Table 1.

Taxa used in Ouled Dabbeb, Southern Tunisia with whole description of their use (family, taxon, vernacular name, hazard categoy, endemism, growth form, habitat, plant part used).

Taxon ‘Vernacular Name(s)’ (Herbarium Specimen)	Threat Categories	Endemism	Growth Form	Type of Vegetation	Plant Part(s) Used	Use Category	RFC
						Category and Type of Use, Preparation, and Administration
Allium ampeloprasum L. ‘Korrath’ INAT3505	_	_	Herb	4	Leaves Bulbs	Med: Bulbs macerated in oil are orally taken as antibiotic and expectorant in cold and to treat coughs and sore throats. Al: Raw leaves and bulbs are incorporated in the traditional flatbread “Kesra”.	0.2
Allium roseum L. subsp. odoratissimum (Desf.) Murb. ‘Yazoul’, ‘Lazoul’ INAT3506	_	Endemic of North Africa	Herb	4	Leaves Bulbs	Al: Raw leaves are used to prepare a traditional flatbread “kesra” and can also be stewed and added to couscous or used as a condiment, replacing sometimes the onion.	0.5
Searsia tripartita (Ucria) Moffett ‘Jderi’ INAT3507	Rare	Endemic of Northern Sahara	Shrubby Tree	1	Roots	Med: Decoction of peeled roots is used as digestive and to treat ulcers AL/Med: To relieve ulcers (powder of peeled roots) added to a traditional dish (ich). Dom: Powdered roots barks are used for tanning leather and dyeing it to light brown.	0.4
Ferula tunetana Pomel ex Batt. * ‘Kalkh’ INAT3508	_	Endemic of Tunisia	Herb	-	Rhizome	Med: Decoction is orally taken to improve women’s fertility. Al/Med: Mineralizing and anti-inflammatory for bones and joints (rhizome powder added to “ich”).	0.3
Deverra denudata (Viv.) Pfiesterer & Podlech ‘Oljen’ INAT3509	According to the IUCN criteria this western and northern saharian species falls into the “C” category	_	Sub Shrub	2,3,4	Stems Flowers	Dom: It is used as an insect repellant, as odor control, and a deterrent against tadpoles in ‘Magel’, which is a sort of traditional Tunisian cisterns for collection and storage rainwater (hang a bunch of twigs).	0.1
Deverra tortuosa DC. ‘Gazzeh’ INAT3510	_	_	Shrub	3,4	Stems Leaves Flowers	Med: It is used to treat gas trouble (leaves infusions) and also used as antidiabetic (aerial part decoction) and to relieve hepatitis (infusion or water decoction of leaves and flowers). Dom: It is used as odor control, and a deterrent against tadpoles in ‘Magel’ (hanging a bunch of stems). It is also against insects and plant pests (incorporating stems’ powder into the soil).	0.5
Periploca angustifolia Labill. ‘Holleb’ INAT3511	_	_	Shrub	2	Leaves Bark of roots	Med: Water decoction of leaves is orally taken as hypotensive. AL: Root bark is appreciated when added to black tea.	0.2
Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav. ‘Tazia’, ‘Guitout’ INAT3512	_	_	Herb	2	Leaves	Al: Leaves are freshly cooked as part of the sauce for couscous and also to prepare traditional soup ‘dchich’.	0.3
Artemisia arborescens L. ‘Chajret Mariem’ INAT3513	_	_	Shrub	-	Leaves Flowers	Med: Water infusion is used as hypotensive.	0.0
Artemisia campestris L. subsp. cinerea Le Houér. ‘Tgoufet’ INAT3514	_	Endemic of Tunisia	Bush	1,2,3,4	Twigs Leaves	Med: Powdered leaves are mixed with milk to concoct a poultice that is applied on the leg fracture as plaster. A decoction of twigs is used as bechic. Maceration in vinegar is used as febricide and to alleviate leg pains. Leaves powder is sprinkled with olive oil to make a poultice that is applied against snake bites and scorpion stings. This poultice is also applied on the forehead to relieve cold. Ethnovet: It is used as a plaster for injured livestock (twig powder with milk).	0.8
