Ethnobotanical studies

Anticholinergic plants of the family Solanaceae have a long history of use as medicines, poisons , and recreational drugs. Though they were the intoxicating substances of choice throughout Europe for centuries, their use for these purposes has declined with the globali-sation of other recreational drugs. The present study sought to examine the level of knowledge surrounding these plants among individuals who had used other hallucinogenic plants or mushrooms in Slovenia. Participants were questioned in regards to the anticholinergic Solanaceae that are known to grow wild in Slovenia: Atropa belladonna L., Datura stramo-nium L., Hyoscyamus niger L., and Scopolia carniolica L. As expected, only a small number of individuals had any substantial knowledge of these plants, and fewer still had used them; some were even unfamiliar with any of these plants. Knowledge of toxicity generally arose from family members, while books and the internet played prominent roles in regards to use knowledge. Knowledge of the plants was vastly varied, with many individuals confusing the plants for others, especially other members of the Solanaceae. Ultimately, a small group of individuals had the largest body of knowledge of these plants, though this was linked with university studies rather than traditional uses. Knowledge of the intoxicating Solanaceae has been largely lost in Slovenia among users of other botanical hallucinogens, likely due to the various dangers their use poses and the undesirable effects they often cause.

Context: In some extreme environments such as dune cordon in the region of Djelfa, the ability of species to adapt to extreme conditions, especially climatic stresses, appears to be highly developed. Notwithstanding this importance from an ecophysiological point of view, the plant genetic resources of the Algerian steppe are very little known and especially poorly valued. Aims: To inventorying the spontaneous species in an extreme "dune cordon" environment of the Algerian steppe and to collect information on the ancestral know-how of the local populations in terms of therapeutic use of these species. Methods: Foremost, a herbarium has been made which includes all species inventoried in dune cordon, then an ethnobotanical survey materialized by a direct questionnaire was conducted with different actors involved in the field of medicinal plants. It concerns the traditional use of these species. Results: Seventeen plants (20%) of the listed plant species have been recognized and identified as medicinal species. These plants belong to 13 families of which the Lamiaceae family is the most represented, followed by Asteraceae and Poaceae. Several diseases are treated by these species by local populations, some have a definite therapeutic use while others are used in the treatment of several diseases. The most incriminated pathologies concern rheumatism, diabetes, dental pain, fever and renal function. Leaves are most used with decoction as the most used mode. Conclusions: Results of the study showed that dune cordon contains a wide variety of spontaneous plants, which have a beneficial interest. It also indicated the link between natural resources and humans and the therapeutic use of these species for profit by local population. The rich ethno-pharmacological knowledge of this population must be preserved and valued. A phytochemical screening and biological investigation are needed to test this ancestral know-how.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Madhupur forest area, Tangail is one of early human settlements in Bangladesh. Having abode in the vicinity of the forest, a strong ethnobotanical practice has prevailed in this area since ancient time. Due to the rapid deforestation during the last few decades, many plants have already disappeared or are facing extinction. Thus we attempted to document the medicinal plant use of Madhupur forest area with a view to preserve the ethnobotanical knowledge and in order to protect the biodiversity of this area.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The fieldwork was conducted during a period of 1 year. Data was collected by interview, questionnaire, and group discussion with randomly selected informants including indigenous, tribal people, and Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) living in the study area. Recorded plants are listed along with their indication, part used, form of preparation and use value (UV). Results were also analysed to determine informant consensus factor (ICF) and fidelity level (FL) of the plants on the basis of their use under various ailment categories.
RESULTS: The present study has documented 78 medicinal plant species from 45 families used for the treatment of at least 77 different major and minor ailments and conditions. Medicinal plant species were categorised as tree, shrub, tuber, herb, and climber. Leaves were found to be the most frequently used plant part while decoction is the major form of preparation. In most cases preparations are either administered orally or applied topically.
CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that some of the well-known medicinal plants are used extensively demonstrating an effective ethnobotanical practice in the study area. Plants with high ICF and FL values can be subjected to bioassay guided investigation while plants which scored low UVs require bioactivity screening to justify their use for the reported ailment.

