Wild Foods from Southern Ecuador

IntroductionIn recent years, research on wild edible plant resources has become increasingly popular. The Hassan Nature Reserve is a multiethnic area mainly composed of people belonging to the Han, Hui, and Mongolian groups. The utilization of edible wild plant resources in this area is extremely high. However, with the advancement of urbanization and the development of modern agricultural technology, these resources have been seriously damaged, and related traditional knowledge, such as that related to national medicine, has been lost.MethodsBased on a literature study, interviews with village and community organizations, participatory observation, and quantitative evaluation of ethnobotanical resources, wild edible plants in the Gansu–Ningxia–Inner Mongolia junction zone, were investigated.ResultsThe survey results showed that there were 53 species (varieties) of wild edible plants belonging to 24 families in this area. The Compositae and Liliaceae families were the most abundant, with 8 and 7 species, respectively. The young stems and leaves were the most edible parts of the plants, as observed for 17 species, followed by fruits (including young fruits), which were considered the edible part of 16 species. Other edible parts included the roots or rhizomes (bulbs), seeds, whole plants, skins, etc. The edible plants were consumed in two forms: raw and cooked; raw plants, mainly fruit, were typically consumed as snacks. The cooked foods mainly consisted of vegetables, with tender stems and leaves as the main food source. These components were also used as seasoning, in medicinal diets, and as an emergency food source in times of famine. Important (CFSI > 500) wild edible plants used in health care in the region include Mulgedium tataricum (L.) DC., Nostoc commune Vaucher ex Bornet & Flahault, Sonchus arvensis L., Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz., Allium schoenoprasum L., Robinia pseudoacacia L., Hemerocallis citrina Baroni, Elaeagnus angustifolia L., Medicago sativa L., Ulmus pumila L., Stachys sieboldii Miq., and Toona sinensis (Juss.) M. Roem., and these plants had high utilization values and rates locally.ConclusionIn summary, the species of wild edible plants and their edible parts, categories, consumption forms and roles in health care in this area are diverse. The utilization of traditional knowledge is rich, and some wild plants have high development value.

Abstract. Suwardi AB, Navia ZI, Harmawan T, Seprianto, Syamsuardi, Mukhtar E. 2022. Diversity of wild edible fruit plant species and their threatened status in the Aceh Province, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 1311-1319. Aceh Province, Indonesia is home to a diverse range of tropical fruit plants. However, increased anthropogenic activities such as population growth and natural disasters resulted in various biological resources such as wild edible fruit plants being under threat. The study aimed to assess the diversity and threatened status of wild edible fruit plant species in the Aceh Province of Indonesia. The study was conducted in six regencies, namely Aceh Tamiang, Aceh Timur, Aceh Selatan, Aceh Utara, Aceh Barat, and Aceh Tengah. At each study area, a line transect of 1,000 meters was laid from the forest's edge into the forest. Wild edible fruit plant species discovered along the transect were collected and given local names. A total of 129 wild edible fruit plant species at six studied areas in the Aceh Province belonged to 38 families. The highest number of fruit plant species was recorded in the district of Aceh Tamiang, i.e., 63 species, followed by Aceh Selatan (56 species), Aceh Barat (46 species), Aceh Timur (37 species), Aceh Utara (31 species), and Aceh Tengah (23 species). Mangifera foetida Lour., Mangifera odorata Griff., Artocarpus integer (Thunb.) Merr., Ficus altissima Blume, Ficus fistulosa Reinw. ex Blume, Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels, Passiflora foetida L., and Pometia pinnata J.R. Forst. & G. Forst. were the most frequently recorded wild fruit plant species in all regencies. From 129 wild edible fruit species recorded in the study areas, 35% are currently classified as Least Concern, 6% as Vulnerable, 3% as Near Threatened, 2% as Low Risk, 2% as Data Deficient, and 52% of species in the IUCN red list had No Available Data. Community-based conservation through domestication of wild edible fruit plant species can be one of the management strategies for the conservation of wild edible fruit plants in Aceh Province.

