Leafy vegetables in Rangpur city corporation area of Bangladesh focusing on potential medicinal values

Abstract

Leafy vegetables were conducted in the Rangpur city corporation of Bangladesh from October 2019 to December 2021. There were 44 species identified, divided into 33 genera and 20 families. Out of the recorded species, 69.44% were herbs followed by climbers (18.18%), shrubs (11.11%) and trees (2.27%) respectively. In the research area, wild species made up 34.09% of the total, while cultivated species made up 65.91%. The current investigation revealed that traditional knowledge about the use of wild vegetables is in urgent need of documentation as part of intangible cultural heritage. To meet the dietary demands of Rangpur city corporation residents, the use and cultivation of these leafy vegetables should be encouraged. The study can provide baseline data that can be used to prioritize conservation efforts through resource management that is both sustainable and environmentally friendly. In Rangpur City Corporation, major medicinal leafy vegetables were carried out. Thirty seven (37) therapeutic plants have been identified, with their usefulness for the treatment of over 40 ailments were recorded. The current study found that medicinal plants continue to play a significant role in rural communities. The information acquired from local traditional healers will be beneficial for further ethnobotany, taxonomy, and drug development studies using natural resources.