Consumption Of Wild Edible Plants Research Articles

Wild edible plants and their cultural significance among the Zhuang ethnic group in Fangchenggang, Guangxi, China

IntroductionFangchenggang is situated in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, renowned for its rich biodiversity and ethnically diverse population. The Zhuang people, constituting the largest minority group in the area, possess a wealth of traditional knowledge concerning wild edible plants (WEPs) owing to the region's favorable environment and dietary customs. With the rapid development of urbanization, tourism, and trade, the Zhuang people's food culture, including the consumption of wild edible plants, has become an attractive aspect of urban development. However, there is almost no comprehensive report available on WEPs consumed by the Zhuang people. The objectives of this study were to: (1) conduct a comprehensive ethnobotanical investigation of the WEPs among the Zhuang people in the region; (2) evaluate the cultural food significance index (CFSI) for the local communities; (3) summarize the cultural characteristics of the wild edible plants consumed, providing scientific support for the development of Fangchenggang as a sustainable and attractive tourism destination.MethodsEthnobotanical investigation including market surveys, semi-structured interviews, key informant interviews and participatory observations was conducted in Fangchenggang from January 2021 to March 2023. A total of 137 informants were selected using the snowball method. Information about WEPs, including vernacular names, food categories, parts used, mode of consumption, collecting season, and recipes, was collected and recorded. The CFSI (cultural food significance index) was calculated to identify the most culturally significant WEPs.ResultsA total of 163 species of wild edible plants consumed by the Zhuang people were identified, belonging to 67 families. The main categories of WEPs include wild vegetables (69) and tea substitutes (42). The most commonly consumed parts are fruits (37), followed by whole plants (33) and leaves (21), with herbaceous plants (74) being the most numerous. The availability of wild edible plants remains high throughout the year, with the peak seasons occurring in August and October, and significant abundance also noted in July and November. In the highly significant category (CFSI > 500), a total of 15 plant species were identified, which play a crucial role in the local diet. Additionally, 17 alien species have become part of the local consumption of wild plants, with 7 species listed as invasive alien species.Discussion and ConclusionsThis study documented 163 wild edible plant species and their associated traditional knowledge of the Zhuang people. The research identified culturally significant WEPs and analyzed their multiple uses. The historical development of wild plant consumption in Fangchenggang showed the strong influence of natural and social environments on the Zhuang ethnic group's dietary traditions. The WEPs are characterized by “sour food”, “fresh ingredients” and “cold dishes”, aligning with their health-oriented philosophy of “homology of medicine and food”. Future prospects encompass the cultivation of economically sustainable wild edible plants (WEPs), the preservation of their traits through cross-breeding, ensuring safe consumption through research and safety evaluations, and advocating for the preservation of WEPs' culinary culture to support tourism and sustainable urban development.

The presence of wild edible plants and determinants influencing their harvest, consumption, and conservation in south eastern Bhutan.

Wild edible plants (WEPs) grow naturally in self-maintaining ecosystems. WEPs are harvested for consumption, sale, and medicinal uses. We hypothesize that WEPs play a major role in supplying food and generating income for the rural people in a world that is increasingly recognising its emerging conservation issues. We tested this hypothesis by identifying the reasons for harvest, consumption, and conservation of WEPs using focus group discussion, field observations and questionnaire surveys in south eastern Bhutan in late 2019. Focused group discussions were held with the local people to identify reasons for harvest and consumption of WEPs. Data on the identified reasons for harvest, consumption, and conserving WEPs were determined using a questionnaire survey with ranking scales for a set of 76 randomly selected households. Representative field-observations and questionnaire surveys were carried out in villages close to forests. Parts of the plant used, how these were consumed, harvest season, and plant (life form) were recorded. The data was subjected to a Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test and weighted averages calculated. A total of 120 WEPs belonging to 63 families (including Agaricaceae) were reported. Most of the WEPs recorded were trees (45.0%) then herbs (25.8%), vines (13.3%) and shrubs (10.8%). The commonly consumed plant parts were the fruit (43.3%), shoots (28.3%) and leaves (20.8%). The purposes for harvesting and consumption, conservation of WEPs were significantly (P<0.001) different, while the motivations for collecting WEPs were not. The motivation for collecting WEPs were family consumption > sale > medicinal uses > preservation for future use > insufficient food from cultivated source's. The two most important strategies for conservation were to domesticate the WEPs and cultivate in forests. The findings reveal valuable lessons and insights about the reasons for harvesting, collection, consumption, and conservation of WEPs.

