Latin name, (local frequency), depth of local knowledge, folk names, (depth of knowledge regionally—Carpathian Basin) | Pigs eat/don’t eat (svinjars’ reports) | Pigs eat/don’t eat (authors’ observations) | Other uses and salient features (e.g. impact on pigs) reported by svinjars |
---|---|---|---|
Trees | |||
Acer campestre L. (3), well known, klen (well known) | Leaves are eaten eagerly in spring, liked more than Carpinus leaves, eaten less in summer but longer than other tree leaves, also fallen leaves in autumn, fruits are eaten in need | Leaves were eaten, also fallen leaves | Leaves have a sweet taste |
Acer tataricum L. (2), well known, žesta (fierce, spicy) (moderately known) | Neither leaves nor fruits are eaten | (It was nibbled) | Common in forest and marsh edges, short-lived, resprouts and can have several trunks, has a different fruit than Acer campestre |
Carpinus betulus L. (4), well known, grab (well known) | Leaves are liked and eaten, but much less in summer, also buds and young twigs, seeds and germinating and soaked seeds are eaten eagerly for whole days from late autumn till spring if there is no acorn | Leaves, young twigs and seeds were eaten | Leaves are bitter, seeds (size and form like apple seeds or sunflower seeds) are healthy for piglets (stomach and lung), seeds are not nutritional at all and too small to provide enough forage for larger pigs (“Happiness for the mouth but sorrow for the ass.”), Carpinus spreads because there is no cattle grazing in the forest, wood is good for firewood and tool handles |
Prunus avium (L.) L. (1), well known, trešnja (cherry) (well known) | Fruits are eaten (domestic cherry) | N.o | Not in the forest, the domestic type is good for jam |
Fagus sylvatica L. (0), well known, bukva (well known) | In the past, the black pigs were driven for masting to neighbouring mountains | N.o | It does not grow here, people went to Bosnia, Montenegro, Fruška Gora mountain (especially when the corn harvest was poor), mast was also eaten by people |
Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl (3), well known, jasen (well known) | Leaves on trees are not eaten, fallen twigs and leaves are eaten, fruits are not eaten | Leaves on trees were not eaten (sometimes nibbled), fallen leaves were eaten | Dry Fraxinus is the best firewood, pigs eat the leaves if acorns are spicy, there is more Fraxinus since the red deer population decreased |
Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marshall (2), little known, Amerikanac/divlji jasen (American/wild ash) (little known) | N.d | N.o | Grows along waters |
Juglans nigra L. (1), moderately known, divlji orah (wild walnut) (moderately known) | Nuts are eaten | N.o | A planted tree [rarely] |
Juglans regia L. (1), well known, nežni orah (tender walnut) (well known) | Nuts are eaten, leaves are not eaten | N.o | Rare, squirrels eat nuts, goats eat the leaves |
Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill. (2), well known, divlja jabuka (wild apple) (well known) | Fruits are eaten but less and starting later than Pyrus fruits, more till acorns fall or when there is no acorn (the forest is empty), leaves are nibbled | Leaves were eaten once, fruits: n.o | Used for vinegar |
Morus alba L. (2), well known, dud, fruits: dudinje (well known) | Fruits are eaten, leaves are nibbled, fallen leaves are eaten | N.o | Planted around forest huts, chicken and geese like its fruits, there is black and white, good for rakija (brandy) |
Populus alba L., P. nigra L., P. × canadensis Moench, P. tremula L. (2), well known, bela topola (white poplar), crna topola (black poplar), Kanadska topola (Canadian or hybrid poplar), jašika/jošika (aspen) (well known) | It is not eaten, rarely the young leaves are eaten | N.o | Wood is good for boards, and for making a bread trough |
Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. (2), well known, džanarika, zerželija, divlja šljiva (wild plum) (well known) | Fruits, later seeds and less the leaves are eaten | Seeds were eaten | Used for rakija (brandy), jam, eaten fresh by people |
Pyrus spp. (wild and ancient semi-wild) (2), well known, divlja kruška (wild pear) (well known) | Fruits are eaten eagerly from late August till acorns fall, and eaten up entirely if there is no acorn (till spring), but not if ‘not needed’, preferred to wild apple, pigs wait 2–3 days for after-ripening of fallen fruits, some trees are only eaten later, leaves are eaten (by male pigs) | N.o. (the fruit of a “bad” tree was not eaten) | Grows in open forests and around marshes, trees with bad tasting fruits are avoided, eaten by people, used for rakija (brandy), turšija (pickles) and jam, also vinegar, healthy, there are ancient (grafted), not real wild pear varieties, these are ancient types of domesticated pears, not wild, sweet as honey |
Quercus cerris L. (1), well known, cer (well known) | Acorns are eaten, but only in spring after they are wettened and softened and not if Q. robur acorn is available, leaves are rarely eaten | N.o | Rare here, very spicy, worth half compared to Q. robur acorns, may cause miscarriage in pigs, pigs were driven to its acorns if Q. robur acorn was not available, wild boars also prefer Q. robur acorns, acorns burn well in the stove or furnace, wood is less valuable than of Q. robur |
