Wild Edible Plants of Andalusia: Traditional Uses and Potential of Eating Wild in a Highly Diverse Region

Phylogenetic Perspectives and Ethnobotanical Insights on Wild Edible Plants of the Mediterranean, Middle East, and North Africa

This study investigates the phylogenetic and geographical distribution of wild food plants (WFPs) across 30 Mediterranean and North African (MENA) regions, focusing on the intersection of evolutionary lineage, ecological adaptation, and cultural utilization. A phylogenetic analysis of 111 genera of WFPs used in traditional diets reveals clusters reflecting shared ancestry, functional adaptations, and ecological resilience. Key regions such as Lebanon and Ikaria stand out as potential centers for the diversity of wild food plant use, suggesting that the Eastern Mediterranean may be a primary origin area, especially for species adapted to semi-arid climates. Major plant families including Lamiaceae, Rosaceae, and Fabaceae form distinct clusters that underscore their common ancestry and adaptability, making them foundational to traditional diets and medicinal applications across various environments. Geographical analysis indicates historical connections, such as those between Malta and Egypt, supporting the hypothesis that ancient trade routes influenced the spread and cultural exchange of wild food plant use across the Mediterranean. The study emphasizes the integration of phylogenetic and ethnobotanical perspectives, shedding light on how biodiversity, ecological adaptation, and cultural practices intersect in these regions. This research demonstrates that WFPs serve as both ecological and cultural assets, crucial for preserving traditional diets and supporting biodiversity conservation amid environmental changes. Integrating evolutionary and cultural knowledge can enrich ecological understanding and contribute to the sustainable use of plant resources in the MENA regions.

Proximate Composition and In Vitro Bioactive Properties of Leaf Extracts from Seven Viola Species

Viola, an edible wild plant, is valued for its distinctive flavor and health-promoting properties. This study examines the proximate composition, bioactive compounds, and in vitro biological activities of seven Viola leaves (Viola prionantha, Viola collina, Viola acuminata, Viola variegata, Viola tokubuchiana var. takedana, Viola mirabilis, and Viola philippica). Findings reveal that the leaves of the seven Viola species are rich in phenolic compounds (131.13 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g fresh weight (FW)-384.80 mg GAE/100 g FW), flavonoids (13.09 mg rutin equivalents (RE)/100 g FW-40.08 mg RE/100 g FW), fatty acids (palmitic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, and α-linolenic acid), and essential minerals, such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium. The leaf extracts demonstrated significant inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase (84.17%) and pancreatic lipase (77.54%) at a concentration of 1 g of extract per milliliter of solution. Additionally, the biological activity of Viola leaves, particularly their antioxidant capacity, is associated with their phenolic and flavonoid content, with caffeic acid contributing up to 35.2% of the total phenolic acids and isoquercitrin being one of the most bioavailable flavonoids. These results indicate that Viola offers potential notable health benefits, presenting a valuable addition to enhancing modern dietary patterns and overall health.

Wild Species from the Family Apiaceae, Traditionally Used as Food in Some Mediterranean Countries

Mediterranean countries are a cauldron of cultural exchange, with a strong emphasis on wild plants in cuisine traditions. Many of these plants belong to the family Apiaceae. The common climate determines the common range of distribution. While many plants have wide distribution, the range of distribution of others is restricted to Western Mediterranean or North Africa. This review investigates wild plants from the family Apiaceae traditionally used as food in 13 study sites-11 countries in the Mediterranean and adjacent territories-the mainland and 3 islands. The aim is to trace patterns of native distribution versus consumption. As a result, 81 wild umbellifers are listed, traditionally used as food. Their consumption and distribution patterns are described and discussed. Interestingly in 8 of the 13 study sites (61.5%) are recorded 50 plant taxa (66.7% of all wild umbellifers, traditionally used as food) which are consumed in only one particular country. These are as follows: 8 taxa in Morocco, 9 taxa in Spain, 2 taxa in Sicily, 3 taxa in Bulgaria 3 taxa in Crete, 8 taxa in Armenia, 14 taxa in Turkey, and 3 taxa in Jordan. However, these 50 restrictedly consumed plants are distributed in more than one country (except 15 taxa, which are endemics). Many of the plants that are used in certain countries are not consumed by the neighboring people. The results of the two statistical tests, namely Jaccard index and heatmap clustering (double dendrogram), are discussed. The presence of an outlier, such as Bulgaria, which shares borders, history, and culture with Greece and Turkey, emphasizes the importance of local climate for plant distribution and consumption over cultural interactions. The same was observed for some pairs of countries, such as Spain and Morrocco and Turkey and Armenia, although they had the highest number of common plants that are both distributed and consumed as food.

