Wild Plant Species Research Articles

Checklist and prioritization of crop wild relatives in Sudan and South Sudan

Crop wild relatives (CWR) encompass wild plant species or subspecies closely related to domesticated crops. This study presents the first comprehensive checklist and prioritized inventory of CWR for Sudan and South Sudan. Building on the regional CWR list for Northeast Africa, we identified 499 CWR taxa belonging to 44 families, with 90% of these being native species. The most prominently represented families were Poaceae (148), Fabaceace (72) and Convolvulaceae (43), while Panicum (32), Eragrostis (27), Ficus (24) and Pennisetum (20) were the most frequent genera. A prioritized inventory of 85 CWR taxa was developed based on three criteria: economic value, utilization potential and threat status. The prioritized CWR are predominately native (78%) and encompass 12 families dominated by Poaceae (38), followed by Solanaceae (9), Fabaceae (6) and Cucurbitaceae (6). Priority genera included 27, with Digitaria (17), Solanum (9) and Cucumis (5) emerging as key genera for conservation attention. This comprehensive national CWR inventory provides a crucial foundation for developing targeted conservation strategies in Sudan and South Sudan.

WEEDS AND WILD PLANTS AS NATURAL HOSTS OF CUCUMBER MOSAIC VIRUS: A CASE STUDY FROM WESTERN SLOVAKIA

Cucumber mosaic virus (Bromoviridae) is a worldwide widespread pathogen affecting more than 1200 plant species. Although more attention is paid to CMV research on agricultural crops, vegetables or ornamental plants, this work was focused on the analysis of several weeds and wild plants as potential natural hosts of CMV. For this purpose, samples from two different agroecological locations were tested by DAS-ELISA using CMV-specific antibodies, revealing nine CMV-positive plant species. CMV isolates from greater burdock (Arctium lappa L.), rough hawksbeard (Crepis biennis L.), wood avens (Geum urbanum L.), prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola L.), black medick (Medicago lupulina L.), bitter dock (Rumex obtusifolius L.), field sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis L.), white clover (Trifolium repens) and white violet (Viola alba Besser.) were further characterized by sequencing the complete CP gene, disclosing their affiliation to the CMV Group II. We have shown that weeds and wild plant species can be effective hosts for CMV and can serve as virus reservoirs from which the virus can be spread to cultivated crops.

Allelic variants confer Arabidopsis adaptation to small regional environmental differences.

Natural populations of Arabidopsis thaliana provide powerful systems to study the adaptation of wild plant species. Previous research has predominantly focused on global populations or accessions collected from regions with diverse climates. However, little is known about the genetics underlying adaptation in regions with mild environmental clines. We have examined a diversity panel consisting of 192 A. thaliana accessions collected from the Netherlands, a region with limited climatic variation. Despite the relatively uniform climate, we identified evidence of local adaptation within this population. Notably, semidwarf accessions, due to mutation of the GIBBERELLIC ACID REQUIRING 5 (GA5) gene, occur at a relatively high frequency near the coast and these displayed enhanced tolerance to high wind velocities. Additionally, we evaluated the performance of the population under iron deficiency conditions and found that allelic variation in the FE SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE 3 (FSD3) gene affects tolerance to low iron levels. Moreover, we explored patterns of local adaptation to environmental clines in temperature and precipitation, observing that allelic variation at LA RELATED PROTEIN 1C (LARP1c) likely affects drought tolerance. Not only is the genetic variation observed in a diversity panel of A. thaliana collected in a region with mild environmental clines comparable to that in collections sampled over larger geographic ranges but it is also sufficiently rich to elucidate the genetic and environmental factors underlying natural plant adaptation.

Virome Characterization of Native Wild-Rice Plants Discovers a Novel Pathogenic Rice Polerovirus With World-Wide Circulation.

