
Click here to download high resolution image
*Abstract
Abstract
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
Ethnobotanical investigation on wild plants in the Monti Sicani Regional Park
(Sicily, Italy)
Claudio Letoa*, Teresa Tuttolomondoa, Salvatore La Bellaa, Giuseppe Bonsanguea, Giuseppe
Venturellaa, Maria Letizia Garganoa, Valentina Savob, Mario Licataa
a
Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, Università degli Studi di Palermo – Viale delle Scienze 13, 90128
Palermo, Italy
E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
b
Hakai Network for Coastal People, Ecosystems and Management, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive,
BC V5A 1S6, Burnaby, Canada
E-mail: [email protected]
*Corresponding author at Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale
delle Scienze 13, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Tel. : +3909123862223. Fax: +3909123862246. E-mail: [email protected]
The authors contributed equally.
Ethnopharmacological relevance: the area of the “Monte Sicani Regional Park” (Central Western
Sicily, southern Italy) has been quantitatively and extensively investigated in an ethnobotanical
study for the first time. A total of 108 wild species are used for medicinal purposes, while,
according to our study, the uses of 9 species have not previously been reported in ethnobotanical
studies in Italy.
Aim of the study: the aim of this paper is to analyze, through quantitative indicators, the extent of
the current knowledge on medicinal uses of plants in the area, evaluating also the features of
uniqueness and commonality of this knowledge in comparison with other Italian and Mediterranean
areas.
Methodology: Semi-structured interviews were carried out in the local communities within the
Monti Sicani Regional Park with local people retained experts in rural traditions. A total of 230
people were interviewed about their knowledge on medicinal plant uses. Local plant uses were
evaluated using ethnobotanical indices (e.g., cultural importance index, ethnobotanicity index,
informant consensus factor) and then compared with uses in other localities in Sicily, Italy and the
Mediterranean basin.
Results: Local communities currently use a total number of 108 wild species (43 families) as
remedies for human and livestock ailments. The majority of plants are used in the treatment of
articular, skin and, gastrointestinal problems.
Conclusions: The research shows an ongoing process of cultural erosion in an advanced stage, but
results still highlight an interesting cultural identity as regards the local folk medicine.
*Manuscript
Click here to view linked References
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
ETHNOBOTANICAL INVESTIGATION ON WILD PLANTS IN THE
MONTI SICANI REGIONAL PARK (SICILY, ITALY)
Claudio Letoa*, Teresa Tuttolomondoa, Salvatore La Bellaa, Giuseppe Bonsanguea, Giuseppe
Venturellaa, Maria Letizia Garganoa, Valentina Savob, Mario Licataa
a
Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, Università degli Studi di Palermo – Viale delle Scienze 13, 90128
Palermo, Italy
E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
b
Hakai Network for Coastal People, Ecosystems and Management, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive,
BC V5A 1S6, Burnaby, Canada
E-mail: [email protected]
*Corresponding author at Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale
delle Scienze 13, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Tel. : +3909123862223. Fax: +3909123862246. E-mail: [email protected]
The authors contributed equally.
Abstract
Ethnopharmacological relevance: the area of the ―Monte Sicani Regional Park‖ (Central Western
Sicily, southern Italy) has been quantitatively and extensively investigated in an ethnobotanical
study for the first time. A total of 108 wild species are used for medicinal purposes, while,
according to our study, the uses of 9 species have not previously been reported in ethnobotanical
studies in Italy.
Aim of the study: the aim of this paper is to analyze, through quantitative indicators, the extent of
the current knowledge on medicinal uses of plants in the area, evaluating also the features of
uniqueness and commonality of this knowledge in comparison with other Italian and Mediterranean
areas.
Methodology: Semi-structured interviews were carried out in the local communities within the
Monti Sicani Regional Park with local people retained experts in rural traditions. A total of 230
people were interviewed about their knowledge on medicinal plant uses. Local plant uses were
evaluated using ethnobotanical indices (e.g., cultural importance index, ethnobotanicity index,
informant consensus factor) and then compared with uses in other localities in Sicily, Italy and the
Mediterranean basin.
Results: Local communities currently use a total number of 108 wild species (43 families) as
remedies for human and livestock ailments. The majority of plants are used in the treatment of
articular, skin and, gastrointestinal problems.
Conclusions: The research shows an ongoing process of cultural erosion in an advanced stage, but
results still highlight an interesting cultural identity as regards the local folk medicine.
Keywords: medicinal plants; Mediterranean; folk medicine; cultural erosion; ethnobotanical indexes
1. Introduction
Sicily boasts a long tradition of ethnobotanical studies. The first ethnobotanical explorations
probably date back to the XIV century (Pitrè, 1896; De Natale and Marziano, 2009), while the
majority of studies are more recent (e.g., Lentini and Raimondo, 1990; Amico and Sorge, 1997;
Napoli and Giglio, 2002; Lentini and Venza, 2007). The region has a rather high biodiversity [more
than 3000 wild plants (Di Martino and Raimondo, 1979), of which 322 are endemic or sub endemic
(Raimondo et al., 2010)] and a central position in the Mediterranean, privileged position for cross
cultural exchanges and influences (Guarrera, 2009). According to a recent review, in the island
around 300 plants are used for medicinal purposes in Sicily (Leonti et al., 2009), while many have
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
been analyzed for their phytochemical profile (e.g., Bellino et al., 1986; Napoli et al., 2009; Napoli
et al., 2010; Caligiani et al., 2013). The historical events and the biodiversity of natural environment
of Sicily have contributed to expand and differentiate the knowledge and traditions related to the
use of the different plant species.
An increasing number of people has rediscovered the importance of natural therapies based on
plants (Pieroni et al., 2013a). This interest has been fueled by media and the spread of a ―green
culture‖ which promotes the use of natural products and the need to reduce and/or replace products
of synthesis. In contrast, in several remote areas, many traditional uses of plants have decreased or
completely disappeared, due to the fast pace of economic globalization, which has promoted the
replacement of plant materials which cheaper (synthetic) ones and has fostered the migration of
rural populations to urban areas, with the adoption of new lifestyles.
Despite the ongoing process of cultural erosion that is occurring in several areas in the
Mediterranean (Quave et al., 2012), recent local studies are providing testimonies of well-preserved
ethnobotanical practices (e.g., Vitalini et al., 2009; Mustafa et al., 2011; Gürdal and Kültür, 2013).
This paper reports a comprehensive study on the medicinal use of plants and the related folk
traditions in a natural area named Monti Sicani Regional Park (Central-Western Sicily). It
investigates the medicinal uses of plants that are harvested in the different natural habitats of the
area.
Several researchers have lately questioned and discussed the value of ethnobotanical research in
the Mediterranean, especially as regards plants used as medicinal (e.g., Leonti et al., 2010; Leonti,
2011). In this paper we argue that it is still possible to discover new plant uses in the Mediterranean
and provide new insights in the process of diffusion, transmission and separation of ethnobotanical
knowledge, without necessarily studying remote areas.
The main objective of this study is to analyze, through quantitative indicators, the extent of the
current knowledge on medicinal uses of plants in the Monti Sicani Regional Park. Moreover, this
study is aimed at evaluating the features of uniqueness and commonality of this knowledge
transmitted through generations by the descendants of the ―Sicani people‖ in comparison with other
Italian and Mediterranean areas.
2. Materials and methods
2.1. Study area
The investigated area is located in the district of the Sicani Mountains (central-western part of
Sicily). It covers a surface of about 2300 Km2, (about 37.40-37.87 latitude; 13.18-13.63 longitude)
and includes 32 municipalities (Fig. 1).
This area has been historically inhabited by the "Sicani people", who are probably among the
first inhabitants of Sicily, around 2200 BC (Rizzuti, 2009). With the arrival of Greek and
Phoenician colonizers, the Sicani people were relegated in mountainous areas, which today are
called ―Monti Sicani." Later on, during the Carthaginian colonization (V century BC) the Sicani
people were partially subdued and in 241 BC were adjoined to the Roman Empire. The presence of
this ancient population is still vivid with several archeological remains, especially in the localities
of Prizzi, Lercara Friddi, Castronovo di Sicilia and Sant'Angelo Muxaro (where it is located the
ancient residence of the Sicano king, Kokalos).
The altitudinal range of the study area spans from 300 to 1613 m a.s.l. and the climate is
typically Mediterranean. According to Rivas-Martinez (Rivas Martinez and Loidi Arregui, 1999;
Rivas Martinez et al., 2002) the area belongs to the meso-Mediterranean thermotype. The mean
annual rainfall is 640 mm (AA.VV., 2000); while the rainy days are mainly limited to the AutumnWinter period, while rain showers are rare over the summer. Snowfalls are infrequent and occur
only at altitudes above 1000 m a.s.l. The soil associations are referred to Typic Xerorthents, Lithic
Xerorthents, Typic and/or Vertic Xerochrepts in the part of territory in the hilly areas and to Typic
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
and/or Vertic Xerofluents, Typic Chromoxererts and/or Typic pelloxererts in valleys and lowland
(Fierotti, 1997).
The biodiversity (plant species and communities) of the Monti Sicani Regional Park is
considerably high. A total of 850 vascular plants grow in the park and among these 68 (9.5%) are
endemic. The forest areas cover a high surface and are mainly characterized by evergreen and
deciduous oaks Quercus ilex L., Q. suber L., Q. gussonei (Borzì) Brullo and, Q. pubescens Willd.
s.l.. Nevertheless, other tree species enrich the woodland diversity (e.g., Castanea sativa Miller,
Acer campestre L., A. pseudoplatanus L., Fraxinus ornus L., F. angustifolia Vahl, Ulmus minor
Mill., Ilex aquifolium L.). Forested areas are intermixed with traditional olive and fruit tree orchards
and agricultural fields, where local farmers grow cereals, fodder, and vegetables. In the area,
pastoral activities are also common, as well as a local craftsmanship based on traditional techniques
passed down from generation to generation by the so-called ―old-masters‖.
2.2. Field interviews
The current extent of the ethnobotanical knowledge in the Monti Sicani Regional Park was
assessed through interviews with elderly people who have spent their lives in the study area and
practiced traditional farming (agriculture and livestock breeding). Interviews were carried out
between 2009 and 2010 in all the 32 municipalities (Fig. 1). In the protocol of study, it was
determined a minimum sample of 10 respondents for each municipality, who, with an age above 60
years. This age requirement was decided in order to gain information over a long time span. In each
municipality we sought for potential informants in gathering venues of elderly people and we
solicited other information about other potential informants through a snowball sampling (Bernard,
1988). Interviews followed a semi-structured format (Bernard, 1988) without time limit. Interviews
were generally individual, rarely in group discussions. The study was carried out following the ISE
code of Ethics (ISE 2006), informants were made aware of the scope of the study and Prior
Informed Consent (Rosenthal, 2006) was requested verbally.
The language used during the interviews was Italian, and in some cases, the Sicilian dialect.
Informants were stimulated to talk freely about their ethnobotanical knowledge, and were asked to
mention all the medicinal plants known or used (with a special focus on herbaceous plants and
shrubs), asking them the following questions:
a) Which plant do you know, use or have used for medicinal purposes?
b) How do you use these plants (e.g., plant part, preparation, mode of administration)?
c) Where do you gather these plants?
d) What is, in your opinion, the efficacy of these remedies (or plants)?
Data on plant uses were reported in a pre-organized form. In this form we listed all the plants
with medicinal properties mentioned by the informant, the vernacular name, the plant parts, the
gathering period and sites, the frequency of use, the attributed medicinal properties and efficacy of
preparations, and the methods of preparation. Information included also the date and the town
where the interview was conducted, the name, age, gender, and level of education for each
informant.
Interviews began in private houses, cafeterias, clubs and continued in the surrounding fields and
other places used for gathering medicinal plants. Informants were asked to indicate the used plants,
which were then collected and coded. Plants were identified using the Italian Flora (Pignatti, 1982).
Plant nomenclature was updated using online databases (e.g., TROPICOS, The Plant List). Samples
were made into herbarium specimens and deposited at the Herbarium of the Research Consortium
Corissia belonging to the ―Assessorato delle Risorse Agricole e Forestali‖ of the Sicilian Region
(www.corissia.it).
2.3. Data analysis
Data collected were digitalized and organized in a simple spreadsheet database. Data (plants and
uses) were compared with other uses reported in ethnopharmacological literature (studies in other
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
Italian regions and some Mediterranean countries), in order to highlight commonalities and
differences.
The collected ethnobotanical information was analyzed in order to highlight the number of most
cited species and medicinal uses, the most commonly used parts of the plants (leaves, stems, etc.)
and the most common preparation methods. The species were grouped into n categories of illnesses
defined according information given by the informants. In this way, we reported the information
received by the informants exactly as it was given to us, without contamination or manipulation of
the data. We then applied the following ethnobotanical quantitative indices:
(1) Cultural Importance Index (CI) (Pardo de Santayana et al., 2007) – it quantifies the most
cited, currently used, species by informants. The index is calculated as follow: ∑ = UR/N, where
UR (Use Report) is the use recorded for each species and N is the total number of informants. This
index estimates the cultural significance of each species, or rather verifies, in quantitative terms, to
what extent each species is present in the popular culture and in the memory of the inhabitants
involved in the survey.
(2) Ethnobotanicity Index (EI) (Portères, 1970) – with reference to medicinal species – it
determines the ratio between the number of used medicinal species and the total flora of the study
area, expressed as a percentage. This index is used to verify the proportion of species considered
useful in folk medicine by the Sicani people in their surroundings and provides an idea of the
importance of medicinal species in a given area.
(3) Index of Ethnobotanical Diversity (H) (Begossi, 1996) – determined using the ShannonWiener index and the formula H = - ∑ (pi ln pi), where ‗pi‘ is the ratio between the number of
citations per species and the total number of citations. This index is used to estimate the level of
diversity of the different species in the investigated plant community, taking into consideration the
relative abundance of citations of the species. According to Begossi (1996), a high number of
citations indicates a low diversity level or greater dominance in the use of the same species.
(4-5) Ethnobotanical Richness (R) and evenness index (E) (Begossi, 1996): the ethnobotanical
richness is the number of useful medicinal species and the evenness index is calculated using the
formula: E = H/Hmax, where Hmax = ln R. The evenness index is between 0 and 1, where 0 means
complete heterogeneity and 1 complete homogeneity in the uses of the plants.
(6) Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) (Trotter and Logan, 1986) - was determined using the
following formula ICF = Nur – Nt/Nur – 1, where Nur refers to the total number of use reports for
each illness category and Nt indicates the number of species used in that category. This index is
used to test the homogeneity of knowledge shared by the informants. A high value in this index
(near to 1) indicates that there exist well-defined selection criteria for the species regarding a
specific illness category on behalf of the informants and/or that they are in agreement in using that
species for a specific use, whilst a low index (near to 0) indicates the choice of the species is
random and that there is no consensus amongst the informants on the medicinal use of the species.
3. Results and discussion
3.1. Demographic characteristics of respondents
The demographic data of the informants are reported in Table 1. The age of respondents varies
from 60 to 90, with an average age of 72.2 years. The highest number of cited plants has been
obtained by people aged between 71 and 80 years while less information has obtained by the other
younger or older informants. In the first case, it could be due to an advanced and progressive
detachment from the values of ―rural culture‖ and ―rural development‖. In the second case, we
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
argue, according to our observations in the field, that the little information obtained could probably
be justified by a certain reluctance and/or objective difficulties in participating to interviews.
In twenty-nine of the thirty-two municipalities, we have been able to survey only male
informants. The prevalence of men in the sample of respondents was mainly due to gender issues of
being in a conversation with a male stranger (the interviewer). Since it has been observed in the
Mediterranean areas, but also in other geographical regions, that the women are generally the most
knowledgeable informants as regards medicinal plants (Hardy, 2000), we acknowledge the fact that
this could have partially affected our results. The 80% of respondents are farmers, or shepherds, still
active or retired, the 20% were masons, laborers and housewives. The majority of respondents have
not completed secondary school.
