Plant Names Research Articles

Diversity, management, and uses of edible plants in a Ñäñho community of Southern Querétaro, Mexico

BackgroundMexico is one of the countries with the highest cultural, biological, and agrobiological diversity. However, an accelerated process of ancestral knowledge loss, related to the management of agrobiodiversity, native seeds, and other edible plant species management is affecting food sovereignty. This process of knowledge loss was documented at the Ñäñho region, of southern Querétaro, where our study took place. Our objective was to document the diversity of edible plant diversity, management, and use as well as the agroecosystems from which they are obtained.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted over 2 years (2021–2023) with 50 informants selected through a snowball sampling. Informal interviews and participant observations were also used with these and other people from the same community. Herbarium specimens and seed accessions were collected and photographed.ResultsIn total, 119 edible plant species were identified. The richest families were Solanaceae, Rosaceae, Cactaceae, and Asteraceae. The edible species occur in 11 agroecosystems with 58.6% of the species native to Mexico, and 41.4% introduced. The orchard, rustic greenhouse, house “milpa,” mountain hill, and backyard, have the highest species diversity. The main management types were sowing and gathering plants. Eighty-five plant names were recorded in the Hñäñho language. The plant parts used were fruits (60.5%) and stems (46.2%). The gastronomic categories with the highest species percentage were stews, beverages, and refreshments, while the highest species number used in the gastronomic categories were cacti stalks or “nopales” (Opuntia spp.), maize (Zea mays), and amaranth (Amaranthus spp.).ConclusionsThe records in Southern Querétaro of edible plants and agroecosystems diversity were high. The plants, local knowledge documentation, and species management provide the basis for promoting projects focused on the Ñäñho biocultural wealth. Efforts are needed to encourage the least represented regional species. Community development programs are needed for food security and sovereignty; these are based on the local biocultural resources.

Traditional ethnomedicinal practices for gynecological disorders among the Gond tribe of Chhattisgarh: a regional perspective

The Gond tribe, one of the largest tribal communities in India, is predominantly concentrated in Chhattisgarh, particularly in forest villages. Known for their rich cultural heritage and deep connection to nature, the Gonds rely heavily on the forests for their livelihood, including food, medicine, and materials for daily use. Traditional knowledge plays a crucial role in their healthcare, especially in addressing women's health issues. The Gond community has preserved its ancient practices of folk medicine, using a variety of medicinal plants to treat gynecological disorders such as menstrual irregularities, reproductive health concerns, and postpartum issues. This study focuses on the ethno-medicinal plants used by the Gond tribe for women's health in regions like Bilaspur, Gariyaband, Korba, and Saraipali. Through field surveys and interviews with local healers and community members, information was gathered on 34 plant species traditionally used for gynecological problems. Detailed data was compiled, including botanical names, plant families, local names, parts used, and medicinal properties. The Gonds utilize a diverse range of plants, preparing specific remedies for different gynecological issues, including menstrual disorders, fertility challenges, and menopause symptoms. Despite the availability of modern healthcare, these traditional remedies continue to be highly valued for their effectiveness. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of preserving indigenous knowledge and the need for conserving these valuable plant resources. It advocates for integrating traditional medicine with modern healthcare systems to improve women's health outcomes in the region and ensure the sustainability of this ethno-botanical knowledge.

HEALING PLANTS FROM ALOR ISLAND: A DATA PAPER FOR LANGUAGE DOCUMENTATION

This paper provides the readers with a comprehensive and systematized dataset containing names of healing plants and common plants with medicinal properties from the Abui context in Alor Island, Alor-Pantar Archipelago, Timor area, Southeast Indonesia. Abui is an endangered Papuan language spoken in the central sector of Alor (the name of the language is also the ethnonym of the local population). Our dataset includes the phytonyms in Abui, their scientific names, their English translations, the medicinal properties (actual or as perceived by the natives) of the related plants, and some synthetic notes on their usages and cultural significance among the local indigenous people. The dataset is relevant in that it collects not only a list of terms from a specialized lexicon of an endangered language, but also provides the readers with details on local traditional healing practices, medical properties, and cultural aspects for further analysis. Our operation of data collection and sharing is aimed at ideally associating methods and practices in Language Documentation with Ethno-Botany, History of Culture, History of Traditional Medicine, and Pharmacology. The paper aims also at being an encouragement to scholars working on these disciplines to broaden the horizons of studies in which Language Documentation and Medicine work together for the discovery of new solutions for human healthcare.

