Resumen de Ethnobotanical Remarks in Capitanata and Salento Areas (Puglia, Southern Italy)

Maria Lucia Leporatti, Paolo Maria Guarrera

• This paper gives the results of an ethnobotanical study conceming two areas in the Puglia region (Southem Italy), a territory which has not been studied very much from an ethnobotanical standpoint. Ninety-eight speeies: identifiedaccording to "Flora d'ltalia, are considered and information about their therapeutical, veterinary, alimentary and domestic uses are reported. Analysis of the data collected shows the impoítance of many alimentary species, bothcultivated and wild, used in phytotherapy. Also interesting are the uses of many plants in daily life in domestic crafts (jams, liqueurs, basket-weaving and rope-making). Nowadays these Jast uses are more frequent than the phytotherapic ones. Severa! plants have uses not previously cited in the specific literature consulted: Arisarum vulgare (Araceae) against bums, Phlomis fruticosa (Lamiaceae) as antitussive, Marrubium vulgare (Lamiaceae) as antirheumatic. Consolida ajacis (Ranunculaceae), antiparasitic agent, is never cited in the italian medicinal flora.