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COMPARATIVE STUDIES REGARDING WILD PLANTS RESOURCES FROM MOUNTAIN REGIONS, FOR THEIR SUSTAINABLE USE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MOUNTAIN PRODUCTS THAT HIGHLIGHTS THEIR ADDED VALUE


Violeta TURCUȘ1,3, Paul ALBU1,3, Viviane Beatrice BOTA1,2


1. Centre of Mountain Economy “CE-MONT”, Național Institute for Mountain Biotehnology, Petreni, nr. 49, 725700, Vatra Dornei, Jud. Suceava, România
2. Doctoral School of Biology, Faculty of Biology “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași, BV. Carol I, nr. 11, Iași, Romania
3. Institutul Național de Cercetări Economice “Costin C. Kirițescu” al Academiei Române/ Centrul de Economie Montană (CE-MONT)


DOI: https://zenodo.org/doi/10.5281/zenodo.10397434


Abstract

In this paper, we present the importance of some wild flora taxons and their role in the traditional culture of mountain regions populations. Inhabitants of the Carpathian Mountains still keep knowledge about the harvest and use of wild food and medicinal plants. The region offers important resources for ethnobotanical and gastronomic studies but they are underexplored. We selected from bibliographic sources available in international databases the wild food plants used by Romanians and ethnic minorities from Romania. In the specialized bibliography are mentioned 60 species from 33 families, from which 17 species are common with those used by Romanians. The biggest number of species are harvested by Hungarians (over 200 species). We observed that species of the Rosaceae Family are most commonly used for their fruits. From the majority of species are harvested the aerial vegetative organs and reproductive organs, for preparation of alcoholic beverages, fermented products, jams, sweets, and other conserved forms, followed by prepared dishes like soups, stews, and lastly, their consumption in a fresh state. Exceptionally, the wood is used to smoke meats, and the sap is used to obtain beverages with therapeutic effects. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the consumption has raised for some species with nutritional and medicinal values, with a role in treating respiratory system ailments, and in strengthening the immune system, especially in rural areas and those in which the medical system was overloaded. These studies help in gaining a better understanding of local perceptions, offer important information for development projects and sustainable use of local biodiversity. Some plants that are used in uncommon ways deserve more in-depth studies, showing potential for the gastronomic and medicinal fields, in obtaining some specific mountain products.


Keywords:

food plants, wild flora, Carpathian Mountains, Romania

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