A Fistful of Bladdernuts: The Shifting Uses ofStaphylea pinnataL. as Documented by Archaeology, History, and Ethnology

• DOI: 10.1179/0430877814z.00000000031
• Publication Date: 2014-09-28T07:32:56Z
• Authors: Andreas G. Heiss; Dragana FilipoviĆ; Anely Nedelcheva; Gabriela Ruß-Popa; Klaus Wanninger; Georg Schramayr; Renata Perego; Stefanie Jacomet
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; Ritual plant use; historical botany; Bladdernut; Ethnobotany; 01 natural sciences; ethnobotany; Medicinal plants; food plants; Food plants; 2. Zero hunger; 504010 European ethnology; 601008 Science of history; 601003 Archaeology; 601003 Archäologie; ritual plant use; 106008 Botanik; Historical botany; 106008 Botany; bladdernut; 601008 Geschichtswissenschaft; 504010 Europäische Ethnologie; Archaeobotany; archaeobotany; medicinal plants

An interdisciplinary approach combining archaeological, historical, and ethnological data is used in the attempt to draw a general image of role bladdernut (Staphylea pinnata) past societies. The purposes encountered this literature study extend from nutritional medicinal uses particular ritual/religious aspects, incorporating apotropaic sympathetic magic, use grave goods, rosaries. In two latter purposes, 'cut nose' aspect seeds suggested be an important symbolic factor.Research into cultural dimensions plants often restricted with uses, cultivated for millennia ever sought after, fundamental meaning human subsistence economy. This definitely true main crops Old World, regarded essential other (e.g. medical) reasons. Bladdernut not one these 'great' useful plants. Still, shrub has had curious which seemed us worth investigating, beliefs meanings that still cling it. As we will see, new are developing.Largely building upon previous detailed work by first author, current pursues goal drawing as complete picture possible relevance been done critically evaluating extant on material evidence, written historical sources, ethnographic studies Staphylea pinnata across Europe, trying suggest interpretations plant. Originally given conference paper author listed, following article considerably reworked now includes substantially more research than previously.