Showing papers in "Economic Botany in 1992"
TL;DR: To enhance their utilization, new potential and diversified food uses have been highlighted and future research needs and priority areas are listed to improve their utilization and nutritional quality.
Abstract: Grain legumes continue to occupy an important place in human nutrition as sources of protein, vitamins and minerals. From a nutritional point of view chickpea, pigeonpea, mung bean, urd bean, cowpea, lentil, soybean and peanut are the important grain legumes for the millions of people in semi-arid and tropical regions of many Asian and African countries. These legumes are used in various food forms after suitable processing depending on the regions of their production and consumption. Such aspects as production and consumption, processing and food uses, chemical composition, and effects of processing on the nutritive value of these legumes are the important topics of this paper. To enhance their utilization, new potential and diversified food uses have been highlighted. Future research needs and priority areas are listed to improve their utilization and nutritional quality.
172 citations
TL;DR: The genus Morinda embraces about 80 species, mostly of Old World origin this article, including M. citrifolia, pina de raton, and M. royoc.
Abstract: The genus Morinda embraces about 80 species, mostly of Old World origin.M. citrifolia L. (southern Asia Australia), noted as a source of dye and edible leaves, has buoyant seeds that float for many months and commonly appears in the Pacific and also in tropical America where M. royoc L., pina de raton, is indigenous, inhabits inland hammocks and pinelands as well as seacoasts, and is also one of the floating-seed morindas. There are brief references to its use for dyeing in the Cayman Islands and Yucatan. BothM. citrifolia andM. royoc have sundry folk-remedy uses.M. parvifolia Bartl. has antitumor/antileukemic activity. High intake of selenium byM. reticulata Benth. has poisoned horses in Australia. In the Philippines, there is new interest in the wood ofM. citrifolia. It is hard and of beautiful grain.
159 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a field research targeting extractive activities by women in the forest communities identified the most common species used by women, and documented specific information on the management, collection, and processing of these plants.
Abstract: Tapping into the vast pool of existing plant resource knowledge is the first step toward developing production systems that successfully balance ecological, economic, and cultural concerns in the newly formed extractive reserves in Acre, Brazil. Field research targeting extractive activities by women in the forest communities identified the most common species used by women, and documented specific information on the management, collection, and processing of these plants. The women demonstrate refined botanical knowledge and plant management skills, exploiting over 150 wild and domesticated species in their communities. They possess particular proficiency in processing plants, especially species used for food, spices, beverages, and medicines. Women also display a great desire to enter the market economy, and have begun to test potential market products on a small scale. As such they can play a key role in production, diversification, and development of economically valuable plant products, and ultimately in the success of the extractive reserves.
104 citations
TL;DR: Nypa fruticans Wurmb is harvested for a variety of purposes, including roofing, construction materials and peels for rolling cigarettes from its leaves, and sugar syrup, an intoxicating juice, vinegar and alcohol from its floral and fruit stalk exudate as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Nypa fruticans Wurmb. dominated wetlands are commonly found where brackish waters overflow with the tides. This swamp palm is harvested for a variety of purposes, including roofing, construction materials and peels for rolling cigarettes from its leaves, and sugar syrup, an intoxicating juice, vinegar and alcohol from its floral and fruit stalk exudate. Extraction techniques are traditional, and current resource development strategies are non-existent in areas where nipa palms are being harvested. Maintenance of adequate supplies of the resource requires knowledge of demand on the resource and its renewability under natural and harvest regimes. To sustain production, indigenous populations follow conservation-oriented practices in husbanding the natural resource.
79 citations
TL;DR: The most widespread and economically important species of prickly-pear cacti occurring in Sicily is Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller as mentioned in this paper, which has played an important role in the exploitation of marginal areas.
Abstract: Of prickly-pear cacti occurring in Sicily, the most widespread and economically important isOpuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller. In Sicily it has, since its introduction, played an important role in the exploitation of marginal areas. The Sicilian experience is described with reference to the historical outlines and the present intensive production of late fruit. Information on historical and actual uses of the plant and its products (flowers, cladodes, fruits) is given.
