Genet Resour Crop Evol DOI 10.1007/s10722-011-9715-4

RESEARCH ARTICLE

An ethnobotanical survey of the Gollak region, Kosovo

Behxhet Mustafa • Avni Hajdari • Qazim Pajazita • Bedije Syla • Cassandra L. Quave • Andrea Pieroni

Received: 11 February 2011 / Accepted: 6 June 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011

Abstract An ethnobotanical field study focused on study and those reported for the other areas are traditional uses of medicinal plants, wild food plants, extremely scarce. This may confirm the richness of and mushrooms was conducted in 37 villages in the the bio-cultural heritage of the Western Balkan Gollak region of eastern Kosovo. Interviews with 66 region and the urgent need to conduct cross-cultural elderly informants were conducted using standard comparative field ethnobiological studies. ethnobotanical methods. The uses of 92 vascular plants and 6 mushrooms species belonging to 47 Keywords Albanians Á Ethnobotany Á Gollak Á different families were recorded. Mainly infusions Kosovo Á Medicinal plants and decoctions were quoted as folk medicinal prep- arations and the most commonly quoted plant medicinal uses referred to diseases of the respiratory system, skin, and gastrointestinal tract. Comparison of the collected data with the ethnobotanical findings Introduction of previously conducted studies in the surrounding Western Balkan areas showed that, even if more than In recent years, the Western Balkans have been the the half of Gollak’s wild botanical genera quoted as focus of an increasing number of field ethnobotanical medicines used are the same in Serbia and in studies (in Croatia: Pieroni et al. 2003 and Pieroni Northern Albania, commonalities between the actual and Giusti 2008; in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Redzˇic´ medicinal plant applications recorded in the present 2006, 2007;Sˇaric´-Kundalic´ et al. 2010a, b, 2011;in Serbia: Milojevic´ 1988; Jaric´ et al. 2007; Pieroni et al. 2011; in Montenegro: Menkovic´ et al. 2011;in B. Mustafa Á A. Hajdari (&) Á Q. Pajazita Á B. Syla Department of Biology, University of Prishtina, Albania: Pieroni et al. 2005; Pieroni 2008, 2010). St. Mother Teresa, Prishtine¨, Kosovo This has happened for various reasons: the interest of e-mail: [email protected] the Western herbal market, which is partly dominated by medicinal plants traded from this area (Lange C. L. Quave Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University 1998; Kathe et al. 2003); the need for documenting of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham St., the last remaining traces of Traditional Knowledge in #511, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA areas, which—also because of their recent political histories—have been often labelled as ‘‘marginal’’ A. Pieroni University of Gastronomic Sciences, Via Amedeo di and/or even ‘‘isolated’’ in Europe; the increasing Savoia 8, 12060 Pollenzo, Italy economic trends in these countries to develop eco- 123 Genet Resour Crop Evol tourism and other sustainable rural activities based -5.8C. This area is characterised by total annual upon local bio-cultural heritage; and finally, the fact precipitation of 667 mm per year. that this area is also considered to be crucial by Climate, geological and soil composition diversity ethnobiologists as a unique case study for its provide an interesting source of diversity of flora and tremendous biological and cultural/ethnic diversity. vegetation of this region. Since the flora of Kosovo Nevertheless, not much has been done so far in belongs in different biogeographic zones (Eurosiber- European terms of cross-cultural comparative ethno- ic; North American region; Mediterranean and botanical studies (Leporatti and Ivancheva 2003; Alpine-Nordic regions), the mountainous terrain Pieroni and Quave 2005; Pieroni et al. 2006; Ghirar- contributes to a great diversity in flora (Mustafa dini et al. 2007; Pardo-de-Santayana et al. 2007; 1998). Differences in altitude and diversity of other Hadjichambis et al. 2008; Gonza´lez-Tejero et al. ecological factors have supported the establishment 2008; Leporatti and Ghedira 2009; Pieroni et al. of different vegetation zones on its vertical profile 2011) and/or studies, which consider also historical dominated by forest plant communities: Quercetum or folkloric sources on herbal or wild food plant uses farnetto-cerris scardicum, Querceto-Carpinetum ori- (Pieroni 2000; Łuczaj 2008, 2010a, b; Pollio et al. entalis, Quercetum montanum and Fagetum moesia- 2008; De Natale et al. 2009; Gentili et al. 2009; cae montanum (Krasniqi 1972), and herbaceous plant Leonti et al. 2009, 2010;Pe´ntek and Szabo´ 1985; community: Trifolio festucetum vallesiaceae and Tagarelli et al. 2010). Inulo danthonietum alpinae (Rexhepi 1994). In Kosovo, apart from a review on botanical folk This region has been inhabited since ancient times. names in diverse Albanian-speaking areas in South- The native residents are ethnic Albanians, who speak Eastern and Southern Europe (Sejdiu 1984), no Gege¨ varieties of the Albanian language. The exact proper ethnobotanical investigations have been con- population is currently unknown, as no population ducted thus far. On the other hand, Kosovo retains a census has been conducted in Kosovo since 1981. great biological, ecological and landscape diversity. Recently, the area has been badly affected by migra- There are currently around 1,800 plant species known tion, due to displacement and a harsh economic climate to make up the flora of Kosovo, and these are that impacts the local residents’ ability to subsist. deposited at the Herbarium of the Faculty of Math- The aims of this study were twofold: (1) to ematical and Natural Science of the University of document all of the ethnobotanical knowledge related Prishtina. About 200 species that occur in Kosovo are to the use of plants in local folk medical practices and Balkan endemics, while 13 are specific Kosovo of wild plants in the diet and (2) to compare the endemics (Krasniqi 1998). However, the actual total resulting data with the few field ethnobotanical flora of Kosovo is estimated to comprise more than studies carried out in recent years in Serbia, Monte- 2,500 plant species (Krasniqi 1998), which accounts negro, and Albania. for about 30% of the entire Balkan flora and 16% of the European flora, although Kosovo covers only 2.3% of the Balkan land area (Mustafa 1998). Methodology The Gollak region is a mountainous area located in the eastern part of Kosovo (Fig. 1) with several Field study isolated villages and it is rich in plant biodiversity (Krasniqi 1982, 1998; Rexhepi 1994; Mustafa 1998). Field research was conducted from May to October It is for this reason that we selected this area for an 2009. Traditional botanical knowledge was recorded ethnobotanical study focused on wild food and using interviews and an administrated questionnaire. medicinal plant uses. In particular, we sought the following information: The Gollak is dominated by forests and pastures, with altitudes ranging from 800 to 1,260 m a.s.l. • respondent name and the location; (C¸ avolli 1997). The climate is influenced by conti- • local botanical names; nental air masses; for this reason, it has cold winters • plant part(s) used; and hot summers. The average temperature is 12.6C, • local preparation/administration; whereas the average temperature under zero is • local folk medicinal and/or food uses. 123 Genet Resour Crop Evol

