Ethnobotany of dye plants in Dong communities of China

Datos Bibliográficos

ID4679520
AutoresYujing Liu (0000-0002-9429-5983, Minzu University of China), Selena Ahmed (0000-0001-5779-0697, Montana State University), Bo Liu (0000-0002-6536-517X, Minzu University of China), Zhiyong Guo (0000-0003-1422-7655, Minzu University of China), Weijuan Huang (0000-0003-1181-3667, Minzu University of China), Xianjin Wu (Huaihua University), Shenghua Li (0000-0002-9144-2167, Huaihua University), Jiangju Zhou (Kaili University), Zhou Jiang-Ju, Qiyi Lei (0009-0004-7226-2103, Kaili University), Chunlin Long (0000-0002-6573-6049, Huaihua University, autor de correspondencia)
Año2014
Volumen10
Número1
Páginas23-23
Fecha de publicación2014-12-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaJournal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1746-4269 • E-ISSN: 1746-4269
EditorialSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1186/1746-4269-10-23
PMID24552267
PMCIDPMC3998736
OpenAlexW2117526652
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas19
Referencias citadas12

Background Dyes derived from plants have an extensive history of use for coloring food and clothing in Dong communities and other indigenous areas in the uplands of China. In addition to use as coloring agents, Dong communities have historically utilized dye plants for their value for enhancing the nutritive, medicinal and preservative properties of foods. However, the persistence of plant-derived dyes and associated cultural practices and traditional knowledge is threatened with rapid socio-economic change in China. Research is needed to document the ethnobotany of dye plants in indigenous communities towards their conservation and potential commercialization as a sustainable means of supporting local development initiatives. Methods Semi-structured surveys on plants used for coloring agents and associated traditional knowledge were conducted in fifteen Dong villages of Tongdao County in Hunan Province of South Central China during 2011-2012. Transect walks were carried out with key informants identified from semi-structured surveys to collect samples and voucher specimens for each documented plant species for taxonomic identification. Results Dong households at the study sites utilize the flowers, bark, stems, tubers and roots of 13 plant species from 9 families as dyes to color their customary clothing and food. Out of the documented plants, a total of 7 are used for coloring food, 3 for coloring clothing and 3 for both food and clothing. Documented plants consist of 3 species that yield black pigments, 3 for brownish red/russet pigments, 3 for red pigments, 2 for dark blue pigments and 2 for yellow pigments. In addition to dyes, the plants have multiple uses including medicinal, ornamental, sacrificial, edible, and for timber. Conclusions The use of dyes derived from plants persists at the study sites for their important role in expressing Dong cultural identity through customary clothing and food. Further research is needed to evaluate the safety of dye plants, their efficacy in enhancing food items and their commercial potential. Conservation policies and management plans are called for to preserve these ethnobotanical resources in a sustainable manner that supports local livelihoods while maintaining cultural practices

Agroforestry · Archaeology · Biodiversity · Biology · Botany · China · Ethnobotany · Geography · Indigenous · Introduced species · Medicinal plants · Native plant · Threatened species · Traditional knowledge · Dye analysis and toxicity · Dyeing and Modifying Textile Fibers · melanin and skin pigmentation · Microbial Metabolism and Applications · Phytochemistry and Bioactivity Studies · Ecology