3.2. General data on medicinal plants
A total of 108 wild plants are reported as being used for medicinal and veterinary purposes
(Table 2). The medicinal plants belong to 43 families. In table 2, for each species we provide the
scientific name, the use, vernacular name (in Sicilian dialect), the ethno-pharmacological
information as provided by informants, the method of preparation, the therapeutic uses, the number
of citations for each use, the current use of the species and the level of perceived usefulness. Table 2
also shows the similarities in the use of medicinal species among the investigated area and those
reported in studies in other Italian regions and Mediterranean countries.
The most represented families are Asteraceae (20 species), Lamiaceae (11 species), Apiaceae (6
species) and Asparagaceae (5 species). The high proportion of medicinal species in the Asteraceae
and the Lamiaceae families has already been reported in other ethnobotanical studies in the
Mediterranean area (e.g., Merzouki et al., 2000; Benitez et al., 2010; Cakilcioglu and Turkoglu,
2010). This is probably due to several phytochemical (and derived cultural) factors (e.g., bitter taste
considered healthy due to lactones in several Asteraceae species, smell and aromatic compounds in
the Lamiaceae species, Guarrera and Savo, 2013).
In most cases the recorded species have different vernacular (dialect) names in the 32
investigated municipalities. Conversely, different species of Malvaceae and especially Lamiaceae,
have been indicated, by many people, with the same dialect name. In total, 194 different vernacular
names were used by the respondents to indicate the 108 recorded species. The fact that vernacular
or common names are rarely reported, and the fact that not all the species are also used in other
Sicilian areas, did not allow us to assess the uniqueness of the folk nomenclature in the Monti
Sicani Regional Park. The comparison with vernacular names reported for other Italian regions is
not feasible because of the singularity and uniqueness of the Sicilian dialect (Lo Piparo, 1990).
In the census were also included some species considered toxic (6 records). This is not
uncommon, since all medicinal plants contain active principles that could have toxic effects, at
higher dosage (Blackwell, 1990). Generally, the species that are considered more toxic by the
people living in the Sicani area are used externally, as it is common in other Italian or
Mediterranean areas (e.g., Guarrera, 2006; Tetik et al., 2013). The therapeutic use of toxic species is
often reported in the ethno-pharmacological literature (e.g., Leporatti and Ivancheva, 2003;
Leporatti and Imperi, 2007; Aleo et al., 2011).
A particular use of a toxic species, which is not strictly medicinal, is that of Euphorbia rigida M.
Bieb. as ichtyotoxic. Many Mediterranean Euphorbiaceae species are rich in irritant sap, which, is
used especially in fresh water courses, to stun fish (Savo et al., 2013). According to the interviews it
seems, however, that this illegal fishing practice is no longer in use.
The majority of species are collected in the wild, or more rarely, gathered in the wild and then
planted in kitchen gardens. Natural habitats such as fallow fields, pastures, hedges and woods
resulted as the favorite habitats for gathering medicinal species. Although cultivating the plants in
kitchen would ensure their availability potentially throughout the year, informants still prefer to
gather the plants in the wild. Among aromatic herbs some, such as mints, are collected from natural
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
habitats (e.g., humid areas and untilled soils), while others, such as rosemary and sage, are often
cultivated on balconies for medicinal but also food and ornamental purposes.
3.3. The most frequently cited species
The list of the most frequently cited (and still used) species by the informants is reported in
Table 3. The most frequently cited species are also those that are more commonly used by people in
the area for therapeutic uses. Several of these species are also among the most cited species for the
Sicilian region (Leonti et al., 2008). It is important to emphasize that some species are also used as
food and as aromatic. According to the informants, the dishes prepared and aromatized with these
plants have additional healthy properties other than nutritional qualities. This is not new in Sicilian
folk tradition as highlighted by Lentini and Venza (2007) in a multi-year study in different Sicilian
areas. Several food plants are often consumed for their healthy or medicinal properties in Sicily but
also in other Italian areas (Guarrera and Savo, 2013).
Most of the plants that are highly cited are also highly appreciated by the informants. Among the
species that are still practiced by the people living in the Sicani area, the 61.22% of the therapeutic
uses considered rather effective. Some of the most cited species are discussed below, including
information on their phytochemical profile and pharmacological activities.
Cichorium intybus (62 informants mentioned the plant for medicinal purposes, 54 citations of
uses, 1 plant-use) is the most cited species by the inhabitants of the Monti Sicani Regional Park.
The aerial parts of this plant species are commonly eaten boiled for their taste but also for their
bland diuretic properties which are particularly appreciated by local people. The plant contains
several active principles [e.g., lactucin, lactucopicrin, lactucin like guaianolides, phenols,
flavonoids, stigmasterol, g-sitosterol (Guarrera and Savo, 2013 and references therein) and is
generally retained depurative and healthy as many other plants with a bitter taste. Cichorium
intybus is well known in the Italian ethnobotanical folklore (Lentini, 2000; Guarrera, 2006;
Guarrera and Savo, 2013), but also in the Mediterranean [e.g., in Morocco (Joaud et al., 2001), in
Tunisia (Leporatti and Ghedira, 2009), in Spain (Benìtez et al., 2010)].
Athamanta sicula, locally known as "spaccapetri" and "spezzalipetri" (―stone-breaker‖), is used
as diuretic and to facilitate the elimination of kidney stones (57 informants, 57 use-citations, 1
plant-use). The genus Athamanta is restricted to Southern Europe and consists of nine species,
many of which have an ethnobotanical use (Tomic et al., 2009). This plant contains several active
principles (e.g., myristicin, apiol) which however, seems to vary according to the plant part
analyzed and location of collection (Camarda and Di Stefano, 2003; Camarda et al., 2008). The
roots, which are used by our informants, have not been biochemically characterized yet.
The decoction and infusion of the leaves and aerial parts of Malva trimestris (57 informants, 65
use-citations, 3 plant-uses) are used against inflammation of the oral cavity (21 use-citations) and
disorders of the digestive system (41 use citations). Interesting (3 use-citations), although very rare,
is the use of such preparations to promote the maturation and healing of fistulas; this particular use
of Malva trimestris seems to be new for Italy. Malva trimestris contains as other Malva species,
protective mucilage which have emollient activity on the digestive system, also phenolic
compounds and flavonoids [e.g., p-coumaric, ferulic, caffeic acids and kaempferol (Głowniak et al.,
2005)] with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities (Skalicka-Wozniak et al., 2007).
Opuntia ficus-indica (48 informants, 48 use-citations, 2 plant-uses) is used as anti-inflammatory
(32 use-citations) and digestive (16 use-citations) having beneficial properties for the urinary and
gastrointestinal tracts. Similar data are reported for several regions in Southern Italy (the plant is a
thermophilous species) but also in other Mediterranean countries (Table 2). This plant, which has
spread in semi-arid areas of the Mediterranean after its introduction from Americas, has been
widely introduced in local folk pharmacopeias. Opuntia ficus-indica contains several active
molecules [e.g., vitamins, betalains, flavonols (Butera et al., 2002, Galati et al., 2003)] and several
tested pharmacological activities [e.g., antiulcer, antioxidant (Galati et al., 2001; Galati et al., 2003;
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
Tesoriere et al., 2004)]. These properties could explain the high appreciation for this species and the
different health problems for which it is used.
Among the species for veterinary use the best known and widely used is Helminthotheca
echioides for its efficacy in the care of wounds in the form of juice or poultice. Equally sought in
veterinary folk medicine is Ruta chalepensis, whose decoction of leaves and branches is used to
facilitate the expulsion of the placenta to sheep or cows after labor. Extremely rare in the Monte
Sicani territory is the veterinary use of Helleborus bocconei subsp. siculus (1 informant, 1 usecitation, 1 plant-use), locally known as "raricchiu." The roots of this species were once used to treat
pneumonia in horses and cattle.
3.4. Medicinal uses
The species listed in this paper have been grouped into 8 categories of therapeutic use (as
reported by informants) (Table 4). The majority of the plant species are used to treat a single
disease: the 74.54% of the species has a single therapeutic indication, the 18.18% two, and the
7.27% three indications. A high number of species is used for the treatment of articular problems
(23.81%) or skin affections (13.49%) such as bleeding, skin diseases, inflammation of the skin,
scars and skin burns, bruises, rheumatism, etc. This predominance can be explained by the kind of
occupations of the informants (mainly agro-pastoralists). Wounds, blisters, sores are indeed
common problems while working outdoor and generally require immediate medication. Bonet et al.
(1999) emphasize the effort of people, in different areas, in searching for natural and effective
remedies against skin and traumatic problems while in the field (where appropriate hygienic
conditions were lacking as well as drugs for simple application). Still in the Iberian region, for
example, where rural traditions and activities are still alive, especially in the inland areas, several
authors have emphasized the use of plants in the treatment of skin diseases and joint system
problems (Akerreta et al., 2007; Neves et al., 2009).
Many plant species (20.63%) are used for the treatment of gastrointestinal problems and
specifically for treating digestive and gastrointestinal disorders. This same pattern has been
highlighted for the whole Sicilian region (Leonti et al., 2008). The use of plants as digestive is
rather widespread in the folk medicine of the Sicani area; many of these species contain bitter
substances (e.g., many Asteraceae species) and have eupeptic properties (e.g., Pieroni and Heinrich,
2002; Guarrera and Savo, 2013). The 11.90% of the species are used for the treatment of physical
and metabolic disorders. This is probably explained by the fact that a wide array of pathologies can
be grouped included in this category (Neves et al., 2009). Few species are used for the treatment of
diseases of the urinary system; this is probably due to the unbalanced gender ratio, since these
problems are generally more common among women. Few species are also cited for the treatment
of problems to the respiratory system (6.35%) and this could be also due to gender issues, since
syrups for cough often contain more species and their preparations is generally gendered. No
species was cited by respondents as having therapeutic properties stimulating the activity of the
nervous system.
A total of 144 medicinal uses (including veterinary uses) are reported for the Sicani area. Among
these, 135 are common and/or similar to those reported in other Italian regions or Mediterranean
countries. Differences and commonalities can be attributed to different phytogeographic features,
but also local plant biodiversity, methods and aims of the studies and cultural differences.
Interestingly, the use of many species is spread, but limited to the Sicilian region (e.g., Rhus
coriaria, Athamanta sicula, Senecio delphinifolius, Mandragora autumnalis).
Even though several commonalities and similarities of medicinal uses among other areas do
exist, we have also been able to highlight some specific and unique features of the area. According
to our bibliographic comparisons, at the best of our knowledge, 9 plant uses have not been
mentioned before and seems to be characteristic of the ethnopharmacological knowledge of the
Monte Sicani Park area (see section 3.7).
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
While the area seems to have a distinctive ethnobotanical profile, it is also true that the pace of
cultural erosion is alarming. In our investigation we noted that the usage of the 33.79% of species
are still practiced while the remaining majority of plant uses are obsolete. Moreover, even the uses
that are still actual are practiced with a low (once a month) or very low (once a year) frequency by
the local people. Only few species, among the most cited (e.g., laurel, chicory and mauve) are used
more frequently (once a week).
3.5. Parts used and method of preparation
The preferred plant parts used in the Sicani area are reported in Fig. 2. The predominant use of
the leaves in the investigated area is in agreement with data reported in literature. According to
several authors, the ease of collection in nature and the abundance of leaves compared to the other
organs of the plant, can be two reasons that explain the higher frequency of their use in folk
medicine. This could also be related to the fact that many plants are used as vulnerary and leaves
could easily being used as extemporaneous bandage. Little less used are flowers and hypogeous
organs. Interestingly, several informants reported that fruits generally contain more poisonous
substances. This is probably related to the high presence of more or less toxic plants in the
medicinal flora of the Sicani Regional Park (see also Aleo et al., 2011).
In most cases, the different parts of the plant are used for a single use. However, according to the
information recorded in the interviews, more than one single part of the same plant can be used in
combination or, in some cases, more parts of the plant can be used interchangeably for the same
preparation. For example, both leaves and flowers of Sambucus nigra are used for the treatment of
wounds and bruises, the roots and leaves of Rubus ulmifolius are both retained effective for healing
hemorrhoids.
Plants are used both internally (decoction and infusion) and externally (direct application,
poultice and ointment). The decoction (76 records) represents the most frequent method of
preparation, followed by poultice (29), direct application of the plant (27), infusion (16), and
ointment (3). However, it has not always been possible, during the interviews, to obtain a clear
distinction between poultice and crushed plant plaster or ointment.
Some plants are either consumed or used in some sort of preparation for the same therapeutic
purpose. For example, Cynara cardunculus is eaten for its healthy effects on the liver while the
broth produced in the cooking process is consumed for the same reason; the leaves of Nasturtium
officinale, are consumed in salads for their attributed diuretic properties.
Dosage and frequency of application are not provided in this paper. We preferred to omit this
information since informants (predominantly men), were often vague or inaccurate about posology.
A further investigation in the area, with a more balanced gender ratio, or even more focused on
female informants, would be necessary to better disentangle the ethnomedicinal knowledge of the
Sicani descendants.
3.6. Quantitative analysis
According to the calculations of the Cultural Importance Index (CI) (Table 3) Malva trimestris,
Athamanta sicula, Cichorium intybus and Cynodon dactylon are the most important species from a
cultural point of view in the Sicani area. Among these species, Cichorium intybus is a food
medicine while the others are strictly medicinal. The values of CI are not high and, if compared
with those reported in other studies, can be considered quite low. This can be explained by the fact
that our sample of respondents is rather high in comparison with other case studies. Among the
most cited species in the survey, the lowest value of CI was found for Laurus nobilis, Mentha
pulegium and, Rubus ulmifolius (0.09), more generally known by the people of the Sicani area for
their aromatic properties or food uses. Although Laurus nobilis is highly reported in other studies
conducted in Sicily, in the Sicani area it has been cited rather rarely (21 citations). During the
interviews this plant was preferentially mentioned for its use in the preparation of cured meat or as
aromatizer.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
As regards the Ethnobotanicity Index (EI), the 12.70% of the total plant species listed in the flora
of the Monti Sicani Regional Park are known to be useful in folk medicine. The value of this index,
in comparison to values reported in other Italian studies, is rather high considering the low
percentage of female informants and the fact that the interviewer solicited information especially
focusing on herbaceous species and shrubs. The value, however, is lower and in general far from
the average of the values of EI calculated in some Iberian areas (Table 5). This could be explained
by the more enlarged concept of medicinal species than has been applied in the calculation of the
index in those areas.
The Shannon-Wiener index is equal to 4.17, the species richness of the study area is equal to
108, and the equity index is 0.88. The comparison with Begossi (1996) showed a lower
ethnobotanical diversity in the Monti Sicani Park, justified by different citation numbers but
especially by the differences in species richness and climate features between the study areas.
Comparing the values of H (Index of Ethnobotanical Diversity) and E (Evenness index) with
those reported in some studies in Mediterranean areas whit similar floral richness and latitude, as
some areas of Spain (Bonet et al., 1992; Akerreta et al., 2007) differences are still present but lower.
The factor of consensus (ICF) of the respondents has been calculated for each category of
medicinal uses, and it is reported in Table 4. ICF values close to 1 were found for several categories
with an average value of ICF, for all categories, of 0.87, which shows a very high level of
consensus; this value is also comparable to those reported in other studies carried out in Sicily (Leto
et al., 2013) and the Mediterranean (e.g., Agelet and Vallès, 2001; Camejo-Rodrigues et al., 2003).
The high values of ICF found in most of the categories of medicinal uses can be explained by the
fact that there is a high homogeneity of consensus among informants about the therapeutic use of a
set of species and their about their efficacy. For example, the category "diseases of the urinary
system" includes 11 species, and has a value of ICF equal to 0.96 which indicates the existence of a
great homogeneity in the consensus among respondents for the medicinal use of those species.
Considering also the level of appreciation for many species belonging to different categories it
was found a strong correlation between the value of ICF and the degree of appreciation, although
this is highly subjective. The lowest value of ICF (0.76), found in the category "diseases of the
skin", indicates that the 17 species belonging to this category are not retained very effective by the
informants.
3.7. Unreported medicinal uses
Among the uses cited by our informants, some seems to be new (or at least not previously
reported).
Vicia hirsuta and Kickxia elatine are used for the treatment of hyperhidrosis of the feet; this
specific kind of use may be related to the long hours spent working in the fields by farmers (Grillo,
2010). The uses of Mentha pulegium for liver disorders, of Malva trimestris for fistulas and of
Lavatera agrigentina Tineo for cough and bronchitis seem also to be new.