Phytonyms in British folklore (linguistic and cultural approach)

The subject of the study is phytonyms in the British linguistic culture. The authors consider phytonyms in folklore in detail, namely in love spells, beliefs, magic formulas, conspiracies, predictions, and folk medicine. Phytonyms in this work mean all names of plants and their parts. When classifying phytonyms, the authors rely on a naive picture of the world and divide phytonyms into dendronyms (names of trees and bushes), floronyms (names of flowers) and herbonyms (names of herbs).The purpose of the study is to consider the problem of using phytonymic vocabulary and the peculiarities of the existence of forms of its representation in the field of folk culture of the English-speaking community of Britain from the standpoint of everyday linguistics. The objectives of the study include identifying the specifics of the representation of phytonomic vocabulary in British folklore, as well as systematization and description of its functions. The work uses methods of complex analysis based on the methods of various sciences (history, cultural studies), among which the following approaches are considered important: a systematic approach, a semiotic approach, a cultural-anthropological approach. The novelty of the research lies, firstly, in the consideration of phytonyms in British folklore from the standpoint of the linguistics of everyday life, complementing the linguistic picture of the world, the modeling of which is gaining popularity in modern language science. In linguistics of recent decades, there has been an obvious trend towards shifting the emphasis to everyday life and everyday human consciousness. Phytonyms have previously been widely studied, but within the framework of other linguistic paradigms. As a result of the research, it was found that the essence of the socio-philosophical concept of everyday life lies in the fact that it is the closest, familiar reality to a person. For modern linguistics, which has turned its attention to the everyday consciousness and daily life of an individual, everyday discourse, including folklore, is valuable. Also, in the course of the study, the functional features of phytonyms in British folklore were considered, which allowed us to draw the following conclusions. In folk art and medicine, phytonyms perform an expressive function that helps to increase expression and, of course, cognitive, since poetry-spells, sayings carry knowledge and wisdom contained in the memory of generations.

The jalap roots: A herbal legacy from the neotropics to the world.

The Convolvulaceae or morning glory family, with about 2000 species in the world's Tropics and subtropics, stands out among the plants used in traditional medicine. Medicinal plant complexes with important purgative properties have been developed in Mexico and Brazil from members of the genera Ipomoea and Operculina with storage roots. Popularly known as the jalap roots, their resin glycosides cause purgative and laxative activities that facilitate bowel movements. This article reviews the importance of the Convolvulaceae family in herbal medicine with a holistic approach that includes a historical perspective, as well as descriptions of crude drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, and chemical constituents. It further considers the family's distribution and biological properties, such as documented purging and cytotoxic activities of the Mexican and Brazilian jalap roots. The main aim of this review is to afford insights into the use and management of medicinal jalap roots for their potential development as herbal medicines. A search for available information on the genera and species that constitute the jalap roots was conducted using scientific databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and the International Plant Names Index. Also, numerous historical European herbals, botanical books, and pharmacopeias were reviewed using the Biodiversity Heritage Library and Internet Archive. The review establishes that from the initial introduction of the medicinal jalap roots to Europe in the 16th century, various types of Neotropical purging roots were confused. The misunderstanding resulted from similar traditional uses of several species with common morphological features, organoleptic characteristics, and vernacular names. Subordinate species were also frequently used as substitutes for the signature or officinal crude drug. A compendium of contemporary uses of Mexican and Brazilian jalaps in herbal medicine is also presented. Mexican and Brazilian jalap roots, still in use in traditional medicine, offer great potential as sources of biologically active principles. Research should prioritize the investigation on their chemical markers, toxicity, mechanisms of action, ecological requirements, and ecological networks. An integrated ethnopharmacological approach, which has not been adequately explored, would promote their proper management as novel phytopharmaceuticals.

