Plants traditionally used to make brooms in several European countries

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The research was carried out within the course of two years (2005–2006) in four countries from southern, southeast and eastern parts of Europe: Bulgaria, Italy, Macedonia and Romania. The data are collected mainly from Bulgaria and Italy and are compared with those from Macedonia and Romania.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The information was gathered largely from literature as well as field collected data and interviewed informants. A brief questionnaire, referring to the vernacular name, plant description, providing specimens from the plants and brooms, details on their use has been prepared and applied.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The total number of species as brooms in the study areas is about 108. The list includes two fungi taxa which caused the so-called "Witches' brooms". A high species diversity of 106 taxa of vascular plants, belonging to 37 families and 74 genera, is established in the research area. The investigation includes data about scientific name, family, vernacular name, life form, status (wild or cultivated), used parts and place of use. The relations between the plant characteristics and broom specific shape and working qualities, details of the traditionally broom planting and making, the broom as a part of folklore, traditions and religious rituals are discussed.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Collected data show how ecological, geographical features and different cultures are related with the variety of plants traditionally used as brooms as well as details for their uses. The data about the variety of plants traditionally used to make brooms and the ways in which they are used according to the specific characteristics of the areas are important for ethnobotanical knowledge.</p

Biljne svojte korištene za izradu metli u nekim jugoistočnoeuropskim i zapadnoazijskim zemljama

The aim of this study is to determine the plants used as brooms by individuals and municipal authorities in some Southeast European (Bulgaria and Turkey) and West Asian (Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen) countries. The study was carried out from 1999 to 2005. At the end of the study, it was identified that 19 plant taxa belonging to 12 different families were used as brooms in the five countries. Among these species, Sorghum bicolor (broomcorn) was determined to be used extensively by municipal authorities for sweeping streets (Bulgaria) and by individuals for houses (Turkey and Azerbaijan). Erica sp. (tree heath) is commonly preferred by municipal authorities for sweeping streets in many areas of Turkey. We have established that the panicles and above ground parts of these plants are mostly used as brooms. Asteraceae is the largest family, represented by five species used as brooms. It is followed by Plumbaginaceae and by Poaceae with two species.Cilj ovog rada jest utvrditi koje se biljke koriste za izradu metli u nekim jugoistočnoeuropskim (Bugarska, Turska) i zapadnoazijskim zemljama (Azerbejdžan, Saudijska Arabija, Jemen). Istraživanje je trajalo od 1999. do 2005., a utvrđeno je da se u 5 zemalja za izradu metli koristi 19 biljnih svojti, koje pripadaju u 12 različitih porodica. Među tim vrstama ističe se Sorghum bicolor (sirak) koji se široko koristi i od strane lokalnih vlasti pri čišćenju ulica (Bugarska), i od strane stanovništva pr

Of the importance of a leaf: the ethnobotany of sarma in Turkey and the Balkans

BACKGROUND: Sarma - cooked leaves rolled around a filling made from rice and/or minced meat, possibly vegetables and seasoning plants - represents one of the most widespread feasting dishes of the Middle Eastern and South-Eastern European cuisines. Although cabbage and grape vine sarma is well-known worldwide, the use of alternative plant leaves remains largely unexplored. The aim of this research was to document all of the botanical taxa whose leaves are used for preparing sarma in the folk cuisines of Turkey and the Balkans. Methods: Field studies were conducted during broader ethnobotanical surveys, as well as during ad-hoc investigations between the years 2011 and 2014 that included diverse rural communities in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey. Primary ethnobotanical and folkloric literatures in each country were also considered. Results: Eighty-seven botanical taxa, mainly wild, belonging to 50 genera and 27 families, were found to represent the bio-cultural heritage of sarma in Turkey and the Balkans. The greatest plant biodiversity in sarma was found in Turkey and, to less extent, in Bulgaria and Romania. The most commonly used leaves for preparing sarma were those of cabbage (both fresh and lacto-fermented), grape vine, beet, dock, sorrel, horseradish, lime tree, bean, and spinach. In a few cases, the leaves of endemic species (Centaurea haradjianii, Rumex gracilescens, and R. olympicus in Turkey) were recorded. Other uncommon sarma preparations were based on lightly toxic taxa, such as potato leaves in NE Albania, leaves of Arum, Convolvulus, and Smilax species in Turkey, of Phytolacca americana in Macedonia, and of Tussilago farfara in diverse countries. Moreover, the use of leaves of the introduced species Reynoutria japonica in Romania, Colocasia esculenta in Turkey, and Phytolacca americana in Macedonia shows the dynamic nature of folk cuisines. Conclusion: The rich ethnobotanical diversity of sarma confirms the urgent need to record folk culinary plant knowledge. The results presented here can be implemented into initiatives aimed at re-evaluating folk cuisines and niche food markets based on local neglected ingredients, and possibly also to foster trajectories of the avant-garde cuisines inspired by ethnobotanical knowledge