Lavatera agrigentina, commonly called ―marva di luppina‖, is a Sicilian endemic species
growing on clay substrates. This plant shares similar properties to those typically attributed to many
Malvaceae species, such as emollient qualities and, depending on doses, as laxative properties
(Guarrera, 2006).
Among these species only Kickxia elatine is still used as medicinal by the local people of the
Sicani area and also presents a high degree of appreciation. This species is used as wound healing
agent in Asia and contains several flavonoids (Yuldashev et al., 1996). Biochemical and
pharmacological studies on this plant, however, are very few. As it is possible to see in Table 2, all
other species have a low number of quotes by the informants. This observation could be interpreted
as reduction of the ethnobotanical knowledge still possessed by local people. The results of the
interviews and the quantitative analysis pointed out, indeed, a fast process of cultural erosion and
are indicative of an early disappearance of these species from the medicinal folklore of the Sicani
Regional Park.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
4. Conclusions
The ethnobotanical survey showed that the majority of the therapeutic uses of wild plants are no
longer practiced nowadays in the Sicani area. Only a few remain in the memory of the elderly,
having the modern medicine gradually replaced the folk medicine, probably for the ease in the
supply of synthetic drugs and their fast efficacy. Moreover, the under-representation of women in
the sample of informants probably contributed to lower the amount of useful and detailed
information, in particular, methods of preparation and administration of therapeutic preparations.
In the various municipalities of the Sicani Park there were no substantial differences regarding
the phytoterapeutic use of the same plant species (along with plant parts and preparations). The
high internal consensus is however juxtaposed to a strong cultural specificity.
The quantitative analysis carried out showed that the percentage of species recognized useful for
their medicinal properties is relatively low compared to the overall floristic richness of the study
area. This could be seen as an evidence of the ongoing process of cultural erosion, considering also
the frequency of use and the degree of appreciation of the species. The index of cultural
significance has shown, in particular, that few species would fit in the category food medicine,
while in Sicily the number of these species is rather high (Lentini and Venza 2007). For most of the
categories of therapeutic use, the consensus among the respondents was very high compared to
other studies, emphasizing a high uniformity in the use of specific species for certain diseases. The
comparison with other pharmacological and ethnobotanical studies carried out in other Italian
regions and abroad has shown that the majority of the medicinal uses are common or similar to
those reported in bibliography. Some therapeutic uses, however, seem to be "new" in literature.
Although some therapeutic uses seem to be "new" in literature, the highlighted cultural erosion
could have already eliminated important pieces of the ethnobotanical knowledge of the Sicani area.
The investigation carried out in the Monti Sicani Regional Park represents a first quantitative
and detailed contribution to the ethnobotanical exploration of the area. The investigation should
not, however, be considered exhaustive. In the future it would be necessary to extend the research
to the younger generations and including more women in order to better understand the complex
processes of transmission of knowledge across generations and between genders. We hope that this
study will stimulate other researchers in exploring other areas in Sicily for discovering its rich and
variegate intangible cultural heritage related to plant uses.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to all the informants who participated in this study and shared their knowledge
with us, without them this research would have been impossible. We also thank the Department of
Food and Agricultural Resources of the Sicilian Region for the financial support and the Research
Consortium Corissia for the logistic support. This study is part of a regional project entitled
"Environmental resources and plants of the Mediterranean: analysis, development and defense,"
(2007-2011), funded by the Department of Food and Agricultural Resources of the Sicilian Region
(Italy).
References
AA.VV., 2000. Servizio Informativo Agrometeorologico Siciliano della Regione Sicilia. Atlante
Climatologico della Sicilia (2ed). Palermo, novembre 2000.
Agelet, A., Valles, J., 2001. Studies on pharmaceutical ethnobotany in the region of Pallars (Pyrenees,
Catalonia, Iberian Peninsula). Part I. General results and new or very rare medicinal plants. Journal of
Ethnopharmacology 77, 57-70.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
Agelet, A., Vallès, J., 2003a. Studies on pharmaceutical ethnobotany in the region of Pallars (Pyrenees,
Catalonia, Iberian Peninsula). Part II. New or very rare uses of previously known medicinal plants.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology 84, 211-227.
Agelet, A., Vallès, J., 2003b. Studies on pharmaceutical ethnobotany in the region of Pallars (Pyrenees,
Catalonia, Iberian Peninsula). Part III. Medicinal uses of nonvascular plants. Journal of
Ethnopharmacology 84, 229–234.
Akalın, E., Alpınar, K., 1994. An investigation on medicinal and edible wild plants of Tekirdag. Journal of
Faculty of Pharmacy Ege University 2(1), 1-11.
Akerreta, S., Cavero, R.Y., Calvo, M.I., 2007. First comprehensive contribution to medical ethnobotany of
Western Pyrenees. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 3, 26.
Aleo, N., Amato, F., Aleo, M., 2011. Le piante tossiche della flora trapanese (Sicilia). Quaderni di Botanica
Ambientale Applicata 22, 31-49.
Amico, F.P., Sorge, F.G., 1997. Medicinal plants and phytotherapy in Mussomeli area (Caltanissetta, Sicily,
Italy). Fitoterapia 68, 143-159.
Antonone, R., De Simone, F., Morrica, P., Ramundo, E., 1988. Traditional phytotherapy in the
Roccamonfina volcanic group, Campania, Souhtern Italy. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 22, 295-306.
Appi, E., Appi, R., Pagnucco, A., Pagnucco, D., 1979. Le piante nell‘uso popolare in Friuli. Terapia e
Cucina, Ed. Concordia Sette, Pordenone.
Arcidiacono, S., 2002. Etnobotanica nella provincia di Catania. Atti del Convegno ―Andare per verdure‖,
Linguaglossa (Catania) dicembre 1998, pp. 13-18.
Arcidiacono, S., Napoli, M., Oddo, G., Pavone, P., 2007. Piante selvatiche d'uso popolare nei territori di
Alcara li Fusi e Militello Rosmarino (Messina, N-E Sicilia). Quaderni di Botanica Ambientale Applicata
18, 105-146.
Arcidiacono, S., Napoli, M., Pavone, P., 1999. Piante selvatiche utilizzate nella medicina e nella veterinaria
popolari nel territorio di Bronte (Catania). Quaderni di Botanica Ambientale Applicata 10, 105-118.
Atzei, A.D., Orrù, L., Putzolu, F., Rozzo, G., Usala, T., 1994. Le piante nelle terapie tradizionali: Sardegna
sud- occidentale, STEF Ed., Cagliari.
Atzei, A.D., Orioni, S., Sotgiu, R., 1991. Contributo alla conoscenza degli usi etnobotanici nella Gallura
(Sardegna). Bollettino della Società sarda di scienze naturali 28, 137-177.
Ballero, M., Fresu, I., 1991. Piante officinali impiegate in fitoterapia nel territorio del Marganai (Sardegna
sud occidentale). Fitoterapia 6, 524-531.
Ballero, M., Fresu, I., 1993. Le piante di uso officinale nella Barbagia di Seui (Sardegna Centrale).
Fitoterapia 2, 141-150.
Barbagallo, C., Grillo, M., Meli, R., 1979. Nota sulle piante officinali spontanee e coltivate del territorio di
Cesarò (Messina). Fitoterapia 2, 57-65.
Barone, R., 1963. Le piante della medicina popolare nel territorio di Falconara e San Lucido (Calabria).
Webbia 17, 329-357.
Begossi, A., 1996. Use of ecological methods in ethnobotany: diversity indices. Economic Botany, 50, 280289.
Bellino, A., Venturella, P., Marino, M.L., Servettaz , O., Venturella, G., 1986. Coumarins from Seseli
bocconi Guss. Phytochemistry 25 (5), 1195-1199.
Bellomaria, B., 1982. Le piante di uso popolare nel territorio di Camerino (Marche). Archivio Botanico e
Biogeografico Italiano 58, 1-27.
Bellomaria, B., Della Mora, L., 1985. Novità sull‘uso delle piante officinali per la zona di Matelica
(Macerata) anche in confronto con altre zone delle Marche. Archivio Botanico e Biogeografico Italiano
61, 51-81.
Bellomaria, B., Lattanzi, E., 1982. Le piante del territorio di Cupra Marittima (Marche) attualmente usate
nella medicina popolare. Archivio Botanico e Biogeografico Italiano 58, 155-173.
Benìtez, G., Gonzàlez-Tejero, M.R., Molero-Mesa, J., 2010. Pharmaceutical ethnobotany in the western part
of Granada province (southern Spain): Ethnopharmacological synthesis.. Journal of Ethnopharmacology
129, 87-105.
Bianchi, G., Gallifuoco, G., 2004. Farmacopea Popolare del Gargano. Natural 1, 54-66.
Bilia, A.R., Cioni, P.L., Morelli, I., 1990. I rimedi naturali di origine vegetale. Piante di uso terapeutico,
cosmetico e alimentare in Garfagna. ETS, Pisa.
Blackwell, W. H., 1990. Poisonous and medicinal plants. Prentice-Hall International, Inc.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
Blanco, E., Macia, M.J., Morales, R., 1999. Medicinal and veterinary plants of El Caurel (Galicia, northwest
Spain). Journal of Ethnopharmacology 65, 113–124.
Bonet, M.À., Blanchè, C., Xirau, J.V., 1992. Ethnobotanical study in River Tenes valley (Catalonia, Iberian
Peninsula). Journal of Ethnopharmacology 37, 205-212.
Bonet, M.À., Parada, M., Selga, A., Vallès, J., 1999. Studies on pharmaceutical ethnobotany in the regions
of L'Alt Empordá and Les Guilleries (Catalonia, Iberian Peninsula). Journal of Ethnopharmacology 68,
145-168.
Bruni, A., Ballero, M., Poli, F., 1997. Quantitative ethnopharmacological study of the Campidano Valley and
Urzulei district, Sardinia, Italy. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 57, 97–124.
Butera, D., Tesoriere, L., Di Gaudio, F., Bongiorno, A., Allegra, M., Pintaudi, A. M., Kohen, R., Livrea, M.
A., 2002. Antioxidant activities of Sicilian prickly pear (Opuntia ficus indica) fruit extracts and
reducing properties of its betalains: betanin and indicaxanthin. Journal of agricultural and food
chemistry 50(23), 6895-6901.
Cakilcioglu, U., Turkoglu, I., 2010. An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants in Sivrice (Elazıg-Turkey).
Journal of Ethnopharmacology 132, 165-175.
Caligiani, A., Tonelli, L., Palla, G., Marseglia, A., Rossi, D., Bruni, R., 2013. Looking beyond sugars:
Phytochemical profiling and standardization of manna exudates from Sicilian Fraxinus excelsior L.
Fitoterapia 90, 65-72.
Caltagirone, G., 1998. Diagnosi territoriale dell‘area sicana. Assessorato Agricoltura e Foreste della Regione
Sicilia.
Camangi, F., Stefani, A., Tomei, P.E., 2003. Il casentino: tradizioni etnofarmacobotaniche nei comuni di
Poppi e Bibbiena (Arezzo, Toscana). Atti Società Toscana Scienze Naturali, 110, 55-69.
Camangi, F., Uncini Manganelli R.E., 1999. L‘etnobotanica nel territorio di Capannori: stato delle
conoscenze e nuove acquisizioni. In: Tomei, P. E., Kugler, P. C. (Eds), Aspetti biologici del territorio
del Comune di Capannori, ―Studi Capannoresi‖, III, Comune di Capannoni, pp. 177-224.
Camarda, L., Di Stefano, V., 2003. Essential oil of leaves and fruits of Athamanta sicula L.
(Apiaceae). Journal of Essential Oil Research 15(2), 133-134.
Camarda, L., Di Stefano, V., Pitonzo, R., 2008. Chemical composition of essential oils from Athamanta
sicula. Chemistry of Natural Compounds 44(4), 532-533.
Camejo-Rodrigues, J., Ascensao, L., Bonet, M.A., Valles, J., 2003. An ethnobotanical study of medicinal
and aromatic plants in the Natural Park of ―Serra de Sao Mamede‖ (Portugal). Journal of
Ethnopharmacology 89, 199-209.
Cappelletti, M.E., Cirio, M.E., Mutti, L., 1979. L‘uso delle piante officinali nella medicina popolare del
Feltrino (Belluno). Atti dell‘Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti, 137, 113-131.
Cappelletti, M.E., Trevisan, R., Foletto, A., Cattolica, P.M., 1981. Le piante utilizzate in medicina popolare
in due vallate tridentine: Val di Lendro e Val dei Mocheni. Studi Trentini di Scienze Naturali (Acta
Biologica), 58, 119-140.
Casana, E., 1993. Patrimonio etnobotánico de la provincia de Córdoba: Subbética, campina y vega del
Guadalquivir. Doctoral Thesis. School of Agronomy, University of Córdoba, 553 pp.
Catanzaro, F., 1970. Le piante officinali del territorio di Bivona (Ag) nella tradizione popolare. Fitoterapia 2,
66-84.
Chiavoni, M., Raffo, E.S., Taglaitela, A., 1994. Ricerca etnobotanica nella Provincia di Grosseto, Istituto
Tecnico Agrario Statale, Progetto giovani ‘94, Tip. La Stampa, Grosseto.
Chiovenda-Bensi, C., 1960. Florula Medicinale delle Cinque Terre. Webbia 15, 631-641.
Ciccodicola, F., 1995. Pratiche di guarigione e memoria collettiva-Considerazioni relative ad una ricerca sul
campo. In: Giusti, S. (Ed.), Le piante magiche- una ricerca storico-antropologica. Domograf, Roma, pp.
241–301.
Coassini Lokar, R., Poldini, L., 1988. Herbal remedies in the traditional medicine of the Venezia Giulia
Region (North East Italy). Journal of Ethnopharmacology 22, 231–278.
Cornara, L., La Rocca, A., Marsili, S., Mariotti, M. G., 2009. Traditional uses of plants in the Eastern Riviera
(Liguria, Italy). Journal of Ethnopharmacology 125(1), 16-30.
Corsi, G., Gaspari, G., Pagni A.M., 1980. L‘uso delle piante nell‘economia domestica della Versilia collinare
e montana. Atti Società Toscana Scienze Naturali, s. B. 87: 309-386.
Corsi, G., Pagni, A.M., 1978. Studi sulla flora e vegetazione del Monte Pisano (Toscana Nord-Occidentale).
1 Le piante della medicina popolare nel versante pisano. Webbia 33, 159–204.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
De Feo, V., Ambrosio, C., Senatore, F., 1991. Traditional phytotherapy in the Caserta province, Campania,
Southern Italy. Fitoterapia 61, 234–257.
De Feo, V., Aquino, R., Menghini, A., Ramundo, E., Senatore, F., 1992. Traditional phytotherapy in the
Peninsula Sorrentina, Campania, Southern Italy. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 36, 113–125.
De Feo, V., Senatore, F., 1993. Medicinal plants and phytotherapy in the Amalfitan Coast, Campania,
Southern Italy. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 39, 39–51.
De Martonne, E. 1926. Aréisme et indiceartidite. Comptes Rendus de L‘Acad. Sci, Paris., 182, 1395-1398.
De Natale, A., Marziano F., 2009. Note di etnomicologia per il territorio di Catania (Sicilia), in un
manoscritto inedito di Fridiano Cavara. Micologia Italiana 38(3), 51-60.
De Simoni, E., Guarrera, P.M., 1994. Indagine Etnobotanica nella provincia di Teramo. Quaderni Botanica
Ambientale Applicata 15, 3-10.
Di Martino, A., Raimondo, F.M., 1979. Biological and chorological survey of the Sicilian flora. Webbia 34
(1), 309-335.
Di Novella, R., Di Novella, N., De Martino, L., Mancini, E., De Feo, V., 2012. Traditional plant use in the
National Park of Cilento and Vallo di Diano, Campania, Southern, Italy. Journal of Ethnopharmacology
145, 328-342.
Di Sanzo, P., De Martino, L., Mancini, E., Feo, V., 2013. Medicinal and useful plants in the tradition of
Rotonda, Pollino National Park, Southern Italy. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 9, 19.
