Species Of Wild Vegetables Research Articles

The diversity and significance of wild edible vegetable plants in Aceh Tamiang, Indonesia

Abstract Wild vegetable species are native or naturalized plants that thrive in their natural habitat. This study aims to look into indigenous knowledge about using plants as vegetables and how it affects food security and diversity in the Aceh Tamiang region. Plant material was randomly collected from three subdistricts in Aceh Tamiang, Indonesia. Ethnobotanical data was collected through investigations and semi-structured interviews. A total of 90 respondents, 30 from each sub-district, were selected randomly. Data was cross-checked and verified using the informant context approach and group discussions. The data were examined employing descriptive statistics and quantitative ethnobotanical approaches. We discovered 42 different species of wild vegetables. The majority of these plants are harvested from the wild by consumers in the area. These findings suggest that various plants are able to be consumed raw, which could be a valuable resource for the local community during times of food insecurity.

Utilization of wild vegetables in Dapoli Taluka of Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra

Wild plants make an important contribution to the life of rural communities. These plants have been used as a source of food, fodder, shelter, clothing, medicine and a veriety of useful commodities from ancient time. Rural communities include wild edibles in their daily food intake and sales from the surplus add to their income. Importance of wild edible vegetables in food security has not been given sufficient attention in India. The present investigations were carried out with the objective to explore, identify, document and study the ethno-botany with respect to food value of wild edible plants consumed by local communities in Dapoli Taluka of Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. In the study, total 29 species of wild vegetables belonging to 21 families were documented. Life forms indicated that herbs were dominating (48.29%) followed by shrubs (24.13%), climbers (17.24%) and trees (10.34%). Average consumption of wild vegetables by respondents in study area was found as 51.43 days in a year. Per family utilization of wild vegetables for one time food was reported as 369.31 g. However Clerodendrum serratum was most demanding vegetable preferred and consumed by local people. In a year, amount saved on purchase of vegetables was calculated Rs 1,126.70 per family.

Ethnobotanical investigation of wild vegetables used among local communities in northwest Pakistan

Wild vegetables can contribute to people’s food security and health. In northwest Pakistan, almost 40% of the households are classified as food insecure, due to increasing population and natural and man-made catastrophes. There is an urgent need to get an overview of still existing practices of wild vegetable use and to incorporate such knowledge into agricultural policies. The present study, therefore, aims to collect and analyze information on the most widely and commonly used wild vegetables in northwest Pakistan. Semistructured interviews were performed with 126 informants (26–78-year old) from all 24 districts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. Information on culinary and medicinal use, cooking methods, and growing and harvest season were collected. A rating scale was used to get the opinion on quality, abundance, and use frequency of wild vegetables. Information on trading was gathered on local and regional markets. Transect walks were done with key informants for specimen collection. A total of 25 wild vegetable species (21 genera, 13 families) were documented. Most of them are herbs (22 spp.). One third of the species needs processing or detoxification prior to cooking. Taste and food quality as perceived by the local people are the main driver for use frequency and commercialization. Length of availability varies from 2 to 7 months with <em>Rumex dentatus</em> and <em>Vicia faba</em> also available during the winter season. Overall, 21 spp. are also used medicinally, mainly for gastrointestinal diseases. Leaves are the preferred plant part for both vegetables and medicines. Nine species are sold in markets, <em>Bauhinia variegata</em> and <em>Caralluma tuberculata</em> throughout the whole province. Local communities in northwest Pakistan have a broad knowledge of local plant use, especially on wild vegetables and their adequate processing. The present study suggests that the most commonly used wild vegetables should be promoted to reinforce food safety and most of them may also be commercialized. Conservation priority has to be given to the commercially harvested <em>Caralluma tuberculata</em>, which is presently overexploited.

