Journal of Advanced Plant Sciences 2021.11(1): 13-28 13

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Conservation and Management of Plant Bioresources by the Tai Phake of : Role of Home Garden and Monastery

Mamoni Phukan Borgohain*, Robindra Teron and Ajit K. Tamuli Department of Life Science & Bioinformatics, Assam University, Diphu Campus, Diphu – 782462, Karbi Anglong,

Received: 17 May 2020 / 1st Revised: 20 November, 2020 ; 2nd Revised 7 March 2021 / Accepted: 30 April 2021 © Botanical Society of Assam 2021

Abstract Introduction

Home gardens represent a typical traditional agro- Homestead garden is a traditional agroforestry ecosystem, intensively managed lands close to system distributed in all regions of the world and human dwellings, primarily managed for meeting being managed by mankind since millennia. Home basic household requirements. Besides other gardens are a typical type of traditional agro- benefits, it significantly contributes towards in situ ecosystem, being intensively managed lands close to conservation of several land races and cultivars, rare human dwellings, varying in their layouts and types and endangered species of plants. The plant of species grown, and associated with different domestication among the Tai Phake people of geographical areas or ethnic groups (Huai and Assam has been examined to study the Hamilton, 2009). Home gardens are important agro- agrobiodiversity, management and utilization. It was ecosystems found in traditional communities practiced under two forms viz. home garden and throughout the world (Borthakur 1997a, Singh & monastery. Data collection employed the following Teron, 2016). The main function of home garden is methods- group discussion, semi-structured to ensure food security of the rural families and also interview and personal observation. Every Phake provide cash income to the family. It fulfils other household and monastery maintains a garden of sustenance needs such as healthcare practice, varied size where useful plants have been cultivated cultural and religious uses, firewood, dye, building and managed since decades. This study documented materials for construction etc. total 116 species belonging to 94 genera and 60 families are under active domestication process. During the last 40-50 years, the relative importance Distribution of the species inventoried showed has shifted from the traditional forestry to variability with 46 species (40%) recorded from homestead forestry and in this context homestead home gardens and 22 species (19.13%) from garden plays a vital role in providing firewood, monasteries; 48 (47.73%) species are common in fodder, medicine, fruit and timber (Roy et al. 2013). both home gardens and monasteries. Domestication The Indian Eastern Himalaya, a diversity of hotspot, of plant resources is a novel process of conservation is a harbour of diverse ethnic tribes and sub-tribes, and a good strategy towards ever declining potential who are expert bio-harvester of the agro-ecosystem. plant habitats and will be useful in mitigating the The tribes are known for their indigenous effects of climate change. knowledge which they exhibit in their socio-cultural activities. Conservation of bioresources in home Keywords: Tai Phake • home garden • monastery • garden is a traditional culture of Tai community agro biodiversity • conservation. (Borthakur and Gogoi, 1992). The Tai community is the large goup and composed of six sub-groups. Corresponding author, This study endeavour to investigate home gardens email: [email protected] and monasteries on Tai Phake of Assam with the following objectives: document the agrobiodiversity Published online: 30-04-2021

Journal of Advanced Plant Sciences 2021.11(1): 13-28 14 and domestication practices, document utilization of Field survey and data collection: agrobiodiversity, understand the motives of plant domestication and analyse the gender influence on Field study was undertaken in Tai Phake villages of plant domestication. Almost every Phake household upper Assam. Data on plant diversity was collected maintains a homestead garden to conserve essential from the heads of the families and the priests of the plants for various utilities (Gogoi, 1995). Being monasteries of each village following semi Buddhists, Phakes and other Tais built monastery as structured interview (Alexiades 1996). From home the place of worship where a garden is maintained gardens, the plants were listed and its availability to grow flowers for ritual needs and for recreation. and utilization recorded based on cross checked information provided by the informant. Plant inventory in monasteries included interview of Materials and Methods Bhantes and listing of the plants, uses and other relevant information. To corroborate the Study area and the people information, personal observations were made by walking in the home gardens and monasteries along The Tai is a large community that entered Assam in with informants (head of family and priests). Plant the historical past originally from Yunnan province were collected and pressed following techniques of of China. The Tai Ahoms were the first Tai people Jain and Rao (1977) and identified with the help of who entered Assam during the early part of the 13th local floras (Hooker 1999-2006; Haridarsan and Rao century. Other groups who followed the Ahom 1985-1987; Islam 1989; Prajapati et al. 2003). between the middle of the 18th century were the Nomenclature of plants has been updated online Khamtis, the Phakes, the Aiton, the Khamyangs and from www.theplantlist.org. the Turungs. The Tai Phake is the second largest group of Tai Tribes of Southeast Asia (Sharma Thakur, 1982). They claim themselves as descendants of the Tai Royal Officials. On reaching Assam, they at first resided on the bank of Buridihing, whence they were bought by the Ahoms. Today, there are six Tai tribes in Northeast India such as Tai Ahom, Tai Khamti, Tai Phake, Tai Khamyang, Tai Turung and Tai Aiton. The Tai Phakes however, are distributed in Dibrugarh and of upper Brahmaputra valley of Assam. They practice patriarchal society and are followers of Buddhism. Phake villages are distributed in nine villages of Dibrugarh districts (Nam Phake and Tipam Phake) and in Tinsukia district (Bar Phake, Man Mo, Nong Lai, Long Phake, Moung Lang, Ning gam and Pha Neng) (Fig.1). Bar Phake is the oldest Phake village in Assam. These Phake villages are located beside rivers and dense forest which reflects their close association with nature. The inhabitants are mainly Fig.1 Tai Phake villages of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia dependent on farming for sustenance and district of Assam, 1.Nam phake, 2. TipamPhake, 3. livelihoods. The head of every family and the BorPhake, 4. Man mo, 5.Nong Lai, 6. Long Phake, 7. Bhantes (priests) of monasteries of each village Ning Gam, 8. Moung Lang& 9. PhaNeng maintain their gardens mainly to conserve the plant resources for their daily life. Ethnobotanical data generated from field study were presented as tables and graphs. Diversity of plants and its uses were presented in rows and columns.

