Showing papers in "Economic Botany in 1994"
TL;DR: Pilbeam, D. J., and E. A. Bell.
388 citations
TL;DR: This work would not have been possible without the collaboration of all the informants, who shared with us their knowledge and helped on the authors' gathering trips.
239 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the knowledge and selection of biological diversity of maize (Zea mays) within its center of domestication in Mesoamerica is discussed. But, the authors focus on maize farmers in central Chiapas of Southern Mexico keep local varieties (landraces) belonging to six races and four race mixtures.
Abstract: This study concerns the knowledge and selection of biological diversity of maize (Zea mays) within its center of domestication in Mesoamerica. Maize farmers in central Chiapas of Southern Mexico keep local varieties (landraces) belonging to six races and four race mixtures. Fifteen local varieties are recognized. In spite of widespread adoption of a modern, high yielding variety, maize farmers continue to select local varieties for specific soils and because of agronomic and use criteria. Farmers maintain maize varieties primarily through seed selection. Spatial and temporal separation do not seem sufficient to maintain varieties. The management of improved varieties can lead from a uniform population to a heterogeneous one as hybridization with local maize populations occurs. Este estudio trata sobre el conocimiento y la selection de la diversidad bioldgica de maiz (Zea mays) en su centro de domestication en Mesoamerica. Pequenos productores de maiz en la parte central del Estado de Chiapas en el sureste de Mexico mantienen variedades pertenecientes a seis razas y cuatro mezclas raciales. Se reconocen quince variedades locales. A pesar de la adoption de variedades mejoradas de alto rendimiento, estos agricultores continuan seleccionando variedades locales para suelos particulares y debido a criterios agronomicos y de uso. Estos agricultores mantienen sus variedades de maiz atraves the la selection de la semilla. La separation espacial y temporal no parecen ser suficientes para mantener estas variedades. El manejo de las variedades mejoradas puede conducir de una poblacion uniforme a una heterogenea en la medida que occurre una hibridazacion con las poblaciones locales de maiz.
207 citations
TL;DR: A comprehensive survey of the past, present and future uses of sweet flag and its value as an insecticidal, antibacterial and antifungal agent.
Abstract: Sweet flag,Acorus calamus, one of the few extratropical members of the Araceae, is a semi-aquatic component of aquatic habitats throughout the temperate to sub-temperate regions of Eurasia and the Americas. The plant has a rich ethnobotanical history dating back possibly to the time of Moses in the Old Testament of the Bible and in early Greek and Roman medicine. Sweet flag, thought to be indigenous to India and spread along trade routes, has been valued for its rhizome and fragrant oils which have been used medicinally, in alcoholic beverages, as a fragrant essence in perfumes and oils, and for insecticidal properties. Current research investigates sweet flag’s value as an insecticidal, antibacterial and antifungal agent. This paper is a comprehensive survey of the past, present and future uses of sweet flag.
120 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the results of an investigation concerning the use of medicinal plants by the people of Nicaragua's Atlantic Coast, where participant observation during parts of the years 1986-1991 was complemented by a five-community, 809-household survey in 1990 and a ten community botanical collection in 1991.
Abstract: This article presents the results of an investigation concerning the use of medicinal plants by the people of Nicaragua’s Atlantic Coast. Participant observation during parts of the years 1986–1991 was complemented by a five-community, 809-household survey in 1990 and a ten-community botanical collection in 1991. This research is the first to attempt to document the diversity and prevalence of medicinal plant use for this region. The appendix lists 152 plants, along with common names, number and ethnicity of informants, and medicinal uses.
114 citations
TL;DR: The hypothesis that pistachio cultivation originated in or near the present natural range of the species and was spread by cultivation to the Mediterranean region of the Middle East is supported.
Abstract: The pistachio tree (Pistacia vera) has long been cultivated in south-central Asia and throughout the Mediterranean region of southern Europe, north Africa and the Middle East. We examined genetic diversity and patterns of relatedness amongfifteen P. vera cultivars, representing germplasm originating from throughout this range, by using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. The resulting data were used to construct a similarity matrix and to perform a UPGMA cluster analysis. These analyses revealed two major clusters of P. vera germplasm: a Mediterranean cluster, which includes cultivars originatingfrom the Mediterranean region of Europe, north Africa and the Middle East; and an Iranian-Caspian cluster, comprising germplasm originating from locations east of the Zagros mountains plus ’Peters’, a cultivar selected as a seedling of unknown origin in the U.S.A. The data presented here, in combination with historical and geographical records, support the hypothesis that pistachio cultivation originated in or near the present natural range of the species and was spread by cultivation to the Mediterranean region of the Middle East. This more limited pool was the germplasm source for subsequent spread of pistachio by cultivation throughout the Mediterranean region.