Nutritional and toxicological aspects of selected wild edible plants and significance for this society

Consumption of wild edible plants has played a significant role in supplying food and nutritional requirements and increasing the health status of underprivileged communities in many rural parts of the world. The present investigation was to evaluate the nutritive value, mineral content, vitamin content, and toxicological status of ten wild edible plants viz. Phlogocanthus thrysiflorus, Lasia spinosa, Eriosema chinense, Polygonum microcephalum, Nasturtium indicum, Spinacia oleracea, Malva parviflora, Leucaena leucocephala, Elsholtzia blanda, and Sonchus oleraceus, consumed by the tribal people of Meghalaya State in India, as their nourishment. All investigated plants were collected from different areas of Meghalaya state, and their nutraceutical potential was evaluated following the standard food analysis methods described in the Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Protein contents were very high in several species, especially in N. indicum (24.75%). Carbohydrate content ranged from 5.86% (S. oleracea) to 21.28% (E. chinense). All plants contained significant amounts of minerals (Na, K, Ca, Fe, Zn, Mg), and water soluble vitamins such as vitamin C (0.24–5.79 mg/100 g of dry plant material), B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B9. Antinutrients such as oxalate, phytate, saponin and heavy metal (Pb, Cr, Cd, Hg) levels in all plants were estimated below fatal levels. The consequences of haemolytic toxicity, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of water extracts of wild edible plants ensure safety for human consumption. Therefore, this study focuses on the utilization of wild edible plants as a source of dietary supplements, which may result in the commercialization of the produce; hence, it assesses consumer perceptions towards wild edible plants in India.

Diversity of wild edible plants and fungi consumed by semi-nomadic Gaddi and Sippi tribes in Doda district of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir

Background: Consumption of Wild edible plants (WEPs) is a cultural heritage of tribal and other rural communities. WEPs have a vital role to play not only in ensuring nutritional security and combating malnutrition but also in meeting medicinal requirements, income generation for these communities, and crop improvement through plant breeding programmes. The present study was conducted with the objective of documenting traditional knowledge and practices of utilizing WEPs by Gaddi and Sippi tribes of Doda district of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (JKUT). Methods: An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in five villages of Doda district (JKUT) inhabited by Gaddi and Sippi tribes. The random sampling method was used for the selection of informants. The data was collected through interviews and focused group discussion with the informants as per semi-structured schedules. The uses of WEPs were recorded as use-reports, and culture importance value (CI) and factor informant consensus (Fic) were calculated from these values. Results: A total of 77 species spread across 58 genera and 39 families were reported by 203 informants (148 males and 55 females). Angiosperms represented by 63 species were the major source of forest foods followed by 9 fungal species. WEPs with the highest number of species were vegetables (34 species), and fruits and nutraceuticals (27 species each). The most important species on the basis of CI were Geopora arenicola (Lev.) Kers. (CI = 0.66), Geopora sumneriana (Cooke) M. Torre. (0.60), Diplazium esculentum (Retz.) Sw. (0.56), Diplazium frondosum C. Chr. (0.54), and Mentha arvensis C. Presl. (0.52). Values of F­ic ranged between 0.91 (nutraceuticals) and 0.99 (cooked WEPs). The knowledge of WEPs significantly increased with age and decreased with education level of the informants. Conclusions: The Gaddi and Sippi tribes are utilizing a good number of WEPs, and more importantly they exchange this information among themselves. As far as future prospects of this study are concerned, nutritional and nutraceutical properties of species like Anethum sowa, Arisaema propinquum, Diplazium frondosum, Dipsacus inermis, Elaeagnus umbellate, Elwendia persica, Geopora sumneriana, Impatiens glandulifera, Morchella crassipes, Morchella conica, Prinsepia utilis, Sageretia thea, Solanum villosum, Thymus mongolicus, and Ziziphus oxyphylla may be studied to make them popular amongst masses. Keywords: Ethnobotany; Fungi; Gaddi and Sippi tribes; wild edible plants.