Pandemics originating from zoonotic viruses have posed significant threats to human health and agriculture. Recent discoveries have revealed that wild-rice plants also harbour viral pathogens capable of severely impacting rice production, a cornerstone food crop. In this study, we conducted virome analysis on ~1000 wild-rice individual colonies and discovered a novel single-strand positive-sense RNA virus prevalent in these plants. Through comprehensive genomic characterization and comparative sequence analysis, this virus was classified as a new species in the genus Polerovirus, designated Rice less tiller virus (RLTV). Our investigations elucidated that RLTV could be transmitted from wild rice to cultivated rice via a specific insect vector, the aphid Rhopalosiphum padi, causing less tiller disease symptoms in rice plants. We generated an infectious cDNA clone for RLTV and demonstrated systemic infection of rice cultivars and induction of severe disease symptoms following mechanical inoculation or stable genetic transformation. We further illustrated transmission of RLTV from stable transgenic lines to healthy rice plants by the aphid vector, leading to the development of disease symptoms. Notably, our database searches showed that RLTV and another polerovirus isolated from a wild plant species are widely circulating not only in wild rice but also cultivated rice around the world. Our findings provide strong evidence for a wild plant origin for rice viruses and underscore the imminent threat posed by aphid-transmitted rice Polerovirus to rice cultivar.

Ethnobotany study on wild edible plants used by the Tujia ethnic group in Laifeng, southwest Hubei, China.

Wild edible plants hold a significant position in the lives of local residents, serving as a primary food source or supplement. Laifeng County, located in the hinterland of the central mountainous area of China, boasts abundant wild edible plant resources. The Tujia people, residing here for generations, have accumulated a wealth of traditional knowledge in the long-term practice of utilizing wild edible plants. The aim of this study is to document and organize the traditional utilization of wild edible plants by the Tujia ethnic group in Laifeng. An ethnobotanical investigation, comprising semi-structured interviews, key informant interviews, and participatory observations, was conducted in 26 traditional villages in Laifeng County from May 2023 to June 2024. A total of 252 informants were interviewed, from whom information about wild edible plants, including edible parts, food categories, consumption modes, and multiple uses was collected. The relative frequency of citation (RFC) and the cultural food significance index (CFSI) were calculated to identify the cultural importance of wild edible plants. A total of 163 species of wild edible plants consumed by the Tujia people in Laifeng, belonging to 64 families and 118 genera and related traditional knowledge were collected, including vegetables (78), fruits (52), wine-soaking plants (12), spices (11), food substitutes (9), tea substitutes (6), nuts (5), coagulants (2), and oil (1). The most frequently used families were Rosaceae, Asteraceae, and Poaceae, with 23, 10, and 10 species, respectively. The most commonly utilized plant parts were fruits, leaves, and stems. RFC and CFSI analyses identified 14 species of wild edible plants with high cultural importance in the local diet, such as Allium macrostemon, Houttuynia cordata, and Hovenia acerba. The Tujia ethnic group in Laifeng demonstrates extensive knowledge in their traditional usage of wild edible plants, offering unique and robust insights into the harvesting, processing, and consumption of these resources. Over time, this practice has become an integral part of the local food culture. These findings contribute to the preservation of the Tujia culture of wild edible plants in Laifeng and the conservation and development of wild edible plant resources.

Ethnobotanical study of wild edible plants in the mountainous regions of Semnan Province, Iran

In mountainous areas, wild edible plants are an important part of the local diet. Climate change and anthropogenic activities have profound effects on wild edible plants in these areas. Ethnobotanical studies are important for understanding the use patterns and harvest impacts on these plants. In this regard, the Shahrood region, with its diverse historical/ethnic background, is an appropriate starting point to investigate exploitation patterns and impacts of harvest of wild edible plants. During 2021–2022, ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in 12 villages in the region using semi-structured interviews and participatory observations. Data collection included assessing wild edible plant species diversity, their habitats, collection time and quantities, plant parts used and methods of consumption and preparation. The data were analyzed using use report indicators, relative frequency of citations, and use value (UV). A total of 1086 use reports were documented from a total of 44 interviews. A total of 67 wild species (66 plants and 1 fungus) belonging to 54 genera and 24 families were used as edible in the study area. Rosaceae (9 species), Apiaceae (8), Lamiaceae (8), Asteraceae (7), and Amaryllidaceae (5) were the families with the most reported species. Allium (5 species) was the most diverse genus in terms of species diversity. Herbs were the most commonly used life form (79.1%), followed by shrubs (13.4%) and trees (6%). The most consumed plant parts were young leaves (25%) and young aerial parts (21.4%). There were 13 use categories identified. The majority of edible plants were collected in April–May, mainly from areas nearby villages (37.7%) and rangelands (33.7%). The most important edible plants in the study area were Allium iranicum (Wendelbo) Wendelbo (UV = 1.7), Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds. (1.5), Allium umbilicatum Boiss. (1.47), Tragopogon graminifolius DC. (1.38), Lepidium draba L. (1.27), Urtica dioica L. (1.18), Falcaria vulgaris Bernh. (1.13), Malva neglecta Wallr. (1.11) and Eremurus sp. (1.09). Our results showed diverse and valuable knowledge for wild edible plants in this region, which should be considered in the conservation and management plans in the region.

