Medicinal plants in the Atlantic Forest (Brazil): Knowledge, use, and conservation

This study focuses on knowledge of medicinal plants among the Caicaras (rural inhabitants of the Atlantic Forest coast, Brazil). In particular, we examine the use of medicinal plants according to sex and age to reveal general patterns of Caicara knowledge and use of plant resources. Data collected through 449 interviews at 12 Caicara communities (Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo coastal sites) include citations of 249 plants and identification of 227 species. We show the importance of introduced as opposed to native plants and of key individuals for the conservation of the Caicaras-Atlantic Forest.