Quercus robur L. (5), well known, hrast, lužnjak, acorn: žir (well known) | Acorns are very much liked, the primary food of pigs, unripe, recently ripened and dry acorns are eaten less, are very spicy, liked if soaked by rains by November, pigs know where to find the trees fruiting the sweetest acorns, pigs search for acorns in wood mice’ stores under stumps (nado = the store), acorns fallen into marshes are kept fresh and eaten months later, cotyledons of germinated and thus very sweet acorns are uprooted, leaves are eaten, but only when young, and only the freshest leaves from twigs fallen in summer, otherwise too bitter, home-kept pigs eat even dry leaves (of badnjak) | Acorns were eaten if available, germinating acorns were preferred, leaves were not eaten, only young leaves | There are early and late trees, acorn production is forecasted by svinjars from late spring onwards, frost kills flowers, till the day of the Apostles Peter and Paul (12th July in the Orthodox calendar) acorns only grow on Saturdays, later every day, Saint Elijah (hot days in July) kills acorns, acorn is as good for pigs as kulen (very meaty sausage) is for us, but pigs need enough water, fatten less on spicy acorns, acorns get sweeter and softer after rains, acorns used to be shaken off from early ripening trees in August, collected in October, kept in stacks and given to home-kept or to forest pigs, trees are less productive and healthy nowadays, acorn is collected for forestry. The bacon fat is getting yellowish and firm from the acorn pannage |
Robinia pseudoacacia L. (2), well known, bagrem (well known) | Leaves even if fallen are not eaten, nor flowers or pods | N.o | Not a common tree here, medicinal tea, we ate the flowers, honey plant, sheep eat leaves and pods, has good timber |
Salix euxina I. V. Belyaeva [“fragilis”] (3), well known, vrba, bela (white) vrba (well known) | Young and fallen leaves are eaten | N.o | Twigs break easily, used for whistles [in spring] |
Tilia tomentosa Moench, T. platyphyllos Scop. (1 + 1), moderately known, lipa (well known) | It is not eaten | N.o | In the village, honey plant, the wild variant blooms later and has smaller leaves |
Ulmus laevis Pallas (2), well known, vez (ties, bond) (well known) | Leaves are not eaten, seeds are eaten a bit | N.o | Not very useful, not planted |
Ulmus minor Mill. (2), well known, brest (well known) | Young leaves and fallen seeds are eaten but not eagerly | Leaves were eaten once | Not very useful, a good mushroom grows on it (Pleurotus ostreatus), farmers used to cut and leave a log for the mushroom to develop |
Shrubs | |||
Amorpha fruticosa L. (3), well known, divlji bagremac (wild Robinia), fašina (bundle of loppings) (well known) | Leaves are not eaten, nibbled when young | N.o | “Poisons” (i.e. overgrows) marshes, pigs avoid such places, cattle, sheep and red deer eat, bees like it, used for baskets |
Cornus mas L. (1), well known, dren (well known) | Fruits are eaten | N.o | There isn’t much here, medicinal, blooms early but fruits late, fruits used for jam and put into rakija (brandy), making strengthening medicine, wood good as herder sticks and tomato stakes |
Cornus sanguinea L. (3), well known, sibovina, svibovina, svib (related to May) (well known) | It is not eaten, leaves are nibbled when young, fruits eaten in need | N.o | Wood is flexible, good for fences, long-lasting in wattle-and-daub walls, baskets, brooms, but not as herder sticks because it causes goitre to pigs, white-flowers, fruits paint your skin blue but cause itching |
Corylus avellana L. (2), well known, lešnik (well known) | Fallen fruits are eaten, leaves are not eaten | N.o | People also eat fruits |
Crataegus monogyna Jacq., C. laevigata (Poir.) DC. (4 + 4), well known, glog, rarely two types were distinguished (the two species), fruit: gloginje (well known) | Leaves are eaten when fresh and spikes are soft, a good ‘salad’ after morning corn for pigs, fallen fruits are eaten especially in snowy winter | Leaves were regularly and patiently (1–3 min) eaten in spring and summer, pulled down from twigs, n.o. for fruits | Likes open forests and open places, thorns disturb pigs, flowers are medicinal, C. laevigata: has looser crown structure, blooms earlier, and grows in forest interiors, it was thrown onto water and fish were caught in the shade, good for herder sticks, a plant of the devil |
Euonymus europaeus L. (2), little known, uncertain names only (moderately known) | (It is not eaten) | N.o | Rare, grows one by one |
Prunus spinosa L. (2), well known, trnjina (thorny) (well known) | Leaves are not eaten, fallen fruits are eaten in autumn and winter | Leaves were rarely nibbled | Good for rakija (brandy), berries are also eaten by people after the first frost, used for refreshing tea |
Rosa canina L. (2), well known, divlja ruža (wild rose), fruit: šipurak, šipkovina (well known) | Leaves are not eaten, too spiky, fruits are rarely eaten, in winter when the forest is ‘empty’ | N.o | Along roads, canals, in forest edges, not in the forest, prickles disturb pigs, used for jam, tea, put into rakija (brandy), healthy, petals soaked in water |
