Classification of uses by Kew and TDWG
Contents
Publication and website
Cook, F.E.M., 1995. Economic Botany Data Collection Standard. Prepared for the International Working Group on Taxonomic Databases for Plant Sciences (TDWG). Kew, Royal Botanic Gardens. x + 146 pp. £15. ISBN 0947643710.
Lists can be downloaded at TDWG Uses. This standard is implemented in particular by SEPASAL. It fits classical databases with a hierarchical structure. The main criticism is that such keywords as Ornamentals or Cereals are to be found only at the second or third level.
Level 1 states
- FOOD
- FOOD ADDITIVES
- ANIMAL FOOD
- BEE PLANTS
- INVERTEBRATE FOOD
- MATERIALS
- FUELS
- SOCIAL USES
- VERTEBRATE POISONS
- NON-VERTEBRATE POISONS
- MEDICINES
- ENVIRONMENTAL USES
- GENE SOURCES
The types of Food and Food additives are only detailed at the third level. For Materials, Fuels, Social uses and Environmental uses, they are detailed at the second level.
In our view, Medicines could be defined as Plants with bioactive properties. According to the dose and the target, they will act as medicines, vertebrate poisons, non-vertebrate poisons or drugs (in Social uses).
Bee plants and Invertebrate food could be merged.
Food
Level 3 states
- cereals
- pseudocereals
- pulses
- nuts
- dessert fruits
- vegetables
- green vegetables
- root/tuber vegetables
- leaf protein concentrates
- starches
- oils/fats
- gums/mucilages
- sugar
- other food types
In our view, cereals and pseudocereals can be merged. The same with fruits and nuts. Gums and mucilages are usually considered as additives. The presence of leaf protein concentrates is quite puzzling, as it is not a traditional type of food, but an industrial product extracted from plants. Many other kinds of extracted products could be considered, and it is better to include them under other food types.
Food additives
Level 3 states
- adulterants
- clarifiers
- honey clarifiers
- water clarifiers
- beer clarifiers
- sugar clarifiers
- colourings
- emulsifiers
- fermenting agents
- rennet substitutes/milk curdlers
- fermentation retarders
- flavour fixatives
- flavourings
- herbs
- spices
- souring agents
- bitters
- vinegar
- hop substitutes
- essences
- gelling agents
- preservatives
- antioxidants
- purifiers
- water purifiers
- raising agents
- ripening agents
- salt
- stabilisers
- sweeteners (non-sugar)
- tenderisers
- meat tenderisers
- thickening agents
- other additive types
Herbs, spices and vinegar are not commonly considered as additives.
Animal food
Materials
Level 2 states
- Unspecified Materials
- Fibres
- Cane etc.
- Wood
- Cork/Cork substitutes
- Gums/Resins
- Latex/Rubber
- Tannins/Dyestuffs
- Lipids
- Essential Oils
- Waxes
- Alcohols
- Other Materials/Chemicals
An important new type of use is the species promoted in the so-called green chemistry and molecular farming. Such uses may fit or not within previously existing use groups, but merit being pointed at.
Fuels
Social uses
Level 2 states
- Unspecified Social Uses
- Smoking Materials/Drugs
- Antifertility Agents
- 'Religious' Uses
- Miscellaneous Social Uses
Antifertility agents are part of medicinals, as well as drugs.
An ignored category is formed by plants which are the support of cultural traits, art, literature, or used as symbols. Magical plants should also be included.
Environmental uses
Level 2 states
- Unspecified Environmental Uses
- Erosion Control
- Shade/Shelter
- Revegetators
- Indicators
- Soil Improvers
- Ornamentals
- Boundaries/Barriers/Supports
- Agroforestry
- Firebreaks
- Pollution Control
This includes what agronomists call auxiliary plants.
Ornamentals form a particular use group, which doesn't fit within this category.
Gene sources
This is intended to cover wild plants which no other use known. Any cultivated plant is of course a gene source for itself. The category should be expanded to all species of scientific interest. Hordeum bulbosum gives no gene to barley, but is used in the breeding process. Arabidopsis thaliana and other model plants are useful for researchers, etc.