Fig. 1 Map of the study area

Data were collected from 66 informants (30 male Data analysis and 36 female) older than 50 years, living in 37 villages (Fig. 1) belonging to five municipalities A consensus index, based on the frequency of citation (Prishtina, Podujeva, Kamenica, Gjilan and Novo by the different study participants, was created and is Be¨rd), and who are mainly engaged in agricultural reported in Table 1. activities. The participants were selected using the Despite the fact that is always problematic to snowball sampling method (Bernard 2002), and was compare ethnobotanical data coming from studies particularly focused on people who regularly use conducted via very different field methods and at plants for medicinal purposes. Prior informed consent different times, we also attempted to compare the was obtained prior to conducting interviews and wild medical plant uses recorded in Gollak with those researchers adhered to the ethical guidelines of the recorded in previously conducted ethnobotanical International Society of Ethnobiology (ISE 2006). In studies in surrounding Western Balkan areas most cases, informants had inherited their ethnobo- (Fig. 2): (Milojevic´ 1988; Jaric´ et al. 2007; Pieroni tanical knowledge from their direct ancestors (par- et al. 2005, 2011; Pieroni 2007; Menkovic´ et al. ents, grandparents). During the interviews, fresh 2011). plants were collected to create voucher specimens for the herbarium and the informants were followed into the field to show us the quoted species. Most Results and discussion plant species were collected while in flower. Taxo- nomic identification was conducted by Dr. Qazim Gallak’s wild food and medicinal plant uses Pajazita, through use of the relevant standard botan- ical literature of the area, such as Paparisto et al. The results of the field survey are presented in (1988–2000) and Jordanov (1963–1979). Plant Table 1; plants are arranged in alphabetical order by nomenclature largely follows the Flora Europaea genus. For each species, the botanical name and (Tutin et al. 1964). Plant family assignments follow family, local names, English name, botanical status, the current Angiosperm Phylogeny Group guidelines preparation/administration and folk medical or food (Stevens 2011). Voucher specimens of the wild taxa uses are presented. We found that 98 taxa (belonging were deposited at the Department of Biology (Her- to 47 families) are employed in the traditional foods barium code GO/09), University of Prishtina. and medicines of the area. This includes six 123 Genet Resour Crop Evol