78 citations
Journal Article•
78 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the medicinal uses of the species by Marmas are given in three hill districts of Bangladesh-Khagrachari, Rangamati and Banderban-are inhabited mainly by the people of 13 tribes.
Abstract: The three hill districts of Bangladesh-Khagrachari, Rangamati and Banderban-are inhabited mainly by the people of 13 tribes. Marmas, also known as Mughs, the second largest tribe, are scattered over the three districts. The majority live in Banderban district. They are Buddhists, descendants of the Arakanese, who had fled there when Burmese attacked their country in 1784 (Ishaq 1971). They regard Burma as the centre of their cultural life and many have links with Burma; many can read and write the Burmese scripts. Most live close to the streams and in valleys, few are settled in the plains. Shifting cultivation is the mainstay of their economy. Notes on the medicinal uses of the species by Marmas are given in this paper. Species are arranged alphabetically under each family. Angiosperm families are arranged after Heywood (1978). Latin names are followed by Marma names between slashes. The documentation of voucher specimens is noted at the end of each statement. The statements without voucher documentation were recorded only when the identity of the plants was established.
77 citations
TL;DR: This work updates a 1989 description of cucurbits in China with the inclusion of information from untranslated Chinese literature and further field observations about 63 species valued as fruits, vegetables, and/or medicinal herbs.
Abstract: China, as one of the ancient centers for diversity of domesticated plants, has a rich germplasm resource in vegetable and fruit crops. The Cucurbitaceae is one of the three most important families in that country as sources of vegetables. In a continuing effort to inform the West on Chinese uses of the Cucurbitaceae, we update a 1989 description of cucurbits in China with the inclusion of information from untranslated Chinese literature and further field observations. Included are 63 species valued as fruits, vegetables, and/or medicinal herbs. Each of these species is discussed in the context of its usages in China. We summarize the economic role of cultivated cucurbits in present day China. Finally, the infraspecific variation within the economically important domesticated cucurbits (Citrullus lanatus, Cucumis melo, Cucumis sativus, Cucurbita spp.,Lagenaria siceraria, Luffa spp., andMomordica charantia) is discussed.
76 citations
TL;DR: The traditional phytotherapy of the lay population of Jumla, Mugu and Kalikot districts of Karnali Zone, West Nepal, has been investigated and herbal remedies used appeared to be the only available source of treatment.
Abstract: The traditional phytotherapy of the lay population of Jumla, Mugu and Kalikot districts of Karnali Zone, West Nepal, has been investigated. Information on 80 empirically accepted prescriptions involving 62 plant species (one species of fungus, one species of fern, five species of gymnosperms and 55 species of angiosperms) are presented along with details on uses. These herbal remedies are used to treat a wide spectrum of ailments, the majority of which are the frequently occurring. In most of the cases, these remedies appeared to be the only available source of treatment.
74 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the interrelationships among the Mexican races of maize were examined by numerical taxonomy of morphological characters and the comparison of classifications with previous studies was made.
Abstract: The present study was designed to advance the classification of the Mexican races of maize as part of the process of revising the Razas de Maiz en Mexico by Wellhausen et al. The interrelationships among the races are examined by numerical taxonomy of morphological characters and the comparison of classifications with previous studies. Forty-nine Mexican races, represented by 148 collections, were grown in several locations and seasons in Mexico from 1982 to 1984; 47 characters were measured directly. For the analysis using numerical taxonomy, characters with the ratio
$$r = [\hat \sigma ^2 _r /(\hat \sigma ^2 _{re} + \hat \sigma ^2 _e )] \geqslant 3.0$$
were chosen. Classifications of Mexican races indicate general agreement with the relationships found in previous studies which were based on conventional taxonomic methods and numerical taxonomy. In addition, poorly described races and new types may now be assigned to well defined groups.