Rubus caesius L., R. hirtus aggr. (3 + 2), well known, jagode (strawberry), pepeljuga (Cinderella), kupina, ostruga (scrape off) (well known) | Leaves are eaten especially in winter, and rarely the fruits | Leaves were eaten, also in summer | Leaves stay green in winter, grows along roads and forest edges, spreads as livestock numbers decrease, the wild type is more tasty, good for jam, roe deer love it |
Ruscus aculeatus L. (1), moderately known, divlji šimšir (wild boxwood) (moderately known) | It is not eaten | N.o | Rare here, green in winter, red deer doesn’t eat it either, ornamental, collected, used to keep away mice from drying meat hung on rods and to block mouse holes |
Salix cinerea L. (3), well known, ivovina, ivovina vrba, a kind of vrba (willow) (well known) | It is not eaten, neither the roots | N.o | In marshes, medicinal, deer eat it and clean their antlers on its twigs (thus may kill bushes), if catkins are taken into the house, hens stop laying eggs, used for baskets and whistles |
Sambucus nigra L. (2), well known, zova (well known) | It is not eaten, neither leaves nor fruits (seeds/fruits are eaten rarely) | N.o | For pigs the only use is that they like its shade…, medicinal, used for syrup, rakija (brandy) and jam, red deer, cattle and sheep eat it, a mushroom good for “elderly men’s problem” grows on it |
Viburnum opulus L. (2), little known, kereće grožđe (dog grape) (little known) | It is not eaten | N.o | Has red berries |
Vitis sp. (non-native) (1), moderately known, divlja loza (wild vine) (well known) | It is not eaten, neither leaves nor fruits | N.o | Grows around marshes |
Forest herbs | |||
Ajuga reptans L. (4), well known, ranjenika/ranjena/ ranjenik trava (grass of the wounded) (n.d.) | It is not eaten, nibbled when young | It was not eaten, but nibbled in winter | In forests, medicinal for wounds, calluses, pus, pimples and stomach, it stays green for the winter so that(!) people in need can find it under the snow |
Allium ursinum L. (0), well known, sremuš (belongs to the Srem region) (well known) | N.d | N.o | Doesn’t grow here, only in the mountains, edible and healthy, people collect the leaves |
Athyrium filix-femina (L.) Roth, Dryopteris filix-mas (L.) Schott (2 + 2), well known, paprat (well known) | It is not eaten, not even the roots | It was not eaten | In wet parts of the forest, in wells, green for the whole year, pretty, collected for bouquets, I have watched it for long – it has no flower! |
Carpesium abrotanoides L., C. cernuum L. (2 + 1), little known (n.d.) | N.d | It was not eaten (but smelled) | |
Circaea lutetiana L. (3), little known (n.d.) | N.d | It was regularly eaten, for seconds, max. 2 min | Too small for us to notice… |
Clematis vitalba L. (1), moderately known, divlja loza (wild vine), mistaken for Humulus (n.d.) | N.d | N.o | We played Tarzan… |
Convallaria majalis L. (1), well known, đurđevak (George flower, blooming around Orthodox St. George’s day), zvončići (small bells) (well known) | It is not eaten | N.o | Grows in patches, collected by people, fragrant, medicinal |
Ficaria verna Huds. (4), well known, pšenac (tubers are similar to wheat grains: pšenica), rarely: kopitnjak (horse shoe) (well known) | It is eaten as soon as it is bigger than a fingernail, less eaten if in bloom (bitter), flowers are not eaten, available till 10th May, bulbs are eaten in autumn but not eagerly | Leaves were eaten regularly and often patiently for 0.5–3 min | Grows in early spring, this is the first fresh green in the forest, has a bitter taste, has small bulbs like a wheat grain but they only make the pigs’ hair grow (not the meat) |
Galanthus nivalis L. (1), well known, visibaba (hanging grandma) (well known) | It is not eaten | N.o | Rare here, blooms at around snowmelt, makes you happy, disappears by summer, flowers are picked, otherwise not useful |
Hedera helix L. (3), well known, bršljen, bršljan (browsed), a kind of puzavica (creeper) (well known) | It is eaten especially in winter, fruits are not eaten | It was not eaten | Climbs on trees, “poisonous” for trees, blooms in late autumn, you can easily stumble on it, red and roe deer, cattle, goat and sheep also eat it, bees visit flowers |
Leucojum aestivum L. (2), moderately known, barska visibaba (marsh Galanthus), letnja visibaba (summer Galanthus), zvončić (bells) (moderately known) | Neither leaves nor flowers are eaten, only the roots, and pigs like rooting around it | It was not eaten | In flooded places, has larger flowers than Galanthus, slightly fragrant (picking by people was not mentioned) |
Moehringia trinervia (L.) Clairv. (3), little known, mišovina, mišovkinja (part of the Stellaria media folk taxon) (n.d.) | It is eaten | It was eaten once | Grows both in forests and fields (cf. Moehringia and Stellaria), has small white flowers |
Neottia nidus-avis (L.) Rich. (2), little known, name not remembered (n.d.) | It is not eaten | N.o | It looks as if it has dried out (always brown), has a thick and hollow root |
