First contribution to the ethnobotanical knowledge in the Peloritani Mounts (NE Sicily)

Research Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences | Vol 2, Issue 3

Table 1. Plants traditionally used inthe study area (MEDmedicinal, AGR agropastoral, FOOD alimentary use, HC handcraft, DM domestic,VET veterinary, REL religious, REC recreational use, HN hunting, FI fishing).

Taxa	Family	Life form	Vernacular name	Part used	Ethnobotany category	Claimed use(s)	Use-Reports Mentioned by Informants	Frequency Index (FI)	Relative Importance (RI)	Native (N) / Alien (A) / Crop/Cultivated (C)
Acanthus mollis L. subsp. mollis	Acanthaceae	H	ebba ‘n canna, ebb’in canna	Leaves	MED	the leaves crushed are combined with oil to cure inflammation of the wrist and fat cysts	3	15	24.56	N
Achillea ligustica All.	Asteraceae	H	canfariddhara	Leaves Whole plant	MED, VET	the leaves crushed are used as hemostat for the skin; the whole plant is used as food for rabbits	2	10	21.93	N
Agave americana L. subsp. americana	Asparagaceae	P	zammarunara	Leaves	HC, MED	they are used to make fibers to build the seat and the back of the chairs; they crushed are used as a remedy for burns; the mucilage to remove callus	8	40	37.72	A
Allium cepa L.	Amaryllidaceae	G	cipuddha	Bulb	MED	to heal insect bites, cough; decoction for kidney stones; cataphylls named "limpa" are used as hemostat	5	25	29.82	C
Allium sativum L.	Amaryllidaceae	G	agghiu	Bulb	MED	to cure gastrointestinal worms in children; the infusion is used to improve the bloodstream	6	30	32.46	C
Aloe arborescens Mill.	Asphodelaceae	NP	aloe	Leaves	DM, MED	they are lenitive and heal?burns and are useful for facial cleansing	10	50	42.98	A
Ampelodesmos mauritanicus (Poir.) T. Durand & Schinz	Poaceae	H	ddisa	Leaves	AGR	are used as binding material in agriculture	9	45	40.35	N
Arbutus unedo L.	Ericaceae	P	‘mbriachiddhara	Leaves Stem Fruit	FOOD, HC , REL	the stem is used to produce coal and spoons; the fruits are edible; the branches fructified are used as religious ornament	12	60	48.25	N
Artemisia arborescens (Vaill.) L.	Asteraceae	NP	ebba ‘nfanta, ebba janca	Leaves Stem	DM, MED	the decoction as anti-gastritis; the stem is used as a support for silkworms	10	50	42.98	N
Arundo donax L.	Poaceae	G	canna	Leaves Stem	AGR, HC, MED	culms used for the construction of various tools; the cambium membrane located in the nodes inside of the culm is used as hemostatic; leaves are used as binding material in agriculture	14	70	53.51	A
Asparagus acutifolius L.	Asparagaceae	G	spina pulici	Whole plant	REL	is used as religious decoration	10	50	42.98	N
Asphodelus ramosus L. subsp. ramosus	Asphodelaceae	G	purrazzu, bastuni i San Gnuseppi	Leaves Root	AGR, MED, VET	dried leaves are used as food for goats; crushed roots to remove worms from animal wounds	11	55	45.61	N
Asplenium ceterach L.	Aspleniaceae	H	spacca petrhi	Whole plant	MED	the decoction has diuretic properties and eliminates kidney stones	17	85	61.40	N
Avena barbata Pott ex Link	Poaceae	T	aina	Whole plant	AGR	is used as food for rabbits	5	25	29.82	N
Biscutella maritima Ten.	Brassicaceae	T		Leaves	FOOD	eaten in the typical dish “minestra sabbaggia”	2	10	21.93	N
Bituminaria bituminosa (L.) C.H. Stirt	Fabaceae	H	suddhara sabbaggia	Whole plant	AGR	is used as food for rabbits	2	10	21.93	N
