Wild Cucurbits: An Ethnomedicinally Important Plant Species for Aboriginals of the Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Odisha, India

Abstract

Fecundity-oriented research and breeding among cultivated plants in agriculture have resulted in narrowing down the genetic base of indigenous food plants. Cucurbits are the most common plants that grow either in wild or under cultivated conditions. They have enormous genetic diversity, leading to vegetative and reproductive characters. They grow in almost all vegetative regions of the world. Many reports revealed that the Cucurbits possess certain bioactive compounds that are responsible for their therapeutic values against diseases and disorders. Therefore, in the present study, an enumeration survey was carried out to document the wild Cucurbits (WCs) as prime genetic resources available in and around the protected areas of Northern part (Similipal Biosphere Reserve), Odisha State, India, during 2012-2016. Atotal of 11 species belonging to 8 genera ofWCs were enumerated that were used as food and medicines. Out of 11, Cucumis melo, Trichosanthus cucumerina, and Coccinea grandis were very common in all 76parts of the study area. Solena amplexicaulis and Mukia madrespatna were rare in these localities. The medicinal values and active compounds present in the enumerated Cucurbits were gathered and have been documented. The present chapter highlights the importance of WCs in the advance research of pharmacology.