Wild Food Plants of Dalmatia (Croatia)

Abstract

The chapter represents an overview of our knowledge concerning wild food plants used in Dalmatia, a coastal region in southern Croatia. While the use of wild vegetables and fruits on the Croatian coast is still quite common, it is mainly practiced by older people. We review the available literature and discuss the most important wild fruits, vegetables, and spices. Preliminary results from our field study suggest that some knowledge and use of local plants still remains. Due to its location, with a Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean climate, and due to strong historical cultural connections with Italy and ancient Greece, the choices of plants used in Dalmatia are very similar to those made in other Mediterranean countries (e.g., similar numerous wild vegetables are used, such as Asparagus acutifolius L., Allium ampeloprasum L., Sonchus spp., Taraxacum spp., Crepis spp., Cichorium intybus L., Papaver rhoeas L., Picris echioides L., Urospermum picroides (L.) Desf., Silene spp., and Tamus communis L.). We also discuss modern culinary trends in the use of wild foods in Dalmatia and new regulations concerning the collection of wild asparagus and forest foods in Croatia.