Articles
WILD AND CULTIVATED PLANTS USED AS FOOD AND MEDICINE BY THE MÒCHENI ETHNIC MINORITY IN THE ALPS
Article number
955_14
Pages
113 – 118
Language
English
Abstract
The Mòcheni ethnic minority is concentrated in a single valley on the southern border of the Dolomites in the heart of Europe (Italy). The Mòcheni arrived in this area in the 13th century AD, and its population was estimated to be 2,000 in the year 2000: 400 in Fierozzo, 1,000 in Palú, 460 in Frassilongo, three localities of the Valle del Fersina (Comunità Alta Valsugana e Bersntol/Trentino). They speak three different dialects of the Upper German, Bavarian-Austrian group: Fierozzo (Florutz), Palú (Palai), Frassilongo (Gereut), and can partially understand Bavarian, Cimbrian, or standard German, and they also speak Italian.
The objectives were to determine the fungi and vascular plant species named and used by the Mòcheni, particularly as food and medicine, and to analyse the results in the Alpine cultures and traditions context.
Methods included a literature review, especially local papers and books; interviews with members of Mòcheni societies and communities in Italy (Comunità Alta Valsugana e Bersntol/Trentino) and the collection of voucher specimens and photographs of plants, home gardens and landscapes in the different areas.
A total of 1,275 records of plant uses and names were collected for 311 species of the vascular plants and fungi used by the Mòcheni.
Seventy and 84 taxa were recorded for medicinal and food uses, respectively, while 11 taxa were used as both food and medicine.
The nature of the medicinal species included was: 53 wild, 6 wild and cultivated, and 11 exclusively cultivated.
There were no imported species reported for medicinal use in the valley.
The objectives were to determine the fungi and vascular plant species named and used by the Mòcheni, particularly as food and medicine, and to analyse the results in the Alpine cultures and traditions context.
Methods included a literature review, especially local papers and books; interviews with members of Mòcheni societies and communities in Italy (Comunità Alta Valsugana e Bersntol/Trentino) and the collection of voucher specimens and photographs of plants, home gardens and landscapes in the different areas.
A total of 1,275 records of plant uses and names were collected for 311 species of the vascular plants and fungi used by the Mòcheni.
Seventy and 84 taxa were recorded for medicinal and food uses, respectively, while 11 taxa were used as both food and medicine.
The nature of the medicinal species included was: 53 wild, 6 wild and cultivated, and 11 exclusively cultivated.
There were no imported species reported for medicinal use in the valley.
Authors
C. Obón, D. Rivera , F. Alcaraz
Keywords
ethnobotany, medicinal plants, edible plants, folk medicine, ethnopharmacology, mountain area, Italy
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