94 citations
TL;DR: Pitayas from various species were an important edible fruit in semiarid lands of tropical and subtropical Mexico in ancient times and recently, farmers have been cultivating plants selected from the wild, such as Stenocereus queretaroensis in the Sayula Basin of Jalisco.
Abstract: Pitayasfrom various species were an important edible fruit in semiarid lands of tropical and subtropical Mexico in ancient times. Recently, farmers have been cultivating plants selected from the wild, such as Stenocereus queretaroensis in the Sayula Basin of Jalisco. These cacti can flower and produce fruit before the onset of the summer rainy period. Their fruits have an attractively colored pulp (often dark red) with digestible seeds and without the nasty glochids found on cactus pears. The sugar content is 10 to 11%. The shelf life is only a few days, as the fruits tend to dehisce longitudinally. Pitayas bring a competitive price in local markets, resulting in a substantial financial return with relatively low inputs of water, fertilizer, and pesticides.
73 citations
TL;DR: Its morphological characteristics are studied through the analysis of samples from different origin and different preservation conditions, as flours, commercial starches, drugs, spices and archaeological remains (especially carbonized material).
Abstract: The starch grain is a diagnostic feature of multiple applications according to the peculiarities and origin of the plant material to be determined. Its morphological characteristics are studied through the analysis of samples from different origin and different preservation conditions, as flours, commercial starches, drugs, spices and archaeological remains (especially carbonized material). The usefulness and importance of the methods and techniques applied in each case are also discussed.
65 citations
TL;DR: Lantana, or red sage (lantana camara, Verbenaceae) is an aromatic shrub with rough, opposite or whorled leaves and four-angled, prickly or smooth stems, showy heads of small flowers and dark-blue or blackish fruits.
Abstract: Lantana, or red sage (lantana camara, Verbenaceae) is an aromatic shrub with rough, opposite or whorled leaves and four-angled, prickly or smooth stems, showy heads of small flowers (usually pink-and-yellow changing to red-and-orange) and dark-blue or blackish fruits Native from tropical America north to lower Texas and southern Georgia, the bird-distributed plant has become naturalized in the Caribbean area, the Pacific islands, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and southern Asia Hundreds of cultivars are grown as ornamentals in temperate climates In warm regions, L camara is a pest in farms, pastures and forests, providing breeding places for diseases, detrimental animals and insects, including the tsetse fly Of 29 named races in Australia, 19 are toxic or gravely pestiferous Active principles are the triterpenes lantadene A and B Ingestion of 340-453 g of leaves causes liver and kidney damage, photosensitization, intestinal hemorrhage, paralysis of the gall bladder, and death in 1-4 days in horses, cattle and sheep (not goats) Ripe fruits are edible, but green, unripe fruits have caused illness and one known fatality in children in Florida Leaves and roots are popular folk remedies Stems are used as toothbrushes, and the leaves for polishing wood Prickly races are grown as protective hedges around forest dwellings
61 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a list of 58 plantes medicinales (41 taxa) from 299 traitements herboristes in Ngorongoro in Tanzania.
Abstract: Les resultats d’enquetes individuelles avec 22 hommes Batemi du district Ngorongoro en Tanzanie ont permis de repertorier 73 especes de plantes medicinales utilisees dans quelques 299 traitements herboristes. Nous presentons une liste de 58 plantes medicinales (41 taxa) dont chacune etait rapportee independamment par un minimum de deux herboristes. Un effet d’interaction est calcule pour chaque plante medicinale et represente le degre de confirmation. Implications et consequences pratiques de ce modele sont discutees.
52 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the economics of harvesting natural populations is considered in a preliminary fashion by allowing favorable assumptions of quantity and quality of production, and it is possible that by combining multiple products under a high diversity forestry scheme, one could increase the density of harvestable products, reduce the unit cost of labor and improve the economic portrait.