The ethnobotany and biogeography of wild vegetables in the Adriatic islands

BackgroundArchipelagos of islands have played an important role in shaping some of the paradigms of biology, including the theory of the evolution of species. Later, their importance in biology was further emphasised by the theory of island biogeography, which contributed to a better understanding of the shaping of species richness not only on real islands, but on isolated habitat islands as well. Although ethnobotany is a well-established discipline, patterns of knowledge about plant uses in archipelagos have never been quantitatively analysed, and the whole concept has been only briefly mentioned in the ethnobiological context.The aim of our study was to record which taxa of wild vegetables have been consumed in the Adriatic islands and to establish if such variables as island size, population size, flora or its isolation are correlated with the number of wild vegetables used.MethodsWe interviewed 225 people (15 from each island).ResultsAltogether, the use of 89 species of wild vegetables has been recorded. The largest number of wild vegetables is eaten on the islands of Korčula, Vis and Šolta, and the lowest on Ugljan, Cres and Dugi Otok. The studied independent variables had a small and statistically not significant effect on the wild vegetable list length. The most visible effect was an increasing trend from north-west to south-east, overrunning the typical biogeographical island patterns. Moreover, one of the large and well-populated islands, Korčula, showed an ‘unusually’ high level of wild vegetable use. We hypothesise that the current use of so many species on this island has been maintained by the inhabitants’ awareness that they are the holders of relic knowledge, an awareness reiterated by ethnographic and popular publications, as well as a strong history of famine. The most interesting edible species used in the Adriatic islands are Bunium alpinum, Cytinus hypocystis (both mainly on Pašman), Lotus edulis (on Vis) and Posidonia oceanica (on Vis and Korčula).ConclusionsThe recorded relationships between the demographic and geographical features of the islands were statistically not significant. We assume that cultural and historical factors diversifying the use of plants in particular islands are stronger than the above-mentioned measurable variables.

Study and quantitative analysis of wild vegetable floral diversity available in Barisal district, Bangladesh

In Barisal district of Bangladesh, a market survey was carried out to document the local wild vegetables floral diversity consumed by rural people and also inhabitants of metropolitan city, compare the botanical and agronomical characteristics. A total of 100 wild vegetable species belonging to 46 families have been documented from Barisal district. Among 100 wild vegetables 65% species are ethnomedicinally important and 52% are available in the all the year round. Among the species 75% hurb, 19% climber, 4% shrub and 2% trees. Leaf is most frequently used plant parts consumed and fallow land is the important source of these wild vegetables. Among 46 plant families Amaranthaceae and Araceae were recorded as most prominent. Market potentiality proportionally correlated with taste, ethnomedicinal value and use frequency but inversely correlated with distribution area, community status. Wild vegetable floral species having ethnomedicinal value, better in taste are rare and distributed into certain remote areas because frequent consumption result fast reduction from hand reach sources. Findings of this study could provide baseline data to conserve these wild vegetables, further agronomical investigation to domesticate them for sustainable use.
 Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2018, 4(4): 362-371

Micronutrient Content of Wild Vegetable Species Harvested in Forested and Non-Forested Areas in Southwest Burkina Faso

Generation of improved data on biodiverse foods for nutrition required that nutrient composition data be paired with proper botanical identification of species. This study assessed the nutrient content of ten wild vegetable species within and outside forested area in Burkina Faso. The ten-vegetable species included: Adansonia digitata L., Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del., Boerhavia diffusa L., Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn., Cerathoteca sesamoides Endl., Crataeva religiosa Sieber, Ficus ovata Vahl, Moringa oleifera Lam., Strycnos spinosa Lam. and Vitex doniana Sweet. Additionally, the nutrient content for each of the species was compared for specimens collected within and outside forested areas. The iron levels ranged between 3.9-107.9 mg/100 g dry weight, the zinc levels from 11-22 mg/100 g dry weight, and the calcium levels from 25-4637 mg/100 g dry weight. The beta carotene levels were between 0 and 1772 μg/100 g dry weight and the protein levels between 6.6 and 26.4 g/100 g dry weight. The variation between species was often greater than the variation between sites, for a given species. However, large differences in nutrient content between collection sites were seen in many species for many nutrients. Across all species, calcium and protein tended to be higher in forested areas while zinc and iron tended to be lower and beta carotene was highly variable. We sought to better understand the impact of ecosystems services from forests on nutrient composition. Given our modest sample size and the high levels of variation in nutrient content it was difficult to draw conclusions from our results. Despite this, it is increasing clear that wild and traditional African leafy vegetables can play an important role in meeting the international recommendations for fruit and vegetable intake.