Table 1 Medicinal plant and wild food botanical and mushroom uses recorded in the Gollak region Botanical taxon, Albanian folk English Status Quotation Part(s) used Administration Treated botanical family and name(s) name frequency disease(s) or voucher specimen code medical/food uses(s) in Gollak

Achillea millefolium L. Bare¨pezmi Yarrow W ?? Flowering Decoction Fever (Asteraceae) 79/GO/ Bari pe¨r aerial Stomach disorders 09 parts pezmatim Hepatic disorders Lule e bardhe¨ Flowers Decoction, Skin irritations externally Acnes Leaves Fresh leaves, Wounds topically applied Aesculus Ge¨shtenja e Horse W ? Fruits Decoction, Anti-haemorrhoidal hippocastanum L. ege¨r chestnut drunk for one (Sapindaceae) 29/GO/ week 09 Agaricus sp. ‘‘Lisiqarka’’, Meadow W/C ?? Fruiting Consumed Food and seasoning (Agaricaceae) Shampinjone mushrooms body Allium cepa L. Qepa Onion C ??? Bulb Boiled with Nail infections (Alliaceae) soap and after cooling applied on the nail Decoction of Antitussive onion bulbs mixed with squeezed lemons Decoction Sore throat Antitussive Boiled in milk Antitussive Allium porrum L. Purrini, Garden leek C ?? Leaf juice Drunk Anti-diabetic (Alliaceae) Presh Allium sativum L. Hudhe¨ra, Garlic C ?? Bulb Rubbed on the To treat the warts (Alliaceae) Hudra warts Ear-ache Bulb juice applied into the ear Eaten fresh Anti-hypertensive Boiled in milk To ‘‘disinfect’’ the (4–5 cloves) intestine and drunk as tea Allium sp.(Alliaceae) Hudra e ege¨r Wild garlic W ? Leaves Eaten fresh Anti-anaemic 36/GO/09 Hudhe¨ra e ege¨r Amanita cesarea (Fr.) Ke¨rpudhat Caeser’s W ? Fruiting Consumed Food Pers. (Amanitaceae) patligjane mushroom body Seasoning

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Table 1 continued Botanical taxon, Albanian folk English Status Quotation Part(s) used Administration Treated botanical family and name(s) name frequency disease(s) or voucher specimen code medical/food uses(s) in Gollak

Armoracia rusticana Bari pe¨r gji Horseradish W ? Leaves Applied on the Breast oedema Gaertn., Mey. et breast during Scherb. the night (Brassicaceae) 68/GO/ Fresh leaves Breast and skin 09 topically inflammations applied on the wounds Artemisia absinthium L. Fshisa, Wormwood W ? Flowers Infusion Expectorant (Asteraceae) 78/GO/ Pelini Appetizing 09 Artemisia annua L. Bajsilegu Sweet W ? Whole Decoction Nail infection (Asteraceae) 80/GO/ wormwood plant 09 Bellis perennis L. Lulet e bardha Common W ? Whole Decoction Skin infection (Asteraceae) 94/GO/ daisy plants 09 Betula pendula Roth. Me¨shtekna Silver birch W ? Bark Infusion Lithontriptic (Betulaceae) 94/GO/ 09 Boletus edulis Bull. Ke¨rpudhat Porcini W ? Fruiting Consumed Food (Boletaceae) vergan mushroom body Appetizing Seasoning Bryonia sp. Kunge¨lli i ege¨r Bryony W ? Root juice Squeezed and Anti-rheumatic (Cucurbitaceae) topically 64/GO/09 applied to the painful area Cantharellus cibarius Ke¨rpudhat e Chanterelle W ? Fruiting Consumed Food Fr. (Cantharellaceae) dhelpre¨s body Seasoning Centaurium erythraea Bari i etheve Common W ? Flowering Infusion Fever Rafn. (Gentianaceae) centaury aerial 07/GO/09 parts Chelidonium majus L. Latrapeci Tetterwort W ? Latex Topically Warts (Papaveraceae) applied or Liver disorders 96/GO/09 ingested Cichorium intybus L. C¸ ikoreja Common W ? Root Infusion Hart disorders (Asteraceae) 83/GO/ chicory Atherosclerosis 09 Citrus limon Burm. f. Limoni Lemon C ?? Fruit juice Mixed with Kidney stones (Rutaceae) 27/GO/09 Fruits olive and ingested Lemon (1 kg), Respiratory honey(1 kg), inflammations walnut (1/ 2 kg) and garlic mixed and eaten Topically Oedemas applied

