Ethnobotanical and ethnoecological study of Butia catarinensis Noblick & Lorenzi: contributions to the conservation of an endangered area in southern Brazil

Abstract

Butia catarinensis Noblick & Lorenzi is a small palm (approximately 2 m high when full-grown) endemic to the southern coast of Brazil. Local farmers use the fruit and pulp for various purposes, and this extractive activity complements their income. Th e objective of this study was to understand the relationships between local people and B. catarinensis in its natural environment. Ethnobotanical and ethnoecological data were collected through participant observation, participatory research tools and semi-structured interviews. Th e density of B. catarinensis was measured in two areas, each containing twelve 10 m × 20 m plots. Interviewees recognized diff erent varieties of the palm, its phenological stages, as well as potential pollinators and seed dispersers. Eighteen diff erent uses for the palm were registered and three diff erent collection practices were observed, depending on the purpose for which the fruit was used. Th e mean density in the two areas studied ranged from 38.6 to 7.9 adults per plot. Th e rate of production (per hectare) can be as high as 927 kg of fruit and 190 kg of pulp. Th e local community can contribute to the conservation of this coastal ecosystem through extractive activities of some scale, with potential environmental, economic and socio-cultural sustainability.

Knowledge, use, and disuse of unconventional food plants

“…Other plants considered here as UFP would not compose the UFP list in other geographical and sociocultural contexts, such as “butiá” ( Butia catarinensis ), cashew ( Anacardium occidentale ) and assai ( Euterpe oleracea ). “Butiá” fruits are used in the production of popsicles and ice creams, and are sold in some localities of the state of Santa Catarina [ 37 ]; cashew nuts, fruits and juices are found in different markets of Brazil [ 38 ], and assai pulp can even be found in markets outside of the country (e.g., Los Angeles or New York, USA). However, the residents of Ribeirão da Ilha do not make frequent use of these plants, nor do they have easy access to the products mentioned.…”

Emerging Lipids from Arecaceae Palm Fruits in Brazil

“…The production rate can be as high as 927 kg of fruit and 190 kg of pulp ha −1 . Local farmers have the extractive activity as a complement to their income, using the fruit and pulp to produce juice, wine, rum, popsicles, ice cream, and candies [110]. The B. purpurascens (Glassman) species occurs mainly in southwestern Goiás.…”

Effects of the fixed oil of Butia catarinensis Noblick & Lorenzi on the erythrocyte membrane and bacterial strains

“…Among the plants with antioxidant action registred in the literature, Butia catarinensis known as beach butia (buitáda-praia), is a palm tree belonging to the Arecaceae family, densely exploited for food purposes (Cruz et al, 2017;Rockett et al, 2021;Rodrigues et al, 2022;Kumagai & Hanazaki, 2013). The species is native to the southern region of Brazil, occurring Research, Society andDevelopment, v. 11, n. 15, e24111536720, 2022 (CC BY 4.0) | ISSN 2525-3409 | DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v11i15.36720 3 mainly in the state of Santa Catarina (Kumagai & Hanazaki, 2013;Dutra et al, 2021). Additionally, scientific investigative approaches on the potential biological activities of this species are scarce, and studies on its toxicity are non-existent.…”