Potentilla indica (Jacks.) Th. Wolf (1), little known, rarely: divlja jagoda (wild strawberry), (n.d.) | It is not eaten | N.o | A newcomer, game eats it |
Primula acaulis (L.) L. (3), well known, jagorčevina (well known) | Leaves are eaten when young / are not eaten | N.o | Grows in early spring, medicinal, flowers are used in rakija (brandy) |
Rumex sanguineus L. (3), moderately known, kind of zelje, štavalj (material for tanning, ancient meaning is sour, tart), masnih (greasy on touch) (little known) | It is eaten | It was eaten once | Sour |
Scilla bifolia L. (3), well known, procepak, pricepak, precepak (split), divlji zumbul (“wild hyacinth”) (moderately-well known) | It is never eaten | N.o | Blooms in early spring in the forest, after Galanthus and before Viola |
Scrophularia nodosa L. (2), little known (little known) | It is not eaten | It was not eaten | |
Veronica montana L. (3), little known (n.d.) | (It is not eaten) | It was eaten once, was also avoided | |
Viola alba Besser (2), well known, bela (white) ljubičica (from ‘ljubica’ = loved /dear woman) (well known) | (It is eaten) (It is not eaten) | N.o | |
Viola reichenbachiana Boreau (3), well known, plava (blue) ljubičica (well known) | (It is not eaten) (It is eaten) | It was eaten (in August regularly), sometimes avoided | Pigs wish for this green |
Wetland plants, waterweeds | |||
Butomus umbellatus L. (2), moderately known, koštan (bony) (moderately known) | Roots are eaten | N.o | It has white roots like onions or small potatoes |
Callitriche sp. (2), little known, some relate it to Lemna spp. (n.d.) | (It is eaten) (unsure, dubious) | N.o | Stays green on mud after water dries up |
Ceratophyllum spp., Myriophyllum spp. (2), well known, drezga, a kind of lokvanj (moderately known) | It is eaten in small amounts or in food shortage, pigs swim to get it | N.o | A bit spiky, a lot in the Bosut river and on its shores, also in deeper marshes, spreads nowadays as the water is polluted |
Iris pseudacorus L. (3), well known, perunika (from Perunika, the wife of Perun, the supreme Old Slavic deity) (well known) | Roots are eaten in summer, late autumn and winter when there is no water in the marshes, leaves are not eaten, flowers are not eaten | Leaves: nibbled regularly, roots: n.o | Roots are grown together like potatoes (in a chain), has reddish seeds |
Lemna spp., Spirodela polyrhiza (L.) Schleid. (2), well known, sočica (lentil), sočivica (lentil) (well known) | It is eaten from the water surface, pigs also swim for it in Bosut | It was eaten eagerly, for several minutes | In marshes, may cover the whole water surface, bad for the fish (less oxygen), survives on the mud, deer and cattle eat it |
Marsilea quadrifolia L. (1), little known, barska detelina (marsh clover) (n.d.) | (It is eaten but only a bit) (It is not eaten) | It was nibbled once | Like a four-leaf clover, not common |
Nuphar lutea (L.) Sm. (1), moderately known, žuti (yellow) lokvanj (puddle weed) (moderately known) | Roots are eaten (leaves and flowers are eaten a bit) | N.o | In marshes and canals, disappeared from drying marshes |
Nymphaea alba L. (1), well known, beli (white) lokvanj (well known) | Roots are eaten, (leaves and flowers are eaten a bit) | N.o | Herbicides killed them off |
Oenanthe aquatica (L.) Poir. (1), little known, a kind of kukuta (Conium) (little known) | It is eaten (It is not eaten) | It was regularly eaten (also in winter) | |
Potamogeton spp. (2), little known, drzega, a kind of lokvanj (little known) | It is not eaten | N.o | |
Rorippa amphibia (L.) Besser (2), little known (little known) | N.d | It is eaten (young and older leaves as well), even from below the water | |
Trapa natans L. (1), well known, rašak, orašak (little walnut), fruit: krava (cow), šišarka (pine cone) (well known) | Green and ripe fruits are eaten with pleasure, pigs swim for it, even eat fruits from last year, dried black fruits are not eaten, roots are eaten, leaves are less eaten | N.o | In deep water, extinct here, pigs fatten on the fruits, inside: like a hazelnut, edible for humans, painful for bare feet |
Grasses and sedges | |||
Agrostis stolonifera L. (3), well known, mekuša (softy) (well known) | It is often eaten and all year round | It was often and patiently (for 5–10 min) eaten all year round, a basic forage in summer and autumn | Grows in and around marshes, regrows and green also in autumn |
Brachypodium sylvaticum (Huds.) P. Beauv. (4), little known (n.d.) | It is nibbled | It was nibbled | Soft |
Carex elata All. (1), well known, šaš (well known) | It is eaten less often than other marsh sedges, only if in need, roots are not eaten | N.o | Grows like Juncus (= tussocky), deer eat it |
Carex riparia Curtis, C. vesicaria L. (3), well known, šaš, there are different types (well known) | Roots are eaten especially in winter when they are ‘ripe’, pigs suck out ‘vitamins’ and ‘juice’, green and young leaves are eaten in winter, especially in deep snow, they eat to eat something, it goes through them (undigested) | Roots and leaves were eaten, especially in winter, 10–30 cm long roots were uprooted and chewed for 2–3 min | Grows in marshes, people used to make ropes for wheat harvest, used as hut roof, leaves cut your finger, fruits are rare, red deer eat it |