Abstract. Suwardi AB, Syamsuardi, Mukhtar E, Nurainas. 2023. The diversity and regional conservation status of wild edible fruit species in Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 3245-3257. Sumatra Island is recognized as the distribution center of tropical fruit species in Indonesia. However, increased human activity threatens the existence of edible wild fruit plants in nature. The study aims to assess the diversity and regional conservation status of wild edible fruit plant species in Sumatra, Indonesia. The study was conducted in four provinces: West Sumatra, Riau, Jambi, and Bengkulu. For the sampling, a modified line transect method was used. A total of 331 wild edible fruit plant species at four studied sites in Sumatra consisted of 73 families. The highest number of fruit plant species was recorded in West Sumatra Province, i.e., 176 species, followed by Jambi (172 species), Riau (121 species), and Bengkulu (76 species). The diversity of wild edible fruit plant species was higher in West Sumatra Province (3.85) but lower in Riau Province (3.25). Artocarpus integer (Thunb.) Merr., Baccaurea lanceolata (Miq.) Müll.Arg., Baccaurea macrocarpa (Miq.) Müll.Arg., Baccaurea polyneura Hook.f., Garcinia atroviridis Griff. ex T.Anderson, Garcinia xanthochymus Hook.fil. ex J.Anderson, Mangifera foetida Lour., Mangifera laurina Blume, Mangifera odorata Griff., and Pometia pinnata J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. were the most frequently recorded wild fruit plant species in all of the study area. However, 74 wild edible fruit plant species were recorded only in West Sumatra, 45 in Riau, 79 in Jambi, and 9 in Bengkulu. Among the 331 wild edible fruit species in the present study, 1 taxon was classified as endangered (0.30%), 9 taxa (2.72%) as vulnerable, 11 taxa (3.32%) as near threatened, and 139 taxa (41.99%) as least concern, and 171 taxa (51.67%) as Data Deficient.

Wild edible fruit plants are essential standing in all parts of the world as a subsidiary food basket on daily basis. They are means of survival for rural communities with food and feed consumption, especially during times of drought, famine, shocks, and risks. This study intended to identify, and document scientific data, to get the constraint and opportunity potential of Wild edible fruit plants. Implementation through assessed species, partly used, habitat, mode of uses, flowering months, fruiting months, and factors of threats of wild edible fruits plants. Structured and semi-structured questionnaire interviews, key informant guided, and species quantification along 18 transact lines on 60 sampled quadrants were used to collect data in the west Hararghe zone at Daro-Lebu, Chiro, and Gumbi Bordode Weredas on six PAs. A total of 120 randomly selected sample households were interviewed for data collection. Both quantitative and qualitative data analyses were made. Descriptive analyses were made to analyze the data using SPSS version 16.0. The study embraced a total of 55 Wild edible fruit plants In addition to food values, these plants provide diverse benefits to the existing community including income, fuel wood, fencing, construction, medicine, and fodder. The top five highly impersonated wild edible fruit plant species by respondents were Psidium guajava, Mimusops kummel, Carissa spinarum L., Rosa abyssinica, Ficus sycomorus, and Oncoba spinosa forssk. However, most of them were threatened by anthropogenic factors through misconception utilities. The threat factors such as land degradation and grazing, clearing of forests for agriculture, fire, timber and charcoal, Stem, leaves, root, and bark harvest. To alleviate, the entire threat of wild edible fruit plant species; a community-based forest management system, awareness creation, and growing of wild edible fruit plant species at farms and homesteads level, is mandatory for any forest resource users. The other point is the absence of seedlings and saplings under wild edible fruit plant species in its habitat is an indicator of a regeneration problem. Therefore; the most threatened and unregenerated wild edible fruit plant species of the study areas priority should be given to the critical collection, domestication, in-situ and ex-situ conservation, and promotion of on-farm cultivation in the form of agroforestry systems. Further investigation should be considered on the collection, nutrient content analyses, in-situ and ex-situ conservation, wise utilization, and popularization of Wild edible fruit plants through forest management. These are vital points to be deliberated forward.