A Revised Taxonomy of the Bassia scoparia Complex (Camphorosmoideae, Amaranthaceae s.l.) with an Updated Distribution of B. indica in the Mediterranean Region.

Bassia scoparia is a widespread weedy species in the temperate regions of the world and is valued as a medicinal and ornamental plant. To date, the taxonomic concept of B. scoparia remains insufficiently studied due to a limited number of samples used in the previous phylogenetic analyses. To solve the taxonomy of the B. scoparia complex, we constructed a new phylogeny based on the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS), plastid intergenic spacer atpB-rbcL, and plastid region rpL16 intron sequences for numerous samples with diverse morphology. Our analysis revealed a close proximity and intermixed positions of the samples of the B. scoparia group with various morphology. Because of this polyphyly, we prefer to broadly delimit the species. An updated nomenclature of B. scoparia is provided including four new synonyms: Bassia angustifolia, B. littorea, Kochia albovillosa, and K. scoparia subsp. hirsutissima. In its new circumscription, B. scoparia encompasses populations with glabrous or variously hairy leaves and perianths. The original material of Kochia sieversiana, previously considered a species with hairy leaves and inflorescences, has the same diagnostic characters as in B. scoparia s.str. The correct name for more hairy-leaved plants is B. scoparia var. subvillosa. Plants with hairy perianths known as Kochia albovillosa and K. scoparia subsp. hirsutissima have a restricted distribution in Central Asia and South Siberia and have never been recorded as alien in other regions; they can be classified as a separate variety, B. scoparia var. hirsutissima. The ornamental variant of oblong or pyramidal shape may be called B. scoparia var. trichophila. Bassia scoparia is often confused with a similarly looking relative, B. indica, especially in North Africa, a region where secondary ranges of both species overlap. Phylogenetically, these species are sister groups; they share some morphological characters but have different primary distribution ranges. We traced a recent expansion of B. indica in the Mediterranean with the first record reported from the European continent (Spain) and uncovered various introduction pathways of the species in this region.

Examining plant names and their socio-cultural significance among speakers of Chasu in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Examining plant names and their socio-cultural significance among speakers of Chasu in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

A Common, Cure and Curative Study of 21 Traditional plants used in COVID-19 pandemic time

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people across the globe turned to traditional and ethnobotanical remedies to boost immunity, alleviate symptoms, and prevent infections. Plants have long been a vital source of medicine, and many common herbs and plants possess antimicrobial, antiviral, and immunomodulatory properties. This paper delves into the botanical names, useful parts, common names, family names, and medicinal uses of various plants such as Zingiber (Ginger), Capsicum, Azadirachta (Neem), Aloe, and others, in relation to COVID-19 prevention and protection. The plants examined have been used in traditional medicine for centuries and have gained renewed attention for their potential roles in combating viral infections, particularly in light of the global health crisis posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ornamental Palm Species of Palu City, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

A research-entitled ornamental palm species of Palu city, central Sulawesi, Indonesia has been conducted from May to September 2024. The goal of the study was to document ornamental palm in Palu City. The direct observation through botanical exploration method was performed to inventory ornamental plant in 8 districts of Palu. All ornamental palms samples were collected and photographed then identified at the Laboratory of Plant Biosystematics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and the Herbarium Celebense (CEB), Tadulako University Palu. Additional data included local name, botanical name, family, plant habitus (life form), were noted. Specimens with their label were deposited at CEB, Tadulako University Palu, Indonesia. There were 16 (sixteen) ornamental palms namely: Areca cathechu, Cocos nucifera, Phoenix dactilyfera, Elaeis guineensis, Cyrtostachys renda, Corypha utan, Roystonia regia, Saribus rotundifolius, Wodyetia bifurcata, Adonidia merrilii, Hyophorbe lagenicaulis, Chrysalidocarpus decaryi, Bismarckia nobilis, Chamaedorea elegans, Licuala grandis, and Rhapis excelsa

