Abstract
Edible flowers are important components of traditional food systems and biocultural practices in southern China, yet their ethnobotanical significance remains poorly documented. This study investigated the diversity, traditional uses, and cultural importance of edible flowers in Baise City through semi-structured interviews, market surveys, and field observations with local informants. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices, including the Cultural Food Significance Index (CFSI), Fidelity Level (FL), and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), were applied to evaluate cultural and medicinal importance. A total of 96 edible flower taxa belonging to 77 genera and 44 families were documented. Most species were native to China, herbaceous in growth form, and collected from wild habitats. Inflorescences were the most commonly utilized floral organs. Edible flowers were used as vegetables, herbal teas, medicinal edible plants, natural food colorants, condiments, desserts, and snack foods. Species such as Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC., Plantago asiatica L., and Solanum americanum Mill. showed high cultural significance. A total of 64 taxa were recognized as medicinal edible plants, and high ICF values indicated strong agreement among informants regarding ethnomedicinal uses. These findings demonstrate the important roles of edible flowers in local food systems, traditional healthcare, and biocultural heritage, emphasizing their relevance for biodiversity conservation and sustainable food practices.
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Claims 7
Claim · model-written summary
The survey documented 96 edible flower taxa in 77 genera and 44 families.
Verbatim
e0“A total of 96 edible flower taxa belonging to 77 genera and 44 families were documented.”
Claim · model-written summary
Most edible flower species were native to China, herbaceous and wild-collected.
Verbatim
e0“Most species were native to China, herbaceous in growth form, and collected from wild habitats.”
t0“Edible Flowers”
Claim · model-written summary
Inflorescences were the most commonly used flower organs.
Verbatim
e0“Inflorescences were the most commonly utilized floral organs.”
t0“Edible Flowers”
Claim · model-written summary
Edible flowers had multiple food and medicinal uses.
Verbatim
e0“Edible flowers were used as vegetables, herbal teas, medicinal edible plants, natural food colorants, condiments, desserts, and snack foods.”
Claim · model-written summary
Three named species showed high cultural significance.
- Taxon
- Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC.
Emilia sonchifoliae0 - Outcome
- high cultural significancee0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Species such as Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC., Plantago asiatica L., and Solanum americanum Mill. showed high cultural significance.”
Claim · model-written summary
Sixty-four taxa were recognized as medicinal edible plants.
Verbatim
e0“A total of 64 taxa were recognized as medicinal edible plants”
t0“Edible Flowers”
Claim · model-written summary
High ICF values showed strong agreement on ethnomedicinal uses.
Verbatim
e0“high ICF values indicated strong agreement among informants regarding ethnomedicinal uses”
t0“Edible Flowers”