A century of changes in wild food plant use in coastal Croatia: the example of Krk and Poljica

The aim of this study was to document the use of wild foods in two locations in the coastal part of Croatia – on the island of Krk and in the Poljica area, near Split. We chose these places as they have historical data on plant use (1900 and 1903 respectively). We carried out 67 interviews in Poljica and 55 interviews in Krk to estimate the current use and knowledge of wild foods. Altogether, 80 species of wild food and herbal tea species of plants were recorded in Poljica and 76 in Krk. On average, 13.2 species were listed by per interview in Poljica, including 7.1 species of wild vegetables, and in Krk 14.6 species, including 7.9 species of wild vegetables. Out of the list of plant names recorded in the past, in Krk, we identified 82% of the taxa and in Poljica 86%.

Home gardens bolstered by diversity from indigenous, semi-domesticated and wild vegetable species for improved health and income

Home gardens bolstered by diversity from indigenous, semi-domesticated and wild vegetable species for improved health and income

Wild Vegetable Species in Makawanpur District, Central Nepal: Developing a Priority Setting Approach for Domestication to Improve Food Security

Makawanpur district in Central Nepal is considered a biodiversity hotspot of the country. Numerous wild plant species are traditionally used as vegetables and contribute to nutrition and food security of local communities. However, abundance and use of many of these wild vegetables have been decreasing, which calls for domestication and cultivation of priority species. This study aimed at documenting wild vegetable species and their use to develop a priority list for future domestication efforts. Wild vegetables were surveyed in three agro–climatic zones (500–2,200 masl) of the Makawanpur district in natural forest, homegardens, farmer’s fields, fallow land, and markets. Information about local names, plant parts used, seasonal availability, mode of consumption, primary consumers, and preference ranking for consumption and sale was gathered during forest/field walks and by semi–structured interviews of 144 respondents (including men, women, and children) of three ethnic groups. Priority setting was based on nine variables related to priorities for taste and sale, species’ occurrence in homegardens, wide use among ethnic groups, broad altitude range, harvest season, level of threat as perceived by respondents, children’s preference for consumption, and possibility for processing. A total of 89 vegetable species were identified. Forests and fallows were most important for collecting wild vegetables, which were mainly used for home consumption. Only 26 species were also sold in markets. Ethnic group, respondent’s age, and altitude of the location had a significant influence on the respondents’ knowledge of wild vegetables, while gender had no influence. The following six species were rated highest in the priority setting: Bauhinia variegata L., Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Nees & Arn. ex Munro, Bambusa tulda Roxb., Diplazium esculentum (Retz.) Sw., Dryopteris cochleata (Ham. ex D. Don) C. Chr., and Tectaria gemmifera (Fee) Alston. The developed priority setting approach was considered suitable, but it should also include further variables such as nutritional value and market potential of the species before it being recommended for further testing.