Artemisia saharae Pomel ‘Chih’ INAT3515	_	Endemic of Magreb	Herb	1,2,3,4	Twigs Leaves	Med: Poultice made by leaves and lukewarm olive oil is tied to the forehead for headaches as a febricide. Leaves’ decoction is orally taken as hypotensive **, to relieve stomach pains and also as bechic. Al: Twigs are added to the tea as a flavoring. Dom: It used as repulsive of flies and other insects, as odor control, and a deterrent against tadpoles by hanging a bunch of twigs above ‘Magel’.	0.7
Launaea quercifolia Pamp. ‘Zarset Azouza’ INAT3516	_	Endemic of Sahara	Herb	4	Leaves	Al: Freshly cooked to prepare stew.	0.0
Podospermum laciniatum subsp. decumbens (Guss.) Gemeinholzer & Greuter ‘Telma’ INAT3518	_	_	Herb	2,4	Leaves Roots	Med: Leaves decoction is used to relieve stomach pains. Al: Leaves are freshly cooked as ingredients of couscous/ leaves are used raw in salads. Dom: Peeled roots used to make a ‘harkous’: a kind of temporary tattoo.	0.1
Otoglyphis pubescens (Desf.) Pomel ‘Wezweza’ INAT3517	According to the IUCN Criteria this north African endemic species falls into the E category	Endemic of North Africa	Herb	3	Whole plant	Med: Water decoction is orally taken to relieve kidney pains, to soothe varicella, and itching (compress with infusion water).	0.1
Rhanterium suaveolens Desf. ‘Arfej’ INAT3519	_	Endemic of Magreb	Shrub	2,3,4	Flowers Aerial parts	Med: It is used to relieve urinary incontinence (decoction of aerial parts). ** Dom: Water decoction of flowers is used to dye the wool in yellow. ** Ethnovet: It is used as diuretics for livestock (aerial parts’ decoction). T: It can be toxic to livestock if eaten in summer.	0.4
Scorzonera undulata Vahl ‘Guiz’ INAT3520	_	_	Herb	2, 4	Fleshy roots Flowers Leaves	Al: Flowers (having the taste of chocolate), leaves, stems, and fleshy roots are often eaten at the site of collection, as a snack.	0.3
Diplotaxis harra Boiss. ‘Harra’, ‘Choltam’ INAT3521	_	Endemic of North Africa	Herb	2,3	Leaves	Al: Leaves are freshly cooked to prepare stew.	0.1
Eruca pinnatifida Pomel ‘Harret El Bel’ INAT3522	_	_	Herb	2,3	Leaves	Med: Chewed leaves are used to relieve teeth pains.	0.0
Moricandia arvensis (L.) DC. ‘Hmim’ INAT3523	_	_	Herb	2,3	Leaves Flowers Roots	Med: Leaves decoction is used to relieve stomach pains, gas trouble, ulcers, and constipation. Leaves and flowers’ infusion is used as hypotensive and antidiabetic. Compress with roots water infusion is used to relieve dermatoses Al/Med: Leaves and flowers are freshly cooked as part of a traditional dish (a sort of thick soup) often prepared by local people of Tataouine in spring which is considered as a panacea, to increase immunity, to treat or prevent the development of cancer **.	0.7
Henophyton deserti Coss. & Durieu ‘Alga’ INAT3524	_	Endemic of Sahara	Bush	2,3	Leaves	Med: Water infusion of leaves is used to improve women’s fertility **.	0.1
Capparis spinosa L. ‘Kabbar’ INAT3525	_	_	Shrubby Tree	2	Leaves Flowers Buds Fruits	Med: Poultice made from crushed leaves is applied on the forehead to relieve fever. A decoction of leaves and/or flower buds is used as antidiabetic and diuritic. Al: Leaves and fruits are freshly cooked to prepare main dishes in the region couscous, stew, and soup.	0.6
Cleome amblyocarpa Barratte & Murb. ‘Mnitna’ INAT3526	_	_	Herb	3	Leaves	Med: A decoction is used as a bechic and sedative. Water infusion is used to improve women’s fertility **. T: It is a toxic plant that causes nervous disorders in animals.	0.0
Atriplex glauca L. Atriplex halimus L. Atriplex mollis Desf. ‘Gtaf’ INAT3527, INAT3528, INAT3529	_	Atriplex halimus L. Endemic of Maghreb	Shrubby tree/Shrub/Bush	2,3	Leaves	Med: Fresh leaves macerated in oil are applied on the affected area (as a bandage) as antinflammatory and antirheumatic and against joint pains **, leaves are eaten raw to relieve constipation. Al: Leaves are used raw in salads/ freshly cooked as part of couscous/dried leaves are ground and used as a replacement or complement to barley flour to make bread (in times of food insecurity in the past).	0.0
