Usage value of weeds of the city of Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Plants that are not intentionally cultivated by humans are called weeds, and they have existed alongside agriculture since prehistoric times. Despite many negative effects attributed to weeds, in the past they were important for surviving famine and were also used for medicinal purposes. Weed species also provide nectar for bees and serve as a food source for birds and domestic animals. A floristic survey of weed species was conducted in the area of the city of Mostar (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia and Herzegovina) during the vegetation period of 2022 and 2023. The survey recorded 85 weed species growing in this area, classified into 21 families. A taxonomic analysis of weed species recorded in the area of the city of Mostar shows a dominance of the Poaceae family with 31 weed species (36%). This is followed by the Asteraceae family with 15 weed species (18%), the Polygonaceae family with eight weed species (9%) and the Amaranthaceae family with seven weed species (8%), while other families are less represented. Annual plants dominate, and the spectrum of life forms is dominated by therophytes, with 50 weed species (59%). Based on their usage value, the most numerous weed species are those used for food (25%) and medicinal purposes (24%), followed by weeds used as fodder, ornamental, and honey-bearing species. Many weed species have multiple uses.