Abstract: The population biology ofAquilaria malaccensis, one source of gharu, and Cinnamomum mollissimum, one source of wild cinnamon, was studied in a 50 ha permanent plot of primary rain forest in Malaysia. Median diameter growth rates of 0.22 cm yr-1 and 0.1 cm yr-1 should not be prohibitive of economic exploitation, and suggest that the trees could be grown commercially. However, the natural densities were between 2 and 3 trees over 1 cm d.b.h. per ha, which is roughly the median for all trees in the plot, would preclude economic exploitation of these natural populations. The economics of harvesting natural populations is considered in a preliminary fashion by allowing favorable assumptions of quantity and quality of production. The price likely to be fetched from either a first time extraction (on the order of US$10.00 per ha) or from sustained production (on the order of US$0.10 per ha per yr), are too small to be of interest as single-product schemes, and are negligible compared to the extraction of multi-species crops of timber. However, it is possible that by combining multiple products under a “High Diversity Forestry” scheme, one could increase the density of harvestable products, reduce the unit cost of labor and improve the economic portrait.
TL;DR: Three-lobed sage is claimed as being, most likely, a part in the sage of the ancient and medieval texts not a mere substitute for S. officinalis.
Abstract: Three-lobed sage is here claimed as being, most likely, a part in the sage of the ancient and medieval texts not a mere substitute for S. officinalis. The traditional uses recently discovered in Spain and Madeira are here published for the first time and compared with the data available from the Eastern Mediterranean region.
TL;DR: In this article, an ethanol extract of Achillea millefolium L. showed repelling properties against the Aedes aegypti L. showing that the most active compounds were the nitrogen containing compound stachydrine, carboxylic acids, caffeic, chlorogenic, and salicylic acids.
Abstract: An ethanol extract ofAchillea millefolium L. showed repelling properties against the mosquito,Aedes aegypti L. Prepared fractions from the extract contained several active compounds which were characterized by thin layer chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy. Of 35 compounds tested, the most active were the nitrogen containing compound stachydrine, the carboxylic acids, caffeic, chlorogenic, and salicylic acids, and the phenolic compound pyrocatechol. These substances are earlier reported to occur inA. millefolium with the exception of pyrocatechol. Some further substances with lower activity were characterized for the first time inA. millefolium, i.e., adenine, ferulic and mandelic acid, and the methyl esters of capryliclinolenic- and undecylenic acid.
TL;DR: The history of hops, hops, hopped beer, and hop cultivation is unclear and ambiguous as discussed by the authors, and an assessment of available literature reveals many contradictions, especially regarding the first use of hops in beer and the earliest incidence of hop cultivation Historically, hops were used for a variety of purposes; now their primary use is as a preservative and flavoring in beer
Abstract: The history of hops, hopped beer, and hop cultivation is unclear and ambiguous An assessment of the available literature reveals many contradictions, especially regarding the first use of hops in beer and the earliest incidence of hop cultivation Historically, hops were used for a variety of purposes; now their primary use is as a preservative and flavoring in beer Hop cultivation is poorly documented, but was certainly undertaken by the 10th century, most probably in response to the demand generated by beer-brewing After comparing the literature and investigating source material, a chronology of hop use in beer and hop cultivation is proposed
TL;DR: In this paper, a study of the historic transition in Southeast Asia, in particular Borneo, from the exploitation of native forest rubbers to Para rubber (Hevea brasiliensis, Euphorbiaceae) is presented.
Abstract: This is a study of the historic transition in Southeast Asia, in particular Borneo, from the exploitation of native forest rubbers to Para rubber (Hevea brasiliensis, Euphorbiaceae). During the second half of the nineteenth century, booming international markets subjected forest rubbers to more intensive and competitive exploitation. At the same time, the settlement patterns of tribal rubber gatherers were becoming more sedentary and their agriculture more intensive.Hevea spp. was better suited to these changed circumstances than the native forest rubbers, largely because it was cultivated not naturally grown. The status ofHevea spp. in Southeast Asia as a cultigen, as opposed to a natural forest product, and the political-economic implications of this helps to explain the contrasting histories of smallholder rubber producers in the New and Old Worlds. This study offers an historical perspective on current debates regarding relations between forest resources, forest peoples, and the state.
TL;DR: Astrocaryum standleyanum is a multipurpose palm native to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Western Colombia and Western Ecuador as discussed by the authors, where leaves are harvested in a non-destructive way, using chisels mounted on long bamboo poles.
Abstract: Astrocaryum standleyanum is a multipurpose palm native to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Western Colombia and Western Ecuador. In Ecuador fruits are consumed locally and fibers from young leaves are used commercially for hats, hammocks, mats and furniture. Harvest, manufacture and trade are centered around Calceta in the province ofManabi. Leaves are harvested in a non-destructive way, using chisels mounted on long bamboo poles. This harvest technique may replace present destructive harvest of leaves from other palm species. Preparation of the fibers (each fiber corresponds to half a pinna) involves: 1. Removal of mid veins and spines from the pinnae; 2. Boiling; 3. Drying and bleaching in the sun; 4. Further bleaching with sulphur; and 5. Cutting fibers into equal width. Following this fibers are braided into bands, from which hats, mats and furniture are made. Astrocaryum standleyanum is commonly maintained as a shade tree in agroforestry systems. Spontaneous regeneration occurs in these systems, but actual cultivation is near absent.