Borago officinalis L.	Boraginaceae	T	burrania	Leaves	FOOD	eaten in the typical dish “minestra sabbaggia”	18	90	64.04	N
Brassica fruticulosa Cirillo subsp. fruticulosa	Brassicaceae	H	cauliceeddhu	Leaves	FOOD	eaten in the typical dish “minestra sabbaggia”	14	70	53.51	N
Carlina hispanica Lam. subsp. globosa (Arcang.) Meusel & Kästner	Asteraceae	H	carduni niru	Whole plant Fruit	AGR, HN	the whole plant is used as food for donkeys; fruits are used as bait to catch wild birds	4	20	27.19	N
Castanea sativa Mill.	Fagaceae	P	castagnara	Stem	HC	is used to build Sicilian baskets named “cofani”	7	35	35.09	N
Celtis australis L. subsp. australis	Cannabaceae	P	melicuccu, fafarecu	Stem Fruit	HC, REC	the fruits are edible and the seeds were used as bullets for the blowguns; the stems were used to craft the collars of the sheep and the containers for the ricotta	12	60	48.25	N
Centranthus ruber (L.) DC. subsp. ruber	Valerianaceae	Ch	rumpi quattara	Leaves Whole plant	FOOD, REL	the leaves are eaten in the typical dish “minestra sabbaggia”; whole plant is used as a religious ornament	4	20	27.19	N
Chamaerops humilis L.	Arecaceae	NP	pammara	Leaves	HC	are used to make oven brooms	2	10	21.93	N
Charybdis pancration (Steinh.) Speta	Asparagaceae	G	cipuddha sebbaggia	Leaves	MED	are scrubbed against leg pain	1	5	19.30	N
Chasmanthe aethiopica (L.) N.E. Br.	Iridaceae	G		Leaves	AGR	are used as binding material in agriculture	3	15	24.56	A
Cistus salviifolius L.	Cistaceae	NP	rusareddha	Whole plant	AGR	is used as food for rabbits	2	10	21.93	N
Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck	Rutaceae	P	limuniara, limiunara	Fruit	MED, AGR	The fumigation with the juice is used to relieve headaches; it is rubbed on the beehives against the swarming of bees	7	35	35.09	C
Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck	Rutaceae	P	aranciu	Fruit	MED	the boiled juice is used to soothe the cough	2	10	21.93	C
Cladanthus mixtus (L.) Chevall.	Asteraceae	T	camumiddha sabbaggia	Whole plant	DM	used to lighten hair	1	5	19.30	N
Clinopodium nepeta (L.) Kuntze	Lamiaceae	H	niputeddha	Leaves Whole plant	DM, MED	crushed leaves are used to heal insect bites; the decoction for finger infections; the fumigation to treat the cold; the infusion in alcohol of leaves is used as antiseptic; the whole plant is used to get rid of?flies	18	90	64.04	N
Convolvulus silvaticus Kit.	Convolvulaceae	H	curriola	Leaves	MED	leaves mixed with oil are used to treat pimples	6	30	32.46	N
Crepis vesicaria L. subsp. vesicaria	Asteraceae	H	cost’amara	Leaves	FOOD	eaten in the typical dish "minestra sabbaggia"	19	95	66.67	N
Cynara cardunculus L. subsp. cardunculus	Asteraceae	H	lambrusco, cipudazzu	Flowers	MED	the decoction facilitates diuresis	7	35	35.09	N
Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.	Poaceae	G	‘ramigna	Whole plant Stem	AGR, MED, VET	the whole plant is used as food for rabbits and when boiled is a healthy food for sheep's gastrointestinal problem; the decoction of the stem is used to cure the urinary tract and has also a purgative effect	10	50	42.98	N
Cytisus infestus (C.Presl) Guss. subsp. infestus	Fabaceae	P	spin’e i coddha	Stem	DM	used as wood for the oven	9	45	40.35	N
Cytisus villosus Pourr.	Fabaceae	P	muddhacchina	Leaves	MED	crushed leaves are used to heal the skin wounds	18	90	64.04	N
