Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 13 (3), July 2014, pp. 606-612

Ethnobotanical notes on species of Arunachal Pradesh,

Ashalata Devi* 1, K Rakshit 1, B Sarania 1, Adi, Apatani, Monpa & Nyishi Community 1Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Napaam - 784028, Assam, India E-mails: [email protected]; [email protected]

Received 27.08.13, revised 28.11.13

Onion and is considered one the most important ancient cultivated crops of genus Allium . Large numbers of Allium species has been widely used for various purposes in hilly area of Arunachal Pradesh. Arunachal Pradesh, a state in North east India, harbours a wide range of wild Allium species which are being used by natives as for vegetable, spices, condiment and medicine. A total of 9 species namely, Allium cepa, , , , , Allium rubellum, Allium sativum, and Allium wallichii were recorded in different parts of Arunachal Pradesh during June 2012 to July 2013. All the 9 species were consumed as raw or in processed form, as flavours/ condiment in preparing food items and as herbal medicine. It was recognized that Allium chinense, Allium hookeri, Allium tuberosum and Allium macranthum have high ornamental potential value. Most of the species are locally cultivated and have good market value in areas of occurrence. However, wild Allium species of Arunachal Pradesh is largely threatened by several human activities exerted by natives. The present work mainly highlights information on species diversity, distribution and utilization of Allium species of Arunachal Pradesh for future cultivation and conservation programmes.

Keywords: Allium species, Species diversity, Distribution, Utilization, Cultivation and conservation IPC Int. Cl. 8: A01, A61K 36/00, GO1S 3/72, GO1S 7/42, A23B, A01N 3/00

Charaka-Samhita, the oldest known Indian Ayurvedic accepted more than 750 Allium species 6,7,8,9 . Genus medical treatise, dating from ca. 400 to 200 BC, Allium is characterized by superior which attributes many health virtues to garlic and (characteristic of family Liliaceae) and scapose and their cultivation 1. In addition to umbellate inflorescence (flowers borne in a bracted commonly cultivated species of Allium in India, on top of a scape) with membranous other species of less known are grown in selected (characteristic of family ) has been pockets as semi-domesticated types or wild economic placed in family Alliaceae 10 . Different species have species 2,3 . The genus Allium (Family-Alliaceae) is characteristic features of rhizome/ bulb, leaf, economically important because it includes several inflorescences, odour and taste. important historical vegetable crops – onion, garlic, Genus Allium is widely distributed in the etc. as well as many wild ornamental species. Allium northern temperate and Alpine regions of the world. species are consumed as raw or cooked or as About 35-40 species occur in temperate and Alpine pickle/processed form, as dried condiment and 11,12,13,14,15 regions of Himalaya in India . In recent spices/flavours. The taxonomic position of Allium and years, anthropogenic intervention such as related genera had been a matter of controversy for indiscriminate felling of trees and large scale long 4 period of time. Takhtajan 5 adopted the harvesting of wild species from natural habitats for taxonomical hierarchy of Allium as: 1. Class – trades have posed serious threat and thus these species Liliopsida, 2. Subclass – Liliidae, 3. Superorder – deserve to be given special attention for sustainable Liliianae, 4. Order – Amaryllidales, 5. Family – collection and conservation. Alliaceae, 6. Subfamily – , 7. Tribe – Allieae, 8. Genus – Allium. The modern classification In present communication, we attempt to highlight ______some of the ethnobotnical notes on valued genetic *Corresponding author resources of Allium in Arunachal Pradesh, India DEVI et al. : ETHNOBOTANICAL NOTES ON ALLIUM SPECIES OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH, INDIA 607

