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.

Keywords: Argentina; Atlantic Forest; Cross-cultural ethnobotany; Cultural significance indices; Polish migrants; Wild food plants.

Fig. 1

Polish settlements located in the north of the province of Misiones, Argentina

Fig. 2

a) Lactuca virosa and Ipomoea batatas leaves used in salad by Polish descendants in Lanusses, Northern Misiones, Argentina; b) A bundle of Lactuca virosa leaves (Lanusse, 15.03.2011, Monika Kujawska)

Fig. 3

Differences in use of wild edible plants based on gender, habitat preference and origin (Argentina—offspring of Polish migrants from the first and second generation, Brazil—descendants of Poles who migrated to Argentina via Brazil; Poland—Polish migrants who migrated to Argentina as children). The box plot shows minima, maxima, first and third quartile and median