Dactylis glomerata L. subsp. hispanica (Roth) Nyman	Poaceae	H	ebb’e mazza	Whole plant Stem	AGR, REC	the whole plant is used as food for the goats; the culms are used as skewers to carry the blackberries	7	35	35.09	N
Daphne laureola L.	Thymelaeaceae	P	cul’amprescia	Stem	REC, MED	used as a purgant in moderate doses	5	25	29.82	N
Daucus carota L. subsp. carota	Apiaceae	H	bastunaca	Leaves	AGR, FOOD	eaten in the typical dish "minestra sabbaggia" and used as food for rabbits	4	20	27.19	N
Dittrichia graveolens (L.) Greuter	Asteraceae	T	pulicara	Leaves	DM, MED	used as a hemostatic and as a fragrance	19	95	66.67	N
Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter subsp. viscosa	Asteraceae	T	pulicara	Leaves Whole plant	DM, MED	leaves are used as hemostat; the whole dried plant used to light the fire	15	75	56.14	N
Ecballium elaterium (L.) A. Rich.	Cucurbitaceae	T	proiettili	Fruit	REC	fruits are used for recreational purposes by young people	3	15	24.56	N
Erica arborea L.	Ericaceae	NP	elicara	Stem Fruit	HC	the stems are used to make the poles in the vineyards; the roots are used to craft pipes, spoons and musical instruments; the branches are used to make the coal used for baking bread	13	65	50.88	N
Eucalyptus sp. pl.	Myrtaceae	P	calipsu	Leaves	MED	are used to make a footbath against the feet stinking	1	5	19.30	A
Euphorbia ceratocarpa Ten.	Euphorbiaceae	Ch	tassu	Latex stem	FI	latex was used to stun eels in the river	4	20	27.19	N
Ferula communis L. subsp. communis	Apiaceae	H	ferra	Stem	HC, VET	are used to craft small chairs and used to make a sort of plaster for the broken limbs of goats (mixed with manure and bounding with ropes)	14	70	53.51	N
Festuca fasciculata Forssk.	Poaceae	T	pili i cani	Whole plant	AGR	are used to cover the snow pits	3	15	24.56	N
Ficus carica L.	Moraceae	P	ficara	Latex stem	AGR, HC, MED	latex is used to heal insect bites and as rennet to make ricotta; the stem is used to craft musical instruments	12	60	48.25	N
Foeniculum vulgare Mill. subsp. vulgare	Apiaceae	H	finucchiaru sabbaggiu	Fruit / Stem	FOOD, MED	the infusion of fruit is used to heal stomach pain; fruits are used to aromatize the food; the stem is chewed against the heartburn	17	85	61.40	N
Galactites tomentosus Moench	Asteraceae	H	cadduni iancu	Stem	FOOD	eaten raw after being skinned	2	10	21.93	N
Genista monspessulana (L.) L.A.S.Johnson	Fabaceae	P	muddhacchina	Leaves	MED	the crushed leaves are used as hemostats	2	10	21.93	N
Helosciadium nodiflorum (L.) W.D.J.Koch subsp. nodiflorum	Apiaceae	H	scauni	Leaves	FOOD	eaten in the salad	2	10	21.93	N
Hyparrhenia hirta (L.) Stapf subsp. hirta	Poaceae	H	silipu, siliparu	Whole plant	AGR	used as fodder for cows and horses	6	30	32.46	N
Hypochaeris achyrophorus L.	Asteraceae	T	lattughedd’e nonna	Leaves	FOOD	eaten in the typical dish "minestra sabbaggia"	8	40	37.72	N
Hypochaeris radicata L.	Asteraceae	H	cost’i vecchia	Leaves	FOOD	eaten in the typical dish "minestra sabbaggia"	19	95	66.67	N
Isatis tinctoria L. subsp. tinctoria	Brassicaceae	H		Leaves	DM	used to dye indigo wool	6	30	32.46	A
Juglans regia L.	Juglandaceae	P	nuciara	Leaves Stem	DM, MED	the boiled leaves are used to heal hemorrhoids and as a colorant; the stem is used to craft parts of musical instruments	4	20	27.19	A
Juncus acutus L. subsp. acutus	Juncaceae	H	u juncu	Stem	AGR	used as binding material in agriculture	2	10	21.93	N
