title: Wild Edible Plants Used by the Polish Community in Misiones, Argentina.
abstract: We studied the cultural significance of wild edible plants for Eastern European migrants who settled in rural subtropical areas of South America. In 50 interviews with Polish migrants and their descendants in northern Misiones, Argentina, we recorded the use of 41 botanical species and two mushroom taxa. Different cultural significance indices were applied and sociodemographic factors such as gender, age and origin were addressed. Out of the ten most salient species, nine were fruits (Eugenia uniflora,Eugenia involucrata,Rollinia salicifolia,Campomanesia xanthocarpa,Syagrus romanzoffiana,Allophylus edulis,Plinia peruviana,Plinia rivularis,Eugenia pyriformis) and only one was a green vegetable (Hypochaeris chillensis). None of our informants reported famine foods, recreational teas or condiments. Men mentioned more wild edible species than women due to their more extensive knowledge of the forest plants growing further from settlements.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology, University of Lodz, Pomorska 149/153, 90-236 Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kujawska
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, Institute of Applied Biotechnology and Basic Science, University of Reszów, Werynia 502, 36-100 Kolbuszowa, Poland.
authors.forename: Łukasz
authors.initials: Ł
authors.lastname: Łuczaj
keywords: Argentina; Atlantic Forest; Cross-cultural ethnobotany; Cultural significance indices; Polish migrants; Wild food plants