Carex sylvatica Huds., C. remota L., C. divulsa Stokes (2 + 2 + 3), moderately known, sitni (small) šaš, trava (grass), štitasit (little known) | It is eaten if other greens are dry in autumn and spring, and especially in snow, it is not eaten in summer | It was eaten but not intensively, sometimes a whole tussock, only nibbled in summer | Grows in forest, this is a kind of forest grass |
Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. (1), well known, zubača (toothy), there are two kinds if it (well known) | Roots are eaten, especially in winter, also leaves, young leaves are preferred | N.o | On arable land, on road verges and pastures, less in forests, resistant to herbicides, can revive itself after 7 years spent in the attic |
Deschampsia cespitosa (L.) P. Beauv. (1), little known (little-moderately known) | It is eaten, also in winter | N.o | |
Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv. (2), moderately known, sirak, divlji sirak (wild sorghum) kind of muhar (well known) | It is eaten when fresh | N.o | Grows in corn fields, but also in forests in open wet places |
Eleocharis palustris (L.) R. Br. (2), little known, sita (tie), a kind of sita (moderately known) | Roots are eaten in winter | Was only nibbled, roots: n.o | |
Elytrigia repens (L.) Nevski (1), well known, zubača (toothy), pirevina, there are two kinds of it (well known) | Roots are eaten especially in winter, also the leaves, collected from fields and given to forest pigs | N.o | Weed in arable land, less in the forest, survives even if kept in the chimney for 9 years, resistant to herbicides |
Glyceria fluitans (L.) R. Br. (2), little known (related to Agrostis) (little known) | It is eaten regularly | It was often grazed all year round and patiently for minutes, in dry and also in water-logged marshes | Grows in marshes |
Glyceria maxima (Hartm.) Holmbg. (3), moderately known, sometimes part of the Carex taxon (little known) | Roots are eaten, also leaves | Leaves were regularly eaten | By grazing on it, pigs compensate the effects of acorn (acorn is a heavy food), red deer eat it |
Juncus effusus L. (2), well known, sita, there are different kinds of sita (tall and small) (moderately known) | Roots are eaten in winter, whole plants may be uprooted, leaves are rarely eaten, in snowy winter and when fresh, eaten by pigs in need, i.e. who are not fed properly with corn | It was avoided or nibbled, roots: n.o | Not useful, it was used in the past to seal gaps between boat planks |
Leersia oryzoides (L.) Sw. (1), not known (n.d.) | N.d | It was eaten several times | |
Lolium perenne L. (2), well known, muhar, vlasulja (with long hairs), uncertain names (well known) | It is eaten when young, less when in flower | N.o | On fields and meadows, along roads, in 4–5-years-old clover fields, tame/sweet grass, cattle and sheep like it, also dogs |
Phragmites australis (Cav.) Steud. (2), well known, trska (well known) | Maybe would be eaten (not occurring in the local study area) | N.o | Needs water, there is none here, there were more in the past, farrowing sows liked to hide in it (protection from jackals and foxes), used for roofs, water is drinkable in reed beds |
Poa pratensis L., P. trivialis L. (2 + 2), little known (moderately known) | It is eaten when fresh | It was eaten several times | |
Schoenoplectus lacustris (L.) Palla (2), well known,’prava’ (real) siita (well known) | Roots are eaten in summer, even under water, in soft mud, but also in winter, especially if there are no acorns, leaves are not eaten | It was regularly avoided | It lives in water, good for baskets, bad as roofing, has small brown flowers on the top |
Setaria spp. (2), well known, mu’ar, krpiguz (ass patching), bodljikavo prase (spiny piglet, meaning hedgehog) (well known) | It is eaten when young, we grazed it in summer in the past | N.o | Grows in the fields, not in the forest, sticks to clothes (only the seeds) |
Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. (1), well known (well known) | It is not eaten | N.o | Total herbicide is used against it |
Typha angustifolia L., T. latifolia L. (1 + 1), well known, rogoz (horny), spike: keka, palčika (stick), palačka (well known) | Roots are eaten / roots are not eaten (contradicting reports) | N.o | Grows in water, in canals, non-flowering individuals were used for ropes (strong, wide leaves and doesn’t cut like sedge), for sealing barrels, ornamental, children’s toy |
Other generalist dicotyledons | |||
Allium scorodoprasum L. (1), moderately known, luk (well known) | N.d | N.o | Smells like onion or garlic, edible |
Althaea officinalis L. (2), well known, beli (white) slez (well known) | It is not eaten | Small bits were nibbled | In wet places, medicinal, collected for sale |
Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. (2), well known, ambrozija (well known) | It is not eaten | N.o | Causes allergy, has a bad smell, a bad weed, doesn’t grow in the shade, sheep and goats eat it |
