status and potential of wild edible plants of arunachal...

Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 5(4), October 2006, pp. 541-550

Status and potential of wild edible plants of Arunachal Pradesh A Angami, P R Gajurel, P Rethy*, B Singh & S K Kalita1

Department of Forestry, NERIST, Nirjuli 791109, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh; 1Department of Herbal Remedies and Cosmetology, Rajiv Gandhi Polytechnic, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh

Emails: [email protected]; [email protected]

Received 30 March 2005; revised 19 December 2005

The consumption of wild plants is one of the strategies, adopted by the local people for sustenance, is intrinsically linked to their strong traditional & cultural system and is inseparable. The indigenous communities continuously include wild edibles to their daily food intake and sales from the surplus add to their income. Simultaneously, an emphasis on the sustainable harvesting of wild edible plants will help enhance and maintain the region’s biodiversity. As the local people are endowed with a vast knowledge concerning the utilization of wild plants, the paper focuses on their knowledge and illustrates the need to select local priority plant species with potential to become valuable staple foods and important alternatives to the usual cultivated agricultural crops.

Keywords: Arunachal Pradesh, Medicinal plants, Sustainable harvesting, Wild edible plants

IPC Int. Cl.8: A61K36/00, A61P1/02, A61P1/10, A61P1/12, A61P1/14, A61P11/00, A61P11/10, A61P19/00, A61P19/02, A61P29/00

Use of large number of wild species by the tribals to meet their diverse requirements is largely due to the prevalence of diversity of vegetation in the area1. The use of wild plants is integral part of their strong traditional & cultural systems and practice that have developed and accumulated over generations. These systems form the basis of local-level decision-making in agriculture, food production, human and animal health and natural resource management2. World over, tribal population still stores a vast knowledge on utilization of local plants as food material and other specific uses3. The tribal communities draw their sustenance mainly from the forests, which provide them food plants and other material requirement. Their lives are much dependent on forest or natural plant wealth4. The biological wealth is so intrinsically important to the life style and systems of the indigenous communities that wild plants make an important contribution for sustenance of local communities. They play a significant role in a wide range of agricultural systems as a source of wild food and fuel wood, and have an important socio-economic role through their use in medicines, dyes, poisons, shelter, fibres and religious and cultural ceremonies5. Wild edible plants not only supplement the food quantity but also make significant

contribution to the populations’ nutrition throughout the year6-10. Although the principal role of these plants is to supplement the food cultivated in home gardens and other forms of agriculture, many of the species grown or wild-harvested are reported to have both therapeutic and dietary functions10. The sale from the surplus of their collection also adds to their income significantly. Research in several regions has also illustrated that many wild plants that are retained in local food cultures are inseparable from traditional therapeutic systems10-14. Emphasis on the conservation and management of wild edible plants will help enhance and maintain the region’s biodiversity with little adverse impact on the biodiversity8. The climatic and ecological diversity of the state create a foundation for a very rich and diverse flora, and multi-ethnic population has a long tradition of close relation with wild plants. A wide range of wild plant species are used by the local population in Arunachal Pradesh including many wild green vegetable leaves, roots and fruits as food15,16. The utilization of wild plants is strongly linked to their strong traditional & cultural system and is a necessary part of the strategies adopted by the local people for sustenance as they are endowed with a vast knowledge concerning the use of these wild plants. The contribution of the wild edibles to the diet and economy of the local people is often significant and

__________ *Corresponding author

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therefore focus on these species should remain a priority. Integration of wild species into agricultural system will not only protect biological diversity but also provide adequate food and contribute to the rural economy. For this purpose, identification of the edible species according to the local preferences is necessary17. An attempt has been made to present status and potential of wild edible plants of Arunachal Pradesh. Methodology The study was conducted in most of the districts of Arunachal Pradesh, including the different geographical zones and indigenous groups (Fig. 1). Extensive field surveys with the help of knowledgeable local people for collection and study, and understanding of the natural habitats of the plant species were undertaken. Plant species were identified from their vernacular names and ethnobotanical information were recorded. Informal interviews were conducted with some of the local people to document and to understand the harvesting and utility patterns. For selection of priority species, questionnaires were used17. Respondents were selected randomly representing both sex and age groups. Important wild edible species were selected by means of ‘free listing’ method on the principle that the more significant species are likely to be mentioned by several informants, and are likely to be mentioned earlier in each list18. Local markets of the selected areas were surveyed and plant samples collected with necessary market information including market demands, local preferences, etc. Collection of plant samples and preparation of herbarium specimens were done as per the prescribed methodology19. The specimens were identified with the help of various relevant taxonomic literatures and with consultation of herbarium specimens at State Forest Research Institute, Itanagar, BSI, Shillong (Assam) and Central National Herbarium (CAL) Howrah. Herbarium specimens were deposited with the Department of Forestry, NERIST, Nirjuli, Arunachal Pradesh. Results and discussion In the present study, about 118 wild edible plant species have been recorded (Table 1). Maximum utilization of parts from tree and herb species was observed, while the utility of climber species was minimum (Fig. 2). People were mostly found to

