L'eleoselino nella tradizione popolare siciliana

[automatically translated] Elaeoselinum asclepium (L.) Bertol. subspecies asclepium is a species of the Mediterranean flora, whose traditional use, in Sicily, is already known from the nineteenth century. The purpose of this study was to undertake a survey ethno-anthropological seeks recovery of knowledge about traditional uses of the species. This activity was carried out through literature searches and interviews with experts of rural traditions. The research also included a survey in the provinces of Agrigento, Palermo and Trapani in order to identify sites with natural eleoselino populations. On a large population of eleoselino, located in the territory of Salemi (TP), the main stages of vegetative and reproductive cycle of the species have been recorded, deepening knowledge. The species is well known in the provinces of Agrigento, Palermo and Trapani for the symbiosis with the fungus Pleurotus eryngii, while the medicinal use in healing purposes, is still today validly widespread in Trapani and, above all, nell'agrigentino. With regard to the latter aspect, the research conducted in the territories of Salemi (TP) and Montallegro (AG) have helped to bring the method of preparation of the drug, so far only passed down orally, thus avoiding the possible loss of these traditional uses of the plant.