Wild edible fruit plants are indispensable standing in all parts of the world as a subordinate food basket on diurnal basis. They are means of endurance for rural communities with food and feed consumption, especially during times of drought, famine, shocks, and risks. Quantification along 18 transact lines on 60 sampled quadrants were used to collect data in the west Hararghe zone at Daro Lebu , Chiro, and Gumbi Bordode Weredas on six Kebele. A total of 120 randomly selected sample households were interviewed for data collection. Both quantitative and qualitative data analyses were made. Descriptive analyses were made to analyze the data using SPSS version 16.0. The study embraced a total of 55 Wild edible fruit plants. Beside to food values, these plants deliver varied profits to the prevailing community with income, fuel wood, fencing, construction, medicine, and fodder. The top five highly satirized wild edible fruit plant species by respondents were Psidium guajava, Mimusops kummel, Carissa spinarum L., Rosa abyssinica, Ficus sycomorus, and Oncoba spinosa forssk. However, most of them were threatened by anthropogenic factors through misapprehension conveniences. The threat factors such as land degradation and grazing, clearing of forests for agriculture, fire, timber and charcoal, Stem, leaves, root, and bark harvest. To alleviate, the entire threat of wild edible fruit plant species; a community-based forest management system, awareness creation, and growing of wild edible fruit plant species at farms and homesteads level, is mandatory for any forest resource users. The other point is the absence of seedlings and saplings under wild edible fruit plant species in its habitat is an indicator of a regeneration problem. Therefore; the most threatened and unregenerated wild edible fruit plant species of the study areas precedence must be given to the critical collection, domestication, in-situ and ex-situ conservation, and promotion in the form of agroforestry practices. Further investigation should be considered on the collection, nutrient content analyses, in-situ and ex-situ conservation, wise utilization, and popularization of Wild edible fruit plants through forest management. These are energetic points to be considered frontward.

BackgroundKnowledge of wild edible plants is an important part of traditional knowledge. It is closely related to traditional human agriculture, as well as biodiversity. This study aimed to conduct a detailed investigation and evaluation of wild edible plants that are collected and consumed by the Mongolian and Han locals in Daqinggou and to provide valuable data for the development and utilization of plant resources.MethodsIn the 9 site visits to the area of Daqinggou during the period of 2017–2019, the authors used key informant interviews, semistructured interviews, and questionnaires to collect utilization information regarding precollected species of local wild edible plants. By combining the data obtained from 101 key informants, the authors used the Cultural Food Significance Index (CFSI), a quantitative index to evaluate the relative importance of the wild edible plants that were discussed in the aforementioned interviews.ResultsThe investigation results show that the Mongolian people provided 67 folk names, corresponding to 57 wild plants, and the Han Chinese provided 58 folk names, corresponding to 49 wild plants. A total of 61 edible wild plant species belonging to 29 families and 52 genera were recorded as edible resources for the locals in Daqinggou. The uses include grains, oil and fat resources, vegetables, fruits, beverages, condiments, and snacks. The most commonly reported purpose of wild edible plants is using them as vegetables, followed by using them as beverages and fruits. The most widely used edible parts are fruits, leaves, and other aerial parts. Eating raw and cooked plants are the usual methods of consuming wild edible plants according to the locals. In addition, the CFSI of 61 wild edible plant species shows that 27 species have characteristics of medical food.ConclusionsThe knowledge and experience of naming and consuming wild plants by the Mongolian people and Han Chinese in Daqinggou are an important manifestation of the direct interaction between locals and plants. The CSFI evaluation of the wild edible plants consumed by the locals in Daqinggou establishes the utilization of some wild plants as part of the traditional knowledge of medical food.

BackgroundFarming communities have continuous interactions with their environment. Subsistence farmers are particularly vulnerable to the vagaries of weather. These are pre-requisites for increased wild edible plant consumption. This study mainly focused on indigenous knowledge regarding identity and use of wild edible plant species by the subsistence farmers of Obalanga.MethodsA multistage sampling technique was used to identify Agonga parish. Systematic random sampling was used to locate 64 respondents stratified among children, adult females and males. After obtaining informed consent and assent, data was collected through semi-structured interviews using a checklist of open ended questions, focus group discussions and guided field visits. The free listing technique was employed to obtain data on plant identity and usage.ResultsFifty one (51) species in forty three (43) genera spread in thirty two (32) families were identified. Age and gender had significant effects on respondents’ wild edible plant species knowledge. The majority of edible wild plant species were herbs (47.1%) while grasses (3.9%) were the least. Fruits (51.0%) were the major parts consumed while tubers and roots constituted only 2.0% each. Eating uncooked as snacks (43.1%) was the favoured mode of consumption compared to roasting (2.0%). Preservation was mainly by solar drying. Wild edible plants traded within and without Obalanga community constituted only 15.7%. Almost all the edible plant species (94.1%) do not have any specific bye-laws for their conservation. Only Mangifera indica, Tamarindus indica and Vittaleria paradoxa representing 5.9% of the species are protected by bye-laws.ConclusionDisproportionate distribution of edible wild plant indigenous knowledge was noted in Obalanga with the lowest among the children. The marketed plant species in Obalanga can offer an opportunity for household livelihood diversification through value addition and trade under the umbrella of organic products. This will increase household incomes thereby contributing towards MDG 1 on eradicating extreme poverty and hunger. It is thus vital to document indigenous knowledge so that it is not lost as plant species disappear due to environmental degradation.