The uses of plants in our everyday lives are by no doubt, indispensable. Palms, specifically provide us with various uses that may or may not be common to us. As part of the Central Cebu National Park, Mt. Manunggal is protected by Republic Act 8457 which is a law for the protection and conservation of some selected areas in Cebu, Philippines. This research wishes to know if this law has been properly implemented in Mt. Manunggal by measuring the species richness and diversity of the species under palm family that are present at the peak of the mountain. Additionally, this research aims to identify how the locals make use of the palm species in the area. Species of the order Arecales were inspected and identified using their distinctive morphology. Palm biodiversity was measured using Simpson’s index, Simpson’s index of diversity, Simpson’s reciprocal index and Shannon-Weiner index. For the ethnobotany, locals were interviewed and a table of the ethnobotanical uses of each species was made. It was found out that Arecales has a low biodiversity in the peak of the mountain. The species under it are most commonly used by the locals as food and medicine.

One of the constraints related to vegetable production is the insect pests pressure. This work consisted of ethnobotanical surveys and characterization of endogenous pest management practices in a few gardening sites in southern Benin, as part of the formulation of botanical pesticides for the management of major gardening pests. This study is based on the socio-economic characteristics of the surveyeds, the state of knowledge of the producer on gardening, constraints and methods of the crop control, and methods of the plant use. A survey quiz on the ethnobotanical study of plantsand the characterization of endogenous pest management practices was developed and sent to 240 market gardeners over a period of three months (May 2018 to July 2018) for data collection. These data were subjected to a descriptive analysis and a principal component analysis. The study revealed that 12 species of vegetables are grown by market gardeners in the study area because of their rather short cycle and their preference by consumers. These vegetables are dominated by large nightshade, cabbage, tomato and carrot in terms of proportion. The use of unregistered synthetic pesticides for pest control remains the most widely used control method. The ethnobotanical knowledge collected on four plants namely: neem, moringa, papaya and tobacco, during our surveys are very rich but held by very few people, mostly aged at least 50 years (88,98 %). These plants are divided into four families (Caricaceae, Moringaceae, Meliaceae, Solanaceae) whose Meliaceae are the most used. The most used plant parts are leaves and seeds. This collection of plants indicated by market gardeners in the fight against vegetable crop pests can constitute a database for biological tests and phytochemical analyzes.

The eastern coastal area of the Arabian Peninsula is subject to overgrazing, agricultural activities, oil pollution and urban encroachments. These activities cause habitat destruction and may have changed species composition. The current study aimed at assessing conservation and ethnobotanical importance of plants and how they are affected by environmental threats. The natural vegetation composition was studied and the ethnobotanical relative importance (RI) index and the species conservation index (SCI) were calculated. The results showed that native plants provide many ecological and socioeconomic services,including the provisioning of food, medicine, and energy. The native species (>77%) were reported to potentially be used for more than 170 therapeutic applications and for curing various human ailments. The medicinal plants (15%) attained RI value>50% reflecting high versatility and importance in local pharmacopeia. The number of threats to species showed significant positive association with SCI index and insignificant positive association with RI index. The study indicated that the current human activities may have negatively impacted provisioning of ecosystem services especially those offered by native plants. The ability of the natural ecosystems to sustainably provide services will be enhanced by adoption of land management practices that restore species and reduce pressure on native plants.

The ‘lonely/low hero’ is a personage depicted initially as a pitiful, isolated, friendless, sad orphan or foundling, but who appears to prove himself to be a powerful representative of a high-ranking family as the story unwinds. We find those personages in different genres: ritual myths, epics, charms, curses and tales. Betel chewing as a cultural practice is of great importance in the depiction of key mythological figures, lonely heroes in particular.
The paper analyses the symbolism of betel chewing as compared to other chewing practices worldwide. Philippine folklore texts are being analysed to define motifs connected to the image of a lonely hero in the folklore of the Tinguian (Itneg), Kalinga, Yattuka (Kallahan), Ifugao and other highlanders of the Northern Philippines, and compares them to corresponding themes in Philippine non-Cordilleran mythologies and beyond.
Обобщающее исследование на стыке этноботаники, этнолингвистики, культурной антропологии и фольклористики, посвященное практике, мифологии, символике бетеля и других легких жевательных стимулянтов и релаксантов в традиционной и современной культуре народов мира.