Long-Term Monitoring of the Traditional Knowledge of Plant Species Used for Culinary Purposes in the Valencia Region, South-Eastern Spain

The aim of this study is to inventory and study ethnobotanical knowledge of edible plants in the Valencian Community (Spain). In respect to culinary uses, 92 species of plant were reported to be edible, finding the following uses: 58 raw, 52 cooked, 16 fried, 7 dried, 21 in liquors and beverages, 25 in dessert and sweets, 11 as seasoning, 17 in pickles, and 10 to curdle milk. We prepared a database that includes genus, family, scientific, and vernacular names in Spanish and Catalan for each plant. We also created a classification of nine edible uses and plant parts used, being Asteraceae (n = 18), Brassicaceae (n = 7), Chenopodiaceae (n = 6), and Rosaceae (n = 6) the families most characterized for gastronomic purposes. The species with the most elevated cultural importance (CI) values were Foeniculum vulgare (CI = 1.389), Cynara scolymus (CI = 1.374), Papaver rhoeas (CI = 1.211), Beta vulgaris (CI = 1.167), and Juglans regia (CI = 1.155). The most used parts were the leaves (71), flowers (25), and branches (19), while the least used were roots (9) and seeds (8). Traditional knowledge of these plants helps to preserve traditional cuisine, promote the local economy and, in several species, encourage their cultivation.

Nutritional Composition and Phytochemical Evaluation of Some Selected Wild Edible Plants in Tach Gaint District, Northwestern Ethiopia

The objective of the study was to evaluate the nutritional, mineral, and phytochemical analyses of some selected wild edible plants from Tach Gaint District, Northwest Ethiopia. Proximate composition parameters (moisture, ash, crude fibre, crude fat, crude protein, carbohydrate, and energy) were evaluated using the methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, and elemental analysis was performed using the atomic absorption spectroscopy technique. Results from the nutritional analysis show that Erucastrum abyssinicum leaves had the highest crude protein content (17.47 ± 0.03 g/100 g), followed by Amaranthus graecizans (14.97 ± 0.03 g/100 g). The maximum moisture content (40.8 ± 0.00 g/100 g) and ash content (24.70 ± 0.15 g/100 g) were reported in the leaves of Amaranthus graecizans. The young shoots of Rumex abyssinicus had the highest crude fat content (14.07 ± 0.03 g/100 g) and the highest fibre content (34.70 ± 0.25 g/100 g), while the fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica had the highest amount of utilisable carbohydrate (44.4 ± 0.00 g/100 g) and the estimated energy value (326.4 ± 0.00 Kcal/100 g). Calcium was detected in considerable proportions (754.9 ± 0.23 mg/100 g) followed by iron (31.63 ± 0.03 mg/100 g) in Urtica simensis leaves and zinc content (3.09 ± 0.02 mg/100 g) in young shoots of Rumex abyssinicus. Qualitative phytochemical screening, alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, triterpenes, saponins, and tannins were found in the methanolic extract of the plants. The results of this study suggest that the consumption of such nutrient-rich wild edible plants could help add a remarkable amount of nutrient and mineral in the human diet.