Plant defense compounds can enhance antagonistic effects against Alternaria brassicicola of seed-associated fungi isolated from wild Brassicaceae.

Plant microbiota appear more and more as potential sources of antagonistic microorganisms. However, the seed microbiota associated with wild plant species has rarely been explored. To identify fungal antagonists to the seed-borne pathogen Alternaria brassicicola, seeds were collected in natural populations of three Brassicaceae species, Arabidopsis thaliana, Capsella bursa-pastoris and Draba verna. A large number of fungal strains reduced the growth of A. brassicicola. The most antagonistic strains belonged to Alternaria, Apiospora, Trichoderma and Aspergillus. Seed-associated fungi tolerated host plant defenses and exhibited lower sensitivity compared to A. brassicicola to indolic compounds such as the phytoalexin camalexin and the glucosinolates (GLS)-breakdown compound indole-3-carbinol. By contrast, antagonistic strains were as inhibited as A. brassicicola in presence of allyl-isothiocyanates (ITC) derived from aliphatic GLS, and more inhibited by benzyl-ITC derived from aromatic GLS. However, all defense compounds could enhance the antagonistic effects of some of the isolated strains on A. brassicicola. The observed potential synergistic effects between defense compounds and seed-associated antagonistic strains emphasize the need for further studies to elucidate the molecular bases of the interactions. A better understanding of the interactions between host plants, pathogens and fungal endophytes is also needed to develop sustainable biocontrol strategies.

Review of Enset (Tree Against Hunger and Drought) Value Chain Opportunities and Constraints in Agricultural Food Sector of Ethiopia

In sub-Saharan Africa Enset is widely dispersed wild plant species that ensures food security for many Africans. In similar view, in South and South-west parts of Ethiopia more than 20 million people depends on Enset as stable food and it is called drought tolerant food of root crop. Due to its multidimensional significant roles, its resilience and versatility during the times of famine Enset has earned the name 'The Tree against Hunger'. Besides, food items like ‘Amicho’, ’Kocho’, and ‘Bulla’ are obtained from Enset for home consumption and marketing. Besides, the value chain is the full range of activities which are required to bring a product or service from conception, through the different phase of production which involves a combination of physical transformation and the input of various producer services, delivery to final consumers, and final disposal after use. Thus, the main intent of this article was to review the value chain of Enset from its respective opportunities and challenges from perspective of Ethiopia. Regarding to this, the information used in this paper was the secondary source information that was extracted from journal articles and dissertation papers. Then the collected information were analyzed qualitatively and presented in narrative ways. Finally, based on the review results of this article conclusions and recommendations are given in advances.

