Planta Med 2009; 75 - PJ163
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1234968

A novel traditional use of Jovibarba heuffelii leaves in Romanian ethno botanical veterinary practice in S-W Carpatians

A Stanciu 1, M Niculae 2, A Arbune 1, 2, A Varga 1, 2, C Hogea 2, D Panaitescu 1, 2, D Matei 1, V Barca 1
  • 1„Carol Davila“ University of Medicine and Farmacy Bucharest, Blvd. Eroii Sanitari, nr. 8, S 5, cod 050461 RO
  • 2AGAVE -HI IQ Solutions, Rahmaninov str.19 Bucharest 30 S2 RO

Romanian medicinal plant Jovibarba heuffelii (Schott) A&D Love (=JH) is a characteristic carpato-balcanic perennial monocarpic crassulacean; native to mounts of the N Greek peninsula, the Balkans and throughout the Romanian S-E Carpatian Mounts; thriving in arid, rocky habitats [1,2,3]. They are an enjoyed food ingredient in some Romanian regions [3,4]. Traditionally planted on tile-roofs they are highly prized ornamental plants also in graveyards.

We hereby report novel traditional uses of JH leaves in Romanian ethno-botanical veterinary practice discovered by us in S-W Carpatians, together with some biochemical and ecological considerations with regard to biotic and abiotic factors involved in its use.

Data were gathered from locals with a semi-structured questionnaire about the occurrence, traditional knowledge and uses for the Sempervivum s.l. spp in Mehedinti Mounts, SW Romania, were complemented by a literature survey. In 1998, 1 informant from Gornenţi, com. Podeni, Mehedinti county, reported a novel and surprising traditional use of JH leaves in households in the region. Positive plant ID was done by indicating live specimens in cult. and in situ.

Data obtained document a novel traditional use by Romanian locals from SW Mehedinţi, of JH leaves for chicken feeding with the aim to increase egg quality/production, and a probable vitaminizing effect. This use is not mentioned in any region or neighbouring countries, nor in other parts of Europe or Turkey where Sempervivum is widely used, not even for this closely related later genus. Secondly, it is worth mentioning the profound knowledge by the local peasants of the taxonomy, cultural, organoleptic and pharmaco-biological characteristics of JH and S. marmoreum -a very similar species co inhabiting the region, but accurately distinguished by them from JH.

References: [1] Barca, V. and Niculae, M. (2005) Contrib Bot. Cluj. XL.:28–39.

[2] Barca, V. and Niculae, M. (2006). Contrib Bot. Cluj:XLI: 223–233.

[3] Ravarut, M. (1953) Flora RPR, Crassulaceae, Edit. Acad RPR, Bucharest.