71 citations
TL;DR: Habitat destruction, loss of traditional rice germplasm and limitations to ex situ conservation are reviewed, and the need to harmonise such efforts, particularly with local needs and national priorities in conservation, is stressed.
Abstract: The diversity of rice conserved ex situ is impressive from both cultivated and wild species. However, to ensure the genetic base of one of the world’s most important crops, a sound, complementary in situ conservation of rice genepools is necessary. This paper reviews habitat destruction, loss of traditional rice germplasm and limitations to ex situ conservation. Examples of in situ conservation of rice genepools are given based on the literature, herbarium specimens, as well as personal experience of the authors. Proposals for ways to enhance efforts to conserve these genetic resources in situ are given including priority setting, selection, design, management and monitoring in situ conservation sites. The need to harmonise such efforts, particularly with local needs and national priorities in conservation, is stressed.
TL;DR: The data support two alternative explanations for the distribution of extant cultivated accessions of Sphenostylis stenocarpa: that the species was domesticated independently in western and central Africa but that domestication events involved selection from a single restricted gene pool and that a single domestication event occurred in one of the two areas.
Abstract: Cladistic and phenetic analyses of morphological, chloroplast DNA, and isozyme variation were used to examine relationships among multiple accessions of Sphenostylis sten ocarpa, representing wild and cultivated populations from throughout the range of the species. In morphometric and isozyme analyses, greater variability was detected among wild than among cultivated populations, and no differentiation was found between races cultivated for tubers and those cultivated for seeds. cpDNA data, however, revealed five groups of plastomes within S. stenocarpa: one in accessions cultivated for tubers, one in accessions cultivated for seeds, and three among wild accessions. Linguistic evidence and observations on the uses of the species in its two main areas of cultivation suggest independent origins of tuber- and seed- cultivated races. The data support two alternative explanations for the distribution of extant cultivated accessions ofS. stenocarpa. The first hypothesis is that the species was domesticated independently in western and central Africa, but that domestication events involved selection from a single restricted gene pool. The second hypothesis is that a single domestication event occurred in one of the two areas, but that human dispersal to the second area occurred prior to dispersal within either area.
TL;DR: The frequent occurrence of weed azuki bean in Japan is attributable to adaptation of the wildform to lack of climbing support in human-disturbed habitats, escape from old cultivars, and natural establishment from the derivatives of hybrids between cultivars and wild forms.
Abstract: Wild azuki bean, a progenitor of an Asiatic food legume (Vigna angularis varnipponensis: Fabaceae), and its weed form are distributed widely in the Japanese Archipelago The straggling or climbing wildform occurs in sleeve or mantle plant communities, and the weakly climbing or bushy weed form is found in relatively open human-disturbed habitats The wild form has small seeds with a black-mottled pattern on green or grey skin; the weed form has larger seeds with variable color patterns Wild and weed forms have black, easily dehiscent pods, distinct from their cultivated counterpart which has red large seeds and indehiscent light-colored pods The wild form is not utilized, but the weed form is recognized by farmers and has several folk names as a weed, a contaminated form of azuki bean, and a substitute for azuki as a food The frequent occurrence of weed azuki bean in Japan is attributable to adaptation of the wildform to lack of climbing support in human-disturbed habitats, escape from old cultivars, and natural establishment from the derivatives of hybrids between cultivars and wild forms
TL;DR: Use of the bark of twenty one species of woody plants is documented for the Gitksan, Wet’suwet’en and Haisla peoples of Northwest British Columbia.
Abstract: In the coniferous forest dominated landscape of northwestern British Columbia, bark products were used to fill many needs which in less heavily forested environments were filled by herbaceous plants. Bark from woody shrubs and trees was used for carbohydrate food, medicine, fiber, and structural material. Use of the bark of twenty one species of woody plants is documented for the Gitksan, Wet’suwet’en and Haisla peoples of Northwest British Columbia. Approximately half of the woody species named by these peoples were used for bark resources. Today, most bark derived products have been replaced with manufactured and agricultural products.