Haloxylon scoparium Pomel ‘Remth’ INAT3530	_	_	Shrubby tree	2,3	Twigs Leaves	Med: The poultice is applied locally on the skin for wounds healing and as hemostatic. It is also used as a disinfectant (washing with water leaves infusion) and as collyrium (fresh twigs’ water infusion). Ethnovet: Water infusion is applied locally on the skin of livestock against scabies and as disinfectants after mowing, infusion (drink) as appetizer, and digestive. Dom: It is used to prepare snuff powder ‘neffa’ to which it owes its degradation.	1.0
Salsola acanthoclada Botsch. * ‘Souida’ INAT3531	_	_	Subshrubs/Shrubs,	2	Stems	Med: Water decoction is used to alleviate lumbar pains.	0.0
Helianthemum confertum Dunal Helianthemum lippii (L.) Dum.Cours. ‘Chaal’ INAT3532, INAT3533, INAT3534	_	_	Shrub	2	Aerial parts	Med: Poultice (powdred dried aerial parts with oil) is applied locally on the skin to treat wounds as hemostatic. O: Nearby, these taxa truffles grow up.	0.2
Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. ‘Handhel’ INAT3535	_	_	Herb	2,3	Peeled fruits Sarcocarps Seeds	Med: It helps to alleviate rheumatic pains (scorched peeled fruit is crushed with pain leg), to relieve hemorrhoid (wraps with macerated sarcocarps in oil or friction with scorched sarcocarps). ** Seeds decoction is used to treat scorpion bites and dermatoses (compress). T: It can cause death if it is orally taken.	0.5
Juniperus phoenicea L. ‘Arar’ INAT3536	_	_	Shrub	1,3	Leaves	Med: Decoction/infusion with Ruta chalepensis L., Thymus algeriensis Boiss. & Reut., and Rosmarinus eriocalyx Jord. & Fourr. is used to relieve coughs. Powder of leaves are eaten with egg to treat diarrhea.	0.4
Cynomorium coccineum L. ‘Tarthouth’ INAT3537	_	_	Herb	3	Roots Aerial parts	Med: To relieve stomach pains and ulcers (powder of dried plants eaten with a cup of water). ** and to treat common colds (water decoction of roots).	0.2
Euphorbia retusa Forssk. ‘Lebbina’ INAT3538	_	_	Herb	3	Roots	Med: Maceration in oil is applied on the skin against eczema and spot. ** T: A direct application on skin can be toxic and induce an acute inflammation.	0.0
Ricinus communis L. ‘Kharwae’ INAT3539	_	_	Shrub	-	Leaves	Med: It used for cold and mild respiratory (soaked fresh leave in olive oil and put on the thorax).	0.0
Anthyllis henoniana Batt. ‘Ghazdir’ INAT3540	_	_	Bush	2,4	Flowers	T: Toxic for livestock after eating flowers.	0.1
Retama raetam (Forssk.) Webb & Berthel. ‘R’tem’ INAT3541	_	_	Shrubby tree	2,4	Leaves	Med: Leaves powder is sprinkled with olive oil to make a poultice that is locally applied on the skin to treat wounds as hemostatic to relieve dermatoses, furunculosis, eczema, spot, scorpion bites, and also to relieve headache when powdered leaves are added to henna. Ethnovet: Fresh leaves soaked in milk are tied to injured leg as plaster. T: It can cause death if it is orally taken.	0.7
Trigonella foenum-graecum L. ‘Helba’ INAT3542	_	_	Herb	-	Seeds Aerial parts	Med: Seeds are orally taken with a cup of water to relieve diarrhea. Al: Leaves freshly cooked as part of couscous.	0.0
Astragalus armatus Willd. * ‘Gtet’ INAT3543	_	Endemic of Maghreb	Shrub		Roots	Med: A decoction of roots is used to relieve odentonecrosis (Mouthwash).	0.1
Calicotome villosa (Poir.) Link * Gueddim INAT3544	_	_	Shrubby tree		Leaves	Med: Water decoction of fresh leaves is orally taken to alleviate kidney pains. Dom: Leaves are used to concoct basketry.	0.1