Lactuca sativa L. subsp. sativa	Asteraceae	H	lattuca	Leaves	MED	the boiled leaves are applied on the gums to soothe the toothache	4	20	27.19	C
Lactuca viminea (L.) J.Presl & C.Presl subsp. viminea	Asteraceae	H	ped’i jaddhina	Leaves	FOOD	eaten in the typical dish "minestra sabbaggia"	3	15	24.56	N
Lagurus ovatus L. subsp. ovatus	Poaceae	T	baff’i cunigghiu	Whole plant	REC	used for recreational purposes	3	15	24.56	N
Lathyrus clymenum L.	Fabaceae	T	cucula	Whole plant	AGR	is used as food for animals	6	30	32.46	N
Laurus nobilis L.	Lauraceae	P	lauro	Leaves	MED	the tea is used for stomach pain	9	45	40.35	N
Linum usitatissimum L. subsp. angustifolium (Huds.) Thell.	Linaceae	H	linu	Seeds	MED	the boiled seeds ("linusa") were applied to treat pimples ("campunchi") and cysts around the neck ("tracina")	8	40	37.72	N
Lotus rectus L.	Fabaceae	Ch	faciularu	Whole plant	AGR	are used as food for animals	3	15	24.56	N
Lupinus luteus L.	Fabaceae	T	luppinu sabbaggiu	Whole plant Seeds	AGR, MED	the plant is used as fertilizer; fresh seeds are used to treat brucellosis	5	25	29.82	N
Malva multiflora (Cav.) Soldano, Banfi & Galasso	Malvaceae	T	mavva, ebba mavva	Leaves	FOOD, MED, VET	the decoction is used for sore throat, inflammation of the gums and pimples or it is given to sheep for the placenta elimination; fresh leaves are used as hemostatic	7	35	35.09	N
Marrubium vulgare L.	Lamiaceae	H	marrubbiu	Whole plant Root	MED, VET	the whole plant is placed in the henhouse against mites and lice; the decoction of the root is drunk as refreshing	12	60	48.25	N
Medicago arabica (L.) Huds.	Fabaceae	T	trhifogghiu	Whole plant	AGR	are used as food for animals	4	20	27.19	N
Melissa officinalis subsp. altissima (Sm.) Arcang.	Lamiaceae	H	ment’ell'api, ment’ill’api	Whole plant	AGR	is rubbed on the walls of the beehives to avoid the swarming of bees	6	30	32.46	N
Mentha pulegium L. subsp. pulegium	Lamiaceae	H	puleu	Whole plant Leaves	DM, MED	the fumigation with the leaves cures the cold, congested nose and headache; the burnt plant is used to get rid of the flies; the dried plant placed under the pillow promotes sleep	10	50	42.98	N
Morus alba L.	Moraceae	P	ghiosu bianco	Leaves	AGR	used as fodder for young silkworms	14	70	53.51	C
Morus nigra L.	Moraceae	P	ghiosu niru	Leaves Latex stem	HC, AGR, MED	the leaf is used to forage adult silkworms; the stem to make spoons and containers; the latex of the stem to treat dermatitis of hands	13	65	50.88	C
Mycelis muralis (L.) Dumort. subsp. muralis	Asteraceae	H	occh’i pinnici	Leaves	FOOD	eaten in the typical dish "minestra sabbaggia"	2	10	21.93	N
Olea europaea L. subsp. sylvestris	Oleaceae	P	gghiastraro	Stem Fruit	HC, REL	the stem used to make baskets; from the fruits is extracted an oil used in religious rites or as fuel for lamps	8	40	37.72	N
Olea europaea L. subsp. europaea	Oleaceae	P	luara, livara	Leaves	MED	the decoction is used to low the blood pressure	1	5	19.30	N
Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.	Cactaceae	P	ficadinniara, chiappirara	Stem Flowers	HN, MED	the stem is used for liver pain, as a hemostat, as a fuel for the oven, as a trap for birds; the flower tea cures the stomach pain	15	75	56.14	A
Oxalis pes-caprae L.	Oxalidaceae	G	ddhreu	Bulb	FOOD	eaten raw or roasted	4	20	27.19	A