consume fruits and leaves however, other plant parts like barks, flowers, tubers, stem, etc. were also utilized infrequently (Fig. 5). Some of the species like Clerodendrum colebrookianum, Gynura cusimbua, Houttuynia cordata, Phlogacanthus sp, Paederia scandens, Plantago major, Solanum nigrum, Spilanthes acmella, Zanthoxylum armatum, etc. are known for their medicinal properties. 28% of the total wild vegetables are used as medicine by the local people (Figs. 3-4). Wild edible plant species play a major part in supplementing other foods, especially in rural communities. Species like Diplazium esculantum, Docynia indica, Elaeagnus sp, Ficus sp, Houttuynia cordata, Musa sp, Phyllanthus emblica, Prunus persica, Pyrus communis, Solanum nigrum, Zizyphus mauritiana and Syzygium cuminii are collected from the wild and from home garden, for consumption and for sale to supplement their income (Table 2). Although among the urban and sub-urban communities, consumption of wild plant species is less but significant. A number of wild edible species, more frequently consumed by the local people were also found to have some other ethnobotanical importance (Table 3). Different varieties of mushroom are also collected, used and sold in the market abundantly. Some of the locally preferred species like Castanopsis, Ficus cunia, Mangifera sylvatica, Plantago major, Spondias axillaris, etc. are not sold in the local markets due to the easy accessibility and availability of the species from the forest. Most of the local priority species recorded, has multipurpose use that includes utilization as herbal medicine. Preferred species like Elaeagnus sp. (total sugar, reducing sugar, vitamin C, proteins), Phyllanthus emblica (TSS, vitamin C, Mg), Ficus sp (vitamin C), Fragaria sp (vitamin C, P, Ca, Mg, Fe), Prunus persica (non reducing sugar, total mineral, K, Fe), Rubus species (sugar, Fe,), Zizyphus jujuba (sugar, proteins, P, K, Ca), Morus alba (vitamin C, Fe), Spondias species (Ca, vitamin C), Mangifera sylvatica (carbohydrate, reducing sugar), Castanopsis sp (fats), Terminalia (carbohydrate, K), Zanthoxylum species (cu), Amaranthus species (carbohydrates, proteins, fats, K, Ca), Bamboo species (Ca), Calamus species (P, K, Ca), Centella asiatica (Ca), Colocasia esculentum (carbohydrate, Fats, P, Fe), Diplazium esculentum (N, P, K, Fe, Ca), Fagopyrum esculentum (carbohydrate, protein, Fe), Houttuynia cordata (Ca), Oenanthe javanica (protein, K), Plantago major

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Table 1⎯Wild edible plants

Scientific name Family Vernacular name Parts used Uses

Albizia procera Benth. Mimosaceae - Leaves Vegetable Allium reballum M Beib. Liliaceae Alomana (I) Leaves Vegetable Alternanthera sessilis R.Br. Amaranthaceae - Leaves Vegetable Amaranthus spinosus L. Amaranthaceae Mora sag (C), Khotuka (Ak) Leaves Vegetable

Medicinal Amaranthus viridis Linn. Amaranthaceae Nyipak O (C) Leaves Vegetable

Medicinal Amomum aromaticum Roxb. Zingiberaceae Papia (A) Seed Spices Amomum dealbatum Roxb. Zingiberaceae Papia (A) Seed Spices Artocarpus chaplasha Roxb. Moraceae Chamin gulo (C) Fruits Pickle Artocarpus lakoocha Roxb. Moraceae Belang (A) Fruits Pickle Baccaurea sapida Muell-Arg. Euphobiaceae Lateku (As) Fruit Taken raw Bambusa balcooa Roxb. Poaceae Erbu (A) Tender shoot Vegetable Bambusa tulda Roxb. Poaceae Bah (As) Tender shoot Vegetable Bauhinia variegata L. Caesalpiniaceae Bah (As) Flowers Vegetable Begonia josephii A.DC. Begoniaceae Gumbolopang (A) Tender shoot Taken raw Begonia palmata D. Don Begoniaceae Donpolapang (A), Bayia (N) Tender shoot Vegetable