TL;DR: In this paper, a brief account of 31 plants associated with herbal remedies among the Hayas, a tribe of Kagera region, Tanzania reports from informants were obtained during field studies in June 1987 for each species given the botanical name, vernacular name, collection number, locality, habit, dis-tribution and medical uses.
Abstract: This paper provides a brief account of 31 plants associated with herbal remedies among the Hayas, a tribe of Kagera region, Tanzania Reports from informants were obtained during field studies in June 1987 For each species are given the botanical name, vernacular name, collection number, locality, habit, dis-tribution and medical uses The data are compared with information from literature for medical uses, and listed isolated constituents and pharmacological effects The Hayas have had a rich herbal folklore, but this is fading due to increasing acculturation and depletion of plant cover
TL;DR: Eremophila species produce resin, composed of terpenes and flavones, which may be useful in the naval stores industry or as sources for specialty chemicals as mentioned in this paper, and the reported uses as a cure of medical disorders are documented for 18 species.
Abstract: Traditional, current and potential uses of 83 Eremophila species are documented. In Australia, some Eremophila species are regarded as invasive woody weeds. There are documented cases in which Eremophila species have been reported as poisonous to travelling and drought-stricken stock, but certain species are valued as fodder. Traditionally, this genus has been valued for medicinal and cultural purposes by Aboriginal people. The reported uses as a cure of medical disorders are documented for 18 species. Many of the 210 Eremophila species are recognised for their horticultural potential. They are also useful in revegetation programs because of their drought, fire, frost and grazing tolerances.Eremophila species produce resin, composed of terpenes and flavones, which may be useful in the naval stores industry or as sources for specialty chemicals.
TL;DR: It is likely that natural interspecific crop/weed hybridization has occurred at Vado El Moro and this might at least partially explain the anomalous distribution of fruit bitterness among extant populations at the site.
Abstract: A mixed population of Cucurbita at Vado El Mow in northern Tamaulipas, Mexico showed an anomalous pattern of fruit bitterness. Some domesticated plants (C. argyrosperma andC. moschata) expressed cucurbitacin bitterness whereas some sympatric free-living plants produced non-bitter fruits. This reversal of typical cucurbitacin expression suggested gene flow between crop and weed at the site. Isozyme analysis provided little insight as to taxa involved in gene exchange, although progeny from a single free-living plant carried IDH allozymes that are associated with Mexican landraces ofC. pepo. Synthetic hybridization revealed that fertile F, hybrids are produced from crosses involvingC. fraterna as the pistillate parent andC. argyrosperma as the staminate parent. Interspecific crop/weed hybrids can produce viable progeny upon self-pollination or backcrossingto either parent, andF2 families display normal allozyme segregation. Hybrid fertility, as indicated by pollen stainability, increases in progeny produced by backcrossingfrom theC. argyrosperma parent. Interspecific hybridfertility represents a potential for crop/weed gene flow that would be realized under natural conditions if pollen flow occurs betweenC. fraterna andC. argyrosperma in the fields of Tamaulipas. Oligolectic “squash bees” (Teponapis), efficientCucurbita pollen vectors, are present at the site. Thus, it is likely that natural interspecific crop/weed hybridization has occurred at Vado El Moro and this might at least partially explain the anomalous distribution of fruit bitterness among extant populations at the site.
TL;DR: A hypothesis is proposed whereby weedy vetch (Vicia sativa L.) seed moved with seed of the cultivated lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) as a tolerated weed during the spread of the lentil from the Fertile Crescent in the Near East to its current distribution.
Abstract: A hypothesis is proposed whereby weedy vetch (Vicia sativa L.) seed moved with seed of the cultivated lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) as a tolerated weed during the spread of the lentil from the Fertile Crescent in the Near East to its current distribution. As a result, selection occurred in vetch weeds for a reduction in dormancy/hard-seededness, increased competitive ability and biomass, and phenological adaptation to new environments⇆redisposing the weed for domestication. The cropping of common vetch for forage in pure culture followed. Archaeological evidence of admixtures of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) in Neolithic finds of lentil, pea (Pisum sativum L.) and bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia (L.) Wild.) suggests a similar process of selection in grass pea for a weedy habit from which domestication later occurred.