The d’Oignies herbarium: contents and origins of an early 18th-century plant collection from the Netherlands

ABSTRACT A little over 200 years ago, an anonymous 18th-century herbarium was bought at auction by the National Library in The Hague, the Netherlands. Until recently, nobody knew where this herbarium originated, with its carefully dried plant specimens accompanied by ornamental urns and garbled names. In 1868, it was handed over to the National Herbarium, an institution that later became part of the Naturalis Biodiversity Center. The lack of scientific attention seemed at odds with the beauty and the possible historic relevance of this herbarium. We studied the 796 digitised specimens and identified 618 unique plant species. The high number of exotic, and non-medicinal Dutch plants was remarkable. By determining the species’ native range, comparing the herbarium with other contemporary collections, studying the paper and bindings, tracing the identity of one-time owner Simone d’Oignies, and in particular tracing the origin of the plant names, we were able to assess when the herbarium was made and its scientific and societal value. Jakob Ligtvoet (1686–1752), head gardener of the Leiden botanic garden, owned a herbarium with all the characteristics of the d’Oignies collection at the time of his death. Comparison with the very similar Zierikee herbarium, convinced us that the d’Oignies herbarium matched the description of the herbarium once owned by Ligtvoet. Both collections were created and kept by the gardeners of the Leiden botanic garden and are of great scientific and societal value.

Estrategias de nominación de las plantas medicinales en la nomenclatura etnobotánica cashinahua (Pano, Perú)

This article is the first study on the naming strategies in the ethnobotanical nomenclature of medicinal plants in Cashinahua (Pano). This linguistic group is located in the Yuruá-Purús basin, on the border between Peru and Brazil. This study focuses on the variety spoken in Peru. First, within the framework of cognitive semantics, we have seen the use of an important series of metonymies, metaphors and metaphtonymies to name a whole paradigm of plants according to their medicinal uses and the Cashinahua cosmovision. A Cashinahua taxonomy has also been identified that distinguishes plants with a generic name and distinct curative properties, and several plants with specific names and similar curative properties. There are also specific plant names that correspond to a single plant family. Finally, four morphosyntactic processes have been analyzed, which are prefixation, nominal composition, suffixation and clitization, and the whole paradigm of nominalization of clauses in Cashinahua has been described for the first time.

Indigenous ethnomedicinal knowledge of inhabitants of Neelan valley, district Abbottabad, KPK, Pakistan

The indigenous knowledge of utilizing medicinal plants for the treatment of various ailments in very ancient and emerges under the influence of culture in each society. The culture of Pakistan is very rich in utilizing medicinal plants to cure various diseases. The current study was conducted to collect the indigenous knowledge from the local community regarding the utilization of native plant species for the cure of different diseases. The study was carried out in the Neelan Valley, Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The method used in the current study for documentation of the indigenous knowledge and traditional uses of important medicinal plants was based on questionnaires and personal interviews during field visits. A total of 350 informants, including 216 males and 134 females were interviewed for their traditional knowledge of medicinal plants used for various diseases and their knowledge regarding different folklores. As a result of interviews, 42 important medicinal plant species belonging to 32 families including 12 trees, 13 shrubs and 17 herbs were documented. The ethnomedicinal record was produced by listing the local and botanical name, plant family, habit, parts used and ethnomedicinal uses/folklores. The most frequent plant parts used for the aforementioned purpose were leaves, flowers, seeds and whole plants. Most of plants were used against digestive/gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders, jaundice, diabetes, rheumatism etc., as well as for antipyretic and anthelmintic purposes. It was observed that indigenous knowledge of herbal folklores is commonly used in the area to control various diseases, but is mostly confined to elderly people, while younger population is less aware of this knowledge due to altering socio-cultural trends in the area of study.

