Bubon macedonicum

Bubon macedonicum

Macedonian Atamanta (Bubon macedonicum L.) is a herbaceous species belonging to the Apiaceae family.

Systematic –
From a systematic point of view it belongs to the Eukaryota Domain, Plantae Kingdom, Magnoliophyta Division, Magnoliopsida Class, Apiales Order, Apiaceae Family and therefore to the Genus Bubon and the Species B. macedonicum.
The term is synonymous:
– Athamanta macedonica (L.) Spreng .;
the term is obsolete synonym:
– Apium Macedonicum.

Etymology –
The term Bubon comes from the Greek βουβων boubon bubbone, for the alleged healing properties of the plant.
The specific epithet macedonicum refers to Macedonia, the historical and geographical region of the Balkan peninsula: Macedonian.

Geographical Distribution and Habitat –
Macedonian Atamanta is a plant found in the central European region and especially in the Carpathian-Danubian region. In Italy it is present only in Molise and Puglia.
Its habitat is that of gravelly or rocky places in sparse woods or undergrowth or adjacent clearings.

Description –
Macedonian Atamanta is a herbaceous plant with an erect, very branchy, pubescent stem. The lower leaves are 2-3 pinnate seven with ovate or rhombic segments.
The umbels are 5-15 rays, densely pubescent; bracts 5-8, sometimes laciniate. The petals are white.
Flowering is between June and July.
The fruits are 3-5 mm oblong-ovoid diachens, with evident ribs, hairless in the valleys, with stylopodium of each mericarp along twice its width.

Cultivation –
Bubon macedonicum is a somewhat rare and threatened species in the areas where it grows from the reduction of its habitats, which are typically those of marginal, rocky and rocky areas.

Uses and Traditions –
Macedonian Atamanta belongs to one of those plants whose memory is being lost and which was used for food or medicinal purposes.
Of this plant both fruits and leaves are used.

Preparation method –
A rather sparse plant, at least in Italy, which is not recommended to be harvested.

Guido Bissanti

Sources
– Acta Plantarum – Flora of the Italian Regions.
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– Treben M., 2000. Health from the Lord’s Pharmacy, Tips and experiences with medicinal herbs, Ennsthaler Editore
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora of Italy, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (edited by), 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora, Palombi Editore.

Warning: Pharmaceutical applications and alimurgical uses are indicated for information purposes only, they do not in any way represent a medical prescription; therefore, no responsibility is accepted for their use for healing, aesthetic or food purposes.