Papaver rhoeas L.	Papaveraceae	T	paparina	Leaves Flowers	FOOD, DM	the leaves are eaten in the typical dish "minestra sabbaggia"; the flower is used to dye red and to make ink	5	25	29.82	N
Parietaria judaica L.	Urticaceae	H	ebb’e muru	Whole plant Leaves	AGR, DM, MED	the decoction of the stem for?kidneys and the leaves are used as food for rabbits and hens; the leaves for the wounds of the skin and for cleaning	12	60	48.25	N
Phagnalon saxatile (L.) Cass.	Asteraceae	Ch	ebba janca	Whole plant	AGR	used as a support for silkworms	3	15	24.56	N
Pistacia lentiscus L.	Anacardiaceae	P	lentiscara	Stem	DM	used as wood for the furnace	2	10	21.93	N
Plantago lanceolata L.	Plantaginaceae	H	centu nebbi	Leaves	MED	are used to cure the pimples	2	10	21.93	N
Plantago major L.	Plantaginaceae	H	ebb’e margi,	Leaves	MED	are used to cure the pimples	4	20	27.19	N
Polypodium cambricum L.	Polypodiaceae	H	fìlici (filicia)	Leaves	AGR	are used to cure the pimples	1	5	19.30	N
Populus alba L.	Salicaceae	P	ghiuppo	Stem	HC	used as food for goats	7	35	35.09	N
Populus nigra L. subsp. nigra	Salicaceae	P	ghiuppu	Stem	HC	used to craft kitchen utensils	8	40	37.72	N
Portulaca oleracea L.	Portulacaceae	T	purciddhana	Leaves	FOOD	eaten in the salad	9	45	40.35	A
Prunus armeniaca L.	Rosaceae	P	pricupara	Stem	HC	used for the construction of parts of the bagpipe	3	15	24.56	A
Prunus avium (L.) L.	Rosaceae	P	girasara	Fruit	MED	the fruit is dried and used as an herbal tea against cystitis	1	5	19.30	N
Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb	Rosaceae	P	mennulara	Stem	HC	used for the construction of the pipes and bagpipes	5	25	29.82	A
Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn subsp. aquilinum	Dennstaedtiaceae	G	filicia	Leaves	HC, DM	used as a flycatcher, thermal insulation, for the construction of beds, for the realization of headgear and as a fire fuel	6	30	32.46	N
Pyrus spinosa Forssk.	Rosaceae	P	prainaru	Stem	HC, VET	used to build the bagpipes, treat cataracts in goats, the thorns are used to sting the poisoned part of the animal to cure it (e.g., venom of toads)	6	30	32.46	N
Quercus virgiliana (Ten.) Ten.	Fagaceae	P	ruulu	Leaves Fruit	AGR, FOOD	the leaves are used as food for sheep and cows; fruit eaten as a coffee substitute	8	40	37.72	N
Reichardia picroides (L.) Roth	Asteraceae	H	caccia lepri, caddhazzina	Leaves	FOOD, MED	eaten in the typical dish "minestra sabbaggia" and also to cure the stomachache	16	80	58.77	N
Rhus coriaria L.	Anacardiaceae	P	sammaccaru	Leaves Flowers Fruit	DM	leaves and fruits used as black dye; infructescence sold to produce dyes for shoes	11	55	45.61	A
Robinia pseudoacacia L.	Fabaceae	P	caciara	Stem	HC	used for making agricultural poles	1	5	19.30	A
Rubus ulmifolius Schott	Rosaceae	NP	ruettu, ruettaru	Leaves Flowers Fruit	FOOD, MED	the decoction of the leaves cures the toothache and together bramble, weeds and sorb used to cure the sore throat; the whole plant is used for making the coal and as a component of the gunpowder; the fruits and the buds are edible	15	75	56.14	N
Rumex bucephalophorus L.	Polygonaceae	T	acituleddha	Whole plant	AGR	used as food for animals	2	10	21.93	N
Rumex crispus L.	Polygonaceae	H	lapazza	Leaves	MED	the poultice with oil is used to cure the pimples	2	10	21.93	N
Ruscus aculeatus L.	Asparagaceae	Ch	pungitopo	Leaves Fruit	REL	used as a religious decoration	4	20	27.19	N