Anthriscus cerefolium (L.) Hoffm. (2), little known, a sort of kukuta (Conium) or peršun (Petroselinum) (little known) | It is not eaten | N.o | |
Arctium lappa L. (2), well known, repuh, veliki čičak (big bur with hooks, big sticking bur) (well known) | Leaves are eaten but only in very early spring, roots are eaten in winter | Plants were avoided | In sparse forests, children use it as an umbrella and throw burs into girls’ hair, medicinal, deer eat it |
Asclepias syriaca L. (2), well known, divlji pamuk (wild cotton) (well known) | It is not eaten | N.o | Along roads and dykes, honey plant, stalks are bad in hay |
Astragalus glycyphyllos L. (2), little known (little known) | It is not eaten | It was not eaten | Not even goats eat it |
Ballota nigra L. (3), moderately known, relative of mrtva žara (dead ember), mrtva kopriva (dead nettle) (= Lamium sp.) (moderately known) | It is nibbled a bit in need when young | N.o | Smaller than the nettle, honey plant, it is used for catching wild (and fleeing) bees by its smell |
Bidens tripartitus L., B. frondosus L. (3), well known, viljuščica (small fork), mali čičak (small bur with hooks) (well known) | It is eaten when young | Whole plants were eaten when fresh, incl. flowers and young fruits | Grows in abandoned wet places, easily sticks to clothes |
Caltha palustris L. (1), well known, type of ljutić (spicy) (well known) | It is not eaten, pigs walk across it | It was not eaten | Grows in marshes, has star-like fruits |
Calystegia sepium (L.) R. Br. (1), well known, poponac (climber), forms a folk taxon with but distinguished morphologically from Convolvulus (well known) | It is eaten | N.o | Grows in weedy arable fields, in marshes, rare in forests |
Cardamine pratensis L. (2), moderately known, name not remembered (n.d.) | It is not eaten, rarely nibbled when young | It was both nibbled and avoided several times | It is rare in the forest |
Chaiturus (Leonurus) marrubiastrum Ehrh. ex Rchb. (1), little known (n.d.) | (Rarely nibbled a bit) | It was not eaten | |
Chenopodium album L., Lipandra polysperma (L.) S. Fuentes & al. (2 + 2), well known, zelje (greeny, a common name for juicy leafy weeds) (well known) | It is eaten when fresh, but also the seeds, it was often collected for green fodder in the past for home and forest pigs, causes diarrhoea to home-kept pigs | N.o | Grows in arable fields, rare in forests, mostly in former fodder places, all livestock like it, some people eat it cooked |
Cichorium intybus L. (2), well known, name not remembered, a korov (weed) (well known) | It is not eaten | N.o | In fields, along roads, not in forests, medicinal, honey plant |
Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. (2), well known, ‘prava’ (the real) boca (spiny), čičak (sticking bur), palamida (well known) | It is eaten only when young, flowers are not eaten, maybe roots are also eaten | N.o | Noxious weed, rare in forests, honey plant |
Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten., Carduus acanthoides L. (1 + 1), moderately known, magareća/magarca trava (donkey grass), čičak (sticking bur), boca (pricker) (well known) | It is eaten only when young | N.o | |
Convolvulus arvensis L. (2), well known, poponac (climber), forms a taxon with but distinguished from Calystegia, slatkovina (sweet), slatkiš (candy) (well known) | It is eaten | N.o | In arable fields, rare in forests |
Dipsacus fullonum L. (1), well known, češlja (comb) (well known) | It is not eaten | N.o | In abandoned places, not in the forest, you can drink from it, nothing eats it, honey plant |
Erigeron annuus (L.) Desf. (2), little known (n.d.) | (It is not eaten) | It was eaten regularly | |
Euphorbia spp. (2), well known, mlečika (milkweed), several types, species are not well distinguished, kind of paprat (well known) | It is not eaten | (It was not eaten) | It leaks milk when broken |
Fragaria vesca L. (2), well known, divlja jagoda (wild strawberry) (well known) | Fruits are eaten (but is not an important forage), leaves are not eaten | N.o | Grows in drier sunnier places, fruits are eaten by people, smells good, wild boar avoids its fruits, used for slatko (fruit put into sweet syrup) |
Galium aparine L. (2), well known, krpiguz (ass patching), prilepača (sticks to), čičak (sticking bur) (well known) | It is not eaten | N.o | Sticks to you |
Genista tinctoria L. (1), little known (n.d.) | It is not eaten | N.o | Along forest roads, deer eat it, not a tree but not a herb either |
Geranium spp. (annual spp.) (2), little known (moderately known) | Unsure | It was not eaten | |
Glechoma hederacea L. (4), little known, it has no local name (n.d.) | It is not eaten, only rarely eaten | Leaves were regularly eaten but only for < 1–2 min, sometimes also the roots | Too small for us to see… |
Humulus lupulus L. (1), well known, hmelj (well known) | It is not eaten | N.o | Climbing plant |
Hypericum hirsutum L., H. tetrapterum Fr. (1 + 2), little known (well known) | (It is eaten) | It was eaten | |
Lamium purpureum L. (2), well known, mrtva kopriva (dead nettle), mrtva žara (dead ember) (well known) | It is eaten when young, pigs are not keen on it, don’t adore it | N.o | In open places, not in forest, honey plant |
