o:8779 Traditional use of wild garlic (Allium ursinum) in southeastern Serbia: an ethnobotanical survey from the Niš District Традиционална употреба сремуша (Allium ursinum) у југоисточној Србији: Етноботаничко истраживање у Нишавском округу en sr Abstract: Allium ursinum L., commonly known as wild garlic or ramsons, is a wild edible plant traditionally used in culinary and medicinal practices across Europe. This ethnobotanical study investigates the traditional use of A. ursinum L in the Niš District of southeastern Serbia, with the aim of documenting local traditional knowledge. Data were collected through an online survey with a total of 47 respondents. Among them, 12 reported regular use of A. ursinum, primarily during the early spring months, when the fresh leaves of wild garlic are commonly used in salads. In addition to its culinary use, A. ursinum is valued for its health benefits, particularly in supporting cardiovascular health, digestion, and as a natural detoxifying agent. The plant is harvested from the beech forests in the district, and is often gathered through family-based knowledge passed down through generations. This study highlights the cultural importance of wild edible salad plants in Niš district and emphasizes the need to document and preserve traditional knowledge, especially in corelation to the medicinal and gastronomic properties of wild garlic. Keywords: Allium ursinum, wild garlic, traditional knowledge, ethnobotany, foraging, Niš District, southeastern Serbia 1552100 978-86-903786-2-3 2025-12-21T21:52:04.882Z 44 yes 46 Radomir B. Ljupković 46 Slobodan A. Ćirić 46 Katarina D. Stepić 46 Jovana D. Ickovski 46 Aleksandra S. Đorđević 46 Marija S. Marković 0000-0002-6070-6844 46 Vesna P. Stankov Jovanović application/pdf 3965764 https://unilib.phaidrabg.rs/o:8779 no yes 16 70 92000004 71A07 Ethnobotany : book of abstracts / Third conference about medicinal and wild-growing edible plants, Pirot, Serbia, June 26 - 28. 2025. 104 106 Истраживачко друштво "Бабин нос", Темска, Пирот, Институт за шумарство, Београд, Штампарија "Свен", Ниш 2025