Traditionally, plants have been used as a source of medicine in India by indigenous people inhabiting various terrains for the control of different ailments afflicting human. An ethno botanical survey was undertaken in Nawarangpur District, Odisha, India. The plants and their traditional use are part of the natural and cultural heritage of the region. The study was carried out regarding the medicinal plants used by the local peoples during 2000 to 2004. Finally, the data were assessed to which extent plants are vulnerable due to collection and habitat destruction. An ethno botanical survey was undertaken in the Nawarangpur District, Odisha, India. Data were collected through field assessments from traditional healers and locals by means of personal interviews and semi-structured questionnaires. Voucher specimens were collected following standard methods, identified with the help of pertinent floras and taxonomic experts and deposited in the Herbarium, RRL-B, India for future references. A total of 69 plant species belonging to 43 families are reported during the study. The major life forms were herbs, trees, shrubs, climbers, small tree and creeper. Several medicinal plants recognized for the treatment of various diseases were collected. The root parts were widely used, followed by leaf, bark, seed and stem. This study reveals that medicinal plants still play a vital role in the primary healthcare of this local community. Traditional medicines also have the potential to form the basis of pharmaceutical drugs for the treatment of a range of diseases. Further, the information requires validation for further clinical usage.

The main objectives of the proposed study are as follow:
1. To know prevailing plant diversity of study area and
classify the plants species into their respective
families.
2. To Study the medicinal properties of native plants
traditionally used by local people, To collect
information related to ethno medicinal aspects form
local, tribal communities and experts of Ayurved.
3. To know about the genesis of the herbal treatment
like, mode of treatment; preparation of drug; doses
and extraction of drug.
4. To study the Impact of human being on native plants.
5. To observe the eco-climatic condition of the study
area.
6. Analyses of the physico-chemical properties of soil.

The ethnobotanical data on various medicinal uses of some plants of Tehsil Kharian, District Gujrat, and
Punjab was documented by using a questionnaires and open ended interviews of local people of study area. A
total of 50 plant species belonging to 32 families were identified and it was noticed that the indigenous people of
the study area use plants in different ways in their daily life such as medicines, fuel, shelter, forage/fodder, etc.
Two Families were found abundant among all the families, i.e. Poaceae and Asteracae, having 5 and 4 species
under ethnobotanical use, respectively.

Aboriginal folks live diligently connected with nature and predominantly depend on it for their persistence.
The present study conducted in 11 villages of Agra Valley, Parachinar and reported 18 Angiospermic shrubs
belonging to 3 monocot (Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Typhaceae) and 10 dicot families (predominantly Apocyanaceae,
Rosaceae, Lamiaceae); in addition to 27 trees of ethnobotanical importance including 1 Gymnosperm (Pinaceae)
and 26 Angiosperms having single monocot (Arecaceae) and 18 dicot families (predominantly Moraceae,
Salicaceae, Fabaceae). Nearly one-third species had single-usage. Two-usage and multi-usage shrubs were
consumed for crafting (25%), medicinal (22.5%), culinary (11%) and miscellaneous other purposes. 11% singleusage,
30% two-usage and 59% multi-usage trees were employed for medicinal (22%), fuel (21%), crafting
(19%) and for several other purposes. Different parts of plants were utilized either in powder form, decoction,
infusion or whole plant extract to cure various diseases. Unfortunately, the knowledge of commercial and
remedial possessions of many plants attained by methods of trial and error, gathered and supplemented through
peers and delivered from one generation to another, was deprived of any written documentation. Therefore, the
documentation of plants along with their important uses should be beneficial, not only for the indigenous people
of the area but also for the country as a whole. Also, there is a need of sustainable use of the plants to preserve
them for future generations and prevent their extinction.