Lathyrus tuberosus L., L. pratensis L. (1 + 1), well known, divlji grašak (wild pea) (well known) | It is eaten | N.o | In arable fields and clear cuts, climbing plant, cattle also eat it (bulbs were not eaten by children) |
Linaria vulgaris Mill. (2), little known, name not remembered (moderately known) | (It is not eaten) | N.o | In grasslands, we played with it (open-close) |
Lycopus europaeus L., L. exaltatus L. Fil. (2 + 2), not known (little known) | N.d | It was not eaten, was avoided, nibbled once | |
Lysimachia nummularia L. (3), little known (n.d.) | (Usually it is not eaten, leaves and roots are eaten rarely) | It was eaten, also avoided, roots were also eaten | In wet places |
Lythrum salicaria L. (2), moderately known (little known) | It is not eaten | N.o | In marshes and canals |
Melilotus albus Medik. (2), moderately known, divlja detelina (wild clover), smrdljan (smelly) (well known) | It is not eaten | N.o | |
Mentha aquatica L., M. longifolia (L.) L. (3 + 1), well known, konjski bosiljak (horse basil), the two species are partly distinguished (well known) | It is not eaten (rarely nibbled) | It was not eaten, nibbled once | In margins of marshes, honey plant, has a good and strong smell, good for tea, useful against mosquitos |
Myosotis scorpioides L. (2), little known (moderately known) | It is not eaten | N.o | |
Persicaria dubia (P. mite) (Stein) Fourr. (4), well known, divlja paprika (wild pepper), paprat (meaning a useless plant) (moderately known) | It is eaten if no better is available, e.g. in drought, or while fresh, on sunny spots | It was eaten regularly, but more often avoided, after smelling | In wetter places, spicy, plants like P. dubia age later as they live in wet places |
Physalis alkekengi L. (2), well known, gujina or divlja jabučica/jabuka (snake or wild apple) (well known) | It is not eaten | It was not eaten | We like and eat it, very healthy, if red, full of vitamin C, one berry equals one-two lemons, sour-bitter, it is sold in shops |
Phytolacca americana L. (1), well known, name not remembered (n.d.) | It is not eaten | N.o | Grows along roads, has a hollow red stem |
Plantago major L. (3), well known, bokvica (well known) | It is eaten (while fresh) (It is not eaten) | N.o | Medicinal for wounds |
Polygonum aviculare L. (3), well known, troskot, troskut, troskoč, troskovača (well known) | It is loved by pigs, cannot grow fully, it is eaten up, it is eaten less when it is older | It was eaten eagerly | On (dirt) roads, in yards, creeping on the ground |
Potentilla reptans L. (2), well known, like jagodnjak (strawberry), riblja trava (fish grass) (moderately known) | It is eaten eagerly | (It was not eaten) | In flooded grasslands, similar to Fragaria but with no fruits |
Ranunculus repens L. (3), moderately known, often has no name, ljutić (spicy), barska trava (marsh grass) (moderately known) | It is not eaten, rarely nibbled | It was not eaten, nibbled once | In wet places in villages and marshes, leaves used as painted Easter egg pattern |
Ranunculus sceleratus L. (2), little known, has no name, barska trava (marsh grass) (little known) | It is not eaten, rarely nibbled | It was not eaten | Poisonous, bloats up pigs |
Rumex crispus L., R. patientia L. (1 + 1), moderately known (well known) | It is eaten if fresh | N.o | Healthy food for pigs, good against diarrhoea |
Sambucus ebulus L. (1), well known, apta (well known) | It is not eaten, pigs just walk across it | It was not eaten | In open places, poisonous, used for making valuable brandy (rakija, sold as alga), jam, against fleas, deer and cattle eat |
Solanum dulcamara L. (2), little known, kereće grožđe (dog grape) (little known) | It is not eaten, maybe too bitter for them | N.o | I have never tasted the fruits |
Solidago gigantea Aiton (2), well known, name not remembered (paprat) (well kown) | It is not eaten | N.o | Grows in large patches, around marshes, a honey plant |
Sonchus arvensis L., S. asper (L.) Hill. (2 + 2), well known, ‘prava’ (the real) mlečika (milkish), mlečac (milky), a kind of boca (spiny) (well known) | It is eaten, pigs love it, especially when young, less if too spiny, collected as fresh green fodder | N.o | It leaks milk when cut, also collected for other livestock (e.g. sheep, rabbit) |
Stellaria media (L.) Cirillo (2), well known, mišovkinja (mouse grass) (well known) | It is eaten | (It was eaten/ was avoided) | In arable land, on black soil, in Robinia plantations, all type of livestock like it |
Symphytum officinale L. (2), well known, name not remembered (well known) | Only the roots are eaten (leaves are not eaten) | N.o | Medicinal, nectar is a children’s snack |
Tanacetum vulgare L. (3), well known, smrdjlak/ smrdjlan (smelly), a type of paprat (meaning a kind of weed), type of korov (weed) (moderately known) | It is not eaten | It was not eaten | Around marshes, but not in the water, it is smelly, poisonous, it is like a broom, rubbed on the skin against mosquitos |