which had not been done so far in this state. Arunachal Pradesh 19 . Voucher specimens were made Arunachal Pradesh spread over an area of 83,743 sq by using standard plant press, authenticated and km with altitudinal range from 150-5500 m deposited at Herbarium centre of the Ecology harbouring different forest type namely, Tropical semi laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, evergreen, Tropical wet evergreen, Sub tropical Tezpur University, Assam. forest, Pine forests, Temperate forests and Alpine forests. The climatic and ecological diversity of the Results and discussion state promote rich floral and faunal diversity in Distribution of Allium species in Arunachal Pradesh different types of forest. The state is also rich in Nine species namely, Allium cepa, Allium chinense, ethnic communities and multi-ethnic population has a Allium hookeri, Allium macranthum, Allium prattii, long tradition of close relation with wild plants. They Allium rubellum, Allium sativum, Allium tuberosum collect and consume a large number of wild plant and Allium wallichii were recorded from different species as food and to fulfill many of their basic areas of 6 districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Maximum requirements for livelihood. The potential of of 7 species were recorded from Tawang district, Arunachal Pradesh’s Allium germplasm is tried to 6 species from Papum Pare district, 4 species from highlight in order to boost sustainable collection and Lower Subansiri district, three species each were conservation activities and value addition of the recorded from East Kameng and West Kameng economic products. districts, and 4 species from Upper Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh (Table 1). Allium sativum L. and Methodology Allium cepa L. are common species found in all the An extensive inventory and frequent field trips for study areas. Allium cepa leaves are shorter bears exploration of Allium species was conducted at white flowers and swelling bulb. Allium chinense monthly or fortnightly interval from June 2012 to have narrowly linear basal leaves, red purple flowers July 2013 using enthnobotanical and Participatory and bulbs clustered. Leaves of Allium hookeri are Rural Appraisal (PRA) methods in 6 districts of the slender with prominent midrib, basal linear state Arunachal Pradesh, a state in Northeastern India. membranous, white flowers and white fibrous roots. Herbal healers of age group between 30 and 60 yrs Allium macranthum leaves are many and linear, large belonging to different communities from 6 districts of dark purple flowers and bulb narrow membranous. the state were interviewed and recorded the Allium prattii have board linear leaves with prominent information in a prescribed questionnaire 16 . The midrib and bears pink to red flower. Allium rubellum questionnaire revealed the name, age and address of leaves flattish, small rosy flowers, bulb small. Allium herbal healer, date of interview, local and botanical sativum leaves are flat, white flowers, bulbs elongate, names of drug plants, parts used, collected fresh or cylindric with white fleshy root. Allium tuberosum dried stored material, locality, dose quantity, dose leaves are narrow-linear flat tall compressed, white or per day, method of drug preparation, care to be taken pink flowers, bulbs elongate, cylindric with white or the side effects if any and mode of administration. fleshy root. Allium wallichii leaves are long linear Ethics as well as cultural importance of drug plants flat, purple flowers, bulbs hardly developed. were also recorded. Prior informed consent (PIC) was Altitudinal distribution of species shows a maximum taken from the knowledge providers as per CBD 6 species in the alpine and sub-temperate region guidelines. Collection and maintenance of plant (2,500-4,500 m), and 3 species in temperate region specimens have been made by following standard (1,500-2,500 m). methodology. Specimens were collected from wild habitat, cultivated areas and local indigenous Collection and conservation status market during field survey and herbarium techniques Biodiversity provides a foundation for ecologically have been followed for the study 17,18 . Secondary sustainable development and food security. information was also collected through scrutiny of Indigenous community holds potential knowledge for literature, notes on herbarium and systematic studies preserving biodiversity, cultural diversity and on this group. Botanical specimens of all the maintaining ecological functions. Livelihood of medicinal plants were photographed, collected and natives of Arunachal Pradesh is greatly dependent on identified by referring to the Material for the Flora of traditionally maintained ecosystems. Their beliefs and 608 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 13, NO. 3, JULY 2014

Table 1—Distribution, status of occurrence and use of recorded Allium species by ethnic people of Arunachal Pradesh.