Exploring the Medicinal Benefits of Filfil Darāz (Piper longum L.): Insights from Unani Medicine and Modern Perspectives

Backround: Filfil Darāz (Piper longum L.) is an important medicinal plant belonging to the Piperaceae family, is therapeutically used in many traditional systems of medicine, such as Unani, Ayurveda, Siddha, etc. Purpose of Review: This review's primary goal is to investigate data on Piper longum botanical description, Pharmacognostic characteristics, phytochemicals, and therapeutic uses. This information will ultimately help Unani and other scientists plan various studies for additional research on this significant medicinal plant. Materials and Methods: This systemic review was done through an extensive literature survey of Unani classical and other ethnobotanical literature and published research work available on various search engines viz., Science Direct, PubMed, Google Scholar, etc. Result: Piper longum L. is the accepted botanical name of Filfil Darāz, long pepper, Pīplamūl as referred in Unani and other traditional medicines. It is grown in Nepal, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Philippines. In India, the plant is found in the lower hills of West Bengal, the Khasi hills, the evergreen forests of the Western Ghats from Konkan to Kerala, and the Nicobar Islands, it is also found in Assam, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Karnataka. Usually, the fruit of this important medicinal plant is therapeutically used for various ailments, including indigestion, constipation, dysentery, neurogenic gastralgia, skin diseases, nervine weakness, weakness of stomach, flatulence, amenorrhea, dribbling of urine, etc. It contains many important secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, flavonoids, esters, piperine, steroids, and essential oils, etc., which have been reported to possess antimicrobial, antiparasitic, anthelminthic, mosquito-larvicidal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, anti-asthmatic, cardioprotective, anti-snake-venom neuro-pharmacological, immunomodulation, antiarthritic and antiulcer and lipidemic agents. Conclusion: Numerous bioactive chemicals that have been isolated and extracted from piper longum have been found to have potential therapeutic benefits for various bodily systems.

Botanical Roots and Word Origins: A Systematic Reconstruction of Alor Plant Name Etymologies

This research provides a systematic reconstruction of nine botanical names from the Papuan languages spoken on Alor Island. Although genealogical links among the Papuan Timor–Alor–Pantar languages have been previously investigated, linguistic micro-studies of the hypothesized ‘shared’ ancestor languages within languages of the individual islands remain sparse. This study has three main aims: Firstly, to provide etymological reconstructions of Alor–Pantar Papuan words on a micro-level, focusing on Alor Island and specifically on plant names, which represent a cornerstone of Alor culture and history. Adopting the Comparative Method comparing cognates of 15 local languages, this research postulates historical phonetic shifts and language alignment phenomena and proposes proto-forms of the words in proto-Alor. Secondly, to shed light on possible prehistoric language contact and settlement patterns. A key finding suggests that the initial consonantal shifts *b > b > f > p in the languages is a probable loanword feature originating from the Austronesians. The geographical spread could indicate the influence of external trade and/or settlement patterns within the Papuan populations. Lastly, to provide a backbone for future etymological research on Papuan languages in Alor (and beyond) by mapping out aspects of language origins and phonetic influences and establish features of the shared proto-language(s).

The Role of Botanical Names in the Sourcing and Distribution of Ayurveda Raw Drugs for Better Efficacy of Treatment

The Role of Botanical Names in the Sourcing and Distribution of Ayurveda Raw Drugs for Better Efficacy of Treatment

FLORA OF ANCIENT JAVA: IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES, LANDSCAPE DISTRIBUTION, AND CULTURAL ASSOCIATION OF PLANTS MENTIONED IN OLD JAVANESE RAMAYANA

We searched the Old Javanese Ramayana as historical ethnobotanical resource and identified all references to plants and their biological references. Our analysis of plant names, landscape distributions, uses, and cultural associations in Java more than 1,000 years ago, includes trees and shrubs that appear in descriptions of landscapes, urban environments, forest hermitages, and uninhabited forested mountains. Of the 2,802 stanzas, only 198 stanzas (7.06%) mention plant names, with a total of 466 plant citations. Of all plant citations, we found 232 Old Javanese plant names, of which 230 had botanical references identified. These identified plant names refer to 204 spe-cies belonging to 76 plant families. The plant families with the most described species are Fabaceae (20 species), Po-aceae (11 species), and Moraceae (11 species). Of the 204 species identified, 114 are native to Java Island, 90 are non-native plants. Of the 232 Old Javanese plant names, 190 (81.89%) are of Javanese origin or have Proto-Austronesian or Proto-Malayo-Polynesian roots and show lexical similarity to the plant names in modern languages closely related to the Javanese. The plant species with the highest SDR value related to landscape description are the non-native plants Saraca asoca and Mangifera indica. The author of Old Javanese Ramayana not only knows the names of many plants and their uses, but also the characteristics of plants such as size, colour, taste, and habitat. The discovery con-firms previous scholar’s speculation that while the place names in the Old Javanese epics are Indian, the botanic ele-ments of these places is primarily Javanese

