Use value of weeds of the city of Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Abstract

Plants that are not the target of human cultivation are called weeds, and these plants appeared together with the development of agriculture in the prehistoric period. In addition to the numerous negative effects attributed to weeds, in the past weeds were important for surviving famine in these areas, as well as for treating certain diseases. Weed species also serve bees to collect nectar and birds and domestic animals as a source of food. A floristic survey of weed species was conducted in the area of ​​the city of Mostar (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia and Herzegovina) during the vegetation period of 2022 and 2023. The survey recorded 85 weed species growing in this area and classified into 21 families.

A taxonomic analysis of weed species recorded in the area of ​​the city of Mostar shows the dominance of members of the Poaceae family with 31 weed species (36%). This is followed by the Asteraceae family with 15 weed species (18%), the Polygonaceae family with eight weed species (9%) and the Amaranthaceae family with seven weed species (8%), while other families are less represented. Annual plants dominate, and the spectrum of life forms is dominated by therophytes with 50 weed species (59%).

According to the use value, the most numerous are weed species used for food (25%) and as medicinal plants (24%), followed by weeds used as fodder, ornamental and honey-bearing species. A larger number of weed species have more use values.