Di Tizio, A., Łuczaj, L.J., Quave, C.L., Redžić S., Pieroni, A., 2012. Traditional food and herbal uses of wild
plants in the ancient South-Slavic diaspora of Mundimitar/Montemitro (Southern Italy). Journal of
Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 8, 21.
El Beyrouthy, M., Arnold, N., Delelis-Dusollier, A., Dupont, F., 2008. Plants used as remedies antirheumatic
and antineuralgic in the traditional medicine of Lebanon. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 120, 315-334.
El-Hilaly, J., Hmammouchi, M., Lyoussi, B., 2003. Ethnobotanical studies and economic evaluation of
medicinal plants in Taounate province (Northern Morocco). Journal of Ethnopharmacology 86, 149158.
Everest, A., Ozturk, E., 2005. Focusing on the ethnobotanical uses of plants in Mersin and Adana provinces
(Turkey). Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 1, 6.
Fakir, H., Korkmaz, M., Guller, B., 2009. Medicinal plant diversity of Western Mediterrenean region in
Turkey. Journal of Applied Biological Sciences 3(2), 30-40.
Ferri, S., 1977. Piante medicinali e fitoterapia nel territorio di Cetona e Sarteano (Siena). Webbia 31(1), 105113.
Fierotti, G., 1997. I suoli della Sicilia. Dario Flaccovio Editore, Palermo.
Frigino, A., Sacchetti, G., Bruni, A., Poli, F., 1999. Preparati fitoterapici vulnerari in uso nel Salento.
Informatore Botanico Italiano 31, 190-192.
Galán, R., 1993. Patrimonio etnobotánico de la provincia de Córdoba: Pedroches, Sierra Norte y vega del
Guadalquivir. Doctoral Thesis. School of Agronomy, University of Córdoba, 561 pp.
Galati, E. M., Mondello, M. R., Giuffrida, D., Dugo, G., Miceli, N., Pergolizzi, S., Taviano, M. F., 2003.
Chemical characterization and biological effects of Sicilian Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Mill. fruit juice:
antioxidant and antiulcerogenic activity. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 51(17), 49034908.
Galati, E. M., Monforte, M. T., Tripodo, M. M., d'Aquino, A., Mondello, M. R., 2001. Antiulcer activity of
Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Mill. (Cactaceae): ultrastructural study. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 76(1),
1-9.
Galt, A.H., Galt, J.W., 1978. Peasant use of some wild plants on the island of Pantelleria, Sicily. Economic
Botany 32, 20-26.
Gastaldo, P., Barberis, G., Fossati, F., 1978. Le piante della medicina tradizionale nei dintorni di Praglia
(Appennino ligure-piemontese). Atti Accademia Ligure di Scienze e Lettere, 35, 125–128.
Głowniak, K., Skalicka, K., Ludwiczuk, A., Jop, K., 2005. Phenolic compounds in the flowers of Lavatera
trimestris L. (Malvaceae). JPC-Journal of Planar Chromatography-Modern TLC 18(104), 264-268.
Gonzàlez-Tejero, M.R., Casares-Porcel, M., Sànchez-Rojas, C.P., Ramiro-Gutièrrez, J.M., Molero-Mesa, J.,
Pieroni, A., Giusti, M.E., Censorii, E., De Pasquale, C., Della, A., Paraskeva-Handijchambi, D.,
Hadjichambis A., Houmani, Z., El-Demerdash, M., El-Zayat, M., Hmamouchi, M., ElJohrig, S., 2008.
Medicinal plants in the Mediterranean area: Synthesis of the results of the project Rubia. Journal of
Ethnopharmacology 116, 341-357.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
Grillo, G.V., 2010. Territorio, storia e aspetti etnobotanici di Barrafranca. Available at
http://www.piantespontaneeincucina.info/documenti/tradizioni_regionali_contributi/territorio_storia_e_
aspetti_etnobotanici_di_barrafranca.pdf. Accessed on November 17th 2013.
Guarino, C., De Simone, L., Santoro, S., 2008. Ethnobotanical study of the Sannio area, Campania, Southern
Italy. Ethnobotany Research & Applications 6, 255-317.
Guarrera, P.M., 1981. Ricerche etnobotaniche nelle province di Macerata e di Ancona. Rivista italiana
EPPOS LXIII, 99–108 and 220-228.
Guarrera, P.M., 1987. Usi tradizionali delle piante nel territorio della Majella. Rivista Abruzzese Fasc.
Monograf. Erbe e piante medicinali nella storia e nelle tradizioni popolari abruzzesi. Centro Servizi
Culturali Regione Abruzzo(Chieti), Stab.Tip. Anxanum, Lanciano, pp. 17-45.
Guarrera, P.M., 1994. Il Patrimonio Etnobotanico del Lazio. Censimento del Patrimonio Vegetale del Lazio,
Quaderno no. 1.
Guarrera, P.M., 2006. Usi e Tradizioni della Flora italiana. Medicina popolare ed etnobotanica. Aracne Ed.,
Roma.
Guarrera, P.M., 2009. Le piante nelle Tradizioni popolari della Sicilia. Erboristeria Domani, Gennaio, 46-55.
Guarrera, P.M., Forti, G., Marignoli, S., 2005a. Ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal uses of plants in the
district of Acquapendente (Latium, Central Italy). Journal of Ethnopharmacology 96, 429-444.
Guarrera, P.M., Forti, G., Marignoli, S., Gelsomini, G., 2004. Quaderni del Museo del Fiore n.2. Comune di
Acquapendente, Regione Lazio. Acquapendente.
Guarrera, P.M., Salerno, G., Caneva, G., 2005b. Folk phytotherapeutical plants from Maratea area
(Basilicata, Italy). Journal of Ethnopharmacology 99 (3), 367-378.
Guarrera, P.M., Lucchese, F., Medori, S., 2008. Ethnophytoterapeutical research in the high Molise region
(Central-Southern Italy). Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 4, 7.
Guarrera, P.M., Savo, V., 2013. Perceived health properties of wild and cultivated food plants in local and
popular traditions of Italy: A review. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 146(3), 659-680.
Gürdal, B., Kültür, Ş., 2013. An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in Marmaris (Muğla-Turkey).
Journal of Ethnopharmacology 146(1), 113-126.
Hanlidou, E., Karousou, R., Kleftoyanni, V., Kokkini, S., 2004. The herbal market of Thessaloniki (N
Greece) and its relation to the ethnobotanical tradition. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 91, 281-299.
Redžić, S., 2007. The ecological aspect of ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology of population in Bosnia and
Herzegovina. Collegium antropologicum, 31(3), 869-890.
Honda, G., Yesilada, E., Tabata, M., Sezik, E., Fujita, T., Takeda, Y., Takaishi, Y., Tanaka, T., 1996.
Traditional medicine in Turkey VI. Folk medicine in West Anatolia: Afyon, Kutahya, Denizli, Mugla,
Aydın Provinces. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 53(2), 75–87.
Ilardi, V., Raimondo, F.M., 1992. L‘uso tradizionale delle piante nella comunità rurale di Mezzojuso
(Palermo). Quaderni di Botanica Ambientale Applicata 3, 41-51.
Jouad, H., Haloui, M., Rhiouani, H., El Hilaly, J., Eddouks, M., 2001. Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal
plants used for the treatment of diabetes, cardiac and renal diseases in the North centre region of
Morocco (Fez–Boulemane). Journal of Ethnopharmacology 77, 175-182.
Karousou, R., Deirmentzoglou, S., 2011. The herbal market of Cyprus: Traditional links and cultural
exchanges. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 133, 191-203.
Lardos, A., Heinrich, M., 2013. Continuity and change in medicinal plant use: The example of monasteries
on Cyprus and historical iatrosophia texts. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 150(1), 202-214.
Lentini, F., 1987. Indagini etnobotaniche in Sicilia. II. L‘uso tradizionale delle piante in alcune comunità del
trapanese, in: Atti del Convegno ―Ricerca sperimentale in Farmacobotanica‖, Urbino, settembre 25–26,
1987. Studi Urbinati 1, 60 (29), 151–167.
Lentini, F., 2000. The role of ethnobotanics in scientific research. State of ethnobotanical knowledge in
Sicily. Fitoterapia 71, S83-S88.
Lentini, F., Aleo, M., 1991. Indagini etnobotaniche in Sicilia. V. L‘uso tradizionale delle piante nel territorio
di Erice (Trapani). Atti Accademia di Scienze, Lettere e Arti di Palermo, 1–30.
Lentini, F., Aleo, M., Amenta, R., 1997. L‘uso popolare delle piante nelle isole Egadi (Sicilia). Acta
Phytoterapeutica 4, 88–94.
Lentini, F., Amenta, R., 1992. Indagini sull‘uso tradizionale delle piante della flora locale nelle comunità
dell‘Agrigentino. Giornale Botanico Italiano, 126, 2- 371.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
Lentini, F., Catanzaro, F., Aleo, M., 1988. Indagini etnobotaniche in Sicilia. III. L‘uso tradizionale delle
piante nel territorio di Mazara del Vallo (Trapani). Atti Accademia di Scienze, Lettere e Arti di Palermo
1988, 1-29.
Lentini, F., Di Martino, A., Amenta, R., 1994. Contributo alla conoscenza della flora popolare dell‘isola di
Ustica. Quaderni di Botanica ambientale e applicata 5, 47-54.
Lentini, F., Giani, S., Amenta, R., 1995. L‘uso popolare delle piante nelle isole Eolie (Sicilia). Atti del XXI
Congresso Internazionale della Società Farmaceutica del Mediterraneo latino. Messina - Lipari, 7-9
Ottobre 1994, pp. 351-355.
Lentini, F., Mazzola, P., 1998. Le piante utilizzate nella tradizione locale, in: AA.VV. Il popolamento
vegetale della riserva dello Zingaro. Azienda Foreste Demaniali, Palermo.
Lentini, F., Raimondo, F.M., 1990. Indagini etnobotaniche in Sicilia. IV. L‘uso tradizionale delle piante nel
territorio di Mistretta (Messina). Quaderni di Botanica Ambientale Applicata I, 103-117.
Lentini, F., 2000. The role of ethnobotanics in scientific research. State of ethnobotanical knowledge in
Sicily. Fitoterapia 71, S83-S88.
Lentini, F., Venza, F., 2007. Wild food plants of popular use in Sicily. Journal of Ethnobiology and
Ethnomedicine 3, 15.
Leonti, M., 2011. The future is written: Impact of scripts on the cognition, selection, knowledge and
transmission of medicinal plant use and its implications for ethnobotany and
ethnopharmacology. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 134(3), 542-555.
Leonti, M., Casu, L., Sanna, F., Bonsignore, L., 2009. A comparison of medicinal plant use in Sardinia and
Sicily—De Materia Medica revisited? Journal of Ethnopharmacology 121(2), 255-267.
Leonti, M., Cabras, S., Weckerle, C. S., Solinas, M. N., Casu, L., 2010. The causal dependence of present
plant knowledge on herbals—contemporary medicinal plant use in Campania (Italy) compared to
Matthioli (1568). Journal of Ethnopharmacology 130(2), 379-391.
Leporatti, M.L., Ghedira, K., 2009. Comparative analysis of medicinal plants used in traditional medicine in
Italy and Tunisia. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 5, 31.
Leporatti, M.L., Imperi M., 2007. Ethnobotanical notes about some uses of medicinal plants in Alto Tirreno
Cosentino area (Calabria, Southern Italy). Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 3, 34.
Leporatti, M. L., Ivancheva, S., 2003. Preliminary comparative analysis of medicinal plants used in the
traditional medicine of Bulgaria and Italy. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 87(2), 123-142.
Leporatti, M.L., Pavesi, A., Posocco, E., 1985a. Phytotherapy in the Valnerina Marche (Central Italy).
Journal of Ethnopharmacology 14, 53–63.
Leporatti, M.L., Pavesi, A., Posocco, E., 1985b. Some new therapeutic uses of several medicinal plants in the
province of Terni (Umbria, Central Italy). Journal of Ethnopharmacology 14, 53–63.
Leto, C., Tuttolomondo, T., La Bella, S., Licata, M., 2013. Ethnobotanical study in the Madonie Regional
Park (Central Sicily, Italy). Medicinal use of wild shrub and herbaceous plant species. Journal of
Ethnopharmacology 146, 90-112.
Lomagno, P., Lomagno Caramiello, R., 1970. La fitoterapia popolare nella valle di Susa. Allionia, 16, 165174.
Lomagno, P., Lomagno Caramiello, R., 1977. La fitoterapia popolare della valle del Sangone. Bollettino
della Società Italiana di Farmacia Ospedaliera, 6, 445-452.
Lomagno Caramiello, R., Piervittori, A., Lomagno, P., Rolando, C., 1984. Fitoterapia popolare nelle valli
Chisoni e Germanasca. Annali della Facoltà di Scienze Agrarie della Università di Torino XIII, 259–
298.
Longhi, M., Scanavino, C., 1986. Alpi occidentali. Una ricerca sulle tradizioni erboristiche. Erboristeria
Domani, 11, 54-58.
Lo Piparo, F., 1990. La Sicilia Linguistica Oggi. Palermo: Centro Studi Filologici e Linguistici Siciliani.
Maccioni, S., Flamini, G., Cioni, P.L., 2008. Ricerche etnobotaniche in Liguria. La riviera spezzina (Liguria
orientale). Atti Società Toscana Scienze Naturali, 115, 77-82.
Maccioni, S., Guazzi, E., Tomei, P.M., 1997. Le piante nella medicina popolare del Grossetano.1. Le colline
fra l‘Ombrone e l‘Albegna (Toscana). Atti del Museo di Storia Naturale della Maremma, 16, 25-46.
Maccioni, S., Guazzi, E., Ansaldi, M., Tomei, P.E., 2001. L‘uso medicinale delle piante nella tradizione
popolare delle Murge sud-orientali (Taranto, Puglia). Atti del Museo di Storia Naturale della Maremma,
19, 21-28.
Maccioni, S., Monti, G., Flamini, G., Cioni, P.L., Guazzi, E., 1999. Ricerche etnobotaniche in Liguria.
L‘Estremo Ponente. Informatore Botanico Italiano 31, 177-180.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
Martinez-Lirola, M.J., González-Tejero, M.R., Molero-Mesa, J., 1996. Ethnobotanical resources in the
province of Almeria, Spain: Campos de Nijar. Economic Botany 50, 40-56.
Martini, E., 1982. La fitoterapia popolare nell‘alta Valle dell‘Orba (Appennino ligure). Atti Accademia
Società Ligure di Scienze e Lettere XXXIX, 1–25.
Mattalia, G., Quave, C.L., Pieroni, A., 2013. Traditional uses of wild food and medicinal plants among
Brigasc, Kye´, and Provenc¸al communities on the Western Italian Alps. Genetic Resources and Crop
Evolution 60, 587-603.
Maxia, A., Lancioni, M.C., Balia, A.N., Alberghetti, R., Pieroni, A., Loi, M.C., 2008. Medical ethnobotany
of the Tabarkins, a Northern Italian (Ligurian) minority in south-western Sardinia. Genetic Resources
and Crop Evolution 55, 911-924.
Mearelli, F., Tardelli, C., 1995. Maremma Mediterranea. Le piante e l‘uomo. Erboristeria Domani,
Luglio/Agosto, 45–57.
Menale, B., Amato, G., Di Prisco, C., Muoio, R., 2006. Traditional uses of plants in North-Western Molise
(central Italy). Delpinoa, 48, 29-36.
Merzouki, A., Ed-Derfoufi, F., Molero-Mesa, J., 2000. Contribution to the knowledge of Rifian traditional
medicine. II. Folk medicine in Ksar Lakbir district (NW Morocco). Fitoterapia 71, 278-307.
Montesano, V., Negro, D., Sarli, G., De Lisi, A., Laghetti, G., Hammer, K., 2012. Notes about the uses of
plants by one of the last healers in the Basilicata Region (South Italy). Journal of Ethnobiology and
Ethnomedicine 8, 15.
Mustafa, B., Hajdari, A., Pajazita, Q., Syla, B., Quave, C. L., Pieroni, A., 2012. An ethnobotanical survey of
the Gollak region, Kosovo. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 59(5), 739-754.