Medicinal Begonia roxburghii A. DC. Begoniaceae Bayia (N), Lukhu (Ap) Leaves, Stem Vegetable

Medicinal Begonia chinensis (L) Willd. Asteraceae - Tender

leaves Vegetable Medicinal

Bombax ceiba L. Bombacaceae Semi phul (C) Flowers Vegetable Calamus erectus Roxb. Arecaceae Tarea (N), Uhdum bizi (C) Stem, fruits Vegetable Calamus flagellum Griff. Arecaceae Golar / Raiding (A) Stem, fruits Vegetable Calamus latifolius Roxb. Arecaceae Golar / Raiding (A) Stem, fruits Taken raw Callicarpa arborea Roxb. Verbenaceae Tato (N), Yaohorin (A), Poirek (C) Bark Mouth

freshener, Medicinal

Canarium strictum Roxb. Burseraceae Poirek gulo (C), Dhuna (Ap), Singlu (N)

Fruits Taken raw

Cardamine hirsuta L. Brassicaceae Serampeti (N) Whole plant Vegetable Caryota urens L. Arecaceae Rani sengor (C) Tender stem Vegetable Castanopsis hystrix A. DC. (=C. rufescens Hk. f & Thoms.)

Fagaceae Kora (N) Fruits Taken raw

Castanopsis indica A. DC Fagaceae Kora (N), Bazana gulo (C) Fruits Taken raw Centella asiatica L. Apiaceae Mengoni (C), Narang (N), Glankhako

(Ap) Leaves, shoot Vegetable,

Medicinal Chenopodium album. L. Chenopodiaceae Machiosak (A) Leaves, Tender

shoot Vegetable

Cinnamomum tamala Nees & Ebrm.

Lauraceae Tejpat (C) Leaves Spices

Citrus medica L. Rutaceae Jamir (C), Narang (N), Pinchi (A) Fruits Taken raw, Medicinal

Clerodendrum colebrookianum Walp.

Verbenaceae Poto (N), Ongin / Oin (A), Heliasak (C), Khamo (T)

Leaves Vegetable, Medicinal

Clerodendrum viscosum Vent. Ongin / Oin / Heliasak (C) Leaves Vegetable, Medicinal

Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott Araceae Teu (T), Annyi (A), Kochu (As), Thoks (Ak)

Leaves, Stem Vegetable

Cordia myxa L. Boraginaceae - Fruits Pickle Crassocephalum crepideoides (Benth.) S. Moore

Asteraceae Tong phul (C), Thung nam (T)

Leaves, Tender shoot

Vegetable, Medicinal

Curcuma aromatica Salisb. Zingiberaceae Jangali haladhi (A) Flower Vegetable Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Nees & Arn.

Poaceae - Tender shoot Vegetable


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Table 1⎯Wild edible plants⎯Contd. Scientific name Family Vernacular name Parts used Uses Dillenia indica L. Dilleniaceae Olu gulo (C), Champak (A) Fruits Taken raw,


Dioscorea allata L. Dioscoreaceae Ogit (A) Tubers Vegetable Diospyros kaki L. f Ebeanaceae Kesdu goch (As) Fruits Taken raw, Diplazium esculantum Sw. Athyriaceae Rukja / Horon (T), Lochanch (Ak) Tender leaves Vegetable Docynia indica .Decne. Rosaceae - Fruits Taken raw Duabanga grandiflora (Roxb. ex DC.) Walp.