From Weeds to Feeds: Exploring the Potential of Wild Plants in Horticulture from a Centuries-Long Journey to an AI-Driven Future

Given the increasing food needs of humanity and the challenges cultivated species face in adapting to the climatic uncertainties we experience, it is urgent to cultivate new species. A highly relevant repertoire for this purpose is offered by the array of edible wild plants. We analyzed data from Murcia (Spain), involving 61 species and 59 informants, and the Global Database of Wild Food Plants, which includes 15,000 species, 500 localities, and nearly 700 references. Using local consensus, global distribution, and GBIF occurrence data, we built simple unimodal or bimodal models to explore their limitations. Our study highlights that approximately 15,000 wild or feral plant species are consumed as food, underlining the urgent need to support existing crops with new species due to current food crises and climate irregularities. We examined wild plant diversity from a horticultural perspective, considering their relationships with weeds and invasive species. Partial criteria, such as local consensus or global use, were found insufficient for selecting candidate species. We propose developing a specific artificial intelligence to integrate various factors—ecological, nutritional, toxicological, agronomic, biogeographical, ethnobotanical, economic, and physiological—to accurately model a species’ potential for domestication and cultivation. We propose the necessary tools and a protocol for developing this AI-based model.

Heatwaves exacerbate pollen limitation through reductions in pollen production and pollen vigour.

Increasingly frequent heat waves threaten the reproduction of flowering plants; compromising the future persistence, adaptive capacity, and dispersal of wild plant populations, and also the yield of fruit-bearing crop plants. Heat damages the development of sensitive floral organs and gametes, which inhibits pollen germination, pollen tube growth, and fertilization. However, the role of heat has not been integrated into the framework of pollen quantity and quality limitation and how heat influences the success of cross and self-pollination. We exposed developing flowers to either controlled temperature (25 °C:20 °C) or extreme heat (35 °C:20 °C) over 72h. We then hand-pollinated them with either crossed or self-derived pollen from the same temperature treatment to determine the direct and interactive effects of simulated heatwaves on pollen tube growth and resulting seed set. We also collected anthers from virgin flowers to measure heat impacts on pollen production. Under cooler control temperatures pollen tube survival of self-derived pollen was approximately 27% lower than that of crossed pollen. Pollen tube survival in heat-treated cross-pollinated and heat-treated self-pollinated flowers were 71% and 77% lower compared to flowers cross-pollinated at control temperatures. These differences in pollen tube survival rate between heat-treated cross-pollinated and heat-treated self-pollinated flowers were insignificant. Furthermore, extreme heat reduced seed set by 87%, regardless of pollen origin, and also reduced pollen production during flower development by approximately 20%. Our results suggest flowers that develop during heatwaves are likely to experience exacerbated pollen quantity and quality limitation driven by changes in pollen production and pollen vigour. Heatwave-induced pollen limitation will likely reduce crop yields in agricultural systems, and depress mating and reproduction in wild plant species, the latter of which may hinder the adaptive capacity of plants to a rapidly changing world.

New ergasiofigophyte species from the Moraceae family in the flora of the Emirate of Fujairah (UAE)

New findings that complement the species composition of the flora of vascular plants in the territory of the Emirate and the UAE as a whole were made during the floristic research in the Emirate of Fujairah (the United Arab Emirates – UAE) in 2017–2022. The article provides data on 8 new or rare ergasiophygophytes (cultivated and running wild plant species) from the Moraceae family, alien to the Emirate of Fujairah. These are Ficus amplissima Sm., F. benghalensis L., F. benjamina L., F. carica L., F. microcarpa L. f., F. religiosa L., F. sycomorus L., and Morus albus L. Also, most of these species have never been previously listed in the Arabian floras and checklists as alien adventive.

Metal bioaccumulation and translocation potential of three herbal plant species at mine tailings

Phytoremediation as a technique for cleaning soil contaminated with potentially toxic metals uses plants that can absorb them, and then translocate and accumulate them in above-ground parts. Its effectiveness depends on the selection of adequate plants. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the potential of three wild herbaceous plant species (Holcus lanatus L., Agrostis alba L., and Eupatorium cannabinum L.) growing on mine tailings for phytoremediation applications. The content of selected metals in soil and plant samples was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The research results indicate that the content of Pb and Cu in the soil of the rhizosphere of the studied species was higher than their remediation values, after the exploitation of polymetallic ore (lead-zinc-copper), which made the tailings an ecological hazard. The species H. lanatus proved to be a good candidate for the phytoaccumulation of Cr, and the species A. alba of Ca, while the species E. cannabinum proved to be phytoaccumulator of all tested metals in the researched mine tailings. Potential for phytoextraction applications were shown by the species H. lanatus for Cd, Cu, Mg and Ni, and A. alba for Cd and Zn.

