Ethnobotanical study of flora introduced with medicinal uses in the Dry Chaco of Córdoba, Argentina

Abstract

The study consists of a compendium of 17 introduced species and their relevance for rural inhabitants in differentiated areas of the Argentine Dry Chaco. Ethnobotanical information was obtained from semi-structured interviews, in-depth interviews, and participant observation. In turn, the Local Conservation Priority Index (IPCL) was applied in order to categorize local assessments. The mentioned plants belong to 10 families, the Asteraceae and Lamiaceae standing out. The medicinal uses that stand out revolve around digestive disorders and respiratory conditions, with infusion being the main method to extract the therapeutic properties. Most of the species are not evaluated, lacking information related to their conservation status. It is concluded that, despite the introduced origin of plant species, the local population does not perceive them under a negative assessment, but rather they signify natural resources perceived as sources of potentially usable local benefits.