Hi
I am visiting Mauritius for November part holiday/part research
I am a visual artist based in London
I am very interested in finding out about the 'weeds' (no not the illegal ones) in Mauritius, both native and non native. Not necessarily their botanical make-up, but their social uses as food, medicinal, their place in Mauritian folklore and any other uses - in short their positive values.
As an example the guava de chine is sold by street seller with chilli salt but it is also considered a vociferous weeds and a program to keep it under control has and continues to take place in Mauritius. In europe the plant (Deadly Nightshade) is avoided at all costs, however in mauritius the leaves of the plant are eaten, the berries are indeed poisonous, but the naming of the plant in europe, creates a different perspective of how we view the plant - Deadly.
These are the kinds of examples I am looking for, if you know of anyone or organisation who has this form of specialist knowledge, please get back.
I am all ready in touch with the Botanical gardens and the Widlife foundation
Jacques