Napoli, E. M., Curcuruto, G., Ruberto, G., 2009. Screening the essential oil composition of wild Sicilian
oregano. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology 37(4), 484-493.
Napoli, E. M., Curcuruto, G., Ruberto, G., 2010. Screening of the essential oil composition of wild Sicilian
rosemary. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology 38(4), 659-670.
Napoli, M., Giglio, T., 2002. Usi popolari di piante spontanee nel territorio di Monterosso Almo (Ragusa).
Bollettino dell‘Accademia Gioenia di Scienze Naturali in Catania 35, 361–402.
Nardelli, G.M., 1987. Cultura e tradizione. Demomedicina nell‘alta Umbria. Provincia di Perugia.
Neves, J.M., Matos, C., Moutinho, C., Queiroz, G., Gomes, L.R., 2009. Ethnopharmacological notes about
ancient uses of medicinal plants in Tras-os-Montes (northern of Portugal). Journal of
Ethnopharmacology 124, 270-283.
Novais, M.H., Santos, I., Mendes, C., Pinto-Gomes, C., 2004. Studies on pharmaceutical ethnobotany in
Arrabida Natural Park (Portugal). Journal of Ethnopharmacology 93, 183–195.
Pagni, A.M., Corsi, G., 1979. Studi sulla flora e vegetazione del Monte Pisano (Toscana Nord-Occidentale).
2 Le piante della medicina popolare nel versante lucchese. Webbia 33, 471–509.
Parada, M., Carrio, E., Bonet, M.A., Valles, J., 2009. Ethnobotany of the Alt Emporda region (Catalonia,
Iberian Peninsula) plants used in human traditional medicine. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 124(3),
609-618.
Pardo de Santayana, M., Tardio, J., Blanco, E., Carvalho, A.M., Lastra, J.J., San Miguel, E., Morales, R.,
2007. Traditional knowledge of wild edible plants used in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain
and Portugal): a comparative study. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 3, 27.
Passalacqua, N.G., Guarrera, P.M., De Fine, G., 2007. Contribution to the knowledge of the folk plant
medicine in Calabria region (Southern Italy). Fitoterapia 78, 52-68.
Pedrotti, G., Bertoldi, V., 1930. Nomi dialettali delle piante indigene del Trentino e della Ladinia dolomitica.
Presi in esame dal punto di vista della botanica della linguistica e del folklore, Monauni.
Pieroni, A., 2008. Local plant resources in the ethnobotany of Theth, a village in the Northern Albanian
Alps. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 55(8), 1197-1214.
Pieroni, A., Dibra, B., Grishaj, G., Grishaj, I., Maçai, S.G., 2005. Traditional phytotherapy of the Albanians
of Lepushe, Northern Albanian Alps. Fitoterapia 76, 379-399.
Pieroni, A., Giusti, M.E., 2009. Alpine ethnobotany in Italy: traditional knowledge of gastronomic and
medicinal plants among the Occitans of the upper Varaita valley, Piedmont. Journal of Ethnobiology
and Ethnomedicine 5, 32.
Pieroni, A., Giusti, M. E., Quave, C. L., 2011. Cross-cultural ethnobiology in the Western Balkans: medical
ethnobotany and ethnozoology among Albanians and Serbs in the Pešter plateau, Sandžak, SouthWestern Serbia. Human Ecology 39(3), 333-349.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
Pieroni, A., Heinrich, M., 2002. An ethnobotanical survey of the traditional food use in an ethnic Albanian
community of southern Italy. In: Stepp ,J.R., Wyndham, F.S., Zarger, R.K. (Eds.), Ethnobiology and
Biocultural Diversity. Univ. of Georgia Press, Athens, USA, pp. 705–716.
Pieroni, A., Nebel, S., Quave, C., Münz, H., Heinrich, M., 2002. Ethnopharmacology of liakra: traditional
weedy vegetables of the Arbëreshë of the Vulture area in southern Italy, Journal of Ethnopharmacology
81, 165-185.
Pieroni, A., Pardo-de-Santayana, M., Firenzuoli, F., Quave, C. L., 2013a. The European Heritage of Folk
Medicines and Medicinal Foods: Its Contribution to the CAMs of Tomorrow. Evidence-based
complementary and alternative medicine. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine,
Article ID 827521, 2 pages.
Pieroni, A., Quave, C.L., 2005. Traditional pharmacopoeias and medicines among Albanians and Italians in
southern Italy: a comparison. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 101, 258–270.
Pieroni, A., Rexhepi, B., Nedelcheva, A., Hajdari, A., Mustafa, B., Kolosova, V., Cianfraglione, K., Quave,
C. L., 2013b. One century later: the folk botanical knowledge of the last remaining Albanians of the
upper Reka Valley, Mount Korab, Western Macedonia. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine
9,1.
Pignatti S., 1982. Flora d‘Italia, 1-3. Edagricole, Bologna.
Pitrè, G., 1896. Medicina popolare siciliana. Torino-Palermo.
Portères, R., 1970. Ethnobotanique generale. Laboratoire d‘Ethnobotanique et Ethnozoologie, Musèum
National d‘Histoire Naturelle, Paris.
Quave, C. L., Pardo-de-Santayana, M., Pieroni, A., 2012. Medical Ethnobotany in Europe: From Field
Ethnography to a More Culturally Sensitive Evidence-Based CAM? Evidence-Based Complementary
and Alternative Medicine, Article ID 156846, 17 pages.
Quave, C. L., Pieroni, A., 2007. Traditional health care and food and medicinal plant use among historic
Albanian migrants and Italians in Lucania, Southern Italy. In: Pieroni, A., Vandebroek, I. (Eds.).
Traveling cultures and plants: the ethnobiology and ethnopharmacy of human migrations (Vol. 7).
Berghahn Books, pp. 204-227.
Quave, C.L., Pieroni, A., Bennet, B.C., 2008. Dermatological remedies in the traditional pharmacopoeia of
Vulture-Alto Bradano, inland southern Italy. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 4, 5.
Raimondo, F.M., Lentini, F., 1990a. Indagini etnobotaniche in Sicilia I. Le piante della flora locale nella
tradizione popolare delle Madonie (Palermo). Naturalista siciliano S. IV, XIV (3-4), 77-99.
Raimondo, F.M., Lentini, F., 1990b. Indagini etnobotaniche in Sicilia. IV. Le piante della flora locale nella
tradizione popolare delle Madonie (Palermo). Naturalista siciliano IV, 77-90.
Raimondo, F.M., Domina, G., Spadaro, V., 2010. Checklist of the vascular flora of Sicily. Quaderni Botanica
Ambientale Applicata 21, 189-252.
Ranfa, A., Maurizi A., Romano, B., Bodesmo, M., 2013. The importance of traditional uses and nutraceutical
aspects of some edible wild plants in human nutrition: the case of Umbria (central Italy) Plant
Biosystems, DOI: 10.1080/11263504.2013.770805.
Renzetti, E., Taiani R., 1988. Sulla pelle del villano. Profili di terapeuti e metodi di cura empirica nella
tradizione trentina. Collana degli Annali del Museo degli Usi e Costumi della Gente Trentina. S.
Michele all‘Adige.
Rexhepi, B., Mustafa, B., Hajdari, A., Rushidi-Rexhepi, J., Quave, C. L., Pieroni, A., 2013. Traditional
medicinal plant knowledge among Albanians, Macedonians and Gorani in the Sharr Mountains
(Republic of Macedonia). Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 60, 2055-2080.
Rivas Martinez, S., Loidi Arregui, J., 1999. Bioclimatology of the Iberian Peninsula. Itinera Geobotanica 13,
41–47.
Rivas Martinez, S, Diaz, T. E., Fernandez-Gonzalez, F., Izco, J., Loidi, J., Lousa, M., Penas A., 2002.
Vascular Plant Communities of Spain and Portugal. Addenda to the Syntaxonomical Checklist of 2001.
Itinera Geobotanica 15, 5–922.
Rizzuti, L. 2009. Il Medioevo Ellenico. Salvatore Estero Editore, Sciacca (Ag).
Rosenthal, J.P., 2006. Politics, culture, and governance in the development of prior informed consent in
indigenous communities. Current Anthropology 47, 119–142.
Salerno, G., Guarrera, P.M., 2008. Ricerche etnobotaniche nel Parco Nazionale del Cilento e Vallo di Diano:
il territorio di Castel San Lorenzo (Campania, Salerno). Informatore Botanico Italiano, 40(2), 165-181.
Sanna, C., Ballero, M., Maxia, A., 2006. Le piante medicinali utilizzate contro le patologie epidermiche in
Ogliastra (Sardegna centro-orientale). Atti Società Toscana Scienze Naturali, 113, 73-82.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
Savo, V., Caneva, G., Guarrera, P.M., Reedy, D., 2011. Folk phytotherapy of the Amalfi Coast (Campania,
Southern Italy). Journal of Ethnopharmacology 135, 376-392.
Savo, V., La Rocca, A., Caneva, G., Rapallo, F., Cornara, L., 2013. Plants used in artisanal fisheries on the
Western Mediterranean coasts of Italy. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 9, 9.
Scherrer, A.M., Motti, R., Weckerle, C.S., 2005. Traditional plant use in the areas of Monte Vesole and
Ascea, Cilento National Park (Campania, Southern Italy). Journal of Ethnopharmacology 97, 129-143.
Sella, A., 1992. Flora popolare biellese. Nomi dialettali, tradizioni e usi locali, Edizioni Dell‘Orso, Torino.
Servettaz, O., Colombo, M.L., Banfi E., 1979. Osservazioni sull‘ uso delle piante officinali nel Medio
Novarese. Atti dell‘Istituto Botanico dell‘Università e Laboratorio Crittogamico Pavia‖, s.6, XIII, 181202.
Skalicka-Wozniak, K., Melliou, E., Gortzi, O., Glowniak, K., Chinou, I. B., 2007. Chemical constituents of
Lavatera trimestris L.--antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Zeitschrift für Naturforschung. C, A
journal of Biosciences 62(11), 797.
Tammaro, F., 1984. Flora officinale d‘Abruzzo (Giunta regionale d‘Abruzzo). Centro servizi culturali,
Chieti.
Tesoriere, L., Butera, D., Pintaudi, A. M., Allegra, M., Livrea, M. A., 2004. Supplementation with cactus
pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) fruit decreases oxidative stress in healthy humans: a comparative study with
vitamin C. The American journal of clinical nutrition 80(2), 391-395.
Tetik, F., Civelek, S., Cakilcioglu, U., 2013. Traditional uses of some medicinal plants in Malatya (Turkey).
Journal of Ethnopharmacology 146(1), 331-346.
Tomei, P.E., Maccioni, S., Parmigiani, M., 1999. L‘uso medicinale delle piante nella tradizione popolare
della Lumigiana. II contributo. Memorie dell‘Accademia Lunigianese di Scienze ―Giovanni Capellini‖,
Scienze Maematiche, Fisiche e Naturali, 67-69, 209-221.
Tomić, A., Petrović, S., Pavlović, M., Tzakou, O., Couladis, M., Milenković, M., Vučićević, D., Lakušić, B.,
2009. Composition and antimicrobial activity of the rhizome essential oils of two Athamanta turbith
subspecies. Journal of Essential Oil Research 21(3), 276-279.
Trotter, R.T., Logan, M.H., 1986. Informant consensus: a new approach for identifying potentially effective
medicinal plants. In: Etkin, N.L. (Ed.), Plants in Indigenous Medicine and Diet, Behaviour Approaches.
Redgrave Publishing Company, Bredfort Hills, New York, pp. 91-112.
Tuzlaci, E., Erol, M.K., 1999. Turkish folk medicinal plants. Part II: Egirdir (Isparta). Fitoterapia 70, 593–
610.
Tuzlaci, E., Eryasar-Aymaz, P., 2001. Turkish folk medicinal plants. Part IV: Gonen (Balıkesir). Fitoterapia
72, 323–343.
Tuzlaci, E., Tolon, E., 2000.Turkish folk medicinal plants. Part III: Sile (Istanbul). Fitoterapia,71, 673–685.
Ugulu, I., Baslar, S., Yorek, N., Dogan, Y., 2009. The investigation and quantitative ethnobotanical
evaluation of medicinal plants used around Izmir province, Turkey. Journal of Medicinal Plants
Research 3(5), 345–367.
Uncini Manganelli, R.E., Tomei, P.E., 1995. Indagini farmaco- botaniche in Garfagnana (Lucca): il versante
appenninico. Atti della Società Toscana di Scienze Naturali, Memorie, Serie B 102, 3–18.
Uncini Manganelli, R.E., Tomei, P.E., 1999. Ethnopharmacobotanical studies of the Tuscan Archipelago.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology 65, 181-202.
Uysal, G., 2008. Etnobotany of Koycegiz (Mugla). Mugla University Institute of Science and Technology.
M.Sc. Thesis.
Vazquez, F.M., Suarez, M.A., Perez, A., 1997. Medicinal plants used in the Barros Area, Badajoz Province
(Spain). Journal of Ethnopharmacology 55, 81-85.
Vitalini, S., Iriti, M., Puricelli, C., Ciuchi, D., Segale, A., Fico, G., 2013. Traditional Knowledge on
Medicinal and Food Plants Used in Val San Giacomo (Sondrio, Italy)-An Alpine Ethnobotanical Study.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology 145, 517-529.
Vitalini, S., Tomè, F., Fico, G., 2009. Traditional uses of medicinal plants in Valvestino (Italy). Journal of
Ethnopharmacology 121(1), 106-116.
Yesilada, E., Sezik, E., Honda, G., Takaishi, Y., Takeda, Y., Tanaka, T., 1999. Traditional medicine in
Turkey IX. Folk medicine in Northwest Anatolia. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 64, 195–210.
Yuldashev, M. P., Malikov, V. M., Batirov, É. K., 1996. Flavonoids of the epigeal part of Kickxia elatine.
Chemistry of natural compounds 32(1), 30-32.
Captions of figures and tables
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
Fig. 1. Geographic position of the study area, with details of the municipalities within the Monti
Sicani Regional Park.
Fig. 2. Frequency of plant parts used for medicinal preparations. Absolute values are reported at the
end of the bars.
Table 1. Demographic features of the informants and number of cited plants by age group.
Table 2. Ethnobotanical uses of plants in the Monti Sicani Regional Park.
Table 3. List of wild medicinal plants most frequently cited and currently used by informants along
with the Cultural Importance Index.
Table 4. Illness categories of wild medicinal plants in the Monti Sicani Regional Park with the
associated Informant Consensus Factor.
Table 5. Comparison of the ethnobotanicity index (EI) of the study area with those of other
localities in Central-Southern Italy and the Iberian Peninsula.
Table 1
Table 1
Demographic features of the informants and number of cited plants by age group.
Total
Number of informants
Number of cited plants
230
108
102
92
36
72
91
67
Age group
60-70 years old
71-80 years old
81-90 years old
Table 2a
Ethnobotanical uses of plants in the Monti Sicani Regional Park.
Family, scientific name,
voucher specimen code
Vernacular
name
Used plant
part(s)
Plant uses*
Preparation methods
Number of
citations
Status of the
use in the
study area
Level of perceived
Common/similar use in
usefulness of
other Italian regions
species
Common/similar use in
other Mediterranean
countries
Acanthaceae
Acanthus mollis L.
(CORISSIA - S/0040)
biancarussina
Root
Pimples, warts
Finely chopped root
4
C
L
ALG (1)
Leaf
To increase milk secretion in Fodder
the cattles
Haemostatic, wounds
Cataplasm
8
C
H
2
LAT (1); SIC (1)
CAM (2); SIC (4)
Common
SPA (1)
ABR (3); APU (1); CAL
(1); CAM (3); LAT (4);
MAR (1); SAR (4); SIC
(2); TUS (2) Common
GRE (1); SPA (3)
Aerial part,
leaf
Adiantaceae
Adiantum capillus-veneris
L. (CORISSIA - S/0183)
Adoxaceae
Sambucus nigra L.
(CORISSIA - S/0330)
Sambucus nigra L.
(CORISSIA - S/0330)
Amaranthaceae
Beta vulgaris L.
