engleski

Bryophytes as ornamentals in Croatian traditional nativity scenes

Traditional Christmas nativity scenes (manger scenes, nativity sets) depicting the birth of Christ are commonly decorated with both vascular plants and bryophytes. Although the tradition of using bryophytes as ornamentals in nativity scenes is widespread and found in many countries (a long tradition in Croatia dates back to the 17th century), there are almost no comprehensive studies of bryophyte diversity engaged in this tradition. The aim of this study was to document the diversity of decorative bryophytes sold during the Advent season at farmers’ markets in Croatia (Southeastern Europe). Twenty-eight farmers’ markets in the two largest Croatian cities (Zagreb and Split) were studied in the search for local vendors selling bryophytes during the pre- Christmas season. Among 275 collected specimens, 43 moss and four liverwort species were identified. The most frequent species were Hypnum cupressiforme, Homalothecium sericeum and Ctenidium molluscum. Mats, wefts and tufts were the most common life-forms, while pleurocarpous prevailed over acrocarpous mosses, as they are usually pinnately branched and form large carpets, suitable for decorations. The overall selection of bryophytes and the decorations made of them were more diverse and abundant in Zagreb, where 49 vendors at 15 farmers’ markets sold 43 species. In Split, at six farmers’ markets only 29 vendors sold 18 species. A significant number of species (all liverworts, most acrocarpous mosses and some pleurocarpous), which are less attractive to harvesters, was collected non-intentionally, entangled in carpets of other, more frequent species. Among them, Rhodobryum ontariense and Loeskeobryum brevirostre are rare and insufficiently recorded in Croatia so far. The present study provided a first perspective on the use of bryophytes in traditional nativity scenes in Croatia and Southeastern Europe, contributing to scarce ethnobotanical documentation of the decorative use of bryophytes in Christmas festivities in Europe and globally.

Christmas, ethnobryology, farmers’ market, mosses

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