An ethnobotanical study was conducted from October 2005 to June 2006 to investigate the uses of medicinal plants by people in Zegie Peninsula, northwestern Ethiopia. Information was gathered from 200 people: 70 female and 130 males, using semistructured questionnaire. Of which, six were male local healers. The informants, except the healers, were selected randomly and no appointment was made prior to the visits. Informant consensus factor (ICF) for category of aliments and the fidelity level (FL) of the medicinal plants were determined. Sixty-seven medicinal plants used as a cure for 52 aliments were documented. They are distributed across 42 families and 64 genera. The most frequently utilized plant part was the underground part (root/rhizome/bulb) (42%). The largest number of remedies was used to treat gastrointestinal disorder and parasites infections (22.8%) followed by external injuries and parasites infections (22.1%). The administration routes are oral (51.4%), external (38.6%), nasal (7.9%), and ear (2.1%). The medicinal plants that were presumed to be effective in treating a certain category of disease, such as 'mich' and febrile diseases (0.80) had higher ICF values. This probably indicates a high incidence of these types of diseases in the region, possibly due to the poor socio-economic and sanitary conditions of this people. The medicinal plants that are widely used by the local people or used as a remedy for a specific aliment have higher FL values (Carissa spinarum, Clausena anisata, Acokanthera schimperi, Calpurnia aurea, Ficus thonningii, and Cyphostemma junceum) than those that are less popular or used to treat more than one type of aliments (Plumbago zeylanicum, Dorstenia barnimiana).

"Статья посвящена традиционному знанию о растениях коренного народа Камчатки – алюторцев. На основе полевых исследований приведены алюторские и научные названия растений, используемых алюторцами, с переводами на три языка: английский, русский и японский. В таблицах приведены краткие описания традиционных способов употребления этих растений.

The article concerns the lore of the Aliutors, indigenous people of Kamchatka, about plants. On the basis of author’s field study of the Aliutor language, the Aliutors’ and scientific names of plants, used by the Aliutors, are given with translation into three languages: Eng- lish, Russia and Japanese. Moreover, brief descriptions of the traditional use of plants are given in the charts."

As a part of enhancement of the natural heritage of the region Meknes-Tafilalet, an ethnobotanical study was conducted in the El Hajeb region. This study describes the different uses of medicinal plants by the local population and their impact on the degradation of plant biodiversity. And it also helped to create a catalogue of different species in the region. On the basis of questionnaire prepared, a survey was conducted among the local population and herbalists operating in the field of medicinal and aromatic plant intermediaries. The analysis of results from 220 question cards, using data processing technique has enabled us:- To identify 80 species distributed in 40 families with a significant representation of the Lamiaceae family To represent the frequency of use of cash by the local population surveyed at the study area To represent the frequency of use by age, gender, and according to the school.
Despite the richness of the studied medicinal and aromatic plants in this area, the local population does not benefit from its natural resources.

Речник српских народних веровања о биљкама Веселина
Чајкановића је једно од најисцрпнијих и најсистематичнијих дела по-
свећених народним знањима и веровањима о магијским и лековитим
својствима биљака код Срба. Поред етноботаничких концепата, Чајка-
новић се у овом делу дотицао и народних представа о болестима које су
залазиле у сферу демонологије и народне религије Срба. Чајкановићева
постхумно објављена студија послужила је као основ за многа потоња
истраживања етномедицинских представа у домаћој етнологији и ан-
тропологији. На основу етнографске евиденције изнесене у Речнику,
овај текст смо конципирали као покушај стицања прецизнијих увида
у то на које је начине наш народ перципирао, дефинисао, разврставао
и класификовао биље, претварајући еколошко окружење у ресурс за
физички опстанак и несметано социокултурно функционисање колек-
тива. Традиционалне руралне заједнице српског становништва жи-
веле су у блиском додиру с природом, а способности идентификације
и груписања сличних врста, њиховог разликовања од других врста,
као и комуникација тог знања будућим нараштајима биле су кључне
за опстанак заједнице. Наш задатак у овом раду ће бити проналажење
менталног модела природе у традиционалној српској култури и њему
својственог скупа елементарних принципа помоћу којих је у контексту
традиционалног српског села биљни свет био перципиран и коришћен.
Крећући се овим путем настојаћемо да покажемо како богата и деце-
нијама нагомилавана етноботаничка грађа може да се реинтерпретира
осавремењеним методолошким оквирима структуралне и когнитивне
антропологије.

