Abstract
The study area is inhabited by Gond tribes. Tribals and most of forest dwellers mainly depend on plants and plant product for their food. This study reveals that the ethnic people and forest dwellers have considerable traditional knowledge of wild edible plants and their utilization. This paper report is based on survey, interview and field work studies on wild edible plants used by tribals and rural people of Arjuni/Mor Taluka, Gondia District, Maharashtra State, India during March 2016 - March 2018. A total of 71 plant species belonging to 63 genera and 39 families have been recorded as wild edibles in the study areas, of which trees are ranked first with 36 species, followed by herbs, climbers and shrubs with 22, 7 and 6 species respectively. Among the 71 species, 43.2% contribute as vegetables by their fruit, 22.22 % by leaf, 12.34% by seed or grain, 8.64% by root or tuber, 6.17% by stem, bark or sap, 6.17% by flower and 1.23% by whole plant. It is evident from the survey that most of the species of wild edibles are used as vegetable/chutney(49.33%), followed by raw/ripe fruits(45.33%), pickles(4%), roasted seeds(1.33%).
Highlights
Ethnobotany encompasses the total, natural and traditional man-plant relationships
Ethnobotanical Survey on Wild Edible Plants Used by Tribals & Rural People of Arjuni/Mor Taluka, Gondia District, Maharashtra State, India
This study reveals that tribal and rural people living in particular area depend on wild edible plants and have rich knowledge of their utilization
Summary
Ethnobotany encompasses the total, natural and traditional man-plant relationships. It recognizes the important role of the ambient vegetation in the economic life of people. Ethnobotany has contributions to an understanding of man-plant relationships, as well as for the practical applications of the biological knowledge of aboriginal people in medicine, health, agriculture and industry. Several wild plants are used as food by tribals and other local people living in and around the forest areas. Tribal and local people prefer wild vegetables over the cultivated as they grow naturally; provide better taste and good health. By selling these wild edibles to the nearby urban markets could earn them extra income. Aboriginals believed that some of the seasonal wild vegetables are good for health and provide the immunity during the rains which is supposed to be the most suspicious period to become ill by various disorders. [3]
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