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Background and aims: Acrostichum danaeifolium is a widely distributed species in the Neotropics, growing in freshwater or saltwater habitats. In Argentina and Paraguay are scarce records cited by previous papers. The objective of this work is to study A. danaeifolium for Argentina and Paraguay, emphasizing the review of its distribution and the history of the botanical collections of the species. M&M: Specimens deposited in national and international herbaria and collected during monitoring tasks in the Río Pilcomayo National Park (Formosa, Argentina) were studied. Also, records were consulted in the GBIF and iNaturalist databases. The analysis of the diagnostic characters was carried out under a stereoscopic magnifying glass. Results and conclusions: The diagnostic characters of A. danaeifolium are illustrated, and a map of the species distribution in Argentina and Paraguay is provided. We corroborate that the A. danaeifolium populations registered to date for both countries are scarce and are restricted to the Chaco Oriental district, where they grow associated with floodplains such as river banks and freshwater lagoons. The specimens found in the Río Pilcomayo National Park represent the first record of the species in a protected area, the first record in Formosa province, the most boreal record of Argentina and the first collection in the country in 70 years. Due to the intense deforestation recorded in the Chaco Oriental district in recent decades, the RPNP takes on special relevance for the conservation of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Our current knowledge about Moqoit medical ethnobotany is scarce, that is why the aim of this paper seeks to identify the medicinal plants and its therapeutic indications registered in the field among present moqoit people from Chaco province. These data are also compared with the few historical data available, as well as with the medical ethnobotany of Argentinian Gran Chaco criollos people and surrounding areas. M&M: Between 2008 and 2018, a total of 11 (eleven) campaigns were carried out to the Moqoit settlements in Chaco province, where semi-structured interviews were carried out with key collaborators. With these key people, herbarium samples were collected from the plants they have indicated. Results: A total of 381 medicinal applications are registered about 155 botanical taxa. Most of them (28%) are prescribed against digestive disorders and in a lesser extent, against dermatological conditions (15%), as antipyretics (14%) and for the reproductive system (13%). Frequently plants are used against "empacho" (digestive disorder), affections of magical-religious etiology (therapeutic rituals), as refreshing, antitussive and against toothache. Conclusions: The results from the comparisons made show the presence of cultural loans from criollos groups -by location and stock- to Moqoit medical ethnobotany, mostly from the Hispanic-Quichua criollos bio-cultural complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Since the 1990s in Argentina, a process of visibility and reemergence of aboriginal groups that were believed extinct by official history has been developing. This is the case of Comechingon people in Córdoba province. Furthermore, it is known that gathering of wild food plants is an ancient practice that contributes to the subsistence of many indigenous communities of the country. Within the framework of Food Sovereignty and Ethnobiology, the aim of this paper was to carry out a first inquiry into the use of wild edible plants by residents self-identified as members of Comechingon people of San Marcos Sierras (Córdoba). M&M: Semi-structured interviews and free listings were conducted to a representative from each of three Comechingon communities from this town. They were accompanied with the discussion of a photographic guide of species. Results: Thirty-four wild ethnotaxa were recognized. They correspond to thirty-two botanical taxa. 85% was native species and the rest was exotic. "Algarrobo trees" (Prosopis spp.) presented the greatest number of parts used and ways of consumption mentioned. Fruits were the most used vegetable parts, followed by flowers, leaves, cladodes, underground organs and resins. The last two, just like trees' leaves, had not been previously reported for the region. Likewise, different ways of gathering, conservation and culinary products were mentioned. Conclusions: Comechingon communities know and consume a wide variety of edible ethnotaxa of plants. We hope to contribute to the visibility of Comechingon culture and the consolidation of sovereign food systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: In the semi-arid saline Chaco, Argentina, the nanophanerophytes presence and the succulent leaf type are frequent. To determine if the occurrence of both traits is related to soil salinity, this paper describes the distribution of life forms and leaf types in relation to soil salinity between two woody plant communities. M&M: Sampling of woody plant and soil was carried out in both a scrubland and a xerophilous forest on 25 subplots of 100 m2 at each site. Soil electrical conductivity and pH were determined down to a depth of 50 cm. Stratification and plant cover, abundance, species richness and diversity index were described. The degree of similarity between sites was evaluated according to the number of nanophanerophyte and succulent-leaves shared species, using the Sørensen coefficient. The species were grouped considering simultaneously their life form and leaf type. Relationships between salinity and plant groups were evaluated by means of redundancy analysis. Results: Richness, diversity and structural complexity were greater in the forest. The similarity between sites was low. Succulent-leafed nanophanerophytes were dominant in the scrubland, with high salinity and pH. In the forest, sclerophyllous- leafed microphanerophytes were dominant, with low salinity and pH. Conclusion: The distribution of succulent-leaves nanophanerophytes presented differences according to the salinity of the soil of both woody communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synandrospadix vermitoxicus is a native species of the Gran Chaco (Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina) and neighbouring regions. An ethnobotanical investigation was conducted with the aim of summarising vernacular knowledge on the plant: common names, uses, its role in social and cultural life, as well as stressing the interest and value attached by human groups of the region. This paper is a summary of original data obtained in situ, in addition to those recorded in bibliographic sources. Oral information and herbarium material was collected during fieldwork carried out with eight ethnic groups, as well as with natives-criollos (local non-indigenous people) from Argentina and Paraguay. In order to contextualise the ethnobotanical information, brief references on the taxonomy, floristics, morphology, ecology, and phytonymy associated with this plant are added. Notes are also included on the plant's role in different cultural settings: food, medicine, veterinary practice, magic, toxicology, mythology and witchcraft. Attention is drawn to the value of the plant for the ethnic peoples and settlers in the Gran Chaco and the interest it holds for them. The need to preserve it as natural and cultural heritage is also expressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]