Diversity of plants in Jīn Sān Jiǎo Agricultural Market
The Jīn Sān Jiǎo Agricultural Market in Baise City, Guangxi, serves as a vibrant hub for the exchange of a diverse array of vegetables cultivated in home gardens and small farms. A total of 78 species belonging to 38 plant families were recorded during the ethnobotanical survey (Fig. 2 and Table 1).
Fig. 2
Representative examples of local vegetables documented in Jīn Sān Jiǎo Agricultural Market
Table 1 Diversity of vegetable species grouped by family in Jīn Sān Jiǎo Agricultural Market, including scientific and Chinese names, sale months, phenology, plant parts used, utilization, distribution in China, conservation status, SUV, RFC, and voucher numbers
The vegetable diversity was unevenly distributed across families. The most represented family was Cucurbitaceae (7 species), which includes commonly consumed gourds and squashes. Apiaceae and Solanaceae followed closely, each contributing 6 species, highlighting the local importance of aromatic herbs and nightshades. Families such as Asteraceae (5 species) and Amaranthaceae, Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, and Poaceae (each with 4 species) also played prominent roles. Conversely, a significant proportion of families (24 out of 38) were represented by a single species. This pattern demonstrates both high inter-family diversity and a specialization of certain families in local vegetable production.
Phenology study of plants in Jīn Sān Jiǎo Agricultural Market
The flowering and fruiting trends of edible plant species sold at Jīn Sān Jiǎo Agricultural Market exhibit clear seasonal dynamics in western China (Fig. 3), shaped by the region’s subtropical climate.
Fig. 3
Phenological Trends of Plants at Jīn Sān Jiǎo Agricultural Market (May 2024 – January 2025)
Flowering activity peaks in May (48 species) and remains relatively high through June (46) and August (41). This corresponds to the late spring and summer months, when rising temperatures and increased rainfall stimulate floral development. A noticeable decline begins in September (37) and continues into the cooler months, reaching a minimum during January–February (23–28 species). A recovery begins in March, culminating in a secondary rise in April (41) as spring reinitiates active plant growth. Fruiting follows a slightly delayed pattern relative to flowering, with numbers rising from May (30 species) to a peak in August (48), consistent with fruit maturation following the flowering phase. Fruiting remains high through September (44), then steadily drops to a minimum between January and March (22–24 species), before slightly increasing in April (26 species).
These data highlight May to September as the period of highest phenological activity—when both flowering and fruiting are abundant—reflecting the optimal growing conditions of late spring through summer. Conversely, November to February marks a biological slowdown during the cooler, drier season, when fewer species flower or bear fruit. This seasonal rhythm not only mirrors plant biology but also influences market availability, harvest practices, and dietary patterns in local communities, where seasonal produce plays a significant role in traditional food systems.
Species use value (SUV) of plants in Jīn Sān Jiǎo Agricultural Market
Local vegetables were assessed for their species use value (SUV), reflecting the relative importance of each species based on frequency of mention and reported uses among local people (Table 1). The calculated SUV values ranged from 0.267 to 1.000, indicating a gradient of cultural and utilitarian significance among the documented plants.
The highest SUV (1.000) was assigned to Oryza sativa, underscoring its foundational role as a staple crop in the local diet. This was followed closely by Cucurbita maxima and Houttuynia cordata, each with an SUV of 0.900, highlighting their importance not only as food sources but also for their multifunctional uses in traditional dishes and medicinal applications.
Other species with high SUV values included Zea mays and Capsicum annuum (both SUV 0.867), and Prunus persica (SUV 0.833), reflecting the integration of cereals, spices, and fruits into daily consumption. Several culinary and spice plants, such as Zingiber officinale (SUV 0.800), Allium sativum (SUV 0.767), and Solanum americanum (SUV 0.767), also showed high SUV scores, indicating their consistent use across multiple contexts including flavoring, health maintenance, and treatment of ailments.
Moderately valued species (SUV 0.500–0.700) included both fruit crops such as Vitis vinifera (SUV 0.567), Mangifera indica (SUV 0.533), and Ziziphus jujuba (SUV 0.500), as well as leafy vegetables or herbs such as Coriandrum sativum (SUV 0.567), Centella asiatica (SUV 0.500), and Melissa officinalis (SUV 0.500). These plants reflect strong culinary relevance with selective medicinal or symbolic functions.
Lower SUV values (≤ 0.433) were observed in less frequently used or context-specific plants such as Arachis hypogaea (SUV 0.467), Spinacia oleracea (SUV 0.367), and Artemisia argyi (0.300). These species may be regionally or seasonally relevant or primarily used by specific demographic groups.
Family use value (FUV) of plants in Jīn Sān Jiǎo Agricultural Market
In total, 78 useful plant species were recorded in this study, distributed across 38 families. The most dominant families in terms of species richness were Cucurbitaceae (seven species), followed by Apiaceae and Solanaceae (six species each), and Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Poaceae, Brassicaceae, and Amaranthaceae, which each contributed 4 to 5 species (Table 1). The prominence of these families may be attributed to their broad utility in food, medicinal, and cultural contexts, as well as their adaptability to the local agroecological conditions in Baise City. For instance, the Cucurbitaceae family includes widely cultivated species such as Cucurbita maxima and Luffa aegyptiaca, which are essential in local diets due to their availability and culinary versatility.