Sonneratiaceae Hojo Gulo (C) Fruit Taken raw

Elaeagnus pyriformis Hk. f. Elaeagnaceae Maza sok bizi (C) Fruits Taken raw Elaeagnus latifolia L. Elaeagnaceae Gamyamrap (M)

Makhachi (S) Fruits Taken raw

Elaeocarpus floribundus Bl. Elaeocarpaceae Jalpai (As), Goroshi (I) Fruits Taken raw Elatostema sessile Forst. Urticaceae - Leaves, Tender

shoot Vegetable

Emblica officinales Gaertn. Euphorbiaceae Amolodi (C) Fruits Taken raw, Medicinal

Ensete superbum Cheesman Musaceae Colon / Kopak (A), Namninyah (S), Napkhoi (T)

Fruits, Stem Vegetable, Taken raw

Erythrina stricta Roxb. Fabaceae Chemroy (T) Flowers Vegetable Euphorbia hirta L. Euphorbiaceae - Tender plant Vegetable Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.

Polygonaceae Papor (C), Hukuna (N) Tender leaves Vegetable, Medicinal

Ficus glomerata Roxb. Moraceae Jagana Gulo (C) Fruits Taken raw Ficus hispida L. f Moraceae Kukto Belo (A) Fruits Taken raw F. roxburghii Wall. Moraceae Tatuk (A) Fruits Taken raw F. cunia Buch.-Ham. Moraceae Sorbek gulo (C) Fruits Taken raw Fissistigma polyanthum Merr. Annonaceae Lisu gulo (C), Dardo (N) Fruits Taken raw Fragaria indica Andr. Rosaceae - Fruits Taken raw Giradina pedunculata Roxb. Clusiaceae Prejang bizi (A) Fruits Taken raw,

Medicinal Girardinia zeylanica Decne. Urticaceae Oguma (Ak) Leaves Vegetable Gnaphalium pensylvanicum Willd (= G. purpureum L.)

Asteraceae Tap (N) Leaves Vegetable

Gynura cusimbua (D. Don) S. Moore.

Asteraceae Nakling (A) Buli / Yogin (N) Leaves Vegetable Medicinal

Houttuynia cordata Thunb. Saururaceae Amuli (I), Thingnaluk (T), Leaves Vegetable Ipomoea cymosa Roem. & Schult.

Convolvulaceae Kalmau (As) Tuber Vegetable

Lasia spinosa Thw. Araceae - Tender shoot Vegetable Livistona jenkinsiana Griff. Arecaceae Toko (As) Fruits Taken raw Maesa indica Wall. Myrsinaceae Chonium (N) Fruits Taken raw Mahonia napaulensis DC. Berberidaceae Taming (Ap) Bark, Stem,

Fruits Taken raw, Medicinal

Mangifera sylvatica Roxb. Anacardiaceae Tagol (N), Jharbuo aam (C) Fruits Taken raw Melastoma malabathricum L. Melastomaceae Daidassa (N) Fruits,

Leaves Taken raw, Medicinal

Mentha arvensis L. Lamiaceae Pudina (As) Leaves Pickle Mesua ferrea L. Clusiaceae - Fruits Taken raw Mimusops elengi L. Sapotaceae Bokul (As) Fruits Taken raw Morus indica L. Moraceae Ashihushi (I) Fruits Taken raw Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng Rutaceae - Leaves Spices Musa balbisisana Colla Musaceae Kopak / Colon (A), Wegoin (Ak) Inflorescence Vegetable,

Taken raw Musa sp Musaceae Jharbuo kala (C) Fruits, Stem Vegetable,

Taken raw Mussaenda roxburghii Hk. f. Rubiaceae Dongkorio / Taksap (As) Tender leaf Vegetable Myrica esculenta Buch.-Ham. Myricaceae - Fruits Taken raw


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Table 1⎯Wild edible plants⎯Contd.

Scientific name Family Vernacular name Parts used Uses

Oenanthe javanica (Bl.) DC. Apiaceae Kebunamul / Babon (N) Leaves, Tender shoot


Oxalis corniculata L. Oxalidaceae Bangal amelia (C), Sajang Habo (N), Okhui hamang (Ap)

Leaves, Stem Vegetable, Medicinal

Paederia scandens (Lour.) Merr. ( =P. foetida L.)