Association between wild vascular plant species richness and preterm birth in urban areas: a retrospective cohort study in Southern California

Association between wild vascular plant species richness and preterm birth in urban areas: a retrospective cohort study in Southern California

Vitis species for stress tolerance/resistance

AbstractMany wild plant species are actually true treasures of our world. The value of these treasures is better understood today and many wild species are used for different purposes. Also Vitis species are among the most important species with their ancient history. China and North America are the native ranges of many Vitis species that survive to the present day, most of which have survived by natural selection. These species have attracted the attention of plant breeders for many years due to their resistance to various biotic and abiotic stress conditions, and they have used these species to develop new cultivars. In parallel with the developments in the field of biotechnology, interspecific hybrid genotypes obtained in breeding research for resistance to different stress conditions can be obtained in accordance with the targets in a much shorter time. In these investigations, gene regions in Vitis species with resistance genes were transferred to new hybrid genotypes. Additionally, these species have been used as parents in many breeding programs in different countries due to their resistance to biotic stress conditions, especially fungal diseases. Similar breeding research has been carried out on tolerance to abiotic stress conditions, and interspecific cross-breeding have been made to develop hybrid genotypes that are more tolerant to many abiotic stress conditions. In recent years, resistance and high-quality wine and table grape cultivars obtained from rossbreeding have begun to be used in production. As a result, newly developed interspecific hybrid grapes can be grown with much lower production costs in accordance with the sustainable viticulture model.

Ethnobotanical study of wild edible plants in Arsi Robe district of East Arsi Zone, Ethiopia

BackgroundWild edible plants (WEPs) are usually considered to constitute all plant resources that are neither cultivated nor domesticated but are used as nutritional supplements by local people. WEPs play a vital role in ensuring food and livelihood security for countless families and communities around the world. The objective of the study was to assess and document wild edible plants used by communities in the Arsi Robe district as food.MethodsSemi-structured interviews, market surveys, and guided field walks were employed as data collection tools. The data were analyzed using preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, and Jaccard’s similarity index.ResultsThe present study revealed various types of wild edible plants consumed by local communities in the Arsi Robe district of the East Arsi Zone. This could be justified by the documentation of 36 different wild edible plants in the study area. These WEPs belong to 31 genera and 25 families. Most of the growth forms of the edible wild plants in the district were shrubs (16, 44.44%) and trees (14, 38.88%). Amaranthus caudatus and Bridelia micrantha are the most preferred WEPs in the study area. The finding of the study also revealed that Lepidotrichilia volkensii and Premna schimperi are among the novel WEPs that had not before been documented as food items in other areas. Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata, Ficus sycomorus, Cordia africana, and Ficus sur are species with multiple uses. Agricultural expansion, charcoal production, the construction of different materials, making agricultural tools, deforestation, and other factors were the top prioritized threats affecting the abundance and diversity of wild edible plants.ConclusionAlong with the sustainable utilization and conservation of the existing WEPs of the study district, priority should be given to the urgent collection, domestication, and cultivation of multiuse wild edible plant species such as Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata, Ficus sycomorus, Cordia africana, and Ficus sur in the study area.

Heavy Metal Uptake and Hyperaccumulation in Some Wild Plant Species Köyceğiz Special Environmental Protection Area Located Around Old Chrome Mineral Deposits

In this study, the possible presence of heavy metals in the soil and wild plant species around the old Cr deposits of Köyceğiz-Dalyan Special Environmental Protection Area (Sandras Mountain) was investigated. Possible anthropogenic risk factors to which wild plant biodiversity is exposed are also the subject of this research. Fe, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni and Pb contents of soil, shoot and root samples of five wild plant species growing naturally in the region in question were investigated. These five species are: Alyssum masmenaeum (AM), Cytisopsis pseudocytisus (CP), Centaurea ensiformis (CE), Fumana aciphylla (FA), Phlomis angustissima (PA). The data obtained showed that heavy metals other than Ni, Cr and Co were found within normal limits in the soil samples. Particularly, soil Ni content is extremely high. Heavy metals except Ni, Cr and Fe were found within normal limits in shoot and root samples. One species (AM) for Ni and three species (FA, PA and CE) for Fe showed distinct hyperaccumulator properties. Ni hyperaccumulation detected in the Alyssum masmenaeum species is a particularly striking but well-known phenomenon. Since the research area has special environmental protection status, the soil structure and endemism of the region must be absolutely protected.

