A PHYTOALIMURGIC GARDEN TO PROMOTE WILD EDIBLE PLANTS

Wild plants have always been an important food source for people, not only in the distant past but also during more recent times of war. A wealth of information linked to human traditions has been gained on these plants which is worth preserving. As now these experiences are a prerogative primarily of the elderly in rural areas. A Phytoalimurgic Garden (PG) is a place where edible wild plants are grown as if in their natural environment and is planned to produce food all year round. To create a PG now, as food emergency no longer exists in Europe, means to exploit and spread these plants, promoting popular customs, old flavours and uses. The PG is intended for agro-tourism and teaching purposes, to spread ethno-botanical knowledge and preserve biodiversity. This paper describes how a PG in northern Italy was planned and is still managed. It could be an example for other experiences. Some of the species have been analyzed for their nutritional value.