Rubiaceae Phadobas lodi (C), Tapin Rimin (N), Paritaro (Ap)

Leaves, Stem, Fruits


Passiflora edules Sim. Passifloraceae Bel (A) Fruits, leaves Taken raw, Vegetable, Medicinal

Passiflora nepalensis Wall. Passifloraceae Meya (As) Fruits Vegetable Phlogacanthus tubiflorus Nees Acanthaceae Basak patta (C) Inflorescence,

Leaves Vegetable, Medicinal

Phobe cooperiana U.N Kanjilal ex A. Das

Lauraceae Tambor (A) Fruits Taken raw

Pinanga gracilis (Roxb.) Blume

Arecaceae Morizya (C), Tachar (N) Fruits Taken raw

Piper betleoides C. DC. Piperaceae Jangali pan (A) Leaves, Stem Mouth freshener Piper pedicellatum C. DC. Piperaceae Namar (A) Leaves, Stem Vegetable Piper sylvaticum Roxb. Piperaceae - Leaves Vegetable Plantago major L. Plantaginaceae Arisapana (I) Leaves, Stem Vegetable,

Medicinal Polygonum alatum Buch.-Ham. ex Spreng.

Polygonaceae Mejia daro aga (C), Uyushayan (A), Ahopi (I)

Leaves, Tender shoot

Vegetable

Polygonum chinense L. Polygonaceae Okung (A) Leaves Vegetable Prunus persica Batsch Rosaceae Amuchi (I), Kompe (A) Fruits Taken raw Pyrus pashia Buch.-Ham.ex D.Don

Rosaceae Semo (Ap) Fruits Taken raw

Rhus semialata Murr. (=R. javanica Linn.)

Anacardiaceae Amashi (I), Tamo (Ap) Fruits Spices, Medicinal

Rubus ellipticus Sm. Rosaceae Aingkushi (I), Nintcho (N), Komrupsiang (M)

Fruits Taken raw

Rubus lineatus Reinw. Rosaceae Kada aphal (C), Chichi nintch (N), Achin barin (A)

Fruits Taken raw

Rubus niveus Thunb. Rosaceae - Fruits Taken raw Saurauia nepaulensis DC. Actinidiaceae - Fruits Taken raw Solanum indicum L. Solanaceae Bake (N), Fisook (Ak) Fruits Vegetable,

Medicinal Solanum nigrum L. Solanaceae Bhul potting (C), Hor (N) Fruits, leaves,

Tender shoot Vegetable, Medicinal

Solanum torvum Sw. Solanaceae Bor bagulo (C), Akapu (Ak) Fruits Vegetable Spilanthes paniculata Wall ex DC.

Asteraceae Namlang marchang vajungnam (T), Marcha (N) Paynson (Ak)

Tender plants Vegetable, Medicinal

Spondias axillaris Roxb. Anacardiaceae Ban gulo / Separisi gulo (C), Balam (N) Fruits Taken raw Spondias pinnata (L.f.) Kurz Anacardiaceae Amara gulo (C) Fruits Taken raw Syzygium cuminii (L.) Skeels Myrtaceae Aamun (As) Fruits Taken raw,

Medicinal Terminalia bellirica Roxb. Combretaceae Bahid (N) Fruits Taken raw Terminalia chebula Retz. Combretaceae Ohtyal gulo (C) Fruits Taken raw,

Medicinal Trevesia palmata Vis. Araliaceae Togo (N) Leaves Vegetable Vangueria spinosa Hook. f. Rubiaceae Pobon gulo (C) Fruits Taken raw Vitis sp Vitaceae Tapsi gulo (C) Fruits Taken raw Vitis sp Vitaceae - Fruits Taken raw Zanthoxylum armatum DC. Rutaceae Onier (N), Khagi (M), Tsogok (T),

Machang (S) Fruits Spices,

Medicinal Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. Rhamnaceae Makhachi (S), Tehanghat (T) Fruits Taken raw

Abbreviation used: A: Adi As: Assamese, Ak: Aka, Ap: Apatani, C: Chakma, I: Idu Mishimi, M: Monpa, N: Nyshi, S: Sinpho, T: Tangsa