Nuosu Horticulturalists' Local Knowledge of Wild Edible Plants and Fungi and Socio-Economic Implications in Yunnan, Southwest China

The collection and consumption of wild edible plants (WEPs) and fungi is an important part of the foodways of many populations worldwide. Knowledge of WEPs and fungi is considered a significant component of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), and is greatly impacted by social, economic, political, and cultural contexts and changes. T his study showcases a naturalistic comparison between more traditional villages and villages that were part of a government program to promote walnut production. We document the ethno-species of WEPs and fungi and analyze the corresponding socio-economic implications in an ethnic Nuosu township in the northwest region of Yunnan Province, China. Semi-structured interviews, free lists, household surveys, and cultural consensus analysis were used for data collection and data analysis. We recorded 139 ethno-species of WEPs and fungi, and consensus analysis indicates a good fit of the cultural consensus model with respect to Nuosu people's knowledge on WEPs and fungi. Quantitative analysis shows gender does not have an effect on local knowledge of WEPs and fungi, and different types of villages and travel-time required to collect WEPs and fungi are not correlated with competence scores. However, the correlation between competence scores of WEPs and fungi with gender and travel time show moderate effect-sizes. Age plays an important role in knowledge of WEPs and fungi among Nuosu people in the study township, showing that the older the person, the higher their score. This article illustrates the plight and reality of traditional knowledge about WEPs and fungi of the Nuosu people, revealing a trend that traditional knowledge is gradually changing due to social, economic, and ecological changes.

Edible plants of the Batak Karo of Merdeka District, North Sumatra, Indonesia

Background: Batak Karo is one of Batak tribes reputed for their local knowledge about the use of plants for purposes such as food. The objectives of this ethnobotanical study were to document local knowledge related to the uses of wild edible plants and to provide ethnobotanical data on edible plants of the Batak Karo ethnic in order to contribute to the Indonesian traditional food knowledge. This paper presents part of the ethnobotanical research carried out in Merdeka District, North Sumatra, Indonesia.Methods: Ethnobotanical information was obtained by interviewing 58 Karonese informants in Merdeka (28) and Jaranguda (30). Fifty-five percent of the interviewed people were men. Informants were determined through purposive sampling with the criteria of being married, using plants in the surrounding environment as food, farmers and having access to the forest. We conducted interviews (semi-structured and not closed questionnaire) during the fieldwork. Results: A total of 53 food plants belonging to 27 families were documented. Thirty percent of the collected species are wild and used for food. Several of these edible plants are also referred as medicinal plants for local people so they could be classified as food medicines. Begonia laruei M. Hughes, Medinilla speciosa Blume, Debregeasia longifoli (Burm. f.) Wedd, Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC and Eugenia polyantha Barb. Rord. need to be evaluated as potential crops. This study highlights the rich traditional knowledge on edible plants retained by Batak Karo people.Conclusion: The consumption of wild edible plants is still alive in Batak Karo people. The importance of some of these plant species as wild crops must be outlined since they are a source of genetic resources to establish diversity food.

Wild and semi-wild edible plants used by the communities of Acholi sub-region, Northern Uganda

Background: In the Acholi sub-region, consumption of wild edible plants is still an integral part of the food culture, particularly during times of food shortage. However, much of indigenous traditional knowledge has not been documented due to the history of prolonged civil war in the area. We conducted an ethnobotanical survey to document the wild plants utilized by the Acholi communities in northern Uganda.Methods: Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires administered to 1,353 respondents between November 2017 and February 2018 and 65 focus group discussions.Results: Seventy-three edible plants from 39 families were identified to species level while three species were unidentified. Vitex doniana (0.72), Aframomum alboviolaceum. (0.70), Saba comorensis (0.45), Hibiscus surattensis (0.42), and Borassus aethiopum (0.39) had the highest relative frequencies of citation. Fabaceae (7) and Euphorbiaceae (5) had the highest number of plant species. Most of the edible plants were herbs (34%) and trees (31%). Fruits were the major parts consumed (57%), followed by leaves (37%). Only 34% of species were cooked before eating, while 60% were eaten raw. Sixty-seven percent of the species were harvested during the rainy season and 22% in the dry season.Conclusion: There is a rich diversity of wild edible plants in the Acholi sub-region. Conservation and domestication of these plants will provide a buffer crop and enhance the food security of the locals in the face of recurrent droughts and climate change.Keywords: Wild edible plants, Indigenous knowledge Ethnobotany, Food security.