Mongolian traditional botanical knowledge has been rarely researched concerning the ethnobotany theory and methodology in the last six decades (Pei in Acta Botanica Yunnanica 135–144, 1988, as reported (Martin in Ethnobotany: A methods manual, Chapman and Hall, 1995)). However, most of the known literature of indigenous knowledge and information regarding the use of local wild plants among Mongolian herders was first documented by several botanical research of Russian researchers in Mongolia through the 1940s and 1950s. One of the most comprehensive works was completed by A. A. Yunatov (1909–1967), which is known as “Fodder Plants of Pastures and Hayfields of the People’s Republic of Mongolia” (FPM). Yunatov’s research sampled forage plants in Mongolia from 1940 to 1951 and subsequently published a study in 1954. The original transcript of FPM was later translated into Chinese and Mongolian (Cyrillic alphabet) during 1958 and 1968. In addition to morphological characteristics, distribution, habitat, phenology, palatability, and nutrition of forage plants, Yunatov`s record collected local names, the folk understanding and evaluation of the forage, as well as other relevant cultural meanings and the use of local wild plants (collected from the wild as opposed to cultivated plants) in FPM through interviews. The book contains the most precious records created in the 1940s and 1950s on folk knowledge of the Mongolians' wild plants in Mongolia. It was composed of 8 chapters and 351 pages in total. The fifth chapter of FPM, entitled “The systematic overview of forage plants,” making up 272 pages (77.49% of the total page counts). The order and content of the book-oriented along with profiles of specific plants. Yunatov collected detailed information on plants, such as the local name, morphology, distribution, habitats, ecological characteristics, and phenology. He also discussed the palatability of livestock, particular forage use, other usages, and chemical composition. Through careful reading and understanding of all three versions of the book (in Russian, Chinese, and Mongolian (Cyrillic alphabet)), the FPM-listed information of edible plants was categorized using ethnobotanical dependent analysis. The list of edible plants was ranked based on purposes and ethnobotanical inventories as per methodology and analysis used in the ethnobotany research. FPM listed 35 species are part of 15 families and 25 genera of wild edible plants. Most species belong to Liliaceae and Allium. Naturally grown grain and some food substitutes (plants that could be used as substitutions for typical food) come from the starchy organs, such as seeds, bulbs, roots, and rhizomes of 12, accounting for 34.28% of all species. Wild vegetables come from the parts of a young plant, tender leaves, young fruits, lower leg of stems, and bulbs of 9 species, accounting for 25.71% of all species. There are only three species of wild fruits, accounting for 8.57% of all edible plant species. Tea substitutes consist of leaves, roots, follicle, and aboveground parts of 8 wild plant species, accounting for 22.85% of all species. Seasonings from the wild were made of the elements such as seeds, rhizomes, tender leaves of 7 species, accounting for 20.00% of all species (Fig,8). Similarities and differences are noticeable in utilizing wild edible plants among Mongolian populations living in Mongolia and Inner Mongolia. Six species of wild edible plants listed in FPM have been proven to be collected and consumed by Mongolians from the Genghis Khan era in the twelfth century to the present day. This proved that the Mongolians have a tradition of recognizing and utilizing wild plants, demonstrating historical and theoretical value. Seven species of plants mentioned in this book were closely correlated to the locals' processing of traditional dairy products, meat, and milk food. Yunatov was not an ethnobotanist, but his accurate documentation of interviews and surveys with Mongolians represents valuable information about the collection and consumption of local wild plants during 1940–1951 in Mongolia. His research mission meant to focus on forage grass, the feed plant that sustained livestock, while he also recorded plants consumed by humans. His records on the edible parts and intake methods of some plants are incomplete. Still, it provided ethnobotanical materials of a remarkable scientific value and a living history of ethnobotany in Mongolian regions. Even by today`s standards, it will be challenging to obtain first-hand information of the richness and to the extent of Yunatov’s research.