Erodium glaucophyllum (L.) L’Hér. Tommir/Merghid INAT3545	_	_	Herb		Tubercles	Med: Tubercles are eaten raw to relieve stomachache ** Al: Tubercles are eaten raw. Fresh leaves are used raw in salads/cooked as part of couscous.	0.3
Globularia alypum L. Zriga INAT3546	_	_	Sub -Shrub		Leaves	Med: Crushed leaves with milk (ointment) is used to treat furunculosis. Decoction is orally taken to relieve urinary incontinence.	0.1
Teucrium alopecurus de Noé * ‘Jaâda’ INAT3547	_	Endemic of Tunisia	Sub -Shrub		Leaves Flowers	Med: Decoction is orally taken as antidiabetic and hypotensive. It is used for postpartum hygiene and to relieve stomach ache; powder of flowers is locally applied (compress). Maceration in oil is applied on the skin against eczema and spot.	0.2
Rosmarinus eriocalyx Jord. & Fourr. * ‘Klil’ INAT3548	_	_	Shrubby tree	1	Leaves	Med: It helps to relieve cough, fever, and cold (decoction/infusion), smoke to treat rheumatism. Al: Condiment.	0.6
Ajuga iva (L.) Schreb. ‘Chendgoura’ INAT3549	_	_	Herb	1	Leaves	Cosm: Maceration in oil is applied on hair as softer. Med: Decoction is used as emmenagogue, as hypotensive, and antidiabetic.	0.4
Marrubium alysson L. ‘Murrûbya’ INAT3550	_	According to the IUC criteria this endemic species falls into the “ EN” category	Herb	3	Leaves Stems	Med: Decoction (drink) as bechic.	0.1
Salvia aegyptiaca L. ‘Kammouna’ INAT3551	_	_	Herb	1,3	Seeds Flowers	Al: Seeds are used as flavoring in bread. Dom: Flowers are used to perfume hair (maceration in oil).	0.1
Lavandula coronopifolia Poir. Lavandula multifida L. ‘Khzema’ ‘Kammoun’ INAT3552, INAT3553	_	_	Shrub	3	Leaves Flowers	Med: Decoction of leaves is used as emmenagogue, as hypotensive, and antidiabetic. Cosm: Maceration of flowers in oil is applied on hair as softer and flowers are used to prepare a hair perfume.	0.4
Mentha pulegium L. ‘Flayou’ INAT3554	_	_	Herb	3	Leaves	Med: Rinses and wraps with infusion water/water extract are used to treat common colds, fever, and also to relieve headache.	0.1
Malva aegyptia L. ‘Khobbiza’ INAT3555	_	_	Herb	3	Leaves	Med: Water decoction is orally taken to relieve gas pains and stomachache. Water infusion (compress) is applied topically to relieve hemorrhoids ** Al: Freshly cooked to prepare stew.	0.2
Myrtus communis L. ‘Jedra’ INAT3556	_	_	Shrub	-	Leaves Buds	Med: Water infusion of leaves is orally taken to relieve headaches ** or poultice of crushed leaves with heated oil. Cosm: Macerated in oil buds are used to prepare a homemade perfume	0.1
Nitraria retusa Asch. ‘Ghardag’ INAT3557	_	_	Shrub		Leaves	Med: Decoction in milk of powdered dried leaves is used to prepare ointment that is applied to treat leishmaniasis and furunculosis **.	0.1
Olea europaea L. ‘Zitoun’ INAT3558	_	_	Tree	2,3	Twigs Leaves Fruits	Med: A decoction of leaves andtwigs is orally taken as hypotensive, antidiabetic, as antiseptic, and to relieve teeth pains. Dom: Black olives were used for dyeing wool in pinkish white.	0.4
Peganum harmala L. ‘Harmel’ INAT3559	_	_	Herb		Seeds Aerial parts	Med: It is used as a panacea. Seeds are directly eaten with a cup of water as digestive, to relieve stomach pains and also as sedative. It is used to relieve hemorrhoids (aerial parts infusion orally taken), to alleviate feet pains given by swelling or fatigue (footbath with leaves’ infusion), as eye inflammation remedy (compress), and also as febricide (wraps).	0.4
Plantago albicans L. ‘Inam’ INAT3560	_	Endemic of Sah of north Africa	Herb	1,2,4	Leaves	Med: Water infusion is used to relieve urinary incontinence. Ethnovet: Water infusion of leaves is also diuretic for livestock, and it is also used to recover the appetite or to avoid indigestion.	0.3
