Ethnobotanical Survey of Vila da Prainha Branca, Municipality of Guarujá, SP

Abstract

In Brazil, there is a growing need for research in ethnobiology that values and documents traditional knowledge to prevent its loss, as many traditional communities face pressures from technological and cultural changes due to their proximity to urban-industrial areas. This study conducted an ethnobotanical survey of native and exotic plant species used by the community of Vila Prainha Branca, aiming to address a knowledge gap for this region. A total of 94 useful plant species were identified, distributed among 78 genera and 48 families; 48 species (52%) were native, while 43 (47%) were exotic, with 18 of the latter (20%) naturalized in Brazil. The majority of species were found in household gardens (84%), with Myrtaceae as the most represented family (12 species). Leaves were the most frequently used plant part, followed by fruits. Among 15 recorded use categories, food and medicinal uses were the most prominent, with Chenopodium ambrosioides being the most cited species. Elderly residents reported a perceived decline in interest in traditional knowledge among younger generations.