Wild Edible Plant Nutritional Contribution and Consumer Perception in Ethiopia.

The scarcity, high cost, and unreliable supply of healthy food in developing countries have resulted in the search for cheap and alternative sources of healthy and nutritious food. Wild edible plants (WEPs) are one of the alternative sources of healthy and nutritious food, and they are crucially important in supporting the global food basket in all parts of the world in general and in sub-Saharan Africa in particular. These wild edible plants have played a significant role in supplying food and nutritional requirements and increasing the health status of poor communities in many rural parts of the world. In Ethiopia, rural communities use wild edible plants as a means of survival especially during times of drought and famine and during other forms calamities and crises. Wild edible plants have high nutritional content, including proteins, vitamin B2, and vitamin C, which can be used as alternatives to conventional plant-based human diets. The available literature has revealed that some wild edible plants also have medicinal properties. Even though wild edible plants are important for food security, they are usually overlooked and perceived as food for poor families. This review indicates that fruits are the most commonly used WEPs, both for consumption and medicinal value, and most plant parts are eaten directly in raw forms. This review focuses on the commercial exploitation of wild edible plants as a source of dietary supplements and alternative medicines and as a means to generate income; it also focuses on consumer perception toward wild edible plants in Ethiopia. Despite easy accessibility and availability, the consumption of wild edible plants is challenged by numerous factors. This review suggests that nutrition policies have to promote the utilization of wild edible plants as one pillar of food and nutrition security. Bioactive compound contents and antinutritional factor contents of wild and medicinal plants need further investigation.

Eating from the wild: an insight into the indigenous wild edible plants consumed by the Digaru Mishmi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh

Anjaw district is situated at the extreme foothill of eastern himalaya of Arunachal Pradesh, distinctive in its nature by having a rich diversity of wild edible plants rich in nutrition as well as medicinal properties. Ethnically, the Digaru Mishmi tribe (inhabitants) of the district adopted the traditional way of consuming these rich ethnobotanical resources to fulfill their daily nutrition & health care. These plants have traditionally occupied an important position in their socio-cultural, spiritual and health aspects of the rural tribal lives. So, the consumption of wild edible plants as a food source has been an integral part of the indigenous people’s culture. To get an insight into the Digaru Mishmi people’s way of lifestyle, the present study was conducted to explore, identify & document the ethno botany of the Digaru Mishmi people and to record their unique knowledge about wild edible plants. Around 57 species were found & all the plants used by the tribe are tabulated inalphabetical order along with botanical name, vernacular name (Digaru Mishmi), family, parts used, food value and ethnomedicinal uses. Wild edible plants form a good source of protein, fat, vitamins, sugar and minerals requirement of the tribal people to a greater extent. Hence, the paper highlights the identification diversity of wild edible plants andits documentation.

The utilisation of wild foods in Mediterranean Tunisia: commentary on the identification and frequency of consumption of wild edible plants over a year in central Tunisia: a mixed-methods approach (Dop et al., n.d.).

The utilisation of wild foods in Mediterranean Tunisia: commentary on the identification and frequency of consumption of wild edible plants over a year in central Tunisia: a mixed-methods approach (Dop et al., n.d.).

Identification and frequency of consumption of wild edible plants over a year in central Tunisia: a mixed-methods approach.