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Table 1 continued Botanical taxon, Albanian folk English Status Quotation Part(s) used Administration Treated botanical family and name(s) name frequency disease(s) or voucher specimen code medical/food uses(s) in Gollak

Conium maculatum L. Kakuda Hemlock W ? Roots Boiled in milk Anti ulcers (Apiaceae) 37/GO/09 Cornus mas L. Thana Dogwood W ??? Fruits Decoction Anti-diarrhoeal (Cornaceae) 35/GO/09 Infusion To improve the blood circulation Anti-hypertensive Anti-diarrhoeal Anti-diabetic Bark Decoction Anti eczema Fruits Decoction Anti haemorrhoid Corylus avellana L. Lajthia Hazel W ?? Fruits Eaten Anti-diarrhoeal (Betulaceae) 15/GO/ Mixed with Aphrodisiac 09 honey Leaves Infusion Anti-diabetic Anti-anaemic Crataegus monogyna Murrizi Oneseed W ??? Flowers Infusion Neuro-relaxant Jacq. (Rosaceae) hawthorn Fruits Infusion Anti-hypertensive 48/GO/09 Anti-diabetic Heart pulse regulator Vasoconstrictor Used to treat fever Cucurbita pepo L. Kungulli Pumpkin C Fruits Boiled in milk, Parotitis (Cucurbitaceae) applied 66/GO/09 externally placed in neck Fruit juice Drunk Stomach inflammations Leaves Infusion Sour throat Antitussive Kidney inflammations Intestine infections Anti-diarrhoeal Dipsacus fullonum L. Bari pe¨r Teasel W ? Flowers Infusion Anti-haemorrhoid (Dipsacaceae) 39/GO/ hemoroide 09 Equisetum arvense L. Hithecaku, Horsetail W ?? Aerial parts Macerated Anti-rheumatic (Equisetaceae) 40/GO/ Bishtmini plant, 09 topically applied

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Table 1 continued Botanical taxon, Albanian folk English Status Quotation Part(s) used Administration Treated botanical family and name(s) name frequency disease(s) or voucher specimen code medical/food uses(s) in Gollak

Euphorbia Bari pe¨r kimzi Wood spurge W ? Whole Fresh plant Nail infections amygdaloides L. Tamelqoku plant mixed with (Euphorbiaceae) honey and 19/GO/09 milk cream, extracted for 1 week Euphorbia cyparissias Tame¨lqoku Cypress W ? Latex Latex placed Warts L. (Euphorbiaceae) spurge directly in 18/GO/09 warts Fragaria vesca L. Dredh. e egra Strawberry W ??? Aerial parts Mixed with Heart disorders (Rosaceae) 47/GO/09 Dredhe¨za mali honey, ingested Gentiana cruciata L. Bari pe¨r kimzi Star gentian W ? Flowering Mixed with Nail infections (Gentianaceae) aerial honey and a 08/GO/09 parts small amount of copper sulphate, topically applied Geranium lucidum L. Bari pe¨r Shining W ? Whole Macerated and Eczema (Geraniaceae) 97/GO/ skuqje te¨ cranesbill plants mixed with 09 ke¨mbe¨ve olive oil, then topically applied Geum urbanum L. Shtre¨nguesi Wood avens W ? Roots Infusion Anti-haemorrhoid (Rosaceae) 60/GO/09 Handkea utriformis Pufkat Mosaic W ? Fruiting Topically Haemostatic (Bull.) Kreisel puffball body applied to the (Lycoperdaceae) wound Hedera helix L. Hedera Ivy W ? Leaves Tincture Warts (Araliaceae) 41/GO/ 09 Helianthus tuberosus L. Molle¨ e dheut Sunroot W ? Tubers Boiled in milk, Wounds (Asteraceae) 82/GO/ externally Anti-diabetic 09 applied or eaten Hieracium sp. Bari i majasilit Hawkweed W ? Whole Fresh plant Eczema (Asteraceae) 81/GO/ te¨ le¨kure¨s plant mixed with 09 cream milk and honey, topically applied

