In 2005, an ancient herbarium called “of royal possession”, concerning the flora of Pisa and some few plants of Lucca, Livorno, Grosseto and Firenze has been found in a storeroom of the San Rossore Estate within the Regional Park of Migliarino, San Rossore, Massaciuccoli (Pisa, Italy). It was drawn up at the end of 19th century (1883) by an anonymous author. The herbarium consists of 10 folders total, including 1529 sheets representing 1521 plant specimens in excellent condition [1]. At the herbarium is attached an annotated catalogue that describes seven different types of botanical data: botanical names, common names, families, plant life form, flowering time, collection areas and the typical use of species. After a preliminary study (carried out in 2009), during which investigation was conducted on verify identification of the species and nomenclature updating, was counts 1248 species. From the ethnobotanical data analysis resulted that the highest number of species is characterized by an agropastoral use (66%), many species are mentioned for medicinal use (23%), handcraft use (10%) and foodstuff use (8%). The present study has focused on the vascular plants of the herbarium which show the indication “Monti Pisani” or the name of neighbouring localities as the collection area. The selected herbarium species were then compared with those reported in the most recent floristic lists of Monte Pisano to verify their current presence. The Monte Pisano is a relief of modest height (the highest peak is 917 m above sea level) but with this characteristic it can be considered a true mountain system that separate the plain of Pisa from the plain of Lucca, from North-West to South-East. This mountain, isolated in the middle of flat and marshy areas, has always played a significant role of source of livelihood and human settlements since Upper Palaeolithic era. Despite the significant role of Monte Pisano in the daily life of the rural population, we do not have updated information on the ethnobotanical use of plants in this area, and in particular on their medical use, which is the object of this study. Out of 1137 species recorded in the herbarium for the province of Pisa, 419 are specifically to be referred to the different areas of Monte Pisano. Of these, only 302 are confirmed in the most recent and complete floristic list [2] for the vascular flora of Monte Pisano. The herbarium attachment reported the medical use for 101 species, 87 of which are confirmed. The comparison with the most recent ethnobotanical literature of Tuscany, and in particular of the Monte Pisano area, has shown that only 24 of the cited 101 herbarium species were effectively with a confirmed popular ethnomedical use. In addition, some ethnomedical species recorded in the herbarium (the exact number is being processed) and confirmed by the literature are no longer present to date, as Ruta graveolens L., Aristolochia pallida Willd., Cynoglossum officinale L. and Euphrasia stricta D. Wollf. It is also interesting to note the presence in the herbarium of 13 species which have not been confirmed in the recent floristic lists and whose ethnomedical use is not confirmed in the local ethnobotanical literature, as Ammi majus L. (Fig.1) and Clinopodium menthifolium (Host) Merino subsp. ascendens (Jord.) Govaerts (Fig.2). About the principal medical applications, the cited medical species were used mostly as Tonic (e.g. Polygala vulgaris L.), as Exciting (e.g. Origanum vulgare L.) and as Diuretic (e.g. Angelica sylvestris L.). What has been extrapolated till today from the ancient herbarium leads to further studies, with regards to the verification of the medical importance species presence no more confirmed from floristic studies of Monte Pisano; this also to investigate the historical evolution of medical plant use in this part of Tuscany. There’s no doubt that the herbarium “of royal possession” is priceless historical value also for ethnomedical knowledges which enrich ethnobotanical literature of Tuscany and enhance the Monte Pisano Areas of historical and cultural significance.
The ethnomedicinal species of the Monte Pisano: from an ancient herbarium to today
Tiziana Lombardi;Irene Ventura;Iduna Arduini;Andrea Bertacchi;Serena Trimarchi;
2023-01-01
Abstract
In 2005, an ancient herbarium called “of royal possession”, concerning the flora of Pisa and some few plants of Lucca, Livorno, Grosseto and Firenze has been found in a storeroom of the San Rossore Estate within the Regional Park of Migliarino, San Rossore, Massaciuccoli (Pisa, Italy). It was drawn up at the end of 19th century (1883) by an anonymous author. The herbarium consists of 10 folders total, including 1529 sheets representing 1521 plant specimens in excellent condition [1]. At the herbarium is attached an annotated catalogue that describes seven different types of botanical data: botanical names, common names, families, plant life form, flowering time, collection areas and the typical use of species. After a preliminary study (carried out in 2009), during which investigation was conducted on verify identification of the species and nomenclature updating, was counts 1248 species. From the ethnobotanical data analysis resulted that the highest number of species is characterized by an agropastoral use (66%), many species are mentioned for medicinal use (23%), handcraft use (10%) and foodstuff use (8%). The present study has focused on the vascular plants of the herbarium which show the indication “Monti Pisani” or the name of neighbouring localities as the collection area. The selected herbarium species were then compared with those reported in the most recent floristic lists of Monte Pisano to verify their current presence. The Monte Pisano is a relief of modest height (the highest peak is 917 m above sea level) but with this characteristic it can be considered a true mountain system that separate the plain of Pisa from the plain of Lucca, from North-West to South-East. This mountain, isolated in the middle of flat and marshy areas, has always played a significant role of source of livelihood and human settlements since Upper Palaeolithic era. Despite the significant role of Monte Pisano in the daily life of the rural population, we do not have updated information on the ethnobotanical use of plants in this area, and in particular on their medical use, which is the object of this study. Out of 1137 species recorded in the herbarium for the province of Pisa, 419 are specifically to be referred to the different areas of Monte Pisano. Of these, only 302 are confirmed in the most recent and complete floristic list [2] for the vascular flora of Monte Pisano. The herbarium attachment reported the medical use for 101 species, 87 of which are confirmed. The comparison with the most recent ethnobotanical literature of Tuscany, and in particular of the Monte Pisano area, has shown that only 24 of the cited 101 herbarium species were effectively with a confirmed popular ethnomedical use. In addition, some ethnomedical species recorded in the herbarium (the exact number is being processed) and confirmed by the literature are no longer present to date, as Ruta graveolens L., Aristolochia pallida Willd., Cynoglossum officinale L. and Euphrasia stricta D. Wollf. It is also interesting to note the presence in the herbarium of 13 species which have not been confirmed in the recent floristic lists and whose ethnomedical use is not confirmed in the local ethnobotanical literature, as Ammi majus L. (Fig.1) and Clinopodium menthifolium (Host) Merino subsp. ascendens (Jord.) Govaerts (Fig.2). About the principal medical applications, the cited medical species were used mostly as Tonic (e.g. Polygala vulgaris L.), as Exciting (e.g. Origanum vulgare L.) and as Diuretic (e.g. Angelica sylvestris L.). What has been extrapolated till today from the ancient herbarium leads to further studies, with regards to the verification of the medical importance species presence no more confirmed from floristic studies of Monte Pisano; this also to investigate the historical evolution of medical plant use in this part of Tuscany. There’s no doubt that the herbarium “of royal possession” is priceless historical value also for ethnomedical knowledges which enrich ethnobotanical literature of Tuscany and enhance the Monte Pisano Areas of historical and cultural significance.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