Species Distribution Occurrence Status of Uses occurrence

Allium chinense Papum Pare, Upper Dibang Frequent and Common Vegetable, Condiment/Flavour G. Don Valley, occasionally and Medicine cultivated Allium hookeri Tawang, Lower Subansiri, Frequent and Common Vegetable, Condiment/Flavour Thw. West Kameng, Upper Dibang occasionally and Medicine Valley, East Kameng and cultivated Papum Pare Allium macranthum Tawang Less common and Rare Vegetable, Condiment and Baker occasionally Medicine cultivated Allium prattii Tawang Less common Rare Vegetable, Condiment and Wight Medicine Allium rubellum Papum Pare Less common Rare Vegetable, Condiment and M Beib. Medicine Allium sativum L. Upper Dibang Valley, East Occasionally Common Condiment/Flavour and Kameng and Papum Pare cultivated Medicine Allium wallichii Tawang Less common Rare Vegetable, Condiment and Kunth Medicine Allium cepa L. Tawang, Lower Subansiri, Occasionally Common Vegetable, Condiment and West Kameng, East Kameng, cultivated Medicine Upper Dibang Valley and Papum Pare Allium tuberosum Lower Subansiri, Papum Pare Frequent and Rare Vegetable, Condiment and Rottler ex. Spreng. occasionally Medicine cultivated actions are related with the conservation of nature, in based on years of informal experimentation and terms of resource utilization. Traditional knowledge understanding of a particular production system. on Allium species has been preserved by the However, there is a lack of record of collection and indigenous communities for centuries and this unique conservation status of wild Allium species in traditional knowledge provides precious inputs that Arunachal Pradesh. Natives of the state used to collect can be helpful in conservation of the species. For Allium species from wild for various uses. Extraction example, the name of Talle Wildlife Sanctuary of Allium species from the wild habitats causes (situated in between 27°30 ′ to 27°40 ′ N latitude and ecosystem imbalance and extinction of sensitive plant 93° 57 ′ to 94°12 ′ E longitude in Lower Subansiri species. Extensive harvest of the bulbs for economic District of Arunachal Pradesh) is derived from the use has also threatened to the survival of species in Apatani vernacular ‘Tale’ referring to Allium hookeri wild population. Intensified efforts for exploration, which grows abundantly at Talle valley situated collection and conservation of these species are within the Talle Wildlife Sanctuary. The Sanctuary is necessary to determine the conservation status and the best suitable place for natural conservation of underline the degree of threat face by the species. Allium hookeri . Planned cultivation of different Allium species in Documenting the traditional knowledge is fallow agricultural lands depending on their important for the conservation of Allium species as altitudinal suitability can be introduced as a new well as their sustainable utilization. The need for the approach for conservation and sustainable utilization integration of local indigenous knowledge for a of the plants. The rich knowledge of local people of sustainable management and conservation of Allium the state may be use as indigenous tool and species receives more and more recognition. It is technology for cultivating Allium species. important to build up indigenous knowledge on which Conservation aims at maintaining the diversity of resource poor farmers including tribes have conserved living organisms, their habitat and the many agricultural crops and ethnobotanical species interrelationships between organisms and their DEVI et al. : ETHNOBOTANICAL NOTES ON ALLIUM SPECIES OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH, INDIA 609

environment. There are two approaches for onion and garlic, there are species of minor economic conservation of plant genetic resources, namely in situ importance that are sporadically cultivated in different and ex situ conservation. In situ conservation involves parts of world. maintaining genetic resources in the natural habitats where they occur, whether as wild and uncultivated Allium as food and condiment/flavour plant communities or crop cultivars in farmers’ field Generally, leaf, bulb and roots parts have edible as components of the traditional agriculture system. value and consumed raw or as cooked vegetables. On the other hand, ex situ conservation involves Young leaves of many wild species are preferred over conservation outside native habitat and is generally the mature ones in the form of vegetable, in soups or used to safeguard populations in danger of for raw consumption. Freshly harvested destruction, replacement or deterioration. Approaches inflorescences, leaves or bulbs (Figs 2 & 3) are to ex situ conservation include methods like seed occasionally sold in village local markets. A small storage, DNA storage, pollen storage, in vitro bunch of fresh leaves of Allium hookeri and Allium conservation, field gene banks and botanical gardens. tuberosum cost approx. Rs. 20-30. Its availability is Wild species of Allium that are endemic, found to be abundant during summer rainy season and rare/threatened/vulnerable; or at risk of genetic declines in dry winter season. Market price and erosion due to habitat destruction or over exploitation availability of fibrous roots, and whole plant of need to be conserved through suggested ex-situ Allium hookeri , inflorescences of Allium chinense and approach 20 . In-situ conservation of commercially fresh leaves of Allium tuberosum also depends upon important Allium species could be achieved through growing season of the plants. The leaves and participatory approach by involvement of native tuberous/fibrous roots are rich in carbohydrates, communities who domesticate wild economic species vitamins and minerals. Cloves of A. chinense in their home gardens, backyards and protected are consumed as pickled. Fleshy fibrous roots of habitats for domestic and commercial utilization 21 . A. hookeri are consumed as vegetable, soups and

