Schriften zu Genetischen Ressourcen - Genres

Inventorying food plants in France
Inventorying food plants in France
M. CHAUVET 1
Abstract
The author is currently writing an Inventory of food plants in France, covering about 770
species. The book will be illustrated with ca. 1500 original drawings and several hundreds
of maps. It includes biological and cultural aspects of plants, their history and
uses. The process of writing allowed the author to identify many gaps in knowledge.
Compilation of data for so many species also allowed to make interesting comparisons,
and opens opportunities for future research. Some preliminary results are presented,
highlighting the interest of such inventories in the field of applied botany. Political and
ethical outputs are also stressed, at a time when the exchange of genetic resources has
become a diplomatic issue.
Introduction
Whoever has been involved in the compilation of an encyclopaedic work knows that it is
a lengthy and tedious task, and that it is impossible to anticipate all the problems that
arise in the process of searching and formatting information. But we also know as users
how valuable such encyclopaedias prove to be on the long term. In this article, I will present
the work I have been doing for eight years to produce an Inventory of food plants in
France. I must ask for indulgence from the reader, who will have to wait one or two years
more before checking whether my objectives have been fulfilled. In past centuries, encyclopaedias
were issued in many fascicles, allowing readers to get soon aware of their
interest. My frustration is that I have to write up to the final chapters including families
beginning with the letter Z, before making available the bulk of what is already done.
Presentation of the work
Structure
The book will be arranged by families, in the alphabetical order of their Latin name.
Each family begins with an introduction, summarizing its biological features and economic
importance. Plants of interest belonging to excluded genera are briefly men-
1 INRA
2, place Pierre Viala
F-34060 Montpellier cedex 1, France
98