Gathering, agriculture, and exchange: an ethnoecological approach to the study of food patterns and feedstuff sources in communities of the Central Andes, Peru

BackgroundHistorically, the Andean people have experienced uncertainty in terms of the availability of food resources because of climatic and ecological variations that are typical of mountainous environments. Risk management strategies, including the diversified and complementary use and management of species and ecosystems at different elevations, have faced such uncertainty. The current effects of climate change on food security motivate studies on subsistence adaptative strategies. TEK offers extraordinary experience and local biocultural memory to meet present and future needs. From an ethnoecological perspective, we aim to identify the variety of local foods in Andean communities, their cultural and nutritional value for local people, their use frequencies, and their forms to obtain them from different environments, productive systems, and interchanges. We expected to identify traditional Andean diversified subsistence patterns despite the pressure of modern food and interchange systems.MethodsThis study was conducted in two communities in the highlands of the Department of Huánuco, Peru. We conducted 24 semistructured interviews with households sampled through the snowball method. We asked about their daily life food, plant and animal components of diet, frequencies and seasons in which they are consumed, and ways to obtain them. We complemented the information through ethnobotanical collection of wild, weedy, and ruderal edible plants and records on domestic and wild animals included in the diet.ResultsWe recorded 37 crop species, 13 domestic animals, 151 wild, weedy, and ruderal food plant species, the 3 most commonly consumed wild animals, and 52 processed products obtained from local stores and markets. The main crops are potato and maize, while the main domestic animals included in the diet are cattle, pigs, and sheep. Rice, pasta, and bread are the main raw and processed foods included in the diet. Crops represent nearly half of the food consumed and purchased (in kg/year), and tubers and cereals provide most of the kilocalories, carbohydrates and proteins. Wild, weedy, and ruderal plants are consumed in relatively low amounts and at relatively low frequencies per species, but overall, they constitute a significant proportion of the kg of annually consumed food (14.4% in Cani and 9.6% in Monte Azul). Knowledge and use of these resources play a key role in local cuisine and nutrition.ConclusionThe current food patterns studied are based on diverse diets, including multiple feedstuffs, sources, and practices to obtain them, which reflects the traditional Andean subsistence pattern. The increasing adoption of processed food has influenced the declining consumption of local food, mainly among young people. Communication and policies to promote local food, emphasizing the role of wild plants and their adequate consumption, and provide information on their nutritional value are recommended to support efforts toward food sovereignty and conservation of Andean biocultural diversity.

Agricultural specialisation increases the vulnerability of pollination services for smallholder farmers

Abstract Smallholder farms make up 84% of all farms worldwide and feed 2 billion people. These farms are heavily reliant on ecosystem services and vulnerable to environmental change, yet under‐represented in the ecological literature. The high diversity of crops in these systems makes it challenging to identify and manage the best providers of an ecosystem service, such as the best pollinators to meet the needs of multiple crops. It is also unclear whether ecosystem service requirements change as smallholders transition towards more specialised commercial farming—an increasing trend worldwide. Here, we present a new metric for predicting the species providing ecosystem services in diverse multi‐crop farming systems. Working in 10 smallholder villages in rural Nepal, we use this metric to test whether key pollinators, and the management actions that support them, differ based on a farmers' agricultural priority (producing nutritious food to feed the family vs. generating income from cash crops). We also test whether the resilience of pollination services changes as farmers specialise on cash crops. We show that a farmers' agricultural priority can determine the community of pollinators they rely upon. Wild insects including bumblebees, solitary bees and flies provided the majority of the pollination service underpinning nutrient production, while income generation was much more dependent on a single species—the domesticated honeybee Apis cerana. The significantly lower diversity of pollinators supporting income generation leaves cash crop farmers more vulnerable to pollinator declines. Regardless of a farmers' agricultural priority, the same collection of wild plant species (mostly herbaceous weeds and shrubs) were important for supporting crop pollinators with floral resources. Promoting these wild plants is likely to enhance pollination services for all farmers in the region. Synthesis and applications. We highlight the increased vulnerability of pollination services when smallholders transition to specialised cash crop farming and emphasise the role of crop, pollinator and wild plant diversity in mitigating this risk. The method we present could be readily applied to other smallholder settings across the world to help characterise and manage the ecosystem services underpinning the livelihoods and nutritional health of smallholder families.