The genus Alurnus Fabricius, 1775 (Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Alurnini) in Colombia with four new species records and an updated checklist in the country

In Colombia, the taxonomy of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) shows information gaps in the composition, biology, richness, distribution, among others, although most of them are of agricultural importance. The genus Alurnus is distributed in the Neotropical Region and it is the most specious genus of the tribe Alurnini (Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae). Species of this genus have been reported in association with palms of the family Arecaceae. Previous studies of Alurnus recorded 12 species for Colombia. In this study, 64 specimens were analyzed from 14 Colombian entomological collections, confirming previous records of seven species and reporting four new records for Colombia. This study provides the names of associations and host plants for some species, and the geographic distribution for each one.

Traditionally Used Medicinal Plants of Armenia.

The rich and diverse flora of Armenia has been used for medicinal purposes for at least 3000 years. The relevant literature in Armenian, English, and Russian revealed a vast array of used medicinal plants, some of them unique to the Caucasus region. The usage of medicinal plants confirms the position of Armenia as a country at the crossroads of Asia and Europe because of its traditional usage of medicinal plants from both continents. Literature data in Armenian, English, and Russian on medicinal plants of Armenia were mainly obtained using various electronic databases. From all available sources, 320 Armenian medicinal plant species were extracted with their botanical and local names and traditional uses. The use of medicinal plants by the Armenian people is systematically compiled, including the used plant organs and preparations and the ailments for which the various taxa are/were used. Medicinal plants of Armenia are represented for both wild and cultivated species. Some of the taxa used are unique to Armenia or the Caucasus region, while many other species are also used in various other countries. Some of the species from traditional Armenian medicine are currently being studied using modern methods.

Bentang dan Tanda-tanda Alam Serta Perubahan Nama Tumbuhan dan Hewan dalam Bratayuda Kawi Mawi Jarwa

This article discusses the landscapes and natural signs contained in the text of Bratayuda Kawi mawi Jarwa, a jarwa text by R. Ng. Ranggawarsita whose writing uses a three-column commentary system. In general, the content of this text is only a jarwan or translation of Kakawin Bharatayuddha, so in terms of narrative the story in it is exactly the same as the kakawin form. The content of this text mostly discusses warfare, but it is not uncommon for poets to tell landscapes in the story. The landscape described by the poet is a forest landscape, besides that the poet also describes the natural signs that occur if a major event will or has occurred. On the other hand, from the three-column jarwa form used in this manuscript, the kakawin text and jarwa text can be compared so that it can be seen how the transformation of Javanese language from the old Javanese language to the new Javanese language, including the mention of plant and animal names. In its discussion, this article uses a philological approach, followed by an attempt to compare the texts between Kakawin Bharatayuddha and Bratayuda Kawi mawi Jarwa. With these approaches, this article analyzes several things, namely (1) landscapes in the text of Bratayuda Kawi mawi Jarwa, (2) signs of nature in the text of Bratayuda Kawi mawi Jarwa, and (3) transformation of plant and animal names. The results of the following research are (1) there are images of nature in the BKMJ text in the form of forest landscapes mentioned twice in the text, (2) there are two types of natural signs, namely natural signs as messengers and natural signs as depictions, (3) 49 plant names and 38 animal names are found, most of the names are still the same but there are also some differences.

Index for JBRIT Volume 18 (2024)

There is an index to 30 titles with authors, an index of 108 authors, botanical names and subject index, an index to 44 new names and new combinations.