123 Genet Resour Crop Evol

Table 1 continued Botanical taxon, Albanian folk English Status Quotation Part(s) used Administration Treated botanical family and name(s) name frequency disease(s) or voucher specimen code medical/food uses(s) in Gollak

Hypericum perforatum Balsami St. John’s W ??? Flowers Infusion Stomach disorders L. (Hypericaceae) Bari i zojave wort Genital infections 32/GO/09 Kantarioni Aerial parts Infusion Urinary system Lule¨ balsami infections Stomach disorders Anti-diabetic Mixed with Anti-haemorrhoid olive oil, used after 40 days, topically applied Juglans regia L. Arra Common C ?? Fruits Fruit cortex, Warts (Juglandaceae) walnut topically 22/GO/09 applied Leaves Infusion Anticholesterolemic Anti diabetic Tincture Anti-rheumatic Juniperus communis L. Gllija, Kllija Juniper W ?? Cones Mixed with Sinusitis (Cupressaceae). thyme, Anti-asthmatic 12/GO/09 chamomile Kidney pain and St. John’s Wort and olive oil Cones and Infusion Lithontriptic young Menstrual pains branches Lactarius deliciosus Ke¨rpudhat e Saffron milk ? Fruiting Consumed Food (L.) S.F. vjeshte¨s cap body Seasoning Gray(Russulaceae) Lagenaria siceraria Poce¨rrka Bottle gourd W ? Fruits Fruits opened Sinusitis (Molina) Standl. and filled (Cucurbitaceae) 65/GO/ with water 09 and then water used to flush the nose Ligustrum vulgare L. Sheme¨shir Common W/C ? Stem, Decoction Lithontriptic (Oleaceae) 10/GO/09 Privet leaves Lycopersicon Patligjani Tomato W ?? Fruit Topically Skin inflammation esculentum L. Domatja applied and ulcers (Solanaceae) Malus dasyphylla Mollat e Apple C ?? Fruit Decoction Anti-diarrhoeal Borkh. (Rosaceae) e¨mbe¨la Anti-constipation Mollat verore

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Table 1 continued Botanical taxon, Albanian folk English Status Quotation Part(s) used Administration Treated botanical family and name(s) name frequency disease(s) or voucher specimen code medical/food uses(s) in Gollak

Malus sylvestris Mill. Molla e ege¨r European W ??? Fruit Squeezed, Warts (Rosaceae) 59/GO/09 wild apple externally applied 2–3 drops of Earache fruit juice applied in ear Decoction Headache Infusion Anti hypertensive Anti-diarrhoeal Flowering Infusion Mucolithic areal parts Malva sylvestris L. Me¨llaga Common W ? Leaves and Infusion Mucolithic (Malvaceae) 90/GO/ mallow flowers 09 Matricaria chamomilla Kamomila Chamomile W ??? Flowering Decoction Sinusitis L. (Asteraceae) Kamelice¨ areal Stomach pain 99/GO/09 parts Skin spots Anti rheumatic Leaves Boiled in milk, Tonsillitis applied in neck Morus nigra L. ‘‘Dudi i zi’’ Black C ? Leaves Infusion Anti diabetic (Moraceae) 01/GO/09 mulberry Fruit juice Eaten Oral mucusal inflammation Ononis spinosa L. Therre¨ lepuri Spiny rest W ? Flowers Infusion Anti-diabetic (Fabaceae) 61/GO/09 harrow Renal disorders Lithonthopic Orchis morio L. Salepi Wilde orchid W ? Tuber Infusion Anti-diarrheoal (Orchidaceae). 24/GO/ 09 Origanum vulgare L. C¸ aj mali, Oregano W ??? Flowering Infusion Sedative (Lamiaceae) 74/GO/ Rigoni aerial 09 parts Papaver rhoeas L. Lule¨kuqja Red poppy W ? Flowers Infusion Insomnia (Papaveraceae) Antitussive 14/GO/09 Pelargonium zonale L. Lule sardani Garden W ? Stem Placed directly Constipation (Geraniaceae) 17/GO/ geranium in rectum 09 Pyrus pyraster Dardha e ege¨r Wild pear W ?? Fruits Decoction Constipation (L.)Burgsd. (Rosaceae) 45/GO/09

