Historical ethnobotanical review of wild edible plants of Estonia (1770s–1960s)

Raivo Kalle,Renata Sõukand

doi:10.5586/asbp.2012.033

Abstract

This paper is a historical ethnobotanical review of wild plants used by the residents of present day Estonia during the 1770s–1960s. Twenty two sources addressing historical ethnographical accounts of the use of wild food plants were analysed. The use of 147 taxa of vascular plants (over 6% of Estonian vascular flora) and two lichens has been recorded. Although the data does not allow for reliable determination of the frequency of use of specific taxa among the population, general conclusions on the preferences for specific dishes made of wild food plants can be made. While the category of snacks covers the largest proportion of species used, a substantial addition to food rations was provided by bread ingredients (used predominantly in famine times), green vegetables used for making soup, and later jams and other dishes of wild berries. Also beverages (tea and coffee substitutes), beer and beer-like drinks were widely made, and the saps of several tree species were consumed in fresh and fermented form. The most important species, according to the criterion of diversity of use, were Carum carvi, Urtica dioica, and the wild berries Vaccinium vitis-idaea and Vaccinium myrtillus.

Highlights

In the quite recent past, during times of war, crop failure or other cases of food shortage, wild food plants have made a substantial addition to the human diet [1,2]
This paper is a historical ethnobotanical review of wild plants used by the residents of present day Estonia during the 1770s– 1960s
The data does not allow for reliable determination of the frequency of use of specific taxa among the population, general conclusions on the preferences for specific dishes made of wild food plants can be made

Summary

Introduction

In the quite recent past, during times of war, crop failure or other cases of food shortage, wild food plants have made a substantial addition to the human diet [1,2]. In Northern Europe the research seems to be completed and it seems that not much can be added to it, as in countries with high industrialization and safe social settings the need for wild food is close to zero and the existing ethnographic resources are already thoroughly researched (for a few examples see [14,15,16]).

Objectives

Methods

Results