Biljne svojte korištene za izradu metli u nekim jugoistočnoeuropskim i zapadnoazijskim zemljama

The aim of this study is to determine the plants used as brooms by individuals and municipal authorities in some Southeast European (Bulgaria and Turkey) and West Asian (Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen) countries. The study was carried out from 1999 to 2005. At the end of the study, it was identified that 19 plant taxa belonging to 12 different families were used as brooms in the five countries. Among these species, Sorghum bicolor (broomcorn) was determined to be used extensively by municipal authorities for sweeping streets (Bulgaria) and by individuals for houses (Turkey and Azerbaijan). Erica sp. (tree heath) is commonly preferred by municipal authorities for sweeping streets in many areas of Turkey. We have established that the panicles and above ground parts of these plants are mostly used as brooms. Asteraceae is the largest family, represented by five species used as brooms. It is followed by Plumbaginaceae and by Poaceae with two species.Cilj ovog rada jest utvrditi koje se biljke koriste za izradu metli u nekim jugoistočnoeuropskim (Bugarska, Turska) i zapadnoazijskim zemljama (Azerbejdžan, Saudijska Arabija, Jemen). Istraživanje je trajalo od 1999. do 2005., a utvrđeno je da se u 5 zemalja za izradu metli koristi 19 biljnih svojti, koje pripadaju u 12 različitih porodica. Među tim vrstama ističe se Sorghum bicolor (sirak) koji se široko koristi i od strane lokalnih vlasti pri čišćenju ulica (Bugarska), i od strane stanovništva pr

Plant patterns of silk based needlework, a traditional handcraft in Turkey

640-643Plant based motifs have been used extensively in Turkish culture for centuries. One of the most intricate and delicate uses can be seen in traditional handicrafts crocheting, shuttle and needlework. Among these crafts, needlework has a special place. Needlework is interesting in many ways. For instance, only silk is used to make these fine patterns. For hundreds of years, needlework has been attached to the corners and sides of covers. The study aims to record and pass the knowledge of the use of plant based motifs in the needlework of Western Anatolia–Turkey. A total of 29 women, especially chosen by age, over 50 yrs old, from the cities Odemis, Beydag, Kiraz, and Tire in the of Izmir Province in Western Anatolia were interviewed. 24 taxa were identified. Among the identified patterns, the flower was the most common. Fruits and leaves were the other motifs identified. The use of different colours on the same pattern is interesting. Four different colours are used in the pattern of the pepper plant; green for the leaves, white for the petals, orange for the reproductive organs, and red for the fruits. In all identified patterns; orange, yellow and white are used for the reproductive organs with orange being the most preferred colour

Plants used in traditional handicrafts in several Balkan countries

157-161The aim of the study is to show some of the most common and popular plants used as raw in some traditional handicrafts in Balkan countries, in relation to the natural plant resources and national traditions. The information is gathered largely from literature, analyzing the findings in the existing ethnographic collections as well as field collected data and interviewed during field survey conducted during 2006-2007 more than 50 local informants using non-structured interviews. Arundo donax, Cannabis sativa, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Fagus orientalis, Morus alba, Phragmites australis, Salix spp., Typha angustifolia, Urtica dioica, Vitex agnus-castus were found to be commonly used in the manufacturing of wood articles, mats & rugs making, basketry and fibers producing

Plants traditionally used to make brooms in several European countries-2

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Plants traditionally used to make brooms in several European countries"</p><p>http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/3/1/20</p><p>Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2007;3():20-20.</p><p>Published online 2 May 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC1884134.</p><p></p>Life forms: Ph: phanerophyte; Ch: chamaephyte; H: hemicriptophyte; T: therophyte