Pure botanists are constantly changing the names of plants, and often disagree amongst themselves. Their studies periodically lead them to reclassify plants from one species to another, from one genus to another and even from one family to another; but strictly scientific botanical nomenclature is one thing, whereas the nomenclature used in pharmacopoeias or in the practical work of the herbalist, pharmacist or doctor is quite another.
Some base their classification on the morphology of plants, others on their active ingredient content, or on genetic origins or ultramicroscopic structure: this results in indescribable confusion in which even the specialists themselves often cannot find their way. And if there are conflicting views on botanical names, when it comes to common names we find ourselves immersed in a veritable jungle.
Erbamea Index Plantarum is a work conceived several years ago with a very specific aim: to help bring as much order as possible to the vast, almost boundless world of medicinal plant names. This volume could therefore serve as a key reference point amongst specialist publications in Italy for scholars, or even simply enthusiasts, of medicinal plants, for herbalists and for those involved in regulatory matters.
The authors’ hope is that, over time, this book will be recognised as one of the most useful and practical Italian reference works on plant names.
It comprises 750 plant entries, which make up the second part of the book, and can be consulted using a comprehensive index, which forms the first part of the text.
The index lists all the scientific names of the plants covered, their synonyms, and their common names in Italian and in various languages around the world: next to each name is a number that corresponds to a fact sheet in the second part of the book. Each entry is therefore numbered and corresponds to a single medicinal plant; within it, you will find: the main botanical name, the family to which it belongs, the most commonly used Italian common name, followed by a list of botanical synonyms, a list of common names divided by regions of the world (Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Asia and Oceania), the parts of the plant used, its internal, external and cosmetic properties, and, in some cases, notes containing further information and interesting facts.
