Edible flowers (EFs) form a special group of food plants that serve a pivotal role in local food systems, both in their utilitarian value and cultural significance. Dali, renowned for its rich biocultural diversity, is home to various ethnic groups with unique traditions regarding the consumption of EFs. However, systematic and comprehensive ethnobotanical studies of EFs are lacking, and their biocultural significance has not been discussed. Through ethnobotanical surveys conducted in 15 markets across Dali, 163 taxa of EFs were documented, encompassing 56 families and 108 genera. They were consumed in 16 ways and as 5 types of food. Quantitative evaluations using the Relative Occurrence Frequency (ROF) and Cultural Food Significance Index (CFSI) assessed the local importance of these flowers. Comparisons were made with another site regarding flower-eating species and methods, revealing biocultural differences. The study highlights how these flowers contribute to local dietary practices and cultural traditions. The role of EFs in sustainable food systems (SFS) is discussed, with emphasis on their economic, environmental, and social impacts. Protecting biocultural diversity means maintaining reciprocal relationships between people and edible species, which are crucial nodes in local SFS.

Disporopsis aspersa (Hua) Engl. ex K. Krause, locally known as kucai (bitter greens) or yexiahua, is a widely consumed wild vegetable and traditional herbal medicine in western Yunnan. Despite its local significance, its nutrient composition and bioactive properties have not been investigated. This study aims to determine the nutritional content and evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the aerial parts extracts of D. aspersa. The levels of protein, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals were measured and compared to those of common vegetables. The results showed that D. aspersa contains 16 amino acids, with a total content of up to 19.13 g/100 g, including 3.0 g/100 g of lysine. In vitro evaluations of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities demonstrated that the ethanolic extract exhibited low cytotoxicity against mouse RAW 264.7 murine macrophages cell line at concentrations of 0–120 μg/mL. The IC₅₀ for nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activity was 72.7 ± 7.43 μg/mL, showing dose dependence. Additionally, the ethanolic extract also exhibited ABTS⁺· scavenging capacity and total antioxidant capacity. These findings suggest that D. aspersa is rich in carbohydrates, fat, dietary fiber, and amino acids. It also contains various bioactive substances, supporting its traditional practices for both medicinal and dietary purposes by local people. D. aspersa has the potential to be developed into a novel anti-hypertensive food, nutraceutical, or dietary supplement in western Yunnan and neighboring regions, promoting local development.

The Dai people of Lujiangba area, Baoshan, Yunnan Province, have rich knowledge of collecting and consuming wild edible plants (WEPs). These plants contrib

Introduction: The extensively used Lindera communis Hemsl. (Lauraceae) in traditional Chinese medicine has been specifically employed for wound healing and treating skin diseases in cattle and horses, suggesting its potential antibacterial properties. To explore the antibacterial activities of L. communis plants, we investigated the chemicals, antibacterial activities and wound healing and of the n-hexane fraction of L. communis roots (LCH).Methods: Our study included detecting phytochemical constituents, determining minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for different extract fractions, analyzing growth curves, assessing membrane integrity, monitoring potential changes in the membrane using scanning electron microscopy, and evaluating wound healing in rat excisional wounds.Results: Based on our findings, humulene-type sesquiterpenes, guaiane-type sesquiterpenes, and lauric acid were identified from the LCH, responsible for antibacterial and wound healing activities. The results are that LCH affected the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MIC: 0.1 mg/mL) through morphological alterations and disrupting cell surface structures, causing membrane hyperpolarization and altering membrane integrity. This result was subsequently validated through SEM analysis and cytotoxicity against HaCaT cells (IC₅₀ 1.83 ± 0.21 mg/mL). LCH also has exhibited remarkable effectiveness in healing rat excisional wounds, reinforcing its traditional use as a wound-healing agent.Discussion: The findings substantiate the scientific essence of traditional applications, while also exhibiting significant potential as a promising candidate for the development of innovative and readily accessible wound healing agents.

This study investigated Cenchrus purpureus in the southern part of the Gaoligong Mountains and quantified its invasion risk using an integrated approach. We combined the Drivers–Pressures–State–Impacts–Responses (DPSIR) model, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). We adopted non-random sampling techniques to conduct a survey on the cognition, hazards, utilization and management of C. purpureus among 402 respondents from 25 villages. Our results classify C. purpureus as a medium-risk species (Level II). We identified a central socio-ecological dilemma: while 36.1% of communities use it for fodder, 54% report that it causes soil degradation, signaling potential long-term agricultural losses. SEM analysis confirmed that the willingness to manage the invasion is directly influenced by these usage patterns and risk perceptions. The traditional ecological knowledge of Cenchrus purpureus was highly consistent with scientific assessment, validating its use as an early warning indicator. Therefore, our study validates a multidisciplinary framework that integrates models (DPSIR, AHP, SEM) with traditional knowledge for a holistic assessment of C. purpureus invasion. This approach offers a replicable strategy for ecosystem management in global biodiversity hotspots in the mountainous regions.

Brasenia schreberi is a nationally protected aquatic macrophyte of substantial ecological value and economic significance, yet its wild populations have declined drastically due to habitat degradation and anthropogenic disturbances. This review systematically synthesizes research progress on the effects of water pH and depth on the growth, ecophysiology, mucilage quality, and community structure of B. schreberi, integrating findings from field surveys and controlled greenhouse experiments to elucidate critical ecological thresholds under combined environmental stressors. Our analysis reveals that natural B. schreberi populations are predominantly distributed in lentic habitats with stable water depths of 0.5-1.5 m (optimally 1.2-1.5 m) and circumneutral to weakly acidic conditions (pH 6.0-7.5). Deviations from these parameters substantially impair plant performance: when water depth exceeds 1.5 m or pH falls below 5.5, photosynthetic efficiency declines, root-to-shoot ratios increase aberrantly, and mucilage thickness decreases significantly. The synergistic critical threshold for population decline was identified at 1.1 m depth × pH 6.3. For artificial propagation, optimal cultivation strategies diverge from wild habitat preferences: maintaining pH at 7.0-7.5 (weakly alkaline) enhances mucilage polysaccharide accumulation and commercial quality, whereas a phenological stage-specific dynamic water-depth management regime (“shallow-deep-shallow-deep”) maximizes vegetative propagation success and yield. This review provides a theoretical framework and parameterized technical guidance for wild population restoration, standardized cultivation, and hydrological regulation in plateau wetland ecosystems. Future research priorities should focus on elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying pH- and depth-mediated mucilage synthesis, developing precision water quality management systems, and strengthening ex situ germplasm conservation.