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Table 1 continued Botanical taxon, Albanian folk English Status Quotation Part(s) used Administration Treated botanical family and name(s) name frequency disease(s) or voucher specimen code medical/food uses(s) in Gollak

Plantago lanceolata L. Dejzi me Narrowleaf W ? Leaves Fresh leaves Skin inflammations (Plantaginaceae) gjethe te¨ plantain are topically 03/GO/09 ngushta applied Boiled with Nail infection soap and topically applied Plantago major L. Bari me dejzi, Common W ??? Leaves Mixed with Nail infections (Plantaginaceae) Bari me fije, plantain milk cream, Skin ulcers 04/GO/09 Dejzi femror topically applied Infusion Urogenital infections Fresh leaves, Anti-venom topically applied Macerated Stimulating fresh leaves, lactation topically applied in breast Polygonum bistorta L. Ufllat e leprit Meadow W ? Flowering Consumed Pite (pie) stuffing (Polygonaceae) bistort aerial 69/GO/09 parts Populus nigra L. Plepi Lombardy W ? Leaves Infusion Anti tuberculosis (Salicaceae) 16/GO/09 poplar Primula veris Huds. Agulic¸ja Cowslip W ?? Flowers Infusion Antitussive (Primulaceae) 30/GO/ 09 Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. Kojsi e ege¨r, Cherry plum W ? Fruits Consumed Eaten raw (Rosaceae) 51/GO/09 Kajsi Prunus cerasus L. Vishnjet Sour cherry C ??? Fruits Decoction Antihypertensive (Rosaceae) 54/GO/09 Prunus persica (L.) Zerzelia Peach C ??? Unripe Decoction Anti-diabetic Batsch. (Rosaceae) Pjeshka fruits 45/GO/09 Prunus spinosa L. Kulumria Blackthorn W ?? Fruits Infusion Antihypertensive (Rosaceae) 49/GO/09 Angina pectoris Quercus cerris L. Qarri Turkey oak W ? Cortex Boiled and its Sciatica (Fagaceae) 98/GO/09 vapour Spinal column pain applied in the back Ribes grossularia L. Ribizlla Gooseberry W ? Fruits Fresh fruits Anti-anemic (Grossulariaceae) Eaten raw 23/GO/09

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Table 1 continued Botanical taxon, Albanian folk English Status Quotation Part(s) used Administration Treated botanical family and name(s) name frequency disease(s) or voucher specimen code medical/food uses(s) in Gollak

Robinia pseudacacia L. Bagremi Black locust W ?? Flowering Infusion Respiratory (Fabaceae) 62/GO/09 Bagreri areal inflammations parts Rosa canina L. Kac¸a Dog rose W ?? Fruits Infusion Lithontriptic (Rosaceae) 50/GO/09 Renal pain Sour throat Antitussive Anti-diarrhoeal Used as tea Rubus caesius L. Manaferra e Dewberry W ?? Roots Infusion Used to treat lung (Rosaceae) 44/GO/09 kalte¨r Fruits cancer Fresh fruits Eaten raw Rubus fruticosus L. Manat, Blackberry W ?? Roots Decoction Appendicitis (Rosaceae) 43/GO/09 Mani i malit Fruits Consumed Eaten raw or in fresh or in jams jam Rubus idaeus L. Medra Raspberry W ??? Fruits Consumed Eaten raw (Rosaceae) Mjedrra Rumex rugosus Campd. Ufllat e Garden W ? Leaves Fresh leaves Anti-diabetic (Polygonaceae) 72/GO/ livadheve sorrel 09 Rumex acetosella L. Ufllat e tharpta Sheep sorrel W ? Leaves Fresh leaves Pite (pie) stuffing (Polygonaceae) 71/GO/09 Rumex crispus L. Lake¨r e egra Curly dock W ? Leaves Fresh leaves Used to make salad (Polygonaceae) 70/GO/09 Sambucus nigra L. Shtogu Elderberry W ?? Flower Infusion Anti asthmatic (Caprifoliaceae) Appetizing 26/GO/09 Anti-diarrhoeal Respiratory inflammations (bronchitis) Improving blood circulation Sore throats Stem Boiled with Skin inflammations milk cream Eczemas Sambucus ebulus L. Kinla Dwarf W ? Flowers Decoction Anti-rheumatic (Caprifoliaceae) elderberry 28/GO/09 Sempervivum tectorum Lule veshi Houseleek W ? Leaves 2–3 drop Ear-ache L. (Crassulaceae) juice applied in ear Anti-anemic 34/GO/09 Leaves Fresh leaves