TL;DR: An Egyptian preparation made ofCyperus tubers, other plant ingredients, honey and wine, described by Dioscorides, is similar to one in the Ebers papyri, demonstrating its continuity over 1600 years.
Abstract: Tubers ofCyperus esculentus (tiger nuts) andC. rotundus were used in the ancient eastern Mediterranean as food, perfume and medicine. Tiger nuts that were consumed in Egypt, either boiled in beer, roasted or as sweets made of ground tubers with honey, were found in tombs from the 4th millenniumb.c. to the 5th centurya.d.C. rotundus tubers, a dietary staple in a Stone Age Egyptian community, were used much later in perfumes and medicine by the Egyptians, Mycenaeans and Greeks, and recorded by Theophrastus, Pliny and Dioscorides. An Egyptian preparation made ofCyperus tubers, other plant ingredients, honey and wine, described by Dioscorides, is similar to one in the Ebers papyri, demonstrating its continuity over 1600 years.Cyperus perfumes are mentioned in Mycenaean documents and by classical authors. Classical authors’ views on weeds, and whetherC. rotundus is described as a weed by Dioscorides, are reviewed. The domestication ofC. esculentus, and the evolution of both nutsedges towards weeds are discussed.
TL;DR: The recent accumulation of cytogenetic evidence on the ancestry of the earliest domesticated plants provides an empirical test of the relative importance of independent invention and diffusion in the origin and spread of agriculture.
Abstract: The recent accumulation of cytogenetic evidence on the ancestry of the earliest domesticated plants provides an empirical test of the relative importance of independent invention and diffusion in the origin and spread of agriculture. The most parsimonious interpretation of the data is that plant species were domesticated no more than a few times, and perhaps only once, in the Near East and Mexico. Multiple domestications of species may have taken place in the central Andes, but it is impossible to say whether any such cases were truly independent, because of the scantiness of the archaeological as well as botanical record. Evidence from other agricultural centers is limited, and does not negate the conclusion that multiple independent domestications within regions were rare, while domestications of the same species or genus in different regions did not occur as frequently as some authorities have claimed. The prevailing tendency to interpret archaeological sequences as almost entirely the result of local in situ development is not entirely in accord with theory, nor with the genetic evidence summarized here.
TL;DR: A study of the Hospital de la Sangre account books in Seville at the Archivo Hispalense for the period 1546 to 1601, to verify purchases of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) during that period is presented in this article.
Abstract: A study is presented of the Hospital de la Sangre account books in Seville at the Archivo Hispalense for the period 1546 to 1601, to verify purchases of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) during that period. Potatoes were bought regularly in the Seville market from 1580 onwards, with the first record appearing in 1573 thus agreeing with Salaman’s conclusion that potatoes became established in Spain by about 1570. Purchases were confined almost entirely to December and January each year, lending weight to the hypothesis that these were short day adaptedS. tuberosum ssp.andigena, actually grown in Spain and forming tubers in the short days at the end of the year. If potatoes had been imported for direct consumption from South America shipping records indicate that they could have arrived in Seville at all times of the year. A listing of other fruits and vegetables bought in the Seville market shows a wide range of mostly mediterranean crops with some of Near Eastern origin and certain spices imported through Lisbon from the Ear East. Surprisingly, very few New World crops are mentioned.
TL;DR: Sphenostylis, a genus of seven species in tropical and southern Africa, includes three taxa that are used by humans and may be considered domesticated forms, since they differ from wild plants of the species in a number of morphological characteristics that are evidently the result of human selection.