Wild edible plant species are very important to improve food security and diversify household income sources. However, its identification and document of wild edible plant species limited. The study was conducted in four districts of East Hararghe Zone, to identify and document of wild edible plant species in the study area. Wild edible plant species surveys, and data such as wilderness, edibility or parts used, growth form, threatening factors, conservation measures were assessed. People perceptions were captured from a total of 170 informants using an informal interview, focus group discussions, and questionnaires and observation in the study area. Most species taxonomically known and for those unknown, were collected and identified with elder peoples. Descriptive methods of data analysis were employed to analyze data on wild edible plant species. The result showed that a total of 26 wild edible plant species were recorded in the study area. Four life forms: 65% species were as trees, 15% as shrubs, 8% as herbs, and 8% as climbers. Parts used fruits 83%, bark 5%, seed 4%, leaf 4%, stem 2.94 and root 2% were recorded. Most of wild edible plant species were consumed as raw fruit (80%) as supplementary food supply. Women and children are responsible in wild edible plants collection. Potential of existed wild edible plants in the study area were low and the current abundance of wild edible plant species was decreasing. The most threatening factors to hinder the development of wild edible plant species were agricultural expansion and deforestation. This study identified the most importance of wild edible plant species to local communities, particularly in the selected districts. Wild edible plant plays an important role in rural livelihoods by ensuring food, medicine, and sustained income. Therefore, there is an urgent need for research on domestication of wild edible plants in home gardens, mixing with crops in the study area to enhance the wild edible plan species production for food security and dietary diversity in East Hararghe Zone. Further research also need to collect and conserve, propagation and management activities of the wild edible plants identified in the study area. Further study also carried out on nutritional contents of the wild edible plants. Finally, further study must be on strengthening botanical information, germplasm collection and genetic improvement, increasing the supply of high-quality planting materials, and promoting on-farm cultivation in the form of agroforestry systems to recognize the identifying and selecting preferred species.

BackgroundWild edible plants hold a significant position in the lives of local residents, serving as a primary food source or supplement. Laifeng County, located in the hinterland of the central mountainous area of China, boasts abundant wild edible plant resources. The Tujia people, residing here for generations, have accumulated a wealth of traditional knowledge in the long-term practice of utilizing wild edible plants. The aim of this study is to document and organize the traditional utilization of wild edible plants by the Tujia ethnic group in Laifeng.MethodsAn ethnobotanical investigation, comprising semi-structured interviews, key informant interviews, and participatory observations, was conducted in 26 traditional villages in Laifeng County from May 2023 to June 2024. A total of 252 informants were interviewed, from whom information about wild edible plants, including edible parts, food categories, consumption modes, and multiple uses was collected. The relative frequency of citation (RFC) and the cultural food significance index (CFSI) were calculated to identify the cultural importance of wild edible plants.ResultsA total of 163 species of wild edible plants consumed by the Tujia people in Laifeng, belonging to 64 families and 118 genera and related traditional knowledge were collected, including vegetables (78), fruits (52), wine-soaking plants (12), spices (11), food substitutes (9), tea substitutes (6), nuts (5), coagulants (2), and oil (1). The most frequently used families were Rosaceae, Asteraceae, and Poaceae, with 23, 10, and 10 species, respectively. The most commonly utilized plant parts were fruits, leaves, and stems. RFC and CFSI analyses identified 14 species of wild edible plants with high cultural importance in the local diet, such as Alliummacrostemon, Houttuyniacordata, and Hoveniaacerba.ConclusionsThe Tujia ethnic group in Laifeng demonstrates extensive knowledge in their traditional usage of wild edible plants, offering unique and robust insights into the harvesting, processing, and consumption of these resources. Over time, this practice has become an integral part of the local food culture. These findings contribute to the preservation of the Tujia culture of wild edible plants in Laifeng and the conservation and development of wild edible plant resources.

