Bibliographic Resources on African Plant Introduction in Early Modern Southern Portugal

The aim of this study is to develop a dataset of relevant bibliographic references concerning the introduction of African crops in southern Portugal from the Early Modern period onward. In particular, it seeks to understand the role of African individuals and communities in this process. To achieve this, the research compiled sources that include travel accounts — especially those of early botanists describing the region’s flora — dictionaries that might help identify plants of African origin, cookbooks incorporating such plants as ingredients, and so on.
Given its cultural significance in certain African regions and its continued relevance in present-day agriculture in the Sado region, special attention is devoted to the history of rice — particularly African rice — and its possible dissemination within both Portugal’s European territories and colonial contexts. The study also explores the mechanisms related to the digestion and nutritional value of this cereal, aiming to shed light on the dietary preferences of Portugal’s population across the centuries.