A hundred years of change in wild vegetable use in southern Herzegovina

Ethnopharmacological relevanceWild vegetable mixes used in southern Europe are interesting from the pharmacological point of view, as they contain many species which have considerable nutritional and medicinal value, but some are potentially toxic to humans. Although many ethnobotanical studies document the rich tradition of using wild vegetables at the turn of the 20th and 21st century in the Mediterranean region, there is a dearth of older historical studies which could help us to assess the extent of Traditional Knowledge loss. Material and methodsThe aim of this study was to document the use of wild foods in an area of southern Herzegovina (in Bosnia–Herzegovina) and to compare it with a list of 27 taxa of wild green vegetables used there, compiled in 1913 by Vejsil Ćurčić. We carried out 49 interviews in the same area to estimate the current use and knowledge of wild foods. ResultsEighty-two species of wild food and herbal tea plants were recorded in the study. This includes 44 species whose wild leaves are used as salads or cooked side dishes, 17 species with edible fruits and 24 species whose leaves, shoots or flowers are used for everyday herbal teas. On average, 14.2 species (median=16.5) were listed per interview, including 9.0 species of wild vegetables. Out of 27 plant names mentioned 100 years ago – five remain unidentified. Out of the 22 species or species groups, which were identified, 18 are still used as wild vegetables (including five species used very rarely and known by very few people or only by one person).Nowadays, the most commonly used wild greens are: Dioscorea communis, Sonchus spp., Allium spp., Papaver rhoeas, Rumex pulcher, Silene latifolia, and Taraxacum spp. ConclusionsAlthough we observed some changes in the names and uses of plants compared to the list from a hundred years ago, around three quarters of the taxa are still used to some extent nowadays.

Investigation and Study of Wild Vegetable Resources of the Upper Reach of the Minjiang River

With an investigation of the wild vegetable plant resources in the upper reach of the Minjiang River, it was found that there are 183 species of wild vegetables belong to 62 families and 159 genera. It can help comprehensively developing, utilizing and protecting the wild vegetable plant resources for the sustainable development.

Conservation and Management of Plant Genetic Resources in Lao PDR

Diversity of plant genetic resources in Lao PDR (Lao People’s Democratic Republic) is vast where the natural habitat has been undisturbed and less affected by human activities and its products are closely associated with the livelihood of rural communities. The topography of Lao PDR is largely mountainous, with arable land made up only about 4% of the total lands area, and rice cultivation is the predominant agriculture system. People in Lao is the world largest consumer of high glutinous sticky rice. The origin of cultivated glutinous rice is Lao PDR and a large number of glutinous rice varieties with different fragrant and eating qualities are cultivated. Over 700 species of wild vegetables are utilized for food and other uses. About 80% of the population lives in rural areas and nearly 50% of their income is from a wide range of non-timber forest products(NTFP), such as vegetables, nuts, fruits, spices, medicinal herbs, ornamentals, etc. Almost 77% of households use plant genetic resources as medicine and for medical care. Because of limited awareness for importance of genetic resources and insufficient capacity to build adequate management for plant genetic resources, systematic inventory and the information are available only for limited crops. The ex-situ conservation and management of plant genetic resources for some crops such as rice and vegetables have developed in seed banks and field gene banks under NAFRI(National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute), HHRC(Haddokkeo Horticulture Research Centre), LRC(Livestock Research Centre) and FRC(Forest Research Centre). The international organizations such as FAO(Food and Agriculture Organization), IRRI(International Rice Research Institute), AVRDC(The World Vegetable Centre), DED(German Development Service), SNV(Netherlands Development Organization), etc. provide information, financial fund and technical support for sustainable management of plant genetic resources in Lao PDR.

Wild food plants and wild edible fungi in two valleys of the Qinling Mountains (Shaanxi, central China)