Abstract: Sphenostylis, a genus of seven species in tropical and southern Africa, includes three taxa that are used by humans. Flowers and seeds of S. schweinfurthii Harms are occasionally eaten in West Africa, and this species has potential value as a forage crop. Flowers and seeds of Sphenostylis erecta (E. G. Baker) E. G. Baker subsp. erecta are eaten in parts of Central Africa, while the roots are used medicinally and as a source of dye and fish poison. The edible tubers of S. stenocarpa (Hochst, ex A. Rich.) Harms, the African yam bean, are collected from the wild in Central and East Africa. This species is cultivated for its edible seeds in west tropical Africa and for its edible tubers in Zaire. Cultivated races of S. stenocarpa may be considered domesticated forms, since they differ from wild plants of the species in a number of morphological characteristics that are evidently the result of human selection. A list of common names for the three taxa, from throughout their ranges, is presented.
TL;DR: The flora of Bahrain is reported to contain 52 species (49 genera; 20 families) of medicinal interest, 20 of which appear to be indigenous and are being used in traditional herbal remedies for numerous afflictions.
Abstract: Plant samples collected in Bahrain and data reported in the literature indicate the flora of Bahrain to contain 52 species (49 genera; 20 families) of medicinal interest. Of these plant species 20 appear to be indigenous and are being used in traditional herbal remedies for numerous afflictions. Preparation of such remedies appears to be simple and includes boiling, infusions, extraction of milled dry or fresh leaves, flowers, seeds or whole plants. Direct consumption of plant parts, raw or cooked, is also practiced. None of these plants has been studied systematically to evaluate their medicinal potential.
TL;DR: Analyses of fresh seeds and seeds prepared at Donydji and in the laboratory indicate that cycasin is effectively removed by all the traditional preparation techniques, although each technique has an end product with different storage and handling properties.
Abstract: The seeds of cycad plants are a toxic food used by many Aboriginal groups in northern Australia. Acute symptoms produced after consumption of untreated Cycas seeds are due to azoxyglycosides, especially cycasin, although the toxic dose depends on the animal species tested. There are three traditional methods used to treat these seeds: brief leaching in water; prolonged leaching in water; and aging. Aboriginal people living at Donydji outstation in northeast Arnhem Land, most regularly consume aged seeds ofCycas angulata R.Br. Analyses of fresh seeds and seeds prepared at Donydji and in the laboratory indicate that cycasin is effectively removed by all the traditional preparation techniques, although each technique has an end product with different storage and handling properties. The social implications of processing need further elaboration, but these techniques have a long history and archaeological remains of seeds in Australia may date back to the Pleistocene.
TL;DR: A study was conducted to provide information regarding genetic variability for trichome distribution and density among three diverse dry bean cultivars, and to characterize the types of trichomes present among the cultivars.
Abstract: Trichomes have been implicated as a mechanism which can confer resistance to both plant pests and drought. A study was conducted to provide information regarding genetic variability for trichome distribution and density among three diverse dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars, and to characterize the types of trichomes present among the cultivars. Trichomes on the leaf surfaces were micrographed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and counted using a stereomicroscope on both the abaxial and adaxial leaf surfaces of the cultivars ‘Bill Z’, ‘Pompadour Checa’ and ‘Diacol Calima’. Straight, hooked, and glandular trichomes were observed on the leaf surfaces of each cultivar. SEM micrographs are presented for the leaf surfaces of each cultivar and trichome type. The abaxial leaf surface had more straight trichomes than the adaxial leaf surface for ‘Pompadour Checa’ and ‘Diacol Calima’, however ‘Bill Z’ had more on the adaxial surface. The opposite relationship existed among the cultivars and leaf surfaces for the hooked trichomes.
TL;DR: The Mussau Islanders of the Bismarck Archipelago in northeastern Papua New Guinea cultivate 26 indigenous tree species both for food and non-food uses in tree gardens surrounding the villages.