(CORISSIA - S/0251)
Anacardiaceae
Rhus coriaria L.
(CORISSIA - S/0306)
SIC (3); TUS (1)
capiddu
santuveniri,
capelvenere
Frond
Abortive
Decoction
2
savucu
Flower, leaf
Haematomas, sprains,
wounds, swelling
Cataplasm, decoction
18
zarchideddi di giri Leaf
Abscesses, pimples
Cataplasm
1
LAT (1); LIG (1); PIE (3);
SIC (2) Common
summaccu
Leaf
Hyperhidrosis of the feet
Direct application
7
SIC (7)
Leaf
Anti-inflammatory
gastrointestinal system
Decoction, fresh or
cooked leaf
16
LIG (1); TUS (2); SAR (1)
Apiaceae
Apium nodiflorum (L.) Lag. scavuna, accina
(CORISSIA - S/0090)
servaggia
C
C
H
Athamanta sicula L.
(CORISSIA - S/0221)
spaccapetri,
spezzalipetri
Root
Kidney stones
Decoction
64
H
SIC (2)
Conium maculatum L.
(CORISSIA - S/0009)
cicuta, cicutedda
Aerial part
Haemorrhoids
Cataplasm
3
SAR (1); SIC (1)
Eryngium campestre L.
(CORISSIA - S/0143)
panicavuru
Root
Diuretic
Decoction
4
APU (1); CAM (2); SIC
(4)
Table 2b
Table 2 (continued)
Family, scientific name,
voucher specimen code
Vernacular
name
Used plant
part(s)
Plant uses*
Preparation methods
Number of
citations
Status of the
use in the
study area
Level of perceived
Common/similar use in
usefulness of
other Italian regions
species
Common/similar use in
other Mediterranean
countries
C
H
APU (1); ABR (2); BAS
(2); CAL (1); CAM (4);
LAT (2); LIG (2); MAR
(1); MOL (1); SAR (2);
SIC (9); TUS (4) Common
ALG (1); CYP (2); EGY
(1); GRE (1); MOR (2);
POR (2); SPA (3); TUN
(1)
SIC (1)
SPA (2)
CAM (1); SAR (1)
LEB (1); MOR (1); TUR
(1)
Foeniculum vulgare Miller finuacchi
(CORISSIA - S/0038)
sarbaggiu,
finuacchi i
muntagna,
finocchi
Aerial part,
fruit, root
Digestive
Decoction, infusion
35
Ridolfia segetum Moris
(CORISSA - S/0217)
finuocchiu anitu
Root, stem
Stomach acidity
Root or stem eaten
2
lannaru
Sap
Warts, pimples
Direct application
2
anzaru
Leaf, rhizome Wounds
Cataplasm
2
BAS (3); CAM (1); SAR
(2); SIC (1); TUS (2)
edira, edera
servaggia
Leaf
Burns, contusions
Direct application
1
Leaf
Airways inflammation,
bronchitis, cough
Decoction
2
ABR (2); CAL (1); CAM POR (1); SPA (1); TUR
(1); LIG (1); SAR (3); SIC (1)
(1) Common
CAL (1); CAM (1); SIC
GRE (1); TUR (1)
(2)
zabbara,
zabbaruni
Leaf
Haematomas, pimples,
swelling, wounds
Cataplasm
2
sparaciu nivuru,
sparaci nivuri,
asparaciu,
sparacogna
Turion
Diuretic
Decoction
17
C
Turion
Turion
Turion
Digestive, refreshing
Hypertension
Diuretic
Decoction
Decoction
Decoction
9
1
2
C
Bulb
Contusions, haematomas,
wounds
Cataplasm
7
Apocynaceae
Nerium oleander L.
(CORISSIA - S/0105)
C
H
Araceae
Arum italicum Mill.
(CORISSIA - S/0196)
Araliaceae
Hedera helix L.
(CORISSIA - S/0323)
Asparagaceae
Agave americana L.
(CORISSIA - S/0119)
Asparagus acutifolius L.
(CORISSIA - S/0202)
Asparagus albus L.
(CORISSIA - S/0228)
sparaciu biancu,
sparaci bianchi
Drminia maritima (L.)
Steam (CORISSIA S/0008)
cipuddazzu
C
L
APU (1); CAM (1); LIG
(1); SAR (1); SIC (3)
ALG (1); SPA (1)
H
ABR (2); BAS (3); CAM
(1); LAT (1); MAR (1);
MOL (1); SAR (2); SIC
(2); TUS (1) Common
CYP (2); POR (2); SPA
(2); TUR (2)
H
SIC (1)
SAR (1); SIC (1)
ABR (2); BAS (1); LAT
(1); MOL (1); SAR (1);
SIC (1)
APU (1); BAS (1); CAL
(1); SAR (1); SIC (3)
ALG (1)
LEB (1); SPA (1)
ALG (1); CYP (1); MOR
(1); SPA (1); TUR (2)
Table 2c
Table 2 (continued)
Common/similar use in
other Mediterranean
countries
Family, scientific name,
voucher specimen code
Vernacular
name
Used plant
part(s)
Plant uses*
Preparation methods
Number of
citations
Status of the
use in the
study area
Level of perceived
Common/similar use in
usefulness of
other Italian regions
species
Ruscus aculeatus L.
(CORISSIA - S/0363)
sparaci di trona,
sparaci di tronu
Aerial part
Diuretic
Decoction
3
C
H
Aspleniaceae
Ceterach officinarum DC.
(CORISSIA - S/0104)
spaccapetri
Whole plant
Renal colics and kidney stones Decoction
5
APU (2); BAS (3); CAM
(2); SIC (6) Common
Asteraceae
Achillea ligustica All.
(CORISSIA - S/0075)
millefogliu
Aerial part
Intestinal worms, stomach
pain
Juice added to sugar
2
CAM (1); MAR (1); SAR
(2); SIC (3); TUS (2)
Anacyclus tomentosus
(Desf.) Pers. (CORISSIA S/0199)
Anthemis arvensis L.
(CORISSIA - S/0086)
camumidda,
Flower
aumidda,
camumilla
aumidda, umidda Aerial part,
flower
Sedative
Infusion
7
SIC (2)
Sedative
Decoction
2
TUS (2)
Aerial part,
flower
Digestive, refreshing
Decoction
2
BAS (1); TUS (1)
MOR (1); SPA (2); TUR
(1)
Decoction
14
CAM (1); LIG (1); SAR
(2); SIC (7)
EGY (1); SPA (1)
ABR (1); APU (1); BAS LEB (1); TUR (1)
(3); CAM (1); LAT (1);
SAR (1); SIC (1); TUS (1)
Common
TUR (6)
CYP (1)
Artemisia arborescens
(Vaill.) L. (CORISSIA S/0262)
Asteriscus spinosus (L.)
Sch. Bip. (CORISSIA
S/0326)
erva bianca
Aerial part,
leaf
Intestinal worms, stomach
pain
erva stidda
Leaf
Haemostatic, sprains, wounds Cataplasm
1
SIC (3)
SPA (1)
Renal colics, kidney stones
Decoction
4
SIC (1)
CYP (1)
Centaurea calcitrapa L.
(CORISSIA - S/0329)
apuarchiu,
aporchiu,
approcchiu
cicoria, cicuaria
Aerial part,
leaf
Aerial part
Haematomas, sprains,
wounds, swelling
Cataplasm
3
SAR (1); SIC (2)
Aerial part
Diuretic
Decoction, broth
54
C
H
BAS (2); CAL (1); CAM MOR (1); SPA (1); TUN
(1); LAT (1); LIG (1); SIC (1); TUR (1)
(6) Common
Constipation, gastritis
Decoction
4
C
H
ABR (1); MAR (1); SAR
(2); SIC (2)
Liver disorders
Boiled vegetables, broth 3
C
H
ABR (1); BAS (2); CAL MOR (1); SPA (2)
(1); CAM (5); FRI (1);
LAT (2); MAR (2); MOL
(1); SAR (3); SIC (1);
TUS (1) Common
Cichorium intybus L.
(CORISSIA - S/0026)
Cynara cardunculus L.
(CORISSIA - S/0154)
carduna, carduna Leaf, root
sarvaggi, carduna
spinusu
Leaf
MOR (1)
Table 2d
Table 2 (continued)
Status of the
use in the
study area
Level of perceived
Common/similar use in
usefulness of
other Italian regions
species
Common/similar use in
other Mediterranean
countries
Family, scientific name,
voucher specimen code
Vernacular
name
Used plant
part(s)
Plant uses*
Preparation methods
Number of
citations
Crepis vesicaria L.
(CORISSIA - S/0036)
cicuriuni
Aerial part
Digestive, refreshing
Broth
3
Dittrichia viscosa (L.)
Greuter (CORISSIA S/0280)
Helminthotheca echioides
(L.) Holub (CORISSIA S/0176)
Hyoseris radiata L.
(CORISSIA - S/0070)
brucara, purcara,
vrucara
Leaf
Haematomas, wounds,
swelling
Cataplasm, direct
application
46
C
L
CAL (1); LIG (1); SAR
(1); SIC (7) Common
aspredda, spredda, Leaf
spiredda
Haemostatic, wounds
(veterinary use)
Cataplasm, juice
7
C
L
SIC (1)
cicuriuni, cicoria
sarvaggia,
pidicudda
Aerial part
Diuretic
Decoction
6
SIC (2)
Matricaria chamomilla L.
(CORISSIA - S/0380)
camumidda
Flower
Sedative, digestive
Infusion
2
ABR (1); BAS (2), CAL CYP (2); GRE (1); MOR
(3); CAM (4); LAT (1);
(1); POR (2); SPA (3);
LIG (2); LOM (2); MAR TUR (4)
(1); MOL (3); SAR (5);
SIC (2); TUS (2) Common
Pulicaria odora L. Rchb.
(CORISSIA - S/0379)
soppiu
Whole plant
Haemostatic, sprains, swelling, Decoction
wounds
7
SIC (1)
Senecio delphinifolius Vahl. aumidda,
Aerial part,
(CORISSIA - S/0081)
camumidda,
flower
umidda
Sonchus asper (L.) Hill
cardedda
Aerial part
(CORISSIA - S/0077)
maschili,
cardedda
sarvaggia,
cardedda spinusa
Sedative
Decoction, infusion
25
C
H
SIC (2)
Digestive
Decoction
13
C
H
ABR (1); APU (1); BAS
(2); CAL (1); CAM (1);
SAR (1); SIC (1)
SPA (1); TUR (1)
Sonchus oleraceus (L.) L.
(CORISSIA - S/0364)
cardedda
fimminina ,
cardedda manza
Aerial part
Digestive, refreshing
Broth
40
C
H
ABR (1); BAS (1); LIG
(1); SAR (1); SIC (2);
TUS (1)
ALG (1); SPA (1)
Sonchus tenerrimus L.
(CORISSIA - S/0364)
cardedda,
grespino
sfrangiato
Aerial part
Digestive, refreshing
Decoction
11
BAS (1); CAL (1); CAM
(1); SIC (1)
Tussilago farfara L.
(CORISSIA - S/0182)
ugna cavaddrina
Leaf
Skin disinfectant
Cataplasm
3
ABR (1); BAS (1); CAL ALB (2); GRE (1); TUR
(1); CAM (2); MAR (1); (2)
LAT (2); SIC (3) Common
SAR (1); SIC (1)
CYP (1); POR (2)
Table 2e
Table 2 (continued)
Family, scientific name,
voucher specimen code
Vernacular
name
Urospermum dalechampii caccialebbra,
(L.) Scop. ex F.W. Schmidt coccia di lepre
(CORISSIA - S/0001)
Boraginaceae
Borago officinalis L.
(CORISSIA - S/0268)
Status of the
use in the
study area
Level of perceived
Common/similar use in
usefulness of
other Italian regions
species
Common/similar use in
other Mediterranean
countries
Used plant
part(s)
Plant uses*
Preparation methods
Number of
citations
Aerial part
Digestive disorders
Broth
2
Laxative
Cooked and used as
condiment
18
C
H
APU (1); ABR (1); BAS GRE (1); MOR (2); POR
(2); CAL (1); CAM (3);
(2); SPA (1)
FRI (1); LOM (1); SIC (4);
TUS (3) Common
Aerial part
Duretic
Decoction
20
C
H
MOR (1); POR (3); SPA
(1); TUN (1)
burrania, vurraini Aerial part
SIC (1); TUS (1)
EGY (1)
Cerinthe major L.
(CORISSIA - S/0314)
sucameli
Aerial part
Haemorrhoids
Decoction
1
ABR (1); CAM (3); SAR
(1); SIC (8); TUS (1)
Common
SIC (1)
Echium italicum L.
(CORISSIA - S/0350)
moccaru
Whole plant
Haematomas, wounds
Direct application
1
SIC (2)
ALG (1)
Aerial part
Wounds
Cataplasm
2
CAM (1); SAR (1); SIC
(2); TUS (1) Common
ALG (1); CYP (1); GRE
(1); POR (1); TUN (1)
Nasturtium officinale R. Br. crisciuni,
Aerial part
(CORISSIA - S/0140)
crisciuna, scavuni,
pisciuna
Diuretic
Condiment
5
CAL (1); CAM (1); LAT
(1); LIG (1); SIC (4)
Common
GRE (1); LEB (1); MOR
(1); SPA (2)
Digestive
Decoction, infusion
16
C
L
APU (1); CAL (1); CAM
(1); SAR (1); SIC (8);
TUS (1)
ALG (1); CYP (1); MOR
(3)
Flower
Anti-inflammatory urinary
system
Decoction
32
C
L
CAL (1); SAR (1); SIC
(8); TUS (1) Common (in
Sicily and Sardinia)
Leaf
Pimples, burns, swelling,
fistulas
Cataplasm
2
ABR (1); CAM (2); SAR
(1); SIC (4)
Leaf
Fistulas, haematomas, wounds Juice
4
BAS (1); SIC (3)
Brassicaceae
Capsella bursa pastoris L. cannistriddu,
Medik. (CORISSIA vurzidda di
S/0308)
picuraru
Cactaceae
Opuntia ficus-indica (L.)
Miller (CORISSIA S/0046)
Crassulaceae
Umbilicus horizontalis
(Guss.) DC. (CORISSIA S/0097)
ficudinia, sciura di Flower
ficudinia, sciuri di
ficudinia
auricchi du
parrinu, auricchi
du re
Cucurbitaceae
Ecballium elaterium (L.) A. cucummariaddu
Rich. (CORISSIA - S/0247)
POR (1)
Table 2f
Table 2 (continued)
Family, scientific name,
voucher specimen code
Vernacular
name
Used plant
part(s)
Plant uses*
Preparation methods
Number of
citations
Status of the
use in the
study area
Level of perceived
Common/similar use in
usefulness of
other Italian regions
species
Dioscoreaceae
Dioscorea communis L.
Caddick & Wilkin
(CORISSIA - S/0003)
sparaci di succa,
sparaci di serpa
Leaf, stem
Rheumatic pains
Direct application
8
C
H
Leaf, stem
Digestive
Direct application
7
C
L
Aerial part
Diuretic, prostate
Decoction
13
C
H
Aerial part
Kidney stones
Decoction
Aerial part
Digestive
mbriaculi
Fruit
camarruni,
maccarruni
camarruni
Equisetaceae
Equisetum arvense L.
(CORISSIA - S/0349)
Ericaceae
Arbutus unedo L.
(CORISSIA - S/0123)
Euphorbiaceae
Euphorbia characias L.
(CORISSIA - S/0291)
Euphorbia helioscopia L.