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Table 1: Inventory of plant bioresources of Tai Phake Home gardens and Monasteries of Assam. [Med.: Medicine; Veg.:Vegetable; Mast.:Masticatory; Const.:Construction; Rit.: Ritual; Ornam.:Ornamental; HG:Home garden; Mons:Monastery; Vet: Veterinary, Cosm: Cosmetics]

Plant [Family]Voucher Phake Parts Med Application Distribution number name used Acorus calamus L. Sam po Root Med. Dried powder rhizome is taken HG, Mons [Acoraceae] MPB-52, dt. orally as blood purifier and in acidity 12.10.14 Aegle marmelos Corrêa Ma Kao Fruit Med Fruits taken raw for stomach Mons [Rutaceae] MPB-109, dt. Cha problem 8.1.15 Allium sativum Linn. Polo sing Bulb Veg, Use as spice, Eaten raw orally in HG [Liliaceae]; MPB-76, Med, hypertension dtd.5.12.14 Vet

Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. Li ngong Leaf Med. Leaf paste instantly apply locally in HG, Mons [Asparagaceae] MPB-69, burn dt. 22.10.14 Alocasia cucullata Phag hon Rhizome Veg Rhizome use in traditional soup with HG Schott[Araceae]; MPB- gam leafy spice 70, dtd. 5.12.14 Amaranthus viridis Pa loom Leaves, Veg, Used as curry, helps in stomach HG Linn[Amaranthaceae]; tender Med problem MPB-132, dtd. 3.7.15 stem Ananas comosus L. Maak Tender Med, Tender leaves is taken orally in HG, Mons Merrill. maha nat leaves, Fruit worms, fruit taken raw helps in [Bromeliaceae] Fruit digestion MPB-180,dtd.6.9.15 Areca catechu L. Mak po Nut Mast., Masticator nut taken with piper betel HG [Arecaceae] MPB- 40, dt. Rit. and a little lime 15.7.14 Aristolochia tagala Cham. May aa Inflresce Med Inflorescence and leave mixed with HG, Mons [Aristilochiaceae] MPB- nce Aegle leaves, juice is taken orally in 215, dtd.16.2.16 stomach problem

Artocarpus chaplasha Malang Stem Fruit, Fruit eaten raw, Timber used in Mons Roxb [Moraceae]; MPB- thaon Const. construction 214,dtd16.2.16 Artocarpus heterophyllus Malang Fruit, Fruit, Fruit eaten raw, Timber used in HG, Mons Lamk [Moraceae]; MPB- Thaon stem Dye, construction, dye is extracted from 105,dtd.8.1.15 Const the bark Averrhoa carambola L. Maak Fruit Med Fruit eaten raw or extracted juice is HG, Mons [Oxalidaceae] MPB-235, phoung used in liver disease dtd.19.4.16

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Azadirachta indica A. Pan na Leaf Med, Leaves paste used in skin disease HG, Mons Juss. [Meliaceae] MPB- Veg and used as curry 251,dtd.4.7.16; Baccaurea sapida Ma Phai Fruit Fruit Fruit eaten raw HG RoxbMuell .[Euphorbiaceae] MPB- 203,dtd.16.2.16; Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. Mei sang Stem Const. Used in construction HG, Mons Ex J.C.Wendl.[Poaceae]; MPB-171, dtd.30.7.15 Bambusa balcooa Roxb. Mechang Stem Const., Used in construction, bamboo shoot HG, Mons [Poaceae] MPB-30, nam Veg. used as curry or raw item dt.6.7.14 Bambusa polymorpha Mei Stem Const. Used in construction HG, Mons Munro [Poaceae] MPB- chang 161,dtd.26.7.15; Bischofia javanica Blume Khum Leaf, Veg(Flo Tender leaves used as chutney, HG, Mons [Phyllanthaceae] MPB-33, phat flower, wer), flower as curry and stem used in dt. 6.7.14 Stem Const. construction Bombax ceiba L. Maii neiu Stem, Const., Stem used in construction, dried HG [Bombacaceae] MPB- bark Med. stem bark used in cancer treatment 101, dt. 8.1.15 Brassica rugosa Prain Pakat Leaf Veg Leaves mixed with cooked rice, kept HG [Brassicaceae] MPB- chum it for few days and soured juice used 260,dtd.17.7.16; in soup Camellia sinensis (L) Un neing Leaves Bv Fresh leaves crushed and dried HG Kuntz, [Theaceae]; MPB- powder boil in water, used as 123,dtd. 24.2.15 homemade tea Capsicum indicum Linn Ma pheit Fruit Med, Crushed fruit used in medicine for HG [Solanaceae]; MPB- kong Veg neurological treatment 147,dtd.3.7.15 Capsicum annuum Ma Pheit Fruit Veg Fruit eaten raw with meal HG Linn.[Solanaceae]; MPB- 247,dtd.4.7.16 Calamus rotang Linn Wai Stem, Const, Most essential cordage material, HG, Mons [Arecaceae]; MPB-62, dt. tender Veg tender shoot is a popular food item 22.10.14 shoot Caesalpinia cucullata Thou nao Flower Veg Flower is used as food item HG Roxb. [Caesalpinaceae] nam MPB-65, dt. 22.10.14 Calotropis gigantea R. Madar, Leaves Leaves are heated and apply locally HG, Mons Brown [Asclepiadaceae] Tun-pau in sprain. MPB-205, dtd.16.2.16

Cassia siamea Lam May kang Flower Veg Flower is used as curry Mons [Caesalpinaceae]; MPB- 126, dtd.24.2.15

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Cinnamomum Sum hom Bark Spice Dried stem bark used as spice HG sulphoratum [Lauraceae]; MPB-272,dtd.11.12.16 Cinnamomum tamala Leaf Spice, Leaves is popular spice, leaves HG, Mons Nees & Eberm Cosm boiled in water and then the water [Lauraceae]; MPB-150, used as face wash dtd.3.7.15 Cissus quadrangularis L. Ya lin Stem Med. Climbing stem tied in broken area or Mons [Vitaceae] MPB-89, ngoak fleshy stem made into paste and tied dt. 8.1.15 in broken area Citrus aurantifolia Linn. Me Lui Fruit Fruit Fruit eaten raw , bark of fruit made HG, [Rutaceae] MPB- into paste and used as face pack Mons 221,dtd.19.4.16; Citrus decumana Linn Mak sa Fruit Fruit Fruit eaten raw HG, Mons [Rutaceae]; MPB- Neng 189,dtd.6.9.15 Cleorodendron Pata- Tender Twigs are fried and taken orally for HG, Mons colebrookianum Khwai leaf hypertension Walp.[Lamiaceae]; MPB- 26,dtd 6.7.14

Cocos nucifera L. Maak- Fruit Fruit, Fruit eaten raw and taken orally in HG, Mons [Aracaceae];MPB-254, oun Med acidity dtd.17.7.16

Cucurbita maxima Ma Pok Fruit, Veg Eaten as curry HG Duch.[Cucurbitaceae]; tender MPB-268,dtd.11.12.16 stem Curcuma aromatic Khao min Rhizome Med Fresh rhizome paste applied locally HG, Mons Salishb[Zingiberaceae]; in the wound MPB-99,dtd.8.1.15 Curcuma longa Khao min Rhizome Veg, Used as spice, fresh rhizome paste HG L[Zingiberaceae] MPB- Med, applied locally in the wound and as 241,dtd.4.7.16; Cosm skin dye Curcuma zedoaria Roase Blok Rhizome Med Fresh rhizome paste applied locally HG [Zingiberaceae] MPB- ming in the wound 119, dtd.24.2.15; Dalbergia pinnata (Lour) Tun chali Stem Const Wood used in construction HG Prain[]; MPB- 300,dtd.6.9.14

Dendrobium chrysotoxum Mo Flower Ornamental use HG Lindl. [Orchidaceae]; khang MPB-240,dtd.4.7.16 meu Dillenia indicaL Mak sen Fruit Veg, Used as curry, fruit juice eaten orally Mons [Dilleniaceae] MPB- Med, as laxative 121,dtd.24.