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Table 2⎯Wild edible plants commonly sold in the local market Scientific name Family Parts used Status of occurrence Calamus erectus Arecaceae Young shoot Pre- domestication stage Centella asiatica Apiaceae Whole plant Wild Chenopodium album Chenopodiaceae Whole plant Pre- domestication stage Cinnamomum tamala Lauraceae Leaves Pre- domestication stage Clerodendrum colebrookianum Verbenaceae Young shoot, Tender leaves Pre- domestication stage Clerodendrum viscosum Verbenaceae Young shoot, Tender leaves Pre- domestication stage Colocasia esculenta Araceae Young shoot Pre- domestication stage Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Poaceae Tender shoot, Processed shoots Pre- domestication stage Dillenia indica Dilleniaceae Fruits Wild Dioscorea allata Dioscoreaceae Tuber Pre- domestication stage Diplazium esculantum Athyriaceae Tender leaves, Stem Wild Docynia indica Rosaceae Fruits Wild Elaeagnus latifolia Elaeagnaceae Fruits Pre- domestication stage Elatostema sessile Urticaceae Leaves, Young shoot Pre- domestication stage Emblica officinales Euphobiaceae Fruits Pre- domestication stage Ensete superbum Musaceae Flowers, Stem Pre- domestication stage F. roxburghii Moraceae Fruits Wild Garcinia pedunculata Clusiaceae Fruits Pre- domestication stage Houttuynia cordata Saururaceae Tender shoot, Leaves Wild Mentha arvensis Lamiaceae Leaves Pre- domestication stage Oenanthe javanica. Apiaceae Whole plant Wild Phobe cooperiana Lauraceae Fruits Wild Piper pedicellatum Piperaceae Leaves Wild Prunus persica Rosaceae Fruits Pre- domestication stage Solanum nigrum Solanaceae Whole plant Pre- domestication stage Spilanthes acmella Asteraceae Whole plant Pre- domestication stage Spondias axillaris Anacardiaceae Fruits Wild Spondias pinnata. Anacardiaceae Fruits Wild Syzygium cuminii Myrtaceae Fruits Pre- domestication stage Zanthoxylum armatum Rutaceae Fruits, Tender leaves, Shoot Pre- domestication stage Zizyphus mauritiana Rhamnaceae Fruits Pre- domestication stage

Table 3⎯Local priority of wild edible plant species and their market status A-Wild vegetables

Market status Scientific Name Family Local market

Other markets

Parts used Other uses

Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Poaceae √ √ Bambusa tulda Poaceae √ √

Young shoot

Mature culm used as material for making baskets, rituals and other cultural practices

Ensete superbum Musaceae √ √ Fruits, Stem, Flowers Fruits are eaten raw Solanum nigrum Solanaceae √ X Fruits, Tender shoot Fruits are used medicinally Colocasia esculenta Araceae √ X Leaves, Stem - Zanthoxylum armatum Rutaceae √ X Fruits, Leaves Fruits are eaten raw, used as

spices and for fishing; leaves and fruits are used medicinally

Diplazium esculantum Athyriaceae √ X Young shoot, Leaves - Houttuynia cordata Saururaceae √ X Leaves, Stem Leaves and stem used in pickles,

also medicinally as health tonic and in indigestion problems

Clerodendrum colebrookianum

Verbenaceae √ X Leaves Leaves for high blood pressure, bark for malarial fever

Clerodendrum viscosum Verbenaceae √ X Leaves Medicinally for high blood pressure

Spilanthes acmella Asteraceae √ X Flowers, Roots Used for toothache


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Table 3⎯Local priority of wild edible plant species and their market status⎯Contd. A-Wild vegetables

Market status Scientific Name Family Local market

Other markets

Parts used Other uses

Calamus erectus √ X Calamus flagellum X √ Calamus latifolius.

Arecaceae

X √

Fruits, Tender shoot, Stem

Fruits eaten raw, stem used for making baskets, chair, etc.

Passiflora sp Passifloraceae X √ Fruits, Leaves Medicinal Plantago major Plantaginaceae X X Whole plant Against stomach disorder Oenanthe javanica Apiaceae X X Leaves, Tender shoot Medicinal Trevesia palmata Araliaceae X X Leaves Leaves used as vegetable Amaranthus spinosus Amaranthaceae √ X Roots Roots for contagious infection Elatostema sessile Urticaceae √ X Leaves Leaves used as vegetable Piper pedicellatum Piperaceae √ X Tender shoot, Leaves Leaves used to cure body pain Dillenia indica Dilleniaceae √ √ Fruits Fruits used in pickle, against

cough, fever and weakness Artocarpus chama Moraceae X X Fruits Fruits eaten and in preparation of

pickles Erythrina stricta Papilionaceae X X Flowers Flower used as vegetable Cinnamomum tamala Lauraceae √ √ Leaves As spices and in diarrhoea Fagopyrum esculentum Polygonaceae X X Leaves, Tender shoot Used medicinally, fruits eaten as