Wild edible fruit plants are vital standing in worldwide as a subsidiary food hamper on regular mood. They are resources of existence for countryside societies with food and feed consumption, particularly during the times of scarcity, starvation, shocks, and dangers. So the study intended to evaluate, identify, and document scientific data, to get the constraint and opportunity potential of Wild edible fruit plants. Implementation through assessed species, partly used, habitat, mode of uses, flowering months, fruiting months, and factors of threats of wild edible fruits plants. In addition to food values, these floras deliver varied welfares to the existing public for income, fuel wood, barrier, manufacture, remedy, and feedstuff. The top five highly impersonated wild edible fruit plant species by respondents were Psidium guajava, Mimusops kummel, Carissa spinarum L., Rosa abyssinica, Ficus sycomorus, and Oncoba spinosa forssk. However, most of them were threatened by anthropogenic factors through misconception utilities. The threat factors such as land degradation and grazing, clearing of forests for agriculture, fire, timber and charcoal, Stem, leaves, root, and bark harvest. To alleviate, the entire threat of wild edible fruit plant species; a community-based forest management system, awareness creation, and growing of wild edible fruit plant species at farms and homesteads level, is mandatory for any forest resource users. Therefore; the most threatened and unregenerated wild edible fruit plant species of the study areas main concern should be given the acute collection, in-situ and ex-situ conservation, and promotion of on farm husbandry in the practice of agroforestry schemes. Further investigation should be considered on the collection, nutrient content analyses, in-situ and ex-situ conservation, wise utilization, and popularization of Wild edible fruit plants through forest management. These are vital points to be deliberated forward.

There are high levels of malnutrition especially among children in Africa. In Uganda, this is compounded by widespread food insecurity. There are various wild edible plant species in Uganda. However, little research has been carried out to document and validate the claims associated with their use. A study was, therefore, carried out to analyse the nutritional contents of six commonly used wild edible medicinal plant species from Nebbi district in Northwestern Uganda. These plants were Erythrococca bongensis, Grewia trichocarpa, Leptadenia hastata, Nymphaea lotus, Oxygonum sinuatum and Talinum portulacifolium. The plants were selected mainly because of their use as both food and medicine. All the selected plant species have documented medicinal uses among the local communities in Nebbi district where they are used. However, many of them are often neglected and underutilized, despite their potential therapeutic and nutritional benefits. The vitamin C, β-carotene, macronutrient, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous and sodium compositions of the selected edible parts of the plant species were analysed. With the exception of Grewia trichocarpa fruits and Nymphaea lotus seeds, the leaves of Talinum portulacifolium had higher Fe (4.54±0.07 mg/100g), P (0.31±0.01 mg/100g), Mg (0.3±0.3 mg/100g), β-carotene (0.275±0.00 μg/100g) and crude ash (22.13±0.19%) contents than the rest of the plant species. The leaves of Leptadenia hastata had higher levels of vitamin C (17.93±2.01 mg/100g) than the leaves of other plant species. All the plant species analysed were richer in iron than the common cabbage Brassica oleracea var capitata. There were significant differences in the nutritional contents of the plant species analysed (p<0.05). However, the nutrient values of the plant extracts were generally much lower, providing a small percentage of Recommended Dietary Allowance or Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNI) values. The vitamin C, β-carotene and other nutrient contents of most of the plant species analysed were generally comparable or even higher than those of the common cabbage in some instances. Consumption and conservation of these plant species should be encouraged by local authorities because they not only supplement the local staples with the much needed nutrients, but they could also have medicinal properties. Key words: Wild, edible, Medicinal plants, Nutrient, Food-security, food, underutilized, Uganda