A human–wildlife conflict: potential impacts of fatal harvesting approaches on medicinal plants in Free State Province, South Africa

ABSTRACT Human-wildlife conflict has taken center stage in global biodiversity degradation, yet researchers have mainly focused on animals. Medicinal plants are declining globally, partly because of over-harvesting which is considered a form of human-wildlife conflict in this study. Compared with other provinces in South Africa, Free State has limited information on the use of medicinal plants and the impacts of over-harvesting the species. We investigated the potential impacts of over-harvesting the plant species for medicinal purposes and determined the potential conservation implications of the harvesting methods in Free State Province, South Africa. We show that 89 plant species from 43 families were used for traditional medicine. The most-used species were Pachycarpus rigidus (12%; N=211), followed by Dicoma anomala (9%) with the common plant families being Asteraceae (13.5%; N=89), and Fabaceae (7.9%). The perennial herbs were substantially harvested (58.4%; N=89). The wild indigenous plant species were more preferred compared to alien species (79.2%; N=89). The roots and bulbs were mostly utilized for medicinal material (48.3%; N=89), followed by the leaves (20.2%). We found one ‘rare’ species (Schizoglossum montanum), and two ‘nearly threatened’ species (Merwilla plumbea and Eucomis bicolor). We recommend a socio-ecologically orientated policy intervention for the sustainable use of medicinal plants in South Africa.

Standard medical ethnobotany of Kohistan, North Pakistan

BackgroundThis study was exclusively focused on the documentation and cross-cultural evaluation of ethnomedicinal knowledge (EMK) within the diverse linguistic groups of Kohistan situated between the Himalayan and Hindukush Mountain ranges in the north Pakistan.MethodsData were gathered during the field survey (May 2022 to July 2023) through group conversations, semi-structured interviews, and on-site observation. Venn diagrams were employed to illustrate the comparative assessment of EMK, and different ethnobotanical indices were utilized to examine the data.ResultsA total of 96 wild medicinal plant species (MPs) belonging to 74 genera and 52 botanical families were documented. The most reported MPs belong to the family Polygonaceae (11 species), followed by Asteraceae (9 species) and Lamiaceae (8 species). The ethnomedicinal uses of Leontopodium himalayanum, Pedicularis oederi, Plocama brevifolia, Polypodium sibiricum, Pteridium esculentum, Sambucus wightiana, Solanum cinereum, Teucrium royleanum, Rhodiola integrifolia, Aconitum chasmanthum were reported for the first time in this region. Among the reported taxa herbaceous species were dominated (72%), followed by trees and shrubs (17% and 10%, respectively). Digestive problems (40 taxa and 114 use reports) and skin disorders (19 taxa and 549 use reports) were the most cited disease categories, whereas M. communis, M. longifolia, Ajuga integrifolia, Ziziphus jujuba, and Clematis grata exhibited the highest percentage fidelity levels. Out of 109 documented medicinal uses, a mere 12 were shared across all linguistic groups, and Bateri emerges as a notable outlier with the highest number of medicinal uses. In addition, a significant homogeneity was noted in the reported botanical taxa (61 species) among different linguistic groups. However, since the last decade biocultural heritage of Kohistan is facing multifaceted risks that need urgent attention.ConclusionOur findings could be valuable addition to the existing stock of ethnomedicinal knowledge and may provide ethnopharmacological basis to novel drug discovery for preexisting and emerging diseases prioritizing detailed phytochemical profiling and the evaluation of bioactive potential.