To further assess the cultural importance of each plant family, the family use value (FUV) was calculated (Table 2). The Saururaceae exhibited the highest FUV (0.900), though it was represented by only a single highly utilized species (Houttuynia cordata), highlighting its unique local relevance. Solanaceae (FUV = 0.722) and Rosaceae (FUV = 0.711) followed, each containing commonly consumed fruit and vegetable species such as Solanum lycopersicum and Prunus persica. Other families with notably high FUVs include Rutaceae (0.700), Amaryllidaceae (0.689), Poaceae (0.675), and Zingiberaceae (0.667), all of which include widely accessible and frequently cited species used for food, seasoning, or medicinal purposes.
Table 2 Family use value (FUV) of plants in Jīn Sān Jiǎo Agricultural Market
Moderate FUVs were observed in families like Convolvulaceae (0.633), Piperaceae (0.600), and Nelumbonaceae and Vitaceae (both at 0.567), indicating their reliable yet selective roles in daily plant use. Meanwhile, families such as Amaranthaceae (0.383), Apocynaceae (0.333), Aspleniaceae, and Basellaceae (each at 0.267) presented lower FUVs, suggesting either limited use, lower recognition, or a narrower range of applications.
The relative frequency of citation (RFC) of plants in Jīn Sān Jiǎo Agricultural Market
The ethnobotanical survey at Jīn Sān Jiǎo Agricultural Market recorded plants with relative frequency of citation (RFC) values ranging from 1.000 to 0.267 (Table 1 and Fig. 4). The species with the highest RFC was Oryza sativa (1.000), reflecting its universal recognition and high cultural significance among local informants. Other frequently cited species included Houttuynia cordata (0.867), Capsicum annuum (0.833), Cucurbita maxima (0.833), and Zea mays (0.800).
Fig. 4
Comparison of species use value (SUV) and relative frequency of citation (RFC) for 78 plant species recorded at Jīn Sān Jiǎo Agricultural Market. The chart highlights commonly used and frequently cited plants, as well as species with high utility despite lower citation frequency. Values range from 0.267 to 1.000
At the lower end of the spectrum, species such as Basella alba (0.267), Diplazium esculentum (0.267), and Artemisia argyi (0.300) showed relatively low RFC values, suggesting limited use or recognition within the market community.
When comparing RFC and species use value (SUV), a generally similar pattern was observed—plants mentioned more frequently were often also those most widely used. However, there were a few notable differences. For example, x Brassarda juncea and Allium tuberosum had higher SUV than RFC, suggesting they are highly useful despite being mentioned less often. In contrast, Solanum melongena and Luffa acutangula showed higher RFC than SUV, possibly because they are more familiar or culturally recognized, even if used less intensively.
These findings indicate a shared understanding among vendors and consumers regarding the importance of certain key species. At the same time, the presence of many less-cited plants contributes to the market’s diversity and reflects the continued role of traditional knowledge in guiding plant use.
Utilization of plants in Jīn Sān Jiǎo Agricultural MarketPlants in Jīn Sān Jiǎo Agricultural Market used as beverages
The Jīn Sān Jiǎo Agricultural Market in Baise City presents a notable diversity of plants used in both traditional and contemporary beverages. A total of 13 species belonging to 9 plant families were recorded as ingredients in various local drinks (Tables 1, 3, Fig. 4). These beverage plants highlight the deep integration of ethnobotanical knowledge into local cultural practices, dietary habits, and traditional medicinal systems. The greatest species richness was observed in the Rosaceae family, which contributed three species commonly utilized in fruit infusions and herbal teas. Apiaceae and Cucurbitaceae each included two species, frequently employed in cooling beverages or as aromatic flavorings. The remaining families—Anacardiaceae, Bromeliaceae, Cactaceae, Musaceae, Myrtaceae, and Vitaceae—were each represented by a single species.
Table 3 Plant species utilized for beverage in Jīn Sān Jiǎo Agricultural Market
Among the plants used for beverage preparation in Jīn Sān Jiǎo Agricultural Market, fruit is the overwhelmingly dominant plant part utilized, accounting for 84.62% of the species. This highlights a strong local preference for fruit-based drinks, such as fresh juices, smoothies, and fermented fruit beverages. In contrast, leaves and tubers were each used in only 7.69% of the species, typically incorporated into vegetable-based drinks for their flavor or nutritional value. The predominance of fruit reflects both its appealing taste and its central role in local refreshment and dietary habits.