The most important means for conservation, pickles. Fresh leaves of Allium tuberosum is largely management and protection of plant resources, is use as vegetables, consumed as raw or as cook. through participation of the people at large for Although all Allium species have different aroma example, tribal people, farmers, ecologist, etc. In (strongly pungent to mildly aromatic) and flavor addition, a coordinated effort would be required (onion or garlic like odour) but selective use which could only be achieved by pooling research and of the species/plant part is based on utilization development sectors, research institutions, NGOs and and preference by local communities. A. cepa and communities together to systematize these efforts A. sativum is widely used as flavouring agent and towards conservation of plant resources. for garnishing purpose. Bulbs, leaves and flowers of A. chinense are commonly used as flavours in various food preparations such as soups, curries, etc. Allium Utilization macranthum, Allium prattii, Allium rubellum and Different ethnic group of Arunachal Pradesh Allium wallichii are occasionally taken as favouring namely, Adi, Apatani, Mompa and Nyishi used all the agent in small quantity. Sun dried/furnaces dried 9 species in the form of raw or in processed, as leaf powder has good shelf-life for off-season flavours/ condiment in preparing food items and as 20,24 consumption and for sale in the market . medicine for treatment of certain common health problems. Its has been well recorded that wild Allium Medicinal uses species have been widely used for consumption as All the recorded Allium cepa, Allium chinense, raw or cooked or as pickle/processed form, as dried Allium hookeri, Allium macranthum, Allium condiment and spices/flavours in other parts of the tuberosum, Allium prattii, Allium rubellum, Allium country 21,22,23 . sativum and Allium wallichii have some medicinal It was found that Allium chinense, Allium hookeri, properties. Natives of Arunachal Pradesh used leaves, Allium tuberosum and Allium sativum are bulb, cloves and roots of these species commonly for locally cultivated in small patches in the homegarden treatments of some common health problems like cold (Fig. 1a & b) and have good market value in areas of and cough and skin rashes. Allium hookeri uses to occurrence. Besides commonly cultivated species of cure cough, cold and vomiting; also on wounds for 610 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 13, NO. 3, JULY 2014

Figs. 1-3: Fig. 1a & b—Allium hookeri growing in semi-domesticated areas and fibrous root (insertion); Cultivation of Allium tuberosum and inflorescences (insertion), Fig. 2—Inflorescences of Allium chinense sold in local market at Itanagar & Fig. 3—Fresh leaves and inflorescences of Allium tuberosum (a) and whole plant of Allium hookeri (b) sold in local market. healing 25,26,27 . Ash of bulb with oil is applied to cure Allium have been identified for their potential rash or eruption of skin and other skin diseases 28 . ornamental value. The potential of ornamental value Paste is applied externally for relief from body pain 26 . of wild species in India is yet to be explored for Allium sativum bulb is taken twice a day in stomach Indian market. bloating 29 . Cloves are dried, crushed into a powder New findings/Traditional Knowledge associated with Allium and is taken with water for relief from cough, cold plants uses and new plants parts uses and chest congestion 26 . Traditional knowledge (TK) is the information that Allium as ornamental plant people in a given community, based on experience Allium chinense, Allium hookeri, Allium and adaptation to a local culture and environment, macranthum and Allium tuberosum are used as have developed over time and continues to develop. ornamental plant by native people of Arunachal New findings are extracted from documented Pradesh. Use of Allium species for ornamental questionnaire of the field survey. It is found that purposes is not very common in India. Recently, natives of Arunachal Pradesh use Allium macranthum Allium species have gained much popularity as as ornamental plant and leaves and bulbs of Allium ornamental in rock gardens, herbaceous beds, macranthum, Allium prattii , Allium rubellum and perennial borders, pot plant, as decorative items and Allium wallichii were taken as medicines and as in dry arrangements 24,30 . Ornamental value of Allium favouring agent in small quantity. is due to wide range of attractive coloured flowers and Traditional significance of study to the society, farmers and persistence of floral or long vegetative cycle. Flower researchers colour in wild Allium ranges from white, rose, lilac, All nine Allium species have high commercial purple, violet, blue and yellow. Some wild species of value for food, flavour and medicine. Food gathering DEVI et al. : ETHNOBOTANICAL NOTES ON ALLIUM SPECIES OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH, INDIA 611