To identify wild plants used as food and assess their frequency of consumption over a year in a region of Tunisia where agriculture is undergoing a major transformation from smallholder farming to an intensive high-input agricultural system. Qualitative ethnobotanical study followed by a survey of women's frequency of consumption of wild plants conducted using FFQ at quarterly intervals. Sidi Bouzid governorate of central Tunisia. Mixed-gender group of key informants (n 14) and focus group participants (n 43). Survey sample of women aged 20-49 years, representative at governorate level (n 584). Ethnobotanical study: thirty folk species of wild edible plants corresponding to thirty-five taxa were identified by key informants, while twenty folk species (twenty-five taxa) were described by focus groups as commonly eaten. Population-based survey: 98 % of women had consumed a wild plant over the year, with a median frequency of 2 d/month. Wild and semi-domesticated fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill. and Anethum graveolens) was the most frequently consumed folk species. Women in the upper tertile of wild plant consumption frequency were more likely to be in their 30s, to live in an urban area, to have non-monetary access to foods from their extended family and to belong to wealthier households. In this population, wild edible plants, predominantly leafy vegetables, are appreciated but consumed infrequently. Their favourable perception, however, offers an opportunity for promoting their consumption which could play a role in providing healthy diets and mitigating the obesity epidemic that is affecting the Tunisian population.

Traditional knowledge and ways of consumption of wild edible plants by rural communities of Shimla District, Himachal Pradesh (India)

Wild edible plants are used as a source of food by local people where they still rely on natural resources to meet their daily needs. The study was conducted in the rural communities of the Shimla district to document wild edible plants and their edible uses known to local people. The study documented 103 wild edible plant species belonging to 75 genera and 46 families. Rosaceae is the most dominant family with 18 species occupying 17 % of the total use reports. Of the reported plants 43% were used as fruits, 42% as vegetables and remaining have used as juice, gums, spices and condiments. As many as 74 ways of consumption methods shows a Fidelity level (FL) of more than 80%. The use category of vegetables shows highest degree of consensus factor followed by fruit category. Horticultural land expansion is the major threat to the natural habitat of wild edible plants followed by overgrazing. Field visits to various villages in 16 regions of the study area were carried out in different phases from May 2015- September 2018. A total of 102 informants were involved in field investigation and a semi-structured questionnaires and participatory rural appraisal method were used to analyze and study the traditional wild edible plants.

Chemical composition and bioactive properties of the wild edible plant Raphanus raphanistrum L

Recently, there has been an interest regarding the consumption of wild edible plants in modern diets. However, there is still scarce information about several wild vegetables traditionally consumed. Therefore, this work aims on documenting the nutritional and chemical composition of wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum L.), as well as its bioactive potential. Results showed that wild radish is a potential source of beneficial compounds, including vitamin E, polyunsaturated fatty acid (particularly α-linolenic acid) and different phenolic compounds, in which fourteen phenolics were identified, with kaempferol-3,7-O-di-rhamnoside being the most abundant. The bioactive potential was exploited using hydroethanolic and decoction extracts. Both proved to inhibit several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and revealed antioxidant activity, while cytotoxicity against non-tumor cell was not observed. In general, results evidence the interest in recovering the use of this wild vegetable as part of a varied diet, which can bring several health benefits.

An Ethnobotanical Survey of Wild Edible Plants Commercialized in Kefira Market, Dire Dawa City, Eastern Ethiopia

Food insecurity and malnutrition affect much of the world’s population. Wild edible plants are known to make important contributions to the livelihoods of local communities of sub-Saharan Africa countries including Ethiopia. The populations in Ethiopia have a rich knowledge of consumption of wild edible plants and wild edible plants are still an integral part of the society in the country. An Ethnobotanical Survey of Wild Edible Plants Commercialized in Kefira Market, Dire Dawa City, Eastern Ethiopia was conducted with the aim of documenting the wild edible plants used by the community. Ethnobotanical data were collected from 29 informants using semi-structured interviews. A total of 22 wild edible plants belonging to 17 families were documented. Most of the wild edible plants were trees (81.82%), Fruits were the dominant edible parts (68%) followed by seed (18%) consumed by the people. The present paper provides basic information for better conservation, possibly for further exploitation of WEPs, and to preserve the traditional knowledge associated with WEPs for the future generation.

