J Ethnopharmacol. 1996 May; 52(1): 1-22.

An analysis of the food plants and drug plants of native North America.

Moerman DE.

Department of Behavioral Sciences, University of Michigan-Dearborn 48198, USA.

This paper compares the medicinal and food floras of the native peoples of North America. There is a surprising overlap of these floras by both family and taxon. Yet there are also substantial differences-food and medicine tend to involve different plant parts, plant habit, and plant character. The similarities and differences are considered in an evolutionary context and a theoretical perspective is suggested to account for these facts.