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to investigate knowledge and use of wild food plants in two mountain valleys separated by Mount Taibai – the highest peak of northern China and one of its biodiversity hotspots, each adjacent to species-rich temperate forest vegetation.MethodsSeventy two free lists were collected among the inhabitants of two mountain valleys (36 in each). All the studied households are within walking distance of primary forest vegetation, however the valleys differed in access to urban centers: Houzhenzi is very isolated, and the Dali valley has easier access to the cities of central Shaanxi.ResultsAltogether, 185 wild food plant species and 17 fungi folk taxa were mentioned. The mean number of freelisted wild foods was very high in Houzhenzi (mean 25) and slightly lower in Dali (mean 18). An average respondent listed many species of wild vegetables, a few wild fruits and very few fungi. Age and male gender had a positive but very low effect on the number of taxa listed.Twelve taxa of wild vegetables (Allium spp., Amaranthus spp., Caryopteris divaricata, Helwingia japonica, Matteucia struthiopteris, Pteridium aquilinum, Toona sinensis, Cardamine macrophylla, Celastrus orbiculatus, Chenopodium album, Pimpinella sp., Staphylea bumalda &S. holocarpa), two species of edible fruits (Akebia trifoliata, Schisandra sphenanthera) and none of the mushrooms were freelisted by at least half of the respondents in one or two of the valleys.ConclusionThe high number of wild vegetables listed is due to the high cultural position of this type of food in China compared to other parts of the world, as well as the high biodiversity of the village surroundings. A very high proportion of woodland species (42%, double the number of the ruderal species used) among the listed taxa is contrary to the general stereotype that wild vegetables in Asia are mainly ruderal species.The very low interest in wild mushroom collecting is noteworthy and is difficult to explain. It may arise from the easy access to the cultivated Auricularia and Lentinula mushrooms and very steep terrain, making foraging for fungi difficult.

The role of wild vegetable species in household food security in maize based subsistence cropping systems

Wild vegetables (WV) are an important source of food in the maize based subsistence farming sector of rural South Africa. Their main role is as relish as they are used as an accompaniment for staple cereal based diets. They are generally reported to be rich in micronutrients. Although they may be consumed in small quantities, they influence the intake of cereal staples, manage hunger and play a central role in household food security for the poorer rural groups. Mixing several WV species in one meal contributes to dietary diversity in terms of more vegetable types as well as in terms of choice of relish. For some very poor families WV are substitutes for some food crops. The seasonal occurrence of these vegetables leaves many families without a food source during the off-season. Wild vegetables increase agro-biodiversity at the household level. This agro-biodiversity helps in buffering against the accumulation and multiplication of pests and diseases and provides important cover for the soil. Further research on agronomic, social and economic dimensions is required to understand the roles of WV in subsistence farming systems in South Africa.

Simulation of Forest Environment as a Measure to sustain Protein and Vitamin Contents in Domesticated Species of Wild Vegetables

The most suiting types of shade under which domesticated wild Vegetables could be grown to sustain their nutritive values were determined. Seeds from S. scabrum, L. cornuta, B pilosa and B. alba , the most preferred wild Vegetables in Lushoto district, Tanga region in Tanzania were collected, managed and then sown in nurseries covered by different types of shades (i.e. under banana plantations, under improvised shade, in open field, under tree covers). Wild Vegetables in their natural environment were used as a control of the experiment. Leaves from domesticated and wild Vegetables were harvested and protein, vitamin A (s-carotene) and C content determined. It was observed that domestication and shade types under which of wild Vegetables were grown had effects on their nutritive values (the protein, vitamin A and C contents). Nevertheless, banana shades closely upheld vitamin C contents of L.curnuta and B. pilosa . Also, it did well to maintain protein contents in L. curnuta and S.scabrum as well as Vitamin A contents in B.alba . On the other hand, tree shades were good in sustaining Vitamin A and protein contents in S.scabrum and B.alba , respectively. Growing S. scabrum, L. curnuta and B. pilosa in the open helped to closely retain Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Vitamin A, respectively. Improvised shades were of little help in sustaining nutrient contents in all vegetables.

Wild food plants and wild edible fungi of Heihe valley (Qinling Mountains, Shaanxi, central China): herbophilia and indifference to fruits and mushrooms