From famine foods to delicatessen: Interpreting trends in the use of wild edible plants through cultural ecosystem services

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment found a general decline in the consumption and gathering of wild edible plants, but some studies also observe a localized increase. Using information from interviews (n=1133) in seven sites in the Iberian Peninsula and one in the Balearic Islands, we 1) identify current trends in the consumption and gathering of wild edible plants (n=56 plant-uses) and 2) analyze how cultural ecosystem services relate to such trends. Our data show a generalized decrease in the consumption and gathering of wild edible plants, although the trend changes significantly across plant-uses. Specifically, we found that –despite the overall decreasing trend– uses of wild edible plants that simultaneously relate to foods with high cultural appreciation and the recreational function of gathering remain popular. Our results signal that cultural services and values associated to the gathering and consumption of some wild edible plants are important factors explaining divergent trends across plant species. This finding reinforces the notion that cultural ecosystem services are deeply intertwined with other categories of services which can combine in complex, non-linear ways producing a variety of interdependent benefits.

Optimizing micronutrient intake of lactating women through increased wild edible plant consumption in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

Micronutrient consumption in many developing countries is insufficient to meet the needs of numerous individuals, resulting in a negative impact on health. Increasing consumption of wild edible plants, which are micronutrient rich, easy to grow, and culturally familiar, has been recommended to combat these deficiencies, but there is a gap in knowledge on which types of plants should be eaten or in what quantity. The objective of this project was to determine the optimal blend of South African wild edible plants needed to fill gaps between typical micronutrient consumption of lactating women in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and estimated requirements. This was done by creating optimization models using linear programming. Components of these models included identifying gaps between current micronutrient intake measured in a sample of lactating women and Estimated Average Requirements (EAR) and the creation of composite nutrient profiles for groups of wild edible plants available in KwaZulu-Natal. Models calculated the optimum amounts of wild edible plants that would need to be consumed in addition to the current diet to meet micronutrient recommendations and the amounts needed if half the additional calories consumed would replace an equivalent number of calories of maize meal. A combination of 250g leafy vegetables and 349g fruit, replacing 54g of maize meal, was determined to be the best model. This mixture met the micronutrient needs of 50% of lactating women and added only 192 calories to the diet. This data can provide policy makers with the information necessary to formulate effective nutritional interventions. The high level of recommended change, however, also highlights the need to employ multiple approaches to achieving improved nutrition. Additional information is needed on the availability and nutritional values of wild edible plants in South Africa. Despite these limitations, it is clear that a reasonable increase in wild edible plant consumption can have a tremendous positive impact on micronutrient consumption of lactating women in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Ethnobotanical studies on the wild edible plants of Irula tribes of Pillur Valley, Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu, India

ObjectiveTo conduct an ethnobotanical studies and collect information about the wild edible plants collected and utilized by the Irula tribes of Pillur valley, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, India. MethodsThe study was conducted among the Irula peoples of Pillur valley through survey, interview and field work along with the knowledgeable individuals during January 2009 – September 2010. All the traditional and other knowledge related to the collection and consumption of wild edible plants on which the communities depend was documented. ResultsA total of 74 plant species have been recorded as wild edible in the study areas, of which, fruits yielding plants ranked first with 42 species, green leaves, tubers, young shoots and flowers ranked next with 26, 7, 4 and 2 species respectively. ConclusionsOur study revealed that the adivasi community in the Pillur Valley continues to have and use the knowledge about the wild edible plants, including their habitat, collection period, sustainable collection, mode of preparation and consumption. To date, this knowledge appear to be fairly well conserved and used as a result of continued reliance of local community on the wild uncultivated foods.

The Gathering and Consumption of Wild Edible Plants in Nhema Communal Area, Midlands Province, Zimbabwe

The study documented 67 wild edible plant species belonging to 45 genera and 30 families. Anacardiaceae and Moraceae were the dominant botanical families with 6 species each. Of the reported food plants, 67.7% were fruits, 14.9% vegetables, and the remainder were edible roots, inner bark, seed kernel, juice, and gum. Of edible plants, 79.1% had multiple uses, which included medicinal and construction timber. Only 20.9% of the species were used exclusively for food. Wild edible plants are a significant contributor to the socioeconomic well-being of the local people as they contribute a recognizable source of income especially for women.