(CORISSIA - S/0147)
cuda di cavaddu,
cuda cavallina
Vicia hirsuta L. Gray
(CORISSIA - S/0016)
Hypericaceae
LAT (2); SIC (1); UMB
(1) Common
ABR (1); APU (1); CAM
(1); FRI (1); LIG (2);
LOM (1); PIE (1); SAR
(1); SIC (2); TUS (3)
Common
GRE (1); POR (1); SPA
(1)
3
MOL (1); SIC (2)
GRE (1); POR (1); TUR
(1)
Decoction
9
SIC (1)
Digestive, refreshing
Condiment
1
SAR (4); SIC (1); TUS (1) ALG (1)
Sap
Warts, pimples
Direct application, toxic
3
ABR (1); APU (1); CAM
(1); LAT (1); SAR (3);
SIC (2); TUS (1)
Sap
Cist, tendonitis
Direct application, toxic
2
ABR (1); BAS (1); CAM
(2); LAT (1); MAR (1);
SAR (2); SIC (1)
Latex
The poisonous sap is used to
narcotize and then catch eels
in river
Toxic
4
SIC (3)
liquirizia, niculizia Root
Cold, cough
Decoction
15
tupparola
Hyperhidrosis of feet
Direct application
1
Euphorbia rigida M. Bieb. rizzitiaddu
(CORISSIA - S/0282)
Fabaceae
Glycirrhiza glabra L.
(CORISSIA - S/0354)
Common/similar use in
other Mediterranean
countries
Leaf
C
L
APU (1); ABR (1); BAS
(2); CAL (1); SIC (3);
TUS (1) Common
SPA (2)
CYP (2); EGY (1); GRE
(1); MOR (1); SPA (1);
TUN (1)
Table 2g
Table 2 (continued)
Family, scientific name,
voucher specimen code
Vernacular
name
Used plant
part(s)
Hypericum perfoliatum L.
(CORISSIA - S/0125)
uagliu di pricò,
pericò, piricò,
ogghiu ri sciuri
uagliu di pricò,
pricò, pericò
Clinopodium nepeta (L.)
Kuntze (CORISSIA S/0149)
Hyssopus officinalis L.
(CORISSIA - S/0370)
Marrubium vulgare L.
(CORISSIA - S/0307)
Hypericum perforatum L.
(CORISSIA - S/0296)
Status of the
use in the
study area
Level of perceived
Common/similar use in
usefulness of
other Italian regions
species
Common/similar use in
other Mediterranean
countries
Plant uses*
Preparation methods
Number of
citations
Flower
Burns, bruises, contusions,
wounds
Oil
4
Flower
Burns, bruises, contusions,
wounds
Oil
11
nipitedda
Aerial part,
leaf
Insect bites
Cataplasm, mashed leaf
4
CAL (3); CAM (2); LAT
(2); SIC (2)
soppiu, soppio,
issopo
Aerial part
Cough, bronchitis
Decoction
7
CAM (1); FRI (1); PIE (3) CYP (1); POR (1)
marrobbio
Aerial part,
leaf
Bronchitis, cough
Infusion
4
Aerial part,
leaf
Pimples, wounds
Cataplasm
3
Aerial part
Digestive, refreshing
Decoction, infusion
3
Aerial part
Digestive, refreshing
Infusion
2
Haematomas, wounds,
swelling
Digestive, refreshing
Cataplasm, decoction
15
Cataplasm, decoction
5
Aerial part
Liver disorders
Decoction
2
Leaf
Digestive, refreshing
Cataplasm
2
ABR (1); CAM (3); LAT
(1); MOL (1); SIC (2);
TUS (1)
Leaf
Headache, sedative
Decoction
1
APU (1); BAS (1); CAM
(1); LAT (1); SIC (1)
CAM (3); SAR (1); SIC
(4)
C
H
POR (1); SPA (1)
APU (1); ABR (2); BAS CYP (2); GRE (1); MAC
(2); CAM (4); FRI (2);
(1); POR (2); SPA (2);
LAT (1); LIG (1); LOM
TUR (1)
(2); MAR (1); PIE (2);
SAR (2); SIC (5); TUS (3)
Common
Lamiaceae
Mentha aquatica L.
(CORISSIA - S/0236)
amenta
Mentha pulegium L.
(CORISSIA - S/0229)
discordio, scordio Aerial part,
leaf
Aerial part,
leaf
Mentha suaveolens Ehrh.
(CORISSIA - S/0294)
amintastru
C
L
APU (2); CAL (1); CAM CYP (1); GRE (1); MOR
(1); LIG (1); SAR (1); SIC (2); TUN (1)
(3); TRE (2) Common
ABR (1); APU (1); BAS
(1); SAR (2)
C
L
CAL (1); CAM (1); MAR ALB (1); ALG (1); MOR
(2) Common
(2); SPA (1)
CAM (3); LAT (1); SAR
(3); SIC (2); TRE (1);
TUS (1)
C
L
POR (1)
SPA (1); POR (1)
BAS (1); SIC (1)
ABR (1); CAM (3); LIG
(1); LAT (1); MOL (1);
SIC (4); TUS (2)
ALG (1); CYP (1); MOR
(3); POR (1); SPA (3);
TUR (3)
CYP (1); TUN (1)
Table 2h
Table 2 (continued)
Family, scientific name,
voucher specimen code
Vernacular
name
Used plant
part(s)
Plant uses*
Preparation methods
Number of
citations
Status of the
use in the
study area
Level of perceived
Common/similar use in
usefulness of
other Italian regions
species
Common/similar use in
other Mediterranean
countries
Rosmarinus officinalis L.
(CORISSIA - S/0357)
rosamarinu
Flower, leaf
Asthma
Infusion
21
C
H
CYP (2); GRE (1); POR
(1); SPA (4); TUR (4)
Salvia officinalis L.
(CORISSIA - S/0084)
sarvia
Leaf
Digestive
Decoction
6
C
H
Leaf
Teeth cleaning , toothache
Decoction, direct
application
7
C
L
Leaf
Cold, cough, bronchitis,
febrifuge
Decoction
3
C
L
ABR (2); APU (3); BAS
(4); CAM (2); LAT (1);
SAR (2); SIC (2); TUS (1)
Common
ABR (1); CAL (2); CAM
(3); LAT (1); LIG (2);
MOL (1); SIC (1); SAR
(1); TUS (3) Common
APU (1); BAS (1); LAT
(1); LIG (2); MOL (1);
SIC (3); TUS (1) Common
ABR (2); BAS (1); MAR
(1); MOL (1); SAR (2);
SIC (2); TUS (2)
Aerial part
Wounds
Decoction
2
ABR (3); CAL (1); LAT
(3); LIG (1); MAR (1);
SIC (1)
SPA (1)
Aerial part
Renal colics
Decoction
1
LIG (1); SIC (2)
Haematomas, wounds
Decoction
4
ABR (1); MAR (1); SIC
(1)
Headache
Decoction
5
SIC (1)
Digestive, refreshing
Decoction
18
C
H
ABR (1); APU (2); BAS ALG (1); CYP (1); GRE
(5); CAL (1); CAM (3);
(1); MOR (1); SPA (4);
LAT (1); LIG (3); LOM
TUR (3)
(1); MOL (1); SAR (3);
SIC (9); TUS (4) Common
Fruit
Rheumatic pains
Fruit macerated in oil
2
C
L
CAL (1); CAM (1); LIG
(1); SIC (2) Common
Aerial part
Bronchitis, cough
Decoction
2
Aerial part
Digestive, refreshing
Decoction
2
Salvia verbenaca L.
(CORISSIA - S/0117)
Teucrium scordium L.
(CORISSIA - S/0024)
centiligaddu
discordio, scordio Aerial part
Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav. sataredda
(CORISSIA - S/0391)
masculina, timu
Lauraceae
Laurus nobilis L.
(CORISSIA - S/0218)
Flower, leaf
addagaru, addauru Leaf
Malvaceae
Lavatera agrigentina Tineo marva di luppina
(CORISSIA - S/0238)
SIC (2)
ALB (1); ALG (1); POR
(1); SPA (1); TUR (1)
ALB (1); EGY (1); MOR
(2); POR (1); SPA (1);
TUR (1)
ALG (1); EGY (1); MOR
(2); POR (1); SPA (1);
TUR (1)
CYP (1); GRE (1); MOR
(1)
GRE (1); LEB (1); TUN
(1)
Table 2i
Table 2 (continued)
Family, scientific name,
voucher specimen code
Vernacular
name
Malva nicaeensis All.
(CORISSIA - S/0391)
Malva sylvestris L.
(CORISSIA - S/0227)
Used plant
part(s)
Status of the
use in the
study area
Level of perceived
Common/similar use in
usefulness of
other Italian regions
species
Common/similar use in
other Mediterranean
countries
Plant uses*
Preparation methods
Number of
citations
marbuni sarvaggiu Leaf
Rheumatic pains
Decoction
21
SIC (1)
marva
Flower, leaf
Digestive, anti-inflammatory
gastrointestinal system
Decoction
2
Aerial part,
flower, leaf
Gingivitis, toothache
Decoction, infusion
21
C
L
ABR (3); APU (1); BAS CYP (2); EGY (1); GRE
(3); CAL (2); CAM (3);
(1); POR (1); SPA (3);
FRI (1); LAT (2); LIG (3); TUN (1); TUR (4)
MAR (2); MOL (3); PIE
(1); SAR (3); SIC (8);
TUS (4); UMB (2)
Common
CAL (1); MOL (1); SIC
(1)
Aerial part,
flower, leaf
Digestive, anti-inflammatory
gastrointestinal system
Decoction, infusion
41
C
H
CAL (1); SIC (1)
Aerial part,
flower, leaf
Enema preparation, fistulas
Decoction, infusion
3
paparina
Fruit, seed
Sedative
Infusion, toxic
5
C
H
BAS (4); CAM (4); LAT
(1); LIG (3); LOM (1);
MOL (1); SAR (1); SIC
(10); TUS (2) Common
CYP (1); MOR (1); TUR
(3)
paparina
Fruit
Sedative
Infusion, toxic
2
ABR (1); APU (1); BAS
(3); CAL (1); CAM (1);
SAR (1); SIC (1); TRE
(1); TUS (1)
ALB (1); GRE (1); MOR
(2); SPA (2); TUR (1)
erva maisa,
pilusedda
Leaf
Hyperhidrosis of the feet
Direct application
6
erva maisa
Kickxia spuria ( L.) Dumort.
(CORISSIA - S/0216)
Plantago major L.
centuniervi
(CORISSIA - S/0305)
Leaf
Hyperhidrosis of the feet
Direct application
2
SIC (1)
Leaf
Pimples
Direct application
3
BAS (3); CAM (4); LIG
ALB (2); CYP (1); GRE
(1); LOM (1); MOL (1); (1); POR (3); TUR (1)
SAR (1); SIC (2); TUS (3)
Common
Malva trimestris (L.) Salisb. marva, marba
(CORISSIA - S/0256)
Papaveraceae
Papaver rhoeas L. subsp.
rhoeas (CORISSIA S/0265)
Papaver somniferum L.
(CORISSIA - S/0033)
Plantaginaceae
Kickxia elatine (L.)
Dumort. (CORISSIA S/0342)
C
LEB (1)
H
Table 2j
Table 2 (continued)
Status of the
use in the
study area
Level of perceived
Common/similar use in
usefulness of
other Italian regions
species
Family, scientific name,
voucher specimen code
Vernacular
name
Used plant
part(s)
Plant uses*
Preparation methods
Number of
citations
Poaceae
Arundo donax L.
(CORISSIA - S/0233)
canna
Stem
Haemostatic, wounds
Direct application
2
BAS (5); CAM (1); LIG
(1); SAR (2); SIC (4);
TUS (1) Common
Avena fatua L. (CORISSIA - ina sarvaggia
S/0243)
Aerial part
Haemostatic, wounds
Cataplasm, leaf juice
2
MAR (1); SIC (2)
Cynodon dactylon (L.)
gramigna,
Pers. (CORISSIA - S/0337) ramigna
Rhizome, root Diuretic
Decoction
54
Polygonum aviculare L.
(CORISSIA - S/0065)
Aerial part
Anti-inflammatory
Decoction
Aerial part
Kidney stones
centugruppa,
centugruppa
C
H
Common/similar use in
other Mediterranean
countries
ABR (2); APU (2); BAS
(1); CAL (1); CAM (3);
LAT (2); LIG (2); MAR
(1); MOL (3); PIE (1);
SAR (2); SIC (11); TUS
(4) Common
CYP (1); MOR (2); POR
(1); TUN (1); TUR (2)
2
ABR (1); LAT (1); MOL
(1); SIC (1); TUS (1)
LEB (1); POR (1); TUR
(1)
Decoction
2
CAM (1); SIC (2);
GRE (2); POR (1); SPA
Common
(1); TUR (2)
ABR (1); APU (1); BAS TUR (1)
(1); CAM (2); LAT (1);
LIG (2); SAR (2); TUS (3)
Common
Rumex crispus L.
(CORISSIA - S/0333)
lingua di cane,
lingua ri cani
Aerial part
Haematomas, wounds
Direct application
2
Rumex pulcher L.
(CORISSIA - S/0021)
lappazzu
Leaf
Abscesses, pimples
Direct application
2
CAL (1); SIC (1)
pilapordio
Root
Constipation
Decoction, finely
chopped root
2
SIC (5)
Root
Pneumonia in horses and
cattles (veterinary use)
Direct application
1
SIC (3)
Aerial part
Wounds
Cataplasm, decoction
7
APU (1); BAS (1); FRI
(1); SIC (1); VEN (1)
Polypodiaceae
Polypodium australe Fèe
(CORISSIA - S/0019)
Ranunculaceae
Helleborus bocconei Ten. raricchiu
subsp. siculus (Schinffner)
Merxm. et Podl.
(CORISSIA - S/0348)
TUR (1)
Rosaceae
Agrimonia eupatoria L.
(CORISSIA - S/0102)
erva crimonia,
lacrimonia
ALB (1); POR (1)
Table 2k
Table 2 (continued)
Family, scientific name,
voucher specimen code
Vernacular
name
Used plant
part(s)
Status of the
use in the
study area
Level of perceived
Common/similar use in
usefulness of
other Italian regions
species
Common/similar use in
other Mediterranean
countries
Plant uses*
Preparation methods
Number of
citations
Crataegus monogyna Jacq. azzarualu
Flower, fruit
(CORISSIA - S/0344)
sarvaggiu,
spinapuci, zinzuli
Hypotensive
Decoction
2
ABR (1); FRI (2); LIG (1); GRE (1); MAC (1); POR
LOM (1); PIE (1); SAR
(1); SPA (1)
(1); SIC (1); TUS (1)
Common
Rosa canina L.
(CORISSIA - S/0061)
rosa sarvaggia,
rosa servaggia
Flower
Eye infection, eye wash
Decoction
2
ABR (1); BAS (1); CAM ALB (2); GRE (1); SPA
(1); LAT (1); LOM (1);
(1)
MOL (1); PIE (1); SIC (2);
TUS (2)
Rubus ulmifolius Schott
(CORISSIA - S/0261)
ruviatta, ruviatti
Fruit, leaf
Abscesses, pimples, wounds
Direct application
18
Leaf, root
Haemorrhoids
Decoction
3
Leaf, branch
Intestinal worms, stomach
pain
Decoction, fresh leaf
19
Leaf, branch
Placenta expulsion in cattle
and sheep following birth
(veterinary use)
Decoction
4
Aerial part,
stem
Aerial part
Haemorrhoids
Decoction
12
Wounds
Decoction
Root
Digestive, refreshing
Root
Leaf
Rutaceae
Ruta chalepensis L.
(CORISSIA - S/0153)
Scrophulariaceae
Verbascum sinuatum L.
(CORISSIA - S/0180)
ruta
scuparina, tassu
barbassu
C
H
ABR (2); BAS (2); CAL POR (1); SPA (2)
(2); CAM (5); LAT (3);
MAR (1); MOL (3); SAR
(1); SIC (6); TUS (2)
Common
SAR (1); SIC (1)
C
H
APU (1); CAL (2); CAM ALG (1); CYP (1); JOR
(2); LIG (1); SAR (2); SIC (1); POR (1); SPA (1);
(11); TUS (2) Common
TUR (1)
C
L
SIC (3); TUS (1)
GRE (1); MOR (1)
3
CAL (1); SIC (2)
CYP (1); GRE (1)
Decoction
13
LIG (2); SAR (2); SIC (1) SPA (1)
Diuretic
Decoction
1
CAL (1); CAM (1); LAT
(1); LIG (1); SAR (2); SIC
(3); TUS (1)
Warts, toothache
Cataplasm
5
ABR (1); SIC (4); TUS (1) SPA (1)
Common
Smilacaceae
Smilax aspera L.
