Plant of the month 2016 April
The plant of the month: Ferula communis
The North Africa forum of Tela Botanica was asked about a wild vegetable sold in Oran; it consisted of the young inflorescences of the giant-fennel. The discussion extended to recipes and the plant toxicity. It appears that this product, called bubal or kbel in Maghrib, is largely known and sold on markets. It is appreciated by all, even if its potential toxicity is acknowledged. Fortunately, its availability in time is very short.
This use was already known in Italy in 1572, as it is cited by Mattioli in his Commentaries of Dioscorides, who adds that eating it "incites marvellously to bawdiness (paillardise)".
Wild food plants play a very important role in Maghrib, and we lack a book in order to promote this culinary heritage.
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