Ethnobotany of the Monpa ethnic group at Arunachal Pradesh, India

BackgroundThe present paper documents the uses of plants in traditional herbal medicine for human and veterinary ailments, and those used for dietary supplements, religious purpose, local beverage, and plants used to poison fish and wild animals. Traditional botanical medicine is the primary mode of healthcare for most of the rural population in Arunachal Pradesh.Materials and methodsField research was conducted between April 2006 and March 2009 with randomly selected 124 key informants using semi-structured questionnaire. The data obtained was analyzed through informant consensus factor (FIC) to determine the homogeneity of informant's knowledge on medicinal plants.ResultsWe documented 50 plants species belonging to 29 families used for treating 22 human and 4 veterinary ailments. Of the medicinal plants reported, the most common growth form was herbs (40%) followed by shrubs, trees, and climbers. Leaves were most frequently used plant parts. The consensus analysis revealed that the dermatological ailments have the highest FIC (0.56) and the gastro-intestinal diseases have FIC (0.43). FIC values indicated that there was high agreement in the use of plants in dermatological and gastro-intestinal ailments category among the users. Gymnocladus assamicus is a critically rare and endangered species used as disinfectant for cleaning wounds and parasites like leeches and lice on livestocks. Two plant species (Illicium griffithii and Rubia cordifolia) are commonly used for traditional dyeing of clothes and food items. Some of the edible plants recorded in this study were known for their treatment against high blood pressure (Clerodendron colebrookianum), diabetes mellitus (Momordica charantia), and intestinal parasitic worms like round and tape worms (Lindera neesiana, Solanum etiopicum, and Solanum indicum). The Monpas of Arunachal Pradesh have traditionally been using Daphne papyracea for preparing hand-made paper for painting and writing religious scripts in Buddhist monasteries. Three plant species (Derris scandens, Aesculus assamica, and Polygonum hydropiper) were frequently used to poison fish during the month of June-July every year and the underground tuber of Aconitum ferrox is widely used in arrow poisoning to kill ferocious animals like bear, wild pigs, gaur and deer. The most frequently cited plant species; Buddleja asiatica and Hedyotis scandens were used as common growth supplements during the preparation of fermentation starter cultures.ConclusionThe traditional pharmacopoeia of the Monpa ethnic group incorporates a myriad of diverse botanical flora. Traditional knowledge of the remedies is passed down through oral traditions without any written document. This traditional knowledge is however, currently threatened mainly due to acculturation and deforestation due to continuing traditional shifting cultivation. This study reveals that the rural populations in Arunachal Pradesh have a rich knowledge of forest-based natural resources and consumption of wild edible plants is still an integral part of their socio-cultural life. Findings of this documentation study can be used as an ethnopharmacological basis for selecting plants for future phytochemical and pharmaceutical studies.

Seasonal availability and consumption of wild edible plants in semiarid Ethiopia: Implications to food security and climate change adaptation

Quantitative ethnoecological analysis of seasonal availability and implication to food security of wild edible plants (WEPs) was conducted in Boosat and Fantalle districts of semiarid east Shewa, Ethiopia from October, 2009 to September, 2010. Semistructured interview, focus group discussions, key informants discussions, seasonal record of fruits abundance were used to collected data on gathering and consumption of WEPs to cope with food shortage and adapt to climate change. Collected data was summarised into frequency tables, graph and qualitatively described under each subtopic. Thirty seven WEPs were identified for use as human food, and livestock feed and other multipurpose uses. About 24.3 % of WEPs were locally marketed, 75.7% were not marketed. All wild fruits were not included in official production system in the study area. It has indicated the underutilized existing potential of WEPs. Wild edible plants were preferred by local people of the study area not only for their food value, but also for their availability during dry seasons and shortage of food, potential for dryland agrobiodiversity and multipurpose to human wellbeing, livestock and environmental services they provide. Pairwise ranking by key informants was in agreement with direct matrices ranking for multiple uses of WEPs. The pairwise ranking, market survey and participant observations, community preference has confirmed the real potential of top seven priority WEPs species for dryland agrobiodiversity and agroforestry. Hence, these WEPs can be potential for dryland agrobiodiversity and agroforestry, to enhance people’s livelihoods in semiarid areas. This result can shed light on further research and promotion work on WEPs utilization and management. Key words: Wild, edible plants, seasonal, availability, food security, use, management.