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Table 1 continued Botanical taxon, Albanian folk English Status Quotation Part(s) used Administration Treated botanical family and name(s) name frequency disease(s) or voucher specimen code medical/food uses(s) in Gollak

Sinapis arvensis L. Sinapi Charlock W ?? Flowering Boiled with Antiparalytic (Brassicaceae) 67/GO/ Spinaqi i ege¨r mustard aerial milk applied 09 parts externally to wash the body Solanum tuberosum L. Patate Potato C ? Tuber Boiled with Fevers (Solanaceae) milk, applied externally in chest Sorbus torminalis (L.) Breki Wild W ?? Fruits Fresh fruits Eaten raw Crantz (Rosaceae) service- tree Stachys officinalis (L.) Sarushe¨ Wood W ?? Leaves Fresh leaves Skin infection Trev. (Lamiaceae) betony are topically 76/GO/09 applied 2–3 drops Earache applied in the Menstrual pain, to ear stop bleeding Infusion, Wounds topically applied Syringa vulgaris L. Lule jargavani Common C ? Flowers Mixed with Spinal column pain (Oleaceae) 09/GO/09 lilac olive oil, used for massage Tamus communis L. Bari pe¨r reume¨ Black W ? Rhizome Juice used for Anti-rheumatic (Dioscoreaceae) bryony massages 38/GO/09 Taraxacum officinale Lule¨pipe¨ze, Dandelion W Flower Infusion Stomach pain Web. (Asteraceae) Luleshurdh Urinary system 77/GO/09 Lule¨pipe¨ze inflammations Pipilia Menstrual pain Respiratory inflammation Infusion, added Anti- lemon cholesterolemic Leaves Leaves chew Toothaches for several minutes Leaves Infusion Lung disorders Teucrium chamaedrys Lule mali Wall W ? Flowering Infusion Respiratory L. (Lamiaceae) C¸ aj mali germander aerial inflammation 73/GO/09 parts Thuja orientalis L. Selvi Oriental C ? Cones Infusion, used Alopecia (Cupressaceae) arborvitae to wash hair 11/GO/09 Thymus longicaulis Lule bjeshke W ?? Herb, dried Infusion Digestive Presl Timusi Flowers Infusion Mucolithic (Lamiaceae) 75/GO/09

123 Genet Resour Crop Evol

Table 1 continued Botanical taxon, Albanian folk English Status Quotation Part(s) used Administration Treated botanical family and name(s) name frequency disease(s) or voucher specimen code medical/food uses(s) in Gollak

Thymus serpyllum L. Tymusi Breckland W ? Flowers Infusion Sedative (Lamiaceae) 67/GO/ thyme Influenza 09 Tilia cordata Mill. Bliri me Small-leaved W ? Flowers Infusion Anti-bronchitis (Tiliaceae) 05/GO/09 gjethe te¨ lime Insomnia vogla Tilia platyphyllos Scop. Bliri Largeleaf W ? Flowers Infusion Lung disorders (Tiliaceae) 06/GO/09 linden Used as tea Trifolium pratense L. Te¨rfili Red clover W ?? Flowers Infusion Oral cavity (Fabaceae) 63/GO/09 antiseptic Anti-rheumatic Appetizing Infusion, used Lung disorders as inhalation Antitussive Urtica dioica L. Hithi Nettle W ??? Flowering Infusion, used Anti-dandruff (Urticaceae) 21/GO/ areal to wash hair 09 parts Directly Anti-rheumatic applied on the knee Leaves Infusion Anti-diabetic Anti-anemic Anti-hypertensive Valeriana officinalis Bari pe¨r gji Valerian W ? Leaves Macerated Breast (Valerianaceae) leaves are inflammations 20/GO/09 mixed with yogurt and topically applied Verbascum sp. ‘‘Nevestra’’, W ? Flowers Infusion Anti-haemorrhoid (Scrophulariaceae) Sarushe¨ 25/GO/09 Viola odorata L. Lule¨vjollce Sweet violet W ? Flowers Infusion Antitussive (Violaceae) 33/GO/09 Manushaqe Zea mays L. (Poaceae) Kallamoc¸i, Corn C ? Fruits Infusion Lithontriptic 14/GO/09 Misri Renal pains ? quoted by less than 10% of the participants; ?? quoted by more than 10% and less than 40% of the participants; ??? quoted by more than 40% of the participants

mushroom species, three gymnosperms and 92 Most wild plants collected in the villages of Gollak angiosperms (76 dicotyledonous and 6 monocotyle- were used for medicinal purposes, while a few (16%) dons). The predominant families: were Rosaceae were used food, whereas some other plant species (21%), Asteraceae (7%), Lamiaceae (5%), and Alli- were gathered for sale in the local markets. The most aceae (4%). Approximately two-thirds of the frequently cited medicinal uses referred to respiratory recorded medicinal species were wild. system illnesses (18%), skin inflammations (16%),

