The problem of misidentification between edible and poisonous wild plants: Reports from the Mediterranean area

Cornara, Laura; Smeriglio, Antonella; Frigerio, Jessica; Gristina, Emilio Di; Denaro, Marcella; Mora, Elisa; Trombetta, Domenico

doi:10.1016/j.fct.2018.04.066

Cited by 23 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Currently, the inhabitants of the islands know that mandrake (M. autumnalis) (Fig. 7A) is a poisonous plant, although often confused with Borago officinalis [62], but until the end of the 1990s, the fruit of this species was employed for medicinal purposes, such as in the treatment of articular pain [56,58]. An even earlier medicinal use of the mandrake root is as antispasmodic to treat gastrointestinal problems [57].…”

Section: Comparison To Past Use Reportsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ethnobotany of the Aegadian Islands: safeguarding biocultural refugia in the Mediterranean

Rosa¹,

Cornara

Saitta

et al. 2021

J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine

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Background The Aegadian Islands are located west of Trapani, Sicily. Once the site of bountiful tuna fisheries and fruit orchards (plums, peaches, apricots), grapevines, prickly pears, and grains, the local economy is now based on tourism, and many traditional agricultural and maritime practices have been abandoned. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the state of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) concerning the use of wild and cultivated plants and fungi for human health, food, maritime, and agricultural purposes on the islands of Levanzo, Favignana, and Marettimo and compare present-day practices with those documented in the past. Methods In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted in Italian with 48 participants with prior informed consent from May 2016 to July 2017 and October 2018. Herbarium voucher specimens of wild species were collected for herbarium deposit. A rigorous literature review of scientific and other local reports on TEK of wild flora and their application in food, health, and household applications was undertaken for the purpose of comparing findings from this field study with prior reports. Results A total of 122 plant and five fungal taxa representing 54 families were cited for 355 uses. Among the most pervasive species in the landscape, Agave americana and A. sisalana had diverse applications in the past, which ranged from cordage for agricultural and maritime applications to tools for sewing, eating land snails, and constructing furniture. Fields of Ferula communis also dominate the landscape, and the dry stems were used extensively in furniture making; this species also serves as an environmental indicator for the location of the most preferred edible mushrooms, Pleurotus eryngii var. ferulae. Other important flora included topical medicinal applications of Glaucium flavum for hematomas and Artemisia arborescens for ritual bathing of newborns. Conclusion While many plant-based traditions have disappeared from daily practice, especially those related to traditional fishing and health practices, they remain in the memories of the eldest subset of the population. Documenting this knowledge before it disappears from oral history is a key factor in reducing loss of TEK and biocultural diversity, safeguarding the role of the Aegadian Islands as biocultural refugia.

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Section: Comparison To Past Use Reportsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ethnobotany of the Aegadian Islands: safeguarding biocultural refugia in the Mediterranean

Rosa¹,

Cornara

Saitta

et al. 2021

J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine

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“…cardiac glycosides since 1912. These species include but are not limited to, A. aestivalis , A. annua, A. amurensis, A. autumnalis , and A. microcarpa (Maiden, 1912). The first experimental feeding trial was performed in 1929, and the results demonstrated that A. annua was lethal to sheep when fed 1.0 lb of fresh plant, the seed-bearing mature stage of the plant and extracts of the partially dried plant.…”

Section: Toxicitymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Genus Adonis as an Important Cardiac Folk Medicine: A Review of the Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

et al. 2019

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The genus Adonis L. (Ranunculaceae), native to Europe and Asia, comprises 32 annual or perennial herbaceous species. Due to their cardiac-enhancing effects, Adonis spp. have long been used in European and Chinese folk medicine. These plants have been widely investigated since the late 19th century, when the cardiovascular activity of Adonis vernalis L. was noted in Europe. The present paper provides a review of the phytochemistry, biological activities and toxicology in order to highlight the future prospects of the genus. More than 120 chemical compounds have been isolated, with the most important components being cardiac glycosides as well as flavones, carotenoids, coumarins and other structural types. Plants of the genus, especially A. vernalis L. and A. amurensis Regel & Radde, their extracts and their active constituents possess broad pharmacological properties, including cardiovascular, antiangiogenic, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and acaricidal activities, and exhibit both diuretic effects and effects on the central nervous system. However, most plants within the 32 species have not been comprehensively studied, and further clinical evaluation of their cardiovascular activity and toxicity should be conducted after addressing the problem of the rapidly decreasing resources. This review provides new insight into the genus and lays a solid foundation for further development of Adonis.

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“…Identifying the precise seed type may become fundamental in forensic science where plant matter identification may greatly contribute to crime solving. Forensic botany is the application of plant sciences to criminal investigations (4) as well as in toxicology and other non-criminal settings (5). Plant parts may be found entrapped on the victim's clothes or as partially digested or undigested fragments in gastric/bowel contents, aiding in the identification of time of death, last meal or which path was taken by the victim before body discovery (6).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Seeds of Doubt: Finding Seeds in Intriguing Places

et al. 2021

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Introduction: Seeds may be found in gastrointestinal tissue samples, and their multifaceted appearance may be challenging. The aim is to report a rough incidence of pathology samples which show seeds, specify the most frequent sample types and show an iconography of the most commonly identified seeds.Materials and Methods: Between 2017 and 2020, all gastrointestinal pathology cases in which seeds/seed parts were found, were collected and seed type described by referencing a seed image library.Results: Fifty cases with complete seeds/seed parts were collected: 16 colonic resections for colorectal cancer and diverticulosis, 13 appendiceal resections for appendicitis, 1 gastric resection. Fifteen cases were found in polypectomy specimens and 5 cases in colorectal endoscopic biopsies. Most frequent seed types were tomato, kiwi, blueberry, and blackberry seeds.Conclusion: Seeds may be found in up to 4% of specimens; their recognition may be useful to exclude parasitic infections as well as in forensic sciences.

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The problem of misidentification between edible and poisonous wild plants: Reports from the Mediterranean area

Cited by 23 publications

References 13 publications

Ethnobotany of the Aegadian Islands: safeguarding biocultural refugia in the Mediterranean

Ethnobotany of the Aegadian Islands: safeguarding biocultural refugia in the Mediterranean

The Genus Adonis as an Important Cardiac Folk Medicine: A Review of the Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

The Seeds of Doubt: Finding Seeds in Intriguing Places

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