Cette étude ethnobotanique a été menée à l’échelle du Département de Gouré et l’objectif
assigné est la capitalisation des connaissances endogènes des populations rurales sur les
différentes utilisations des espèces ligneuses pour leur meilleure valorisation au profit des
paysans.
Elle se justifie par l’utilisation anarchique de la ressource ligneuse qui constitue pour les
communautés rurales une source importante de revenus, d’aliments, de médicaments et pour
lesquelles il était nécessaire d’identifier les plus utiles sur lesquelles l’accent devra être mis dans
des éventuels plans d’aménagement pour répondre aux besoins d’utilisation des populations
mais aussi pour améliorer le statut de leur conservation.
Notre méthodologie d’étude a consisté successivement à l’évaluation de la ressource ligneuse et
à la réalisation d’enquête auprès des populations riveraines des cuvettes oasiennes sur les formes
d’utilisation de cette ressource.
La combinaison de ces deux procédés nous a permis de décrire les différentes utilisations des
plantes ligneuses par la population locale, ainsi que leur impact sur la biodiversité ligneuse.
Ainsi, l’évaluation floristique a permis d’identifier trente-quatre (34) espèces utilisées par la
population dans différentes catégories d’usage et dont seulement vingt-deux(22) ont été
rencontrées lors de l’inventaire floristique. Les résultats de l’enquête ont montré que le bois
constitue la partie la plus utilisée suivi du feuillage et que la sève est la moins sollicitée par les
populations.
Sept (7) catégories d’usage dont alimentaire, médicinale, bois d’œuvre, bois énergie, artisanale,
commerciale et magico-religieuse ont été prises en compte. Les résultats de la classification des
espèces selon les préférences des informateurs montrent que les utilisations liées à
l’alimentation suivie de la médecine sont dominantes et que les populations n’exploitent pas le
bois des espèces considérées utiles à l’alimentation, la médecine, la magie ou le commerce.
Mots clés : diversité biologique, valeur d’usage, analyse en composantes principales, Niger.

Medicinal plants are being widely used, either as a single drug or in combination in health care delivery system. Medicinal plants can be important source of previously unknown chemical substances with potential therapeutic effects. Abrus precatorius L. is commonly known as Gunja or Jequirity and abundantly found all throughout the plains of India, from Himalaya down to Southern India and Ceylon. This plant is having medicinal potential to cure various diseases. The roots, leaves and seeds of this plant are used for different medicinal purpose. It principally contains flavonoids, triterpene glycosides, abrin and alkaloids. The plant have been reported for neuromuscular effects, neuro-protective, abortifacient, antiepileptic, anti-viral, anti-malarial, antifertility, nephroprotective, immunomodulator, immunostimulatory properties, anti-inflammatory activity, antidiabetic effect, etc. As this is a potential medicinal plant, present review reveals chemical constituents of leaf, root an...

Background: Indigenous communities in Namibia possess a rich indigenous knowledge expressed within many practices of these communities. Indigenous wild edible fruits are available along the Namibian 13 regions of which it forms a rich source of vitamins, fibres, minerals and a heterogeneous collection of bioactive compounds referred to as phytochemicals for indigenous people's diet. The aim of this study was to record the different IKS practices on the indigenous fruit trees in Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions of Namibia. Methods: An ethnobotanical survey was undertaken to collect information from local communities from 23-29 October 2011. Data was collected through the use of questionnaires and personal interviews during field trips in the Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions. A total of 65 respondents were interviewed; 54% women, 38% men and 8% both in group interviews.

An ethno-medicinal investigation was conducted to highlights the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants being used by the tribe in West and South district of Tripura. This paper provides information about the different uses of plants used in their primary health care system. Tripura is a small north-eastern state of India and also a part of both Himalayan and Indo-Burma biodiversity region. It is a goldmine of medicinal plants and use of different plants in tribal traditional heath care systems has long history. Nineteen different tribes in Tripura, depend on natural resources at a great extent. This paper documented 113 medicinal plant species from 56 families along with their botanical name, local name, family name, habit, medicinal parts used, and traditional usage of application. The dominant families are Euphorbiaceae (7 species), Apocynaceae (6 species), Fabaceae and Rubiaceae (5 species each), Caesalpiniaceae, Asteraceae, Liliaceae and Verbenaceae (4 species each), Combretaceae, Labiatae, Malvaceae, Rutaceae and Zingiberaceae (3 species each). Tribes of Tripura have rich traditional knowledge on plant based medicine. Different parts of the plants in crude form/plant extracts/ decoctions/infusion or pastes are employed in diverse veterinary and human diseases by the tribe’s of Tripura in daily life.