and harvesting of forest product is a common activity tuberosum, Allium prattii, Allium rubellum, Allium of the local communities. Efficient use of these sativum and Allium wallichii ) were recorded in resources would not only supplement the food storage Arunachal Pradesh during the study period. Further but also would contribute the necessary nutrients extensive survey may increase the richness of Allium requirement of the people and improve the economy species in the state. All the nine species of Allium of the region. This study also highlight the fact of have their commercial value for food, flavour and some Allium species used in the traditional medicine medicine. These species occurs in natural habitat or as well as to a variety of other uses as for food and grown in the small scale in home gardens. Research vegetables, condiments and spices. There is a need for and development efforts need to be focus towards systematic incorporation of information on current sustainable harvesting of wild Allium species and use of wild Allium species for food resources in any their management. Evaluation of the decorative programmes dealing with sustained food security and characters of wild/potential species is desirable for rural development for the benefit of the local people. their commercial ornamental use. Suitable strategies Investigation on edible wild Allium species locally for conservation, assessment of domestication used for consumption reveals, potential to become potential for commercialization and value addition valuable staple foods and important alternatives to the would widen the scope of utilization of wild Allium usual cultivated agricultural crops. species in India. Information on phytogeographical These species are easy to grow in homegardens distribution range, status of occurrence, collection for domestic consumption. At present hybrid and conservation of germplasm and utilization varieties of onion and garlic give tough competition of the wild species may be employ for formulation of to all nine species available in this region. Some of better management plan of germplasm of Allium the Allium species have a great trade potential in the species in the state. medicinal plants market. Some plants are of high Proper and detailed study about Allium species of value species which could be cultivated on a large the states is urgently needed because degree of scale in the favourable agro-climatic conditions of the biodiversity loss is unknown to this region of the area. As the wild resources are the main source of world. It may happen that before being documented nutrients and medicine for remote dwellers, these properly we may lose some of the wild Allium species could be domesticated for self-sustenance through of the state. Research and development efforts need to settled cultivation. be focus towards sustainable harvesting, management Investigation on edible wild Allium species used and conservation of Allium species in Arunachal locally for consumption reveals potential to become Pradesh, India. Evaluation of the decorative valuable staple foods and important alternatives to the characters of wild Allium species is desirable for their usual cultivated agricultural crops. Selection for commercial ornamental use. Suitable strategies for potential species can be done, based on the local conservation, assessment of domestication potential priority and nutritional content, as most of the wild for commercialization and value addition would edible species have high nutritional values. An widen the scope of utilization of wild Allium species. emphasis on the sustainable harvesting of wild edible In view of the above facts, it is felt that it is the prime Allium species will help to enhance and maintain the need of the hour to establish a full-fledged regional biodiversity. multidisciplinary Institute of Ethnobiology, in An attempt could now also be made to test the Arunachal Pradesh, which will monitor all such scientific knowledge, by investigating the curative ethnobiological researches and take care that such principles and the active phytochemical constituents reports should be taken up seriously and ensure that and to test their efficacy in the healthcare needs. The the ethnic communities get their legitimate dues for recovery of the knowledge and practices associated sharing their ethnic knowledge with the scientists 28 . with these plant resources may be placed as an important strategy linked to the conservation of Acknowledgement biodiversity. Authors acknowledge with thanks to University Grants Commission (UGC) for financial support Conclusion granted under major research project entitled A total of nine Allium species ( Allium cepa, Allium “Exploration, utilization, conservation and chinense, Allium hookeri, Allium macranthum, Allium documentation of Allium species in northeastern 612 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 13, NO. 3, JULY 2014

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