Table 1 Why common uses and conservation of certain edible and medicinal plants depend on local knowledge? Examples consider the best quality materials and safety for users.
Species Latin name Species common name (PT/GB)1 | Main use | Useful LK | Practices that promote conservation & best use2 |
|---|---|---|---|
Arnica montana L. arnica/mountain arnica Fragaria vesca L. amiródio/wild strawberry Physospermum cornubiense (L.) DC. anis/bladderseed Tuberaria lignosa (Sweet) Samp. alcária/similar to rockrose | Medicinal Claimed to have potent anti-inflammatory effect and high demanded | Grown in very specifics habitats. Inconspicuous, are unnoticed. Skillful gathers find them searching some particular soil characteristics. Few people know the best sites, gathering periods, plant grow stages and how to prepare remedies | Maintaining a balance between wilderness and extensive management of woodlands and scrublands, promoting some disturbance to limit competition but avoiding great disturbances, resulting in the removal of large amounts of biomass |
Borago officinalis L. borragem/borage Bryonia dioica Jacq. norça/white bryony Crataegus monogyna Jacq. espinheiro/hawthorn Origanum vulgare L. oregão/oregano | Food and medicinal Supplements, restoratives and condiments Digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular affections | Different parts and different grow stages of the same plant may be used for several purposes and prepared in many ways, according to specific circumstances and need s. | Extensive farming, avoiding pesticides and fertilizers Clearing, mowing, maintaining pathways, road slopes and properties borders (vegetation and traditional stone walls) |
Montia fontana L. merujes/water blinks Portulaca oleracea L beldroega/green purslane | Food Consumed mainly raw | Abilities to clearly identify morphological features and convenient gathering sites are fundamental | Surface water management Cleaning of pathways Extensive farming |
Arenaria montana L. seixinha/mountain sandwor Thymus pulegioides L. pojinha/broad-leaved thym Chondrilla juncea L. ginjeira/nakedweed | Medicinal Medicinal Food and medicinal | The best material should be gathered in managed sites such as clearings in oak forests, crop lands and meadows, which involve knowledge and proficiency | Woodlots and meadows management and extensive farming, avoiding pesticides and fertilizers |
Geranium robertianum L. Erva- de- S. Roberto/herb Robert Hypericum perforatum L. piricão fêmea/St John's wort | Medicinal Oral use Digestive system and diuretic | Skills to identify certain morphological characters and to avoid confusion among similar species, with no medicinal value | Keeping traditional land tenure (communal versus fenced individual plots) and natural boundaries, preserving the best habitat and material |
Tamus communis L. black bryonie | Food and medicinal | Toxic plants. Both gathering and uses require expertise to guarantee consumers safety | Woodland management as fruiting plants (used for remedies) are only available in clearings |
Pterospartum tridentatum (L.) Willk carqueja/similar to brooms | Scrubland management avoiding fires and invasive species |