An apparent lack of mentions to the betel in the texts of the Vedic  shruti liturature and the Sanskrit epics indicates that in the early periods of the Vedic-Brahmanic tradition the use of betel quid was perceived by the tradition's bearers as an alien practice.
The milieu from which the art of preparing mixtures known as "betel quid" originates, can be defined by outlining a range of sources containing references to the betel. Among them are the early texts of traditional Indian science, early Buddhist texts, literary works in the kavya genre of the Sanskrit classical literature and Tamil classical poems. All of these sources are rooted in the milieu of warriors' nobility, eminent members of trade and craft guilds and urban or courtly brahmins  -  the social and economic elite of ancient Indian cities. The art of making betel mixtures was part of the refined urban culture which emerged in India in the fifth-fourth centuries BCE. The use of the betel by Indians, as well as by other peoples of Asia, had two main functions: firstly it was significant as a means of strengthening social contacts and, secondly, it was used in sexual life as a stimulant to arouse passion and to enhance the sensation of erotic ecstasy.

The paper treats about the history and the present state of the Russian ethnobotanic studies in Austronesian area. Being initiated in the early XIXth c. by the first Russian overseas voyages, they were further developed by Nikolay N. Mikloukho-Maclay during his pioneering ethnographic and biological studies of New Guinea, Micronesia, the Philippines and other areas of the Pacific. Russian botanists regularly worked in Buitenzorg Botanic gardens (presently Center for International Forestry Research – CIFOR, Bogor, Indonesia) since the middle of the XIXth c. The museums of St. Petersburg have accumulated a reasonable number of specimen and collections, later enriched by Nikolay Vavilov.
The paper gives a preliminary survey of works related to the topic by Russian anthropologists and linguists of the XX-XXI c. The author specializes in Philippine studies, and conducts anthropological and ethnobotanical fieldwork in various areas of the archipelago, with a focus on Cordillera Central of Luzon, since 1994. Recently she edited the first collective work on ethnobotany of plants used as chewing stimulants and relaxants in ritual and mythology (Stanyukovich, Kasatkina 2015. Betel, Kava, Cola, Chat).

Background Indigenous communities in Namibia possess a rich indigenous knowledge expressed within many practices of these communities. Indigenous wild edible fruits are available along the Namibian 13 regions of which it forms a rich source of vitamins, fibres, minerals and a heterogeneous collection of bioactive compounds referred to as phytochemicals for indigenous people’s diet. The aim of this study was to record the different IKS practices on the indigenous fruit trees in Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions of Namibia. Methods An ethnobotanical survey was undertaken to collect information from local communities from 23-29 October 2011. Data was collected through the use of questionnaires and personal interviews during field trips in the Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions. A total of 65 respondents were interviewed; 54%; women, 38%; men and 8%; both in group interviews. Results The majority of the people interviewed were in their thirty’s, with the youngest being 18 years old and the old...

Context: The flora of the Bouhachem Regional Natural Park has been studied by many botanists and ecologists, but the analysis of the medicinal and economic values of these plants is still weak and poorly documented. Within the framework of this study, further investigations will be carried out into the value of indigenous medicinal plants and the documentation of their ethnopharmacological knowledge. In addition, due to their important socioeconomic role as a second source of income after agriculture, the evaluation of the commercial activity of aromatic and medicinal plants (AMP) will also be taken into account. Aims: To evaluate the ethnobotanical and commercialized medicinal plants in north region of Morocco in which traditional medicine is widespread. Methods: The uses of medicinal plants in traditional phytotherapy were researched through 700 question cards, in Bni-Leit and Al-Oued districts, which are a part of the Naturel Regional Park of Bouhachem. A series of ethnobotanical, economic and sociocultural surveys/interviews were conducted among the local population in the study area, between March 2014 and July 2016. Results: This Ethnobotanical study identified 101 medicinal plant species belonging to 46 families, of which the most abundant are Lamiaceae (FUV: 1.87). This study also revealed that the leaves are the most used parts of the plant (26%) and that the most remedies are prepared as decoction (27%). Digestive disorders rank first among the diseases treated by these plants with a rate of 21%. Conclusions: The present study shows that the traditional use of medicinal plants still persists and constitutes a very rich heritage in the northern of Morocco. Therefore, this important indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants would be exploited in pharmaceutical research. It reveals that urgent action is needed to promote a sustainable and best practices to reduce the increasing scale of exploitation of AMPs for commercial use and to draw the attention of Park managers to the preservation of these plants from genetic erosion by a rational management.

