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Traditional Knowledge on the Use of Wild Plants as Food in Poljica, Croatia

Poljica is historically specific region within Dalmatia (Croatia), since it had political autonomy in the past. Due to depopulation and change of lifestyle there is a threat of wild plants use knowledge loss. The traditional knowledge and contemporary use of wild plants for food and everyday teas in 17 villages was recorded. Fifty three interviews were conducted that included 64 local informants with an average age of 67. Approximately 80 species were documented, on average 13 per interview. The plants are used as raw salads, cooked as vegetables, raw fruit, teas, sweet drink concentrate, marmalade, and liqueurs. The knowledge of the “divje zelje” wild vegetable mixes is relatively alive because it is sold in the cities in springtime. The most commonly collected species are: Sonchus oleraceus and S. asper, Cichorium intybus, Allium ampeloprasum, Asparagus acutifolius, Dioscorea communis, Foeniculum vulgare, Rosa sp., and Rubus ulmifolius. A very small number of mushrooms is gathered by only four informers. Fruits picked and eaten in the nature are mostly memories from childhood and youth. Many people also stopped using wild greens. This research is a testimony of urgency of recording native knowledge of edible plants use.

Wild food plants; Ethnobotany; Poljica; Foraging

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