<p>The aim of the study was to investigate knowledge and use of wild food plants and fungi in Han (i.e. Chinese) nationality villages in central China, including famine plants used in the respondents' childhood. A valley adjacent to the extremely species-rich temperate forest vegetation of the Taibai Nature Reserve was chosen. Eighty-two people from 5 villages took part in the study. Altogether, 159 wild food plant species and 13 fungi folk taxa were mentioned by informants. The mean number of freelisted wild foods was very high (24.8; median – 21.5). An average respondent listed many species of wild vegetables (mean – 17, me- dian – 14.5), a few wild fruits (mean – 5.9 and median – 6) and very few fungi (mean – 1.9, median – 1), which they had eaten.</p> <p>Over 50% of respondents mentioned gathering the young shoots or leaves of <em>Celastrus orbiculatus</em>, <em>Staphylea bumalda </em>and <em>S. holocapra</em>, <em>Caryopteris divaricata</em>, <em>Helwingia japonica</em>, <em>P</em><em>teridium aquilinum</em>, <em>Pimpinella </em>sp., <em>Amaranthus </em>spp., <em>Matteucia struthiopteris</em>, <em>Allium </em>spp., <em>Cardamine macrophylla </em>and <em>Chenopodium album</em>. Only one species of fruits (<em>Schisandra sphenanthera</em>) and none of the mushrooms were mentioned by over half of the respondents. Although very diverse, it can be noted that the use of wild vegetables has decreased compared to the second half of the 20th century, as informants listed several plants which they had stopped using (e.g. <em>Abelia engleriana</em>) due to the availability of cultivated vegetables and other foodstuffs. On the other hand, the collection of the most well-known wild vegetables is maintained by selling them to tourists visiting agritourist farms, and restaurants.</p>

An integrated assessment of wild vegetable resources in Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, China

BackgroundThis paper was based on ethnobotanical investigations conducted from 2004-2006 in Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region of northern China. Today, due to their nutritious and relatively pollution-free characteristics, wild vegetables are playing an increasingly important role in peoples' health and well-being. This paper aims to provide scientific clues for the selection of special and high quality wild vegetables species.MethodsAn ethnobotanical study, consisting of a literature survey, open-ended and semi-structured interviews, and collection and identification of voucher specimens was carried out to gather information on wild vegetables in Inner Mongolia. Next, an integrated assessment of 90 species of wild vegetables was performed using the linearity weighted integrative mathematical analysis method.ResultsAccording to an integrated assessment of 90 species of wild vegetables in Inner Mongolia, there are 5 species with the highest integrated value, 40 species of high-integrated value, 43 species of general integrated value, and 2 species of low value. The results indicate that the vast majority of wild vegetables have high value in Inner Mongolia.ConclusionsInner Mongolia is rich in wild vegetable resources. A comprehensive assessment indicates that the vast majority of wild vegetables are of high value. However, these wild vegetables are seldom collected or cultivated by local people. Most of the collected species require further research and investigation into their nutrient content, toxicity and ethnobotany to illuminate their potential as new cultivars or products.

Wild vegetables in Northern KwaZulu Natal, South Africa: Current status of production and research needs

South Africa is endowed with wide varieties of biodiversity among which are wild vegetable species of remarkable nutritious qualities like macro and micronutrients, minerals and vitamins. However, there is still a high prevalence of malnutrition; especially micronutrients deficiencies, a phenomenon described as hidden hunger, among low or marginal income bracket of the population. The use of wild vegetables has variously been proposed as part of the major solutions to solving the problems of micronutrient malnutrition among these populations. Unfortunately, the utilisation of wild vegetables among South Africans is in the decline due to over reliance on exotic species. The Agricultural Research Council of South Africa and other stake holders have conducted studies on some aspects of these vegetables. However, there are still a lot of information gaps in certain aspects of these important indigenous resources especially in northern KwaZulu, which need some research attention. Critical among these are: Population genetics of the species in the wild, agronomic evaluation under different growing conditions and phyto-chemical evaluation of these important species in order to encourage the overall use of these important indigenous resources. Key words: Agronomy, chemical analysis, micronutrient deficiencies, northern KZN, population genetics, utilisation of wild vegetables.

Wild vegetable use by Vhavenda in the Venda region of Limpopo Province, South Africa

We studied the marginal utilization of 40 wild vegetable species in the Venda area of Limpopo Province (South Africa). Use of these vegetables with various purposes by humans is indicated.