Stipagrostis pungens (Desf.) de Winter * ‘Sbat’ INAT3561	_	_	Herb	4	Inflorescences	Med: Water decoction of inflorescence is used to relieve urinary incontinence.	0.1
Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. ‘Najm’ INAT3562	_	_	Herb	4	Aerial parts	Med: It used to relieve urinary incontinence (water decoction) and as a sedative (water decoction with Polygonum equisetiforme Sm.	0.1
Lycium shawii Roem. & Schult. * ‘Sakkoum’ INAT3563	_	_	Shrub	4	Leaves Fruits	Med: It is used to relieve constipation (raw fruit and water decoction of leaves).	0.1
Polygonum equisetiforme Sm. ‘Gorthab’ INAT3564	_	_	Herb	3	Leaves	Med: Mushed fresh leaves or powdered dried ones are used to prepare poultice that is applied locally on the skin to treat wounds as hemostatic, and also as a disinfectant (washing with water infusion. Ethnovet: Leaves’ powder is mixed with milk to concoct a poultice that used as plaster for livestock.	0.3
Rumex roseus L. ‘Hommitha’ INAT3565	_	_	Herb	2,3	Leaves Flowers	Al: Leaves and flowers are used raw in salads.	0.0
Calligonum azel Maire ‘Azel’ INAT3566	_	Endemic of Magreb	Shrub	4	Leaves	Ethnovet: Wraps with leaves’ infusion are used for the treatment of scabies of camels.	0.0
Calligonum polygonoides L. ‘Arta’ INAT3567	_	_	Shrubby tree	4	Roots Leaves	Med: Water decoction of roots is used as anthelmintic. Ethnovet: It is used for the treatment of scabies of the camel (wraps with leaves infusion).	0.0
Punica granatum L. ‘Rommen’ INAT3568	_	_	Tree	-	Bark of fruits Flowers	AL/Med: Powder of dried fruit’s bark is used to relieve ulcers when added to traditional dish (ich) ** Dom: Dyeing wool in orange with flowers and fruit set locally called “Lallouch”.	0.1
Ziziphus lotus Lam. ‘Sedr’ INAT3569	_	_	Tree	1,2, 4	Fruits	Al: Fruits are eaten (fresh/dried) as a snack. R: Thanks to their saponifynig properties, the malikites use these fruits to wash and shroud the deceased.	0.3
Ruta chalepensis L. ‘Fijel’ INAT3570	_	_	Herb	2	Leaves Twigs	Med: To relieve otitis (drops of macerated leaves in oil). It is also orally taken for postpartum hygiene as a hypotensive and as a painkiller R: In fumigation, the twigs are used to treat epilepsy and bad eyes. T: Abortive plant.	0.5
Haplophyllum tuberculatum (Forssk.) A.Juss. ‘Offina’ INAT3571	_	_	Perennial herb	2,3	Aerial parts	Med: Decoction is used as hypotensive. T: Abortive plant.	0.1
Nicotiana glauca Graham ‘Hchichet Erih’ INAT3572	_	Endemic of North Africa	Shrub	3	Leaves	Med: Water decoction is used to relieve gas pains **.	0.1
Thymus algeriensis Boiss. & Reut. ‘Zaater’ INAT3573	_	Endemic of Magreb	Herb	1,3	Leaves	Med: Water infusion helps to relieve coughs and cold. Decoction is orally taken as febricide Al: Condiments.	0.4
Thymelaea hirsuta Endl. * ‘Methnen’ INAT3574	_	_	Shrubby Tree	3	Whole plant	Med: To relieve sciatica (dried plant is trampled by a painful leg) **.	0.1
For Type of vegetation: 1: Limestone Mountain Steppe with Macrochloa tenacissima Kunth, Thymus algeriensis Boiss. & Reut., and Genista microcephala Coss. & Durieu 2: Steppe with Artemisia herba-alba Asso and Haloxylon scoparium Pomel that characterised loamy arid piles of the study area. 3: Steppe with Thymus capitatus Hoffmanns. & Link and Artemisia campestris L. that defines the wadi beds. 4: Steppe of sandy plains with Rhanterium suaveolens Desf., Anthyllis henoniana Batt., and Astragalus armatus Willd.

RFC: Relative frequency of citation, MED: Medicinal use, AL: Alimentary use, Ethnovet: Veterinary use, Dom: Domestic use; Cosm: Cosmetic use, R: Ritual use, T: Toxic, ‘-’: No data are available, *: New reported ethnobotanical taxa, **: New reported uses.