substitute food B-Wild fruits

Market status Species Family Local market

Other markets

Other uses

Mangifera sylvatica Anacardiaceae X X Fruits used in preparation of pickles Fissistigma polyanthum Annonaceae X X Medicinal Rhus semialata Anacardiaceae √ X Fruits are used as spices and medicinally Docynia indica Rosaceae √ X Fruits are used for preparation of jam and juice Phobe cooperiana Lauraceae √ X Used as a timber for furniture Passiflora edules Passifloraceae √ X Leaves are used as vegetable Ficus roxburghii Moraceae √ √ Stems and branches as firewood and in fencing F. cunia Moraceae X X Stem and branches are used as firewood Citrus medica Rutaceae X X Preserved fruits and fruit extract for indigestion Emblica officinalis Euphobiaceae √ √ Fruits used for preparation of pickles and against fever

and dehydration Garcinia pedunculata Clusiaceae X X Preserved fruits are used for stomach disorder Spondias axillaris Anacardiaceae X X Fruits are preserved as pickles Spondias pinnata Anacardiaceae X X Fruits are preserved as pickles Syzygium cuminii Myrtaceae √ √ Used in making of pickle and against diarrhoea Pyrus pashia Rosaceae X X Medicinal Elaeocarpus floribundus Elaeocarpaceae √ X Used for making pickles Zizyphus mauritiana Rhamnaceae √ √ Used as pickles and in preparation of cold drinks Terminalia bellirica Combretaceae X X Used in preparation of pickles Terminalia chebula Combretaceae X X Used in preparation of pickles and as medicine Vitis sp Vitaceae X X Medicinal Vitis species Vitaceae X X Medicinal Castanopsis indica Fagaceae X X Stem is used for house pillar and as firewood Morus indica Moraceae X X Stem used for firewood and in fencing Rhus semialata Rosaceae X X Medicinal Fragaria indica Rosaceae X X Medicinal Livistona jenkinsiana Arecaceae X X Leaves are used as a roofing material and

in preparation of fan


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(protein) and Solanum nigrum (fats ,Ca) also have high nutritive values4,20-23. The consumption of wild plants is a necessary part of the strategies adopted by the local people for sustenance. Domestication grew out of food gathering almost imperceptibly led to cultivation5. Locally, different wild edibles are in various stages of domestication. Artocarpus spp., Averrhoa carambola, Bamboo spp., Calamus spp., Clerodendrum spp., Colocasia spp., Elaeagnus spp., Garcinia spp., Morus alba, Phyllanthus emblica, Prunus persica, Pyrus cumunis, Solanum nigrum, Syzygium cuminii, Zizyphus mauritiana and Zanthoxylum armatum are commonly grown and are in various stages of domestication (Figs. 6-7). Some others have additional uses, like Zanthoxylum spp, which are used for fishing and also for curing various aliments. Conclusion Food gathering and harvesting of forest product is a common activity of the local communities. Enhanced use of these resources would not only supplement the food shortage but also would contribute the necessary nutrients requirement of the people and improve the economy of the region. Investigation on edible wild plant species locally used for consumption reveals, potential to become valuable staple foods and important alternatives to the usual cultivated agricultural crops. Selection for potential species can be done, based on the local priority and nutritional content, as most of the wild edible species have high nutritional values20-23. Therefore, it seems imperative to carry out studies on the nutritional values of these plants24,25. An emphasis on the sustainable harvesting of wild edible plants will help enhance and maintain the region biodiversity. There is a need for systematic incorporation of information on current use of wild food resources in any programmes dealing with sustained food security and rural development for the benefit of the local people. Acknowledgement Authors are grateful to MHRD, New Delhi and CSIR, New Delhi for financial assistance. Authors are thankful to BSI, Shillong and Central National Herbarium, Howrah for herbarium facilities. Authors are also thankful to the Department of Environment and Forest, Government of Arunachal Pradesh and the local people for their permission and help during the survey. Special thanks are due to Dr K Haridasan,

Deputy Director, FRLHT, Bangalore (the then Systematic Botanist, State Forest Research Institute, Itanagar) for valued help and suggestion. References 1 Katewa SS, Contribution of some wild food plants from

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3 Sundriyal M, Sundriyal RC, Sharma E & Purohit AN, Wild edibles and other useful plants from the Sikkim Himalaya, India, Oecologia Montana, 7 (1998) 43-54.

4 Arora RK & Pandey Anjula, Wild Edible Plant of India, Diversity, Conservation and Use, (National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, ICAR, New Delhi), 1996.

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