(CORISSIA - S/0073)
Solanaceae
Hyoscyamus albus L.
(CORISSIA - S/309)
scuttidda, sarsa
siciliana
erva grassudda
Table 2l
Table 2 (continued)
Family, scientific name,
voucher specimen code
Status of the
use in the
study area
Level of perceived
Common/similar use in
usefulness of
other Italian regions
species
Common/similar use in
other Mediterranean
countries
Used plant
part(s)
Plant uses*
Preparation methods
Number of
citations
Leaf
Rheumatic pains
Cataplasm
2
SIC (3)
spina santa
Aerial part
Digestive, refreshing
Decoction, infusion
3
SIC (1)
Mandragora autumnalis
pampina di
Bertol. (CORISSIA mennula
S/0092)
Solanum americanum Mill. sulatra
(CORISSIA - S/0067)
Aerial part,
fruit
Pimples, warts, wounds
Cataplasm, toxic
3
SIC (6)
Leaf
Haemorrhoids
Cataplasm
1
CAM (1); MAR (1); SAR MOR (2)
(1); SIC (3)
Lycium europaeum L.
(CORISSIA - S/0166)
Vernacular
name
Tamaricaceae
Tamarix africana Poir.
(CORISSIA - S/0211)
vruca, vruchi
Branch, leaf
Skin inflammations, wounds
Cataplasm, direct
application
2
SAR (1); SIC (2)
Tiliaceae
Tilia americana L.
(CORISSIA - S/0055)
tiglio
Flower
Sedative
Infusion
2
ABR (1); LAT (1); LIG
(1); CAM (1); MAR (2);
MOL (1); SIC (1); TUS
(1)
Typhaceae
Typha angustifolia L.
(CORISSIA - S/0190)
buda
Root
Haemorrhoids
Cataplasm
1
Leaf
Wounds
Direct application
1
Aerial part
Burns, contusions,
hematomas, wounds
Cataplasm, decoction
12
C
L
Anti-dandruff
Decoction
13
C
H
Urticaceae
Parietaria judaica L.
(CORISSIA - S/0085)
Urtica dioica L.
(CORISSIA - S/0260)
erva di vientu
ardicula, ferdica, Leaf
arzicula,
cardicula,
ziculiedda,
ardicula
mascolina,
ardicela, firdicula,
artichi
CYP (1); GRE (1); SPA
(4); TUR (1)
APU (2); CAL (1); CAM
(2); SIC (2)
ABR (1); BAS (1); CAL
(1); LAT (1); LIG (2);
MAR (2); SAR (2); SIC
(7); TUS (3); UMB (1)
Common
APU (1); BAS (2); CAM
(2); FRI (1); LOM (1);
MAR (3); SIC (4)
GRE (1); SPA (1)
ALB (1); MOR (1); SPA
(1); TUN (1); TUR (1)
Table 2m
Table 2 (continued)
Family, scientific name,
voucher specimen code
Used plant
part(s)
Plant uses*
Preparation methods
Number of
citations
Status of the
use in the
study area
Level of perceived
Common/similar use in
usefulness of
other Italian regions
species
Common/similar use in
other Mediterranean
countries
Leaf
Anaemia
Condiment
15
C
L
APU (1); BAS (1); MOL
(1); SIC (1)
CYP (1); GRE (1); MOR
(1); SPA (3)
Leaf
Digestive, refreshing
Decoction
17
C
H
ALB (1); MOR (1); TUR
(1)
Aerial part
Digestive, refreshing
Decoction
7
C
L
Aerial part
Anti-inflammatory
Decoction
2
ABR (3); BAS (2); LAT
(3); LIG (1); LOM (1);
MAR (1); MOL (2); PIE
(1); SAR (3); SIC (3);
TUS (3)
ABR (1); CAL (1); CAM
(1); MOL (1); SAR (1);
SIC (1)
CAL (1); SAR (1); SIC
(1); TUS (2)
Aerial part
Digestive, refreshing
Decoction
2
ABR (1); CAM (1); LAT
(1); MOL (1); SAR (2);
SIC (3); TUS (1); UMB
(1)
CYP (1); SPA (1)
bibbina, birbina
Leaf, root
Haematomas, wounds
Decoction
12
LAT (1); SAR (1); SIC
(3); TUS (1) Common
SPA (4); TUN (1)
purrazzu
Bulb
Warts, boils
Direct application
2
SAR (1)
Skin inflammations
Direct application
7
LAT (1); SAR (2); SIC
(6); TUS (1)
Vernacular
name
Urtica membranacea Poir. ardicula, ferdica
ex Savigny (CORISSIA S/0392)
Urtica urens L. (CORISSIA ardicula
- S/0017)
Verbenaceae
Verbena officinalis L.
(CORISSIA - S/118)
Xanthorrhoeaceae
Asphodelus cerasifer Gay
(CORISSIA - S/0096)
Asphodelus ramosus L.
subsp. ramosus
Viv.(CORISSIA - S/0133)
purrazza,
Root
arvuluzzu,
arbruzzu, ulivuzza
MOR (1); SPA (1)
* Description of the use, medicinal properties attributed to the plant, illness for which the species is used.
Abbreviations
Symbols: C - current use in the study region; H - high level of perceived usefulness; L - low level of perceived usefulness
Italian regions: ABR - Abruzzo; APU - Apulia; BAS - Basilicata; CAL - Calabria; CAM - Campania; FRI - Friuli Venezia Giulia; LAT - Latium; LIG - Liguria; LOM - Lombardia; MAR - Marche; MOL - Molise; PIE - Piemonte
and Valle d'Aosta; SAR - Sardinia; SIC - Sicily; TRE - Trentino Alto Adige; TUS - Tuscany; UMB - Umbria; VEN - Veneto
Mediterranean countries: ALB - Albania; ALG - Algeria; CYP - Cyprus; GRE - Greece; EGY - Egypt; JOR - Jordan; LEB - Lebanon; MAC - Macedonia; MOR - Morocco; POR - Portugal; SPA - Spain; TUN - Tunisia; TUR Turkey
References for the Italian regions:
Common - according to Guarrera (2006) the use is common in several Italian regions
ABR - Tamarro (1984); Guarrera (1987); De Simoni and Guarrera (1994); Leporatti and Corradi (2001); Guarrera (2005); Idolo et al. (2010)
APU - Frigino et al. (1999); Maccioni et al. (2001); Bianchi and Gallifuoco (2004); De Mastro et al. (2004); Leporatti and Guarrera (2004); Guarrera and Leporatti (2007)
BAS - Pieroni et al. (2002); Pieroni et al. (2004); Pieroni and Quave (2005); Guarrera et al. (2005b); Guarrera et al. (2006); Quave and Pieroni (2007); Quave et al. (2008); Montesano et al. (2012); Di Sanzo et al. (2013)
Table 2n
CAL - Barone (1963); Passalacqua et al. (2007); Leporatti and Impieri (2007)
CAM - Antonone et al. (1988); De Feo et al. (1991); De Feo et al. (1992); De Feo et al. (1993); Scherrer et al. (2005); De Natale and Pollio (2007); De Natale et al . (2008); Guarino et al. (2008); Salerno and Guarrera (2008);
Motti et al . (2009); Savo et al . (2011); Di Novella et al. (2013)
FRI - Appi et al. (1979); Coassini Lokar and Poldini (1988)
LAT - Guarrera (1994); Ciccodicola (1995); Guarrera (2005); Guarrera et al. (2004); Guarrera et al. (2005a); Idolo et al. (2010)
LIG - Chiovenda-Bensi (1960); Gastaldo et al. (1978); Martini (1982); Maccioni et al. (1999); Maccioni et al. (2008); Maxia et al. (2008); Cornara et al. (2009)
MAR - Pieroni et al . (2004); Guarrera et al . (2005)
LOM - Vitalini et al. (2009); Vitalini et al. (2013)
MAR - Guarrera (1981); Bellomaria (1982); Bellomaria and Lattanzi (1982); Bellomaria and Della Mora (1985); Leporatti et al. (1985a); Pieroni et al. (2004); Guarrera et al. (2005)
MOL - Menale et al. (2006); Guarrera et al. (2008); Idolo et al. (2010); Di Tizio et al. (2012)
PIE - Lomagno and Lomagno Caramiello (1970); Lomagno and Lomagno Caramiello (1977); Servettaz et al. (1979); Lomagno Caramiello et al. (1984); Longhi and Scanavino (1987); Sella et al. (1992); Pieroni and Giusti (2009);
Mattalia et al. (2013)
SAR - Atzei et al. (1991); Ballero and Fresu (1991); Ballero and Fresu (1993); Atzei et al. (1994); Bruni et al. (1997); Ballero et al. (2001); Palmese et al. (2001); Loi et al. (2004); Sanna et al. (2006); Signorini et al. (2008)
SIC - Catanzaro (1970); Galt and Galt (1978); Barbagallo et al. (1979); Lentini (1987); Lentini and Mazzola (1988); Lentini et al. (1988); Lentini and Raimondo (1990); Raimondo and Lentini (1990a,b); Lentini and Aleo (1991);
Ilardi and Raimondo (1992); Lentini and Amenta (1992); Lentini et al. (1994); Lentini et al. (1995); Lentini et al. (1997); Arcidiacono et al. (1999); Lentini (2000); Arcidiacono (2002); Arcidiacono et al. (2007); Lentini and
Venza (2007); Grillo (2010); Aleo et al. (2011); Leto et al. (2013)
TRE - Pedrotti and Bertoldi (1930); Cappelletti et al. (1981); Renzetti and Taiani (1988)
TUS - Ferri (1977); Corsi and Pagni (1978); Pagni and Corsi (1979); Corsi et al. (1980); Bilia et al. (1990); Chiavoni et al. (1994); Mearelli and Tardelli (1995); Uncini Manganelli and Tomei (1995); Maccioni et al. (1997);
Camangi and Uncini Manganelli (1999); Tomei et al. (1999); Uncini Manganelli and Tomei (1999); Uncini Manganelli et al. (2000); Pieroni (2000); Camangi et al. (2003)
UMB - Leporatti et al. (1985b); Nardelli (1987); Ranfa et al. (2013)
VEN - Cappelletti et al. (1979)
References for Mediterranean countries:
ALB - Pieroni et al. (2005); Gonzàlez-Tejero et al. (2008); Pieroni (2008)
ALG - Gonzàles-Tejero et al. (2008); Pollio et al. (2008)
CYP - Gonzàles-Tejero et al. (2008); Pollio et al. (2008); Karousou and Deirmentzoglou (2011); Lardos and Heinrich (2013)
GRE - Hanlidou et al. (2004)
EGY - Gonzàles-Tejero et al. (2008); AbouZid and Mohamed (2011)
JOR- Pollio et al. (2008)
LEB - El Beyrouthy et al. (2008)
MAC – Pieroni et al. (2013b)
MOR - Merzouki et al. (2000); Joaud et al. (2001); El-Hilaly et al. (2003); Gonzàles-Tejero et al. (2008)
POR - Camejo-Rodrigues et al. (2003); Novais et al. (2004); Pollio et al. (2008); Neves et al.(2009)
SPA - Vazquez et al. (1997); Blanco et al. (1999); Bonet et al. (1999); Akerreta et al. (2007); Gonzàles-Tejero et al. (2008); Pollio et al. (2008); Parada et al. (2009); Benitez et al. (2010); Calvo et al. (2011); Cavero et al. (2011a;
2011b)
TUN - Leporatti and Ghedira (2009)
TUR - Akalın and Alpınar (1994); Honda et al. (1996); Tuzlaci and Erol (1999); Yesilada et al. (1999); Tuzlaci and Tolon (2000); Tuzlaci and Eryasar-Aymaz (2001); Everest and Ozturk (2005); Kultur (2007); Pollio et al.
(2008); Uysal (2008); Fakir et al. (2009); Ugulu et al. (2009); Cakilcioglu and Turkoglu (2010); Cakilcioglu et al. (2011); Gurdal and Kultur (2013); Tetik et al. (2013)
Table 3
Table 3
List of wild medicinal plants most frequently cited and currently used by informants along with the Cultural Importance Index.
Taxa
Family
Number of
interview in which Frequency (%)*
it was cited
Cultural
importance index
(CI)
Cichorium intybu s L.
Athamanta sicula L.
Malva trimestris (L.) Salisb.
Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.
Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Miller
Sonchus oleraceus (L.) L.
Urtica dioica L.
Borago officinalis L.
Senecio delphinifolius Vahl.
Laurus nobilis L.
Mentha pulegium L.
Rubus ulmifolius Schott
Asteraceae
Apiaceae
Asteraceae
Poaceae
Cactaceae
Asteraceae
Urticaceae
Boraginacae
Asteraceae
Lauraceae
Lamiaceae
Rosaceae
62
57
57
55
48
42
36
25
24
21
21
20
0.23
0.28
0.28
0.23
0.21
0.17
0.19
0.21
0.11
0.09
0.09
0.09
*as percentage of citations on the total of 230 informants
26.96
24.78
24.78
23.91
20.87
18.26
15.65
10.87
10.43
9.13
9.13
8.70
Table 4
Table 4
Illness categories of wild medicinal plants in the Monti Sicani Regional Park with the associated Informant Consensus Factor.
No. Illness categories
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Articulary system diseases and traumatic injuries
Skin diseases
Gastrointestinal system diseases
General health and metabolic disorders
Infectious diseases, inflammations
Urinary system diseases
Respiratory system diseases
Others***
Species in each category*
Incidence
(%)**
Use reports
Informant
consensus factor
(ICF)
30
17
26
15
8
11
8
11
23.81
13.49
20.63
11.90
6.35
8.73
6.35
8.73
174
69
347
108
112
290
44
66
0.83
0.76
0.93
0.87
0.94
0.96
0.84
0.85
* the same species may be listed in more than one illness category
** as percentage of records on the total of 126 records
*** this category includes: cardiovascular system diseases, endocrinology and reproductive system disease, veterinary uses
Table 5
Table 5
Comparison of ethnobotanicity index (EI) of the study area with those of other localities in Central-Southern Italy and the
Iberian Peninsula.
Total number of
Regions
species of the
EI (%)
References
flora
Italian regions
Latium
High Molise region (Molise)
Acquapendente (Latium)
Majella (Abruzzo)
Maratea (Basilicata)
Madonie Regional Park (Sicily)
Mediterranean regions
Pallars (Catalonia, Spain)
Cabo de Gata (Andalusia, Spain)
São Mamede (Portalegre, Portugal)
Tràs-os-Montes (Chaves, Montalegre, Portugal)
Cordoba (Anlalusia, Spain)
Arrabida (Setùbal, Portugal)
Pirineo Navarro (Spain)
Monti Sicani Regional Park (Sicily, Italy)
* data refer to the Guarrera et al. (2008) publication
** data refer to the Neves et al. (2009) publication
3228
800
1070
1700
1019
1500
8.36
6.00
5.42
5.23
3.83
6.16
Guarrera (1994*)
Guarrera et al. (2008)
Guarrera et al. (2005a)
Guarrera (1987*)
Guarrera et al. (2005b)
Leto et al. (2013)
1500
1000
800
537
1641
1450
1822
850
29.10
25.30
23.10
16.00
8.80
8.28
5.05
12.70
Agelet and Vallès (2001; 2003a,b)
Martinez-Lirola et al. (1996)
Camejo-Rodrigues (2003)
Neves et al. (2009)
Casana (1993)** and Galàn (1993)**
Novais et al. (2004)
Akerreta et al. (2007)
Present study
Figure 1
Click here to download high resolution image
Figure 2
Click here to download high resolution image

Oggetto: Breve comunicato elettorale,consiglio direttivo 2015

AVVISO AI SOCI - comprensorioalpinocn4.it

Sezione delle risorse umane - Repubblica e Cantone Ticino

Interventi di sistemazione dei corsi d`acqua in Vallemaggia

Rapporto al Gran Consiglio sul terzo aggiornamento delle Linee

Accordo fiscale fra Svizzera e Italia

Personale dello Stato - Repubblica e Cantone Ticino

Di taglio in taglio - Macelleria Zivieri

Andrea Camilleri: Un mese con Montalbano La sigla

Modello Comunicato stampa - Repubblica e Cantone Ticino