Abstract: The Mussau Islanders of the Bismarck Archipelago in northeastern Papua New Guinea cultivate 26 indigenous tree species both for food and non-food uses in tree gardens surrounding the villages. Several trees which volunteer in these arboriculture zones are also tended and encouraged. I present ethnobotanical information on methods of cultivation, how and when the trees are harvested, preparation and use. The tree crop zone has a random spatial distribution overall, but some species within the zone are aggregated spatially. This clumping is related to the restricted habitat requirements of certain species, as well as individual species ’ reproductive traits. Coconut is the most frequent species in the arboriculture zone and is randomly distributed. Vertical stratification is attributable to the presence of a distinct herb layer and a subcanopy stratum of maturePandanus spp. The stratification of some species pairs results from the deliberate planting of subcanopy trees next to canopy trees. The introduction of exotic garden species and the increasing availability of western packaged foods is changing the composition of traditional Mussau Islands tree gardens.
TL;DR: Consideration includes previously published studies on morphology and cytology to support an African center of origin and points to P. grandiflorus as the progenitor species of the cultivated winged bean.
Abstract: Further evidence on the origin of the cultivated winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC.) is presented. Recent evidence concerning chromosome numbers of previously unavailable species in the genus and observational evidence of false rust (Synchytrium psophocarpi (Rac.) Gaumann) onP. grandiflorus Wilczek in Zaire is discussed. Consideration includes previously published studies on morphology and cytology to support an African center of origin and points toP. grandiflorus as the progenitor species of the cultivated winged bean.
TL;DR: Thirty-one compounds are identified in the essential oil of Mexican bay, which is dominated by 22.36± 2.19% 1,8-cineole, 13.03± 1.84% sabinene, and 10.09± 0.72% terpinen-4-ol.
Abstract: Thirty-one compounds are identified in the essential oil of Mexican bay (Litsea glaucescens var.glaucescens), which is dominated by 22.36± 2.19% 1,8-cineole, 13.03± 1.84% sabinene, and 10.09± 0.72% terpinen-4-ol. In contrast, the oil of Greek bay (Larus nobilis) is dominated by 41.70± 1.34% 1,8-cineole and 15.24± 2.95% α-terpinyl acetate. The yield of oil from Mexican bay leaves is about one quarter that of Greek bay. Mexican bay adds a bay-like note but is not a substitute for Greek bay. Pinocarvone and (E)-pinocarveol are reported for the first time in the essential oil ofL. nobilis.
TL;DR: The discovery of staminodes within the female inflorescences, or “ears,” of some Mexican maize races, and of feminized male inflorescence in annual Mexican teosinte, provides additional support for the theory that the ears of maize evolved from the male primary lateral branch tassels of teo by sexual transmutation, and that teo is the wild ancestor of maize.
Abstract: The discovery of staminodes within the female inflorescences, or “ears,” of some Mexican maize races, and of feminized male inflorescences in annual Mexican teosinte, provides additional support for the theory that the ears of maize evolved from the male primary lateral branch tassels of teosinte by sexual transmutation, and that teosinte is the wild ancestor of maize.
TL;DR: Overall in-vitro digestibility was slightly lower for toasted nunas than boiled dry bean, and lectins were higher in raw and boiled nuña samples than in toasted nuñas, while tannin levels did not change from raw to toasted treatments.
Abstract: Nunas (Thaseolus vulgaris, Fabaceae), commonly called popping beans, are traditionally grown in the Andean highlands of South America, and are consumed as a snack food after a quick toasting process. Proximate analysis of their nutritive value revealed that nunas have a higher content of starch, amylose, and copper than four dry bean varieties and a lower mean content of protein, phosphorous, iron, and boron. The unique texture and taste of nunas may be related to their high starch content. Antinutritional factors such as lectins were higher in raw and boiled nuna samples than in toasted nunas, while tannin levels did not change from raw to toasted treatments. Overall in-vitro digestibility was slightly lower for toasted nunas than boiled dry bean.
TL;DR: The quantity and quality of tannins extractable from commercial wattle grown in Kenya and from nineAcacia species indigenous to Kenya has been examined by means of three different assay procedures including the official hide-powder method employed by the leather trade, revealing that tannin in amounts comparable to wattle but in each case the protein precipitating capacity of the extract was different from that of wattle.