Ruta chalepensis L.	Rutaceae	Ch	ruta	Leaves	FOOD, MED, VET	are used to aromatize the grappa or as vermifuge for dogs and children	13	65	50.88	N
Salix alba L.	Salicaceae	P	salici jancu	Stem	HC	are used to craft baskets	10	50	42.98	N
Salix purpurea L.	Salicaceae	P	salici russu	Stem	HC	are used to craft wicker	11	55	45.61	N
Salvia officinalis L. subsp. officinalis	Lamiaceae	Ch	salvia	Leaves	MED	the decoction cures stomach pain	16	80	58.77	A
Salvia rosmarinus Schleid.	Lamiaceae	NP	rosamarinu	Leaves	MED	the herbal tea cures constipation and stomach pain	19	95	66.67	N
Sambucus nigra L.	Adoxaceae	P	sammucara (sambucara)	Leaves Stem	HC	the leaves rubbed on the strings avoid fraying; wood is used for making parts of musical instruments	13	65	50.88	N
Scirpoides holoschoenus (L.) Soják	Cyperaceae	G	juncu	Stem	AGR, HC	used as binding material in agriculture and to craft the ricotta containers	10	50	42.98	N
Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke	Caryophyllaceae	H	cualedda	Leaves Flowers	FOOD	eaten in the typical dish "minestra sabbaggia"	10	50	42.98	N
Sinapis arvensis L. subsp. arvensis	Brassicaceae	T	senapa	Leaves	FOOD	eaten in the typical dish "minestra sabbaggia"	4	20	27.19	N
Smilax aspera L.	Smilacaceae	P	raunìa	Shoot plant Whole plant	FOOD, REL	the buds are edible; the plant is used as a religious decoration	2	10	21.93	N
Solanum lycopersicum L.	Solanaceae	T	pumadoru	Fruit	MED	the application of cut fruit is used to cure? burns	1	5	19.30	C
Solanum tuberosum L.	Solanaceae	T	patata	Tuber	MED	the application of cut fruit is used to cure? burns	8	40	37.72	C
Sonchus oleraceus L.	Asteraceae	T	cardeddha	Leaves	FOOD	eaten in the typical dish "minestra sabbaggia"	18	90	64.04	N
Sorbus domestica L.	Rosaceae	P	subbara	Stem	HC	used for the construction of screws and walking sticks	16	80	58.77	N
Spartium junceum L.	Fabaceae	P	jinistrhara	Stem	AGR	used as binding material in agriculture	17	85	61.40	N
Sulla coronaria (L.) Medik.	Fabaceae	H	suddha	Whole plant Stem	AGR	used as food for donkeys	18	90	64.04	N
Triticum sp.pl.	Poaceae	T	‘ranu	Fruit	MED	used to cure the Herpes zoster virus	16	80	58.77	C
Tussilago farfara L.	Asteraceae	G	ugna cavaddhina	Leaves	MED	are used to cure the cyst	5	25	29.82	N
Ulmus minor Mill. subsp. minor	Ulmaceae	P	umbraru	Stem	HC, MED	used to craft rods and baskets; the glue obtained from the decoction of the bark and root is used to treat muscle contractures and as putty	8	40	37.72	N
Urospermum picroides (L.) Scop. ex F.W. Schmidt	Asteraceae	T	caddeddha rizza	Leaves	FOOD	eaten in the typical dish "minestra sabbaggia"	5	25	29.82	N
Urtica dioica L. subsp. dioica	Urticaceae	H	fuddica masculina	Leaves Stem	AGR, FOOD, MED	used as fodder for chickens; is used in risotto; if macerated in ethyl alcohol cures rheumatism	17	85	61.40	N
Verbascum macrurum Ten.	Scrophulariaceae	H	babbascaru	Leaves Stem	AGR, MED	the infusion of leaves in boiling water is used to treat the hemorrhoids or the fresh leaves are used as a tray for the ricotta; the stem is used as binding material in the agricultural field	15	75	56.14	N
Vicia faba L.	Fabaceae	T	favara	Seeds	MED	eaten are used to cure the heartburn	7	35	35.09	A
Vicia sativa L.	Fabaceae	T	fraga	Whole plant	AGR	used as food for rabbits	4	20	27.19	N
Ziziphus jujuba Mill.	Rhamnaceae	P	‘nzinzulara	Stem	HC	used to craft parts of bagpipe	1	5	19.30	A