123 Genet Resour Crop Evol

Fig. 2 Location of the Western Balkan areas considered in the comparative analysis

Table 2 Comparison between the wild medicinal plant uses recorded in Gollak and those recorded in previously conducted ethnobotanical field studies in surrounding Western Balkan regions Area and Ethnicity Year(s) when Number of Number % of wild Number % of wild Reference(s) country the field study of medicinal of medicinal studies were participants recorded botanical recorded plant conducted wild genera also wild reports medicinal quoted in medicinal also taxa Gollak (%) plant recorded reports in Gollak

Gollak, Albanians 2009 66 73 115 Kosovo Pesˇter ‘‘Bosniakised’’ 2010 42 40 65 107 16% Pieroni et al. plateau, Albanians (2011) Serbia and Serbs Kopaonik Serbs 2002–2005 60 83 37 385 7% Jaric´ et al. mountain, (2007) Serbia Rtani region, Serbs Before 1988 N/A 52 48 N/A N/A Milojevic´ Serbia (1988) Prokletije Bosniaks and 2006, 2007 75 135 24 327 7% Menkovic´ mountains, Serbs et al. Montenegro (2011) Northern Albanians 2004, 2007 62 45 53 71 16% Pieroni et al. Albanian (2005), Alps, (2007) Albania gastrointestinal troubles (14%), heart diseases (11%), Comparison of Gollak’s ethnobotany and urinary and genital system (10%). with the available ethnobotanical data Various vegetative organs, such as leaves, flowers, of surrounding Western Balkan regions root, fruits, rhizome, bark, bulbs, tubers etc. were used. The most frequently quoted manner of prepa- The wild medicinal plant uses recorded in Gollak, which ration of medicinal plants was represented by infu- are in common with those of other previously investi- sions (42%) and decoctions (25%). gated Western Balkan areas, are reported in Table 2. 123 Genet Resour Crop Evol

If the proportion of quoted wild medicinal plant Gentili R, Gentili E, Sgorbati S (2009) Crop changes from the genera, which have been quoted both in Gollak and in XVI century to the present in a hill/mountain area of eastern Liguria (Italy). J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 5:9 other regions (especially in Eastern Serbia, South- Ghirardini MP, Carli M, del Vecchio N, Rovati A, Cova O, Western Serbia and in the Albanian Alps) is remark- Valigi F, Agnetti G, Macconi M, Adamo D, Traina M, able, no significant commonalities can be found Laudini F, Marcheselli I, Caruso N, Gedda T, Donati F, instead in the actual, specific medicinal wild plant Marzadro A, Russi P, Spaggiari C, Bianco M, Binda R, Barattieri E, Tognacci A, Girardo M, Vaschetti L, Caprino applications. This demonstrates that, despite the P, Sesti E, Andreozzi G, Coletto E, Belzer G, Pieroni A examined areas being part of a macro-region, which (2007) The importance of a taste. A comparative study on have had for many centuries common historical wild food plant consumption in twenty-one local com- trajectories—the local medico-botanical knowledge munities in Italy. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 3:22 Gonza´lez-Tejero M, Casares-Porcel M, Sa´nchez-Rojas CP, remains pretty specific to each single area. Ramiro-Gutie´rrez JM, Molero-Mesa J, Pieroni A, Giusti These findings confirm that conducting rigorous ME, Censorii C, de Pasquale C, Della D, Paraskeva-Had- field ethnobotanical studies with extensive sampling ijchambi D, Hadjichambis A, Houmani Z, El-Demerdash of the interviewees within a cross-cultural perspective M, El-Zayat M, Hmamouchi M, El-Johri S (2008) Medic- inal plants in the Mediterranean area: synthesis of the results does still represent a crucial starting point for an in- of the project Rubia. 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