Abstract: The quantity and quality of tannins extractable from commercial wattle grown in Kenya (Acacia mearnsii) and from nineAcacia species indigenous to Kenya (A. hockii, A. kirkii, A. mellifera, A. nilotica, A. polyacantha, A. sayel, A. Senegal, A. sieberiana, andA. xanthophloea) has been examined by means of three different assay procedures including the official hide-powder method employed by the leather trade. This revealed thatA. hockii, A. kirkii, A. senegel andA. xanthophloea all produced tannin in amounts comparable to wattle but in each case the protein precipitating capacity of the extract was different from that of wattle, suggestive of rapid complexation that would lead to a poor quality leather. Protein precipitating profiles comparable to that of wattle extract could, however, be produced by mixing the extracts of tannin-rich species with those of other species which, while relatively rich in extractable matter, appeared to have relatively little tannin. Suggestions are made for further studies that could lead to acceptable vegetable tannin being produced from indigenous KenyanAcacia species.
TL;DR: The bell-shaped spindle whorls from the Quimbaya culture of Colombia have varied designs that resemble the campanulate flowers o/Brugmansia (Datura, Solanaceae), which is known for its contorted flowers, and hallucinogenic effects.
Abstract: A few of the numerous small clay discs from Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica and South America contain accurate illustrations of the reproductive structures of important economic plants. The arrangement of seeds in fruit sections, axial or parietal, is shown for the Solanaceae (tomato, pepper) and the Cucurbitaceae (squash). The number of locules in Gossypium (cotton) bolls and the external appearance of the boll including the precise arrangement of the gossypol glands are illustrated. What are probably floral diagrams of these plant families are represented. The bell-shaped spindle whorls from the Quimbaya culture of Colombia have varied designs that resemble the campanulate flowers o/Brugmansia (Datura, Solanaceae), which is known for its contorted flowers, and hallucinogenic effects. The native mythology and language, recorded in Mexico at the time of the conquest, indicates a pervasive interest in fruit and flower structure, which is reflected in the designs on the spindle whorls. These functional artifacts provide evidence of the accurate plant observation in the less well known cultures of Colombia and Ecuador.
TL;DR: During an agri-horticultural and ethnobotanical survey in mounta inous zones of India, 10 wild species of Allium were collected and little systematic study of the collection and conservation of these species has been undertaken.
Abstract: Less-known Wild Species of AHium L. (Amaryllidaceae) from Mountainous Regions of India.--During an agri-horticultural and ethnobotanical survey in mounta inous zones of India, 10 wild species ofAll ium L. were collected. Field work among the aboriginal societies in central, north-east and north-west Himalaya, survey of a few tribal markets and scrutiny of some relevant li terature have brought to record wild species of Allium, which have not yet found a place as food plants in this region (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9) or elsewhere in the world (5, lO, 1 I). Until recently, despite its importance for food, medicine, spices and condiments , little systematic study of the collection and conservation of these species has been undertaken. The information about habitat, uses, occurrence, and abundance were gathered by repeated enquiries of the local folk, from frequent field trips, and from herbaria such as Botanical Survey of India, Northern Circle, Dehradun (BSD), Forest Research Institute, Dehradun (DD), and Depar tment o f Botany, Garhwal Universi ty Herbarium, Srinagar (GUH). These wild al l ium species are also mainta ined in the field gene bank and herbar ium of Regional Station-Bhowali, N B P G R (ICAR), Nainital , U.P. (NBPGRH).
TL;DR: Madia sativa, a “tarweed” long used in the past for its oily seeds by the natives of both Pacific North America and southern South America where it still grows wild, has potential as a future oil crop.
Abstract: Madia sativa, a “tarweed” long used in the past for its oily seeds by the natives of both Pacific North America and southern South America where it still grows wild, has potential as a future oil crop.