Wild edible plants are vital for the survival and sustainable livelihoods of rural people of Ethiopia. Thus, this study compiled wild edible plants, their use, threats, and management practices in Metema District, northwestern Ethiopia. Eight sample kebeles were selected purposively based on vegetation coverage and key informants availability. A total of 128 informants were selected using purposive and random sampling techniques. Data were collected using individual interviews, guided field walks, focus group discussion, and market surveys through semistructured questionnaires. Ethnobotanical data collected from the informants were summarized by descriptive statistics, and further verified by using informant consensus, preference, and direct matrix ranking. Knowledge difference among age and sex groups was evaluated by independent sample t-test. A total of 44 wild edible plant species distributed in 34 genera and 25 families were documented. Most (88.64%) of these plant species were found in the wild habitat. Fabaceae and Moraceae accounted for higher proportion of edible plant species. Trees were the dominant habit (59.09%). From the total recorded wild edible plants, 33 (75%) species were used as supplementary foods and 11 (25%) species were used during famine. Fruits were the most edible plant parts (66%) and raw fresh forms were the main conditions of consumption (81.8%). Diospyros abyssinica was the most cited (60.94%) and first ranked. Some edible species such as Adansonia digitata and Balanites aegyptiaca were marketable. Ziziphus spina-christi was found the most multipurpose wild edible plant species. Most of the species (33, 75%) were used as animal fodder followed with traditional medicines (25, 56.82%) and firewood (20, 45.45%). Tamarindus indica, Moringa stenopetala, Balanites aegyptiaca, Grewia ferruginea, Corchorus olitorius, and Cordia africana had nutraceutical values. Significant knowledge differences ( P &lt; 0.05 ) were obtained among sexes and age groups of informants on the number of wild edible plant species they listed. As a result of their multiple roles, wild edible plants are threatened by various anthropogenic activities. Despite this, Metema District still supports good numbers of wild edible plants from which the poor inhabitants complement their basic needs by consuming and marketing them. For sustainable utilization, conservation, value addition, and market linkage practices shall be strengthened to improve the livelihoods of local people and sustainable forest management.

Abstract. Farikha KN, Syahrani LPW, Alfiyah LK, Luthfia, Nurwulandari M, Nazar IA, Junaedi E, Setyawan AD. 2024. The diversity of wild edible plants used by community living around Mount Merapi National Park, Central Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 3041-3049. Mount Merapi National Park is one of the conservation areas in Indonesia that serves as habitat for various species of wild plants with ecological value and social benefits for local communities. However, the impacts of social, economic, and environmental changes have led to a decline in community interest in utilizing the presence of wild plants there. This research aims to document the diversity of wild edible plants used by local community living around Mount Merapi National Park in Kemalang Sub-district, Klaten District, Central Java, Indonesia. Data collection involved physical observation and semi-structured questionnaires to 58 respondents. Data analysis was carried out by classifying plants based on their local names, families, scientific names, growth forms, parts utilized, uses, and conservation status. This study documented 45 species of wild edible plants belonging to 32 families with the dominance of the Zingiberaceae family. Wild edible plants are utilized as food sources, cooking ingredients, and traditional medicine with leaves being the most commonly utilized part. Andrographis paniculata is most frequently utilized by the community. Based on the IUCN Red List, there are 20 wild edible species categorized as Least Concern, 13 species Not Evaluated, 11 species Data Deficient, and 1 species Endangered.

BackgroundOpen air markets hold an important position for ethnobiologists. In Southeast Asia, they are seriously understudied, in spite of their incredible biocultural diversity. In order to fill this gap we recorded plants and fungi sold in the open air markets of Luang Prabang, Lao PDR.MethodsThe markets were visited 38 times in four seasons: the dry season, early monsoon, mid-monsoon, and end-of-monsoon, at least 8 times per season. All items were photographed and voucher specimens were collected. Fungi were identified using DNA barcoding techniques.ResultsWe recorded 110 species of wild edible plants and 54 species of fungi, including 49 wild-collected species. The sold plants included 86 species of green vegetables, 18 species of fruits and 3 species of flowers. Products from woody species constitute around half of all taxa sold. These include the young shoots of tree leaves, which are used for salads—an interesting feature of Lao cuisine. A large number of extremely rare Russula, with no reference sequences represented in databases or even species unknown to science is present on sale in the markets.ConclusionsLuang Prabang markets are some of the richest in species of wild edible plants and fungi in Asia, and indeed in the whole world. It is worth pointing out the exceptionally long list of wild edible mushrooms which are sold in Luang Prabang (and probably elsewhere in Laos). We view the Morning Market of Luang Prabang as a cultural treasure that unites the traditions of eating a large number of living species with very diverse flora and fauna. Measures should be taken to strike a balance between local foraging traditions and nature conservation priorities.