Plant names in the local speeches of Piedmont

This work presents 317 data sheets which describe the most common spontaneous and cultivated plants and mushrooms that have one or more local names in Piedmont (Italy). The data originate from years of intense botanical exploration in Piedmont, from ALEPO atlas and from the analysis of many books and papers. Species were divided in woody spontaneous broadleaves and conifers, herbaceous plants of different habitats, cultivated plants and mushrooms. Every data sheet includes the distinctive characteristics and the ethnobotanic uses of the species described, their diffusion in Piedmont and the linguistic features of the various local names found in different areas. Twenty four linguistic maps show the geobotanical analysis of some particularly interesting local plant names. The data analysis confirms that local understanding of plant resources was in past very extensive and sophisticated in Piedmont, but local knowledge is disappearing. The comparison between the more recent regional vascular flora and the data presented in this work shows that less than a quarter of the spontaneous plants are commonly known and used in Piedmont. This work is useful for the realization of territorial activities that contributes to the maintenance of knowledge of the past, but also to discover, protect and conscious use of a greater part of spontaneous flora of Piedmont.