Context: Ethnobotanical studies are the basis for the acquisition of knowledge about the use of medicinal plants.

Aims: To characterize the traditional use of medicinal plants by the population of the municipality of Santa Clara, Cuba.

Methods: A field research in nine districts of Santa Clara municipality, Villa Clara province, Cuba was conducted. A questionnaire to key informants from urban and rural localities of both genders, civil status and educational levels, was applied; the sampling was intentional. The Use Value Index and the Significant Use Level were calculated.

Results: Ninety-one species of medicinal plants belonging to 27 families were identified; Lamiaceae (13), Compositae (12) and Vervenaceae (6) were the most represented. The most used parts of the plants were leaves (58%) and roots (10%). The most cited preparation technique was the decoction (56.7%). The most frequently cited mixtures were: leaves with flowers in 4% and leaves with roots in 3%. The most treated diseases by the population were respiratory, including bronchial asthma (25.4%), followed by gastrointestinal (23.6%). 19% of the key informants recognized that there were plants contraindicated due to their toxicity. 29.6% of the total species reported showed a significant level of use higher than 20%, so they can be considered important for scientific evaluation and validation.

Conclusions: Ninety-one species belonging to 27 families were identified; Lamiaceae, Compositae and Verbenaceae were the most represented. The most used parts of the plants were leaves and roots. The decoction technique was the most cited. The most treated disorders were respiratory and gastrointestinal. 29.6% of the reported species showed significant levels of use greater than 20%.

Cleome viscose L. is an annual herb belonging to the family Capprideaceae, which is commonly found in Asia. The Cleome viscosa seeds were collected and the oil was extracted by using a hydro-carbon solvent. The Physico chemical properties of the oil obtained from the seeds of Cleome viscosa has been analyzed for its potential use as a Biodiesel. The physico-chemical properties were analyzed by blending the oil with the conventional diesel at 10% (B10) & 20% (B20) proportions and compared with that of diesel. The physico-chemical properties assessed includes, specific gravity, density, viscosity, flash point, fire point, cloud point, pour point, smoke point, pH, viscosity, carbon residue, saponification value, acid value, and iodine value. The results were presented and discussed in the present communication.

Context: The ethnobotanical study of the plants used is of great interest in the medical field. In this perspective, we have carried out this ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological study, which is part of the development of plant resources traditionally used against anemia in a large region of Middle Atlantic Morocco (Mam-4): Al Haouz-Rehamna.

Aims: To establish a catalog of medicinal plants used in traditional medicine against anemia disease.

Methods: For this purpose, we carried out an ethnobotanical survey using 1700 questionnaire cards during five campaigns (from 2012 to 2017) in the studied field. In addition, the information sought was about the plant including its local name, its part used, its toxicity and, medical practices related. Ethnobotanical indices, such as Use Value (UV), Family Use Value (FUV) and, Plant Part Value (PPV), were determined.

Results: The results allowed us to identify 48 medicinal plants of which 12 were toxic. The inventoried species were distributed in 45 genera and belong to 27 botanical families, of which four predominated in the number of species: Apiaceae, Amaranthaceae, Fabaceae, and Asteraceae. Also, 11 species were traditionally more used as effective plants against anemia: Rubia peregrina, Lens culinaris, Malva sylvestris, Beta vulgaris, Spinacia oleracea, Mercurialis annua, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Corrigiola telephiifolia, Nasturtium officinale, Cistus laurifolius and Armeria mauritanica. The leafy stems were the most used part (PPV = 0.28%) followed by the seed (PPV = 0.26%). These parts were usually used steamed, decocted, and rarely triturated in honey or infused in water. The recipes were administered orally until cured.

Conclusions: The present study established the importance of documenting traditional knowledge about the species of medicinal plants that are used to correct many chronic diseases such as anemia. Analysis of this knowledge has shown that several of the listed plants promoted anti-anemia activity and could become the basis for in-depth scientific investigations.