RESUMO
Ligustrum lucidum is a highly invasive East Asian tree that successfully colonizes several subtropical and temperate areas around the world. Its invasion capacity results from a widespread human use mostly in urban and periurban settings, very abundant fruit and seed production, small bird-dispersed fruits, high germination rates, resprouting capacity, fast growth rates, low herbivory levels and tolerance to a wide range of light, temperature and soil. All these traits contribute to its ability to rapidly increase in abundance, alter biodiversity, landscape ecology and limit its management. This paper reviews the current knowledge on L. lucidum with particular focus on its uses, distribution, invasiveness, ecological and economic impacts and control measures. Most relevant aspect of the review highlight the negative ecological impacts of L. lucidum, its potential to continue expanding its range of distribution and the need of further studies on the eco-physiology of the species, economic impact and social perception of its invasion and early warning systems.
RESUMO
We report an investigation about plants with therapeutical uses in indigenous communities of Quilmes, northwestern Argentina. We identified 84 species with medicinal uses, 64.3 percent of which were native. Curation usually takes place inside the domestic units, and plants are collected in their own orchards and gardens or in the circundant scrublands. These plants are employed for the curation of diverse diseases and symptons, and are prepared and administered in numerous ways, being common to recur to local curers. We observed continuity and similarity with species uses of other creole communities in northwestern argentina and the whole country.
Se presenta una investigación sobre las plantas empleadas en la terapéutica popular en poblaciones pertenecientes a la comunidad indígena de Quilmes, ubicada en el noroeste de la provincia de Tucumán, Argentina. Se identificaron 84 especies vegetales usadas como medicinales, de las cuales un 64.3 por ciento son nativas. La curación se realiza generalmente dentro de la unidad doméstica y con plantas que crecen en la vegetación que la rodea, llamada monte, algunas se obtienen en sus huertas y jardines, y en ocasiones se recurre a curanderos o a médicos campesinos. Las plantas son empleadas en la curación de enfermedades y síntomas variados, en diversas formas de preparación y administración. Se observó continuidad y similitud en el uso de las especies con el de otras comunidades criollas del Noroeste argentino y del país.