Plants in Jīn Sān Jiǎo Agricultural Market used as food
A total of 66 species from 31 plant families were recorded, highlighting the market’s role as a center of culinary plant diversity closely tied to traditional home gardens and small-scale agriculture (Tables 1, 4). The family Cucurbitaceae was the most represented, with seven species, reflecting the popularity of gourds, squashes, and melons in the local diet. Apiaceae, Asteraceae, and Solanaceae followed, each contributing five species that are used variously as leafy vegetables, herbs, or fruiting vegetables such as tomatoes and chilies. Several other families also featured prominently: Amaranthaceae, Brassicaceae, and Fabaceae each included four species, primarily valued for their edible leaves and pods, while Poaceae and Rosaceae each had three species, representing important grains and fruits. Families such as Amaryllidaceae, Convolvulaceae, Dioscoreaceae, and Lamiaceae were each represented by two species. In total, 18 families were represented by a single species, including Anacardiaceae, Apocynaceae, Araceae, Araliaceae, Asparagaceae, Aspleniaceae, Basellaceae, Bromeliaceae, Cactaceae, Malvaceae, Meliaceae, Musaceae, Myrtaceae, Nelumbonaceae, Olacaceae, Polygonaceae, Saururaceae, and Vitaceae, demonstrating the inclusion of both staple crops and lesser-known edible plants in the market’s offerings. This diversity reflects not only the dietary preferences of the local population but also their reliance on a wide array of cultivated and semi-wild species.
Table 4 Plant species utilized for food in Jīn Sān Jiǎo Agricultural Market
The edible plant diversity at Jīn Sān Jiǎo Agricultural Market spans a wide range of species and reflects notable variation in the parts of plants used for food. Fruits are the most commonly utilized, accounting for 31.43% of recorded species, indicating a strong reliance on fruit-bearing plants such as gourds, melons, and pineapples. Leaves and shoots together follow at 21.43%, demonstrating their widespread culinary use in local dishes. Tubers represent 10.00% of the species, underscoring their role as a significant staple. Leaves alone account for an additional 8.57%, often consumed as fresh greens or in cooked preparations. Seeds make up 7.14%, appreciated for their nutritional content and versatility. Whole plants, typically tender herbs and greens, contribute 5.71% of usage. Other parts used include leaves (4.29%), inflorescences (4.29%), and shoots (4.29%)—often incorporated for their flavor and texture. Less frequently used are bulbs and rhizomes, each comprising 1.43% of the species. This diversity in plant part utilization highlights the complexity and adaptability of local food traditions, where nearly every edible component of a plant is integrated into daily cuisine.
Plants in Jīn Sān Jiǎo Agricultural Market used as medicine
The medicinal flora represented at Jīn Sān Jiǎo Agricultural Market comprises three species distributed across three distinct families: Plantaginaceae, Rutaceae, and Verbenaceae (Table 1). While the market predominantly serves as a center for the sale of vegetables, it also accommodates a limited but significant selection of medicinal herbs. These species underscore the market’s critical role in sustaining traditional herbal medicine practices within the local community. Among them, Plantago major and Verbena officinalis are utilized in their entirety, typically harvested as whole plants for preparation via infusion or decoction. Conversely, Bergera tetramera is principally employed for its leaves and shoots, reflecting prevalent ethnobotanical conventions favoring the use of aerial plant parts for therapeutic applications.
Plants in Jīn Sān Jiǎo Agricultural Market used as packaging
In addition to edible and medicinal plants, the Jīn Sān Jiǎo Agricultural Market also features species traditionally utilized for natural food packaging, reflecting sustainable and culturally embedded practices. Two such species were documented, each representing a different family: Indocalamus tessellatus (Poaceae) and Phrynium pubinerve (Marantaceae) (Table 1). Both species are primarily valued for their large, durable leaves, which are used to wrap or contain various food items, particularly prepared dishes and snacks. The use of these plant leaves as biodegradable packaging materials illustrates the integration of ecological knowledge with local market practices, reducing reliance on plastic and promoting environmentally friendly alternatives.
Plants in Jīn Sān Jiǎo Agricultural Market used as spices
A total of eight plant species from seven families were identified as spices used in culinary preparations at Jīn Sān Jiǎo Agricultural Market (Tables 1, 5). These species are integral to local gastronomy, contributing both flavor and medicinal properties to traditional dishes. The families Amaryllidaceae and Zingiberaceae were the most represented, each with two species commonly used for their pungent bulbs or rhizomes. The remaining families—Apiaceae, Piperaceae, Rhamnaceae, and Solanaceae—were each represented by a single species, reflecting a diversity of botanical sources for seasoning.
Table 5 Plant species utilized for spice in Jīn Sān Jiǎo Agricultural Market
The plant parts utilized as spices were evenly distributed among bulbs (22.22%), leaves (22.22%), fruits (22.22%), and rhizomes (22.22%), with a smaller proportion (11.12%) involving the whole plant. This wide range of plant parts reflects the complexity of local flavoring practices, in which aromatic and bioactive compounds are sourced from various tissues depending on the species. Notably, Allium cepa and A. sativum are used for their bulbs, Coriandrum sativum and Piper longum for their leaves, while Capsicum annuum and Ziziphus jujuba provide fruit-based spice components. Rhizomes of Alpinia galanga and Zingiber officinale are valued for their intense flavor and traditional medicinal functions.
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