Ethnobotanical Study of the Rural Population of the West of the Pampa Plain (Argentina)

Abstract

This paper is an ethnobotanical study of cattle farming in the western Pampa region of Argentina, an arid region with very scarce rainfall and a population consisting mainly of Criollo farmers. A total of 68 rural settlers were interviewed, providing information on 69 specific and infraspecific taxa. Plants were classified into the following categories according to use: forage, toxic species or species with adverse effects on animals, use in rural constructions, tools, and those with veterinary applications. Data include native, naturalized and cultivated species. They revealed a diverse group of forage plants, according to the type of livestock, and very few toxic plants. Veterinary applications were related to first aid cases. In rural construction, plants were mostly used for fencing paddocks and corrals. The results of this study show the acute level of perception and detailed knowledge of the plant environment held by this farming community in relation to their main economic activity.