TL;DR: Carrots, celery, caraway and cumin and their relatives in the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) have a long history of human use dating from our earliest written records as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Carrots, celery, caraway and cumin and their relatives in the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) have a long history of human use dating from our earliest written records. A large body of folklore has accumulated on their magical and mythical curative properties. Many of the early uses have persisted as part of 20th century folklore, sometimes supplementary to modern medicine. Studies largely during the last half of this century have provided the chemical bases for some of the ancient cures.
TL;DR: Seeds identified as Gossypiumbarbadense, South American cotton, have been recovered from the Real Alto site on the Coast of Ecuador in contexts14C dated 35003000 B.C. as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Seeds identified asGossypiumbarbadense, South American cotton, have been recovered from the Real Alto site on the Coast of Ecuador in contexts14C dated 35003000 B.C. The oldest date previously reported is 2500 B.C. for coastal Peru.
TL;DR: Monocultural plantings of Rhizophora mucronata Lam in blocks along the coast have mitigated erosion and reduced flooding, protecting fish and shrimp ponds located inland.
Abstract: Conversion of mangrove forests for fish and shrimp ponds has been occurring in South Sulawesi, Indonesia for more than half a century. In some communities virtually all mangrove forest has been removed and subsequent environmental consequences have been encountered, including flooding and coastal erosion. One group of communities has countered negative environmental impacts, while at the same time increasing their incomes, through development of a mangrove agroforestry system. Monocultural plantings ofRhizophora mucronata Lam. in blocks along the coast have mitigated erosion and reduced flooding, protecting fish and shrimp ponds located inland. Controlled harvesting of the planted trees has produced sizeable incomes through fuelwood sales.
TL;DR: Sufficient variability appears to be present in the wild species for enhancement of oil and fatty acid characteristics for cultivated sunflower, as well as in two annual Helianthus species and 11 perennial species from the Great Lakes region and the Central Great Plains of the U.S.
Abstract: Oil concentration and fatty acid composition were determined in achenes of two annual Helianthus species (112 populations) and 11 perennial species (103 populations) from the Great Lakes region and the Central Great Plains of the U.S. The highest average oil concentration was observed in annualH. petiolaris Nutt. with 28.8%, followedbyH. annuus L. with 25.4%. Among the perennial species,H. hirsutus Raf. had the highest average oil concentration with 29.8%. The highest average palmitic (C16: 0) andstearic (C18:0) fatty acids were observed inH. tuberosus L. (6.5 and 3.5%, respectively), while the lowest values were observed inH. pauciflorus Nutt. ssp.subrhomboideus (4.2 and 2.1, respectively). The highest oleic acid (CI8:1) was observed inH. annuus (24.7%) and the highest linoleic (C18:2) was observed inH. pumilus Nutt. with 71.3%. Sufficient variability appears to be present in the wild species for enhancement of oil and fatty acid characteristics for cultivated sunflower.
TL;DR: Nineteen compounds are characterized by GC/MS and Kovats Indices in the oil of tipo,Minthostachys mollis Griseb.
Abstract: Nineteen compounds are characterized by GC/MS and Kovats Indices in the oil of tipo,Minthostachys mollis Griseb., from Ecuador. The major compounds are29.34 ± 3.94% neomenthol, 24.00 ± 5.23% menthone, 20.55 ± 3.33% menthol, and 8.96 ± 1.65% piperitone.
TL;DR: Two popular vegetables, especially of Guatemala and El Salvador, owe part of their popularity to their sedative effect, if eaten in sufficient quantity, they induce a deep, relaxing sleep.
Abstract: With more and more Latin Americans emigrating to the United States, their favorite foods are being imported to meet the demand that has arisen here Two popular vegetables, especially of Guatemala and El Salvador, owe part of their popularity to their sedative effect If eaten in sufficient quantity, they induce a deep, relaxing sleep Prominent in these two countries is the tree called pito (Erythrina berteroana) (Fabaceae), the flowers and tender young shoots of which are sold in large quantity, fresh or frozen The tree is exceedingly common because it is planted widely, both as a living fence and windbreak Chipilin (Crotalaria longirostrata) of the same family, is valued for its young leaves and shoots, cooked and eaten as “greens” and also combined with beans, chopped meat or scrambled eggs Chemical analyses show that the foliage is rich in calcium, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and ascorbic acid The seeds and roots ofthe plant are undeniably toxic