Taraxacum officinale aggr. (3), well known, maslačak (name refers to butter and lard) (well known) | Leaves are eaten before blooming, pigs like it very much | It was eaten several times | Milky, young leaves good for salad (but ham is a better ‘salad’…), flowers soaked in water to make honey, root is medicinal |
Trifolium pratense L. (1), well known, divlja detelina (wild clover), there are 2–3 types (well known) | It is eaten when young, i.e. also in autumn, pigs like it | N.o | Doesn’t grow everywhere, veterinarians argue that it is not good for pigs |
Trifolium repens L. (1), well known, divlja detelina (wild clover) (well known) | It is eaten when young, i.e. also in autumn | It was eaten several times | |
Tussilago farfara L. (1), moderately known, podelj, podbelj (white below) (well known) | It is not eaten | N.o | Grows mostly on dykes and at forest edges |
Urtica dioica L. (3), well known, kopriva, žara (ember, burner) (well known) | Leaves are eaten when fresh and when dry, home-kept pigs eat it more eagerly, eat roots in winter, if in need | It was eaten once | Stinky, medicinal and healthy, good for soup and salad, but ham is better… |
Verbascum lychnitis L. (1), moderately known, name not remembered (well known) | It is not eaten, a bit if cut when young | N.o | Along roads, not in the forest |
Veronica hederifolia L. (3), little known (little known) | It is eaten | N.o | |
Vicia sativa L., V. cracca L., V. sepium L. (2 + 1 + 2), well known, divlji grašak (wild pea), divlja grahorica (wild faba bean) (well known) | It is eaten (It is not eaten) | N.o | |
Xanthium strumarium L. (2), well known, boca (pricker), mali čičak (small sticking bur) (well known) | It is eaten at germination, at 2–3 leaved stage, in first 10 days, pigs love it and eat large amounts, it is not eaten later | N.o | In marshes and wet arable fields, grows after water dries up, especially in wet years, poisonous to pigs, poorly fed and hungry pigs die of it by the morning (there is no medicine against it), fruits stick to clothes, spiny fruits used by children to imitate injection needles |
Some further species | |||
Achillea spp. (2), little known, hajdučka trava (outlaw`s grass) (well known) | N.d | N.o | Medicinal tea, has good smell |
Agrimonia eupatoria L. (2), well known, sitni čičak (small sticking bur) (well known) | It is not eaten | N.o | Medicinal tea, sticky fruits (burs) |
Amaranthus retroflexus L. (2), well known, štir (well known) | Pigs like it very much, especially young leaves and stem, also seeds, eat till full, all year round, was often collected for green fodder in the past for home and forest pigs | N.o | Grows on arable land, rare in forests |
Aristolochia clematitis L. (1), well known, gujina or vučja jabučica (snake/wolf apple) (well known) | It is not eaten | N.o | Poisonous, not useful (not medicinal) |
Bellis perennis L. (2), well known, bela (white) rada (female name, giving happiness), tratinčica? (growing among grass) (well known) | It is not eaten | N.o | On lawns, ruminants (incl. deer) eat it |
Chelidonium majus L. (1), little known (well known) | It is not eaten | N.o | In the village |
Clematis integrifolia L. (1), little known (little known) | It is not eaten | N.o | In meadows, fragrant |
Colchicum autumnale L. (0), little known, like divlji crocus? (wild crocus) (well known) | N.d | N.o | Doesn’t grow here [but common on Sava dykes] |
Conium maculatum L. (1), well known, kukuta (well known) | It is not eaten | N.o | Poisonous, young geese and turkeys die from it |
Cuscuta sp. (1), well known, vilina kosa (fairy hair) (well known) | It is not eaten | N.o | In fields, not in forests, kills clover |
Daucus carota L. (1), moderately known, divlja mrkva (wild carrot), stid cveće (shame flower) (well known) | It is not eaten | N.o | On black earth, not in the forest, “girls lost their shame nowadays” (referring to the local name of the plant) |
Equisetum arvense L. (1), moderately known, name not remembered (well known) | It is not eaten | N.o | In wet places, not in the forest, it has brown and green versions |
Leucanthemum ircutianum DC. (0), moderately known, kamilica (chamomile) but they know it is not chamomile (well known) | It is not eaten | N.o | In meadows, rare in forests |
Matricaria discoidea DC. (1), moderately known, divlja kamilica (wild chamomile) (well known) | N.d | N.o | The small one, medicinal, fragrant |
Rumex acetosa L. (1), well known, kiseljak (tasting sour)(well known) | N.d | N.o | In meadows that dry up by summer, used as a children’s snack |
Solanum nigrum L. (1), moderately known, kereće grožđe (dog grape), divlje grožđe (wild grape) (well known) | It is not eaten | N.o | In arable fields, blooms in autumn, a honey plant, maybe useful as a marihuana substitute |
Tripleurospermum inodorum (L.) Sch. Bip. (1), well known, konjska kamilica (horse chamomile), smrdljan (smelly), peršun (Petroselinum), parsley (well known) | It is not eaten | N.o | Doesn’t grow in the forest, smelly, taller than chamomile, bittersweet (gorčarka), not medicinal, not good for bees |
Xanthium spinosum L. (1), well known, dikičina rampa, čičak (sticky bur), boca (pricker) (well known) | It is not eaten | N.o | In pastures and along roads, decreasing in quantity, has painful spines |