On the Use of the Neglected Edible Plants Soda inermis Fourr. and Bunias erucago L. on the Adriatic Coast of Croatia

Background: Between 2012 and 2023, extensive fieldwork was carried out in coastal Croatia to document traditional plant use. Among the wild vegetables collected, we noted two edible species of leafy greens that are both wild-gathered and cultivated. These are Soda inermis Fourr. (syn. Salsola soda L., Amaranthaceae) and Bunias erucago (Brassicaceae). Methods: The aim of this paper was to review their use in Croatia, both based on the published data and our unpublished observations, altogether encompassing 502 interviews on wild food use. Results: S. inermis was recorded in 11 localities (20 interviews). Although mainly cultivated, it is gathered from the wild and sold at vegetable markets on a few islands of northern Dalmatia and near Zadar. B. erucago was recorded in 40 localities (78 interviews). Used chiefly in central and southern Dalmatia as well as on a few adjacent islands, it is usually collected from the wild, more rarely cultivated. Conclusions: S. inermis represents a declining tradition of cultivation that is closely tied to specific ecological niches and worth preserving. The more resilient B. erucago is either a neglected crop or an example of incipient domestication. Cultivation trials should be undertaken to establish its potential as a future crop.