Florapal an ethnobotanical website of Flora Palaestina reflects changing patterns of plant use in this region during the mid-20th to 21st century

Abstract

Background: Flora Palaestina, a term first used by Linnaeus in the 18^th century, describes plants native to the Holy Land, today comprising Israel, Palestinian Authority (West Bank), Gaza and Western Jordan. Consisting of ca. 2750 species and 114 families these plants have a long history of traditional use by Jews and Arabs; a rich legacy rapidly being lost as societies develop and modernise. Construction of Florapal an open-access website describing ethnobotanical uses of 316 Flora Palaestina species provides an important tool for preserving and researching this unique resource.

Methods: Florapal contents are derived from combining previously unpublished surveys of plant use amongst Jewish and Arab populations in this region (1950-1979) with later surveys amongst the Arab population of West Bank and Gaza (1996-2016).  Using separate but related information fields, Florapal preserves original descriptions of plant use, categorizes complaints/uses within defined body systems or states, and provides a potential interpretation of their mechanisms of action

Results: Analysis of 2319 specific complaints/uses described in the Florapal website shows a higher prevalence of plant use in earlier surveys compared to later ones for various infections, infectious diseases, general non-specific symptoms, and culinary uses.  Later surveys show increased plant use for endocrine/metabolic, cardiac, and infertility conditions and veterinary uses. These findings suggest the continuing popularity and adaptation of plant use to changing patterns of morbidity and social development during survey periods.

Conclusions: Florapal an important educational resource preserves the historical legacy of plant use in this region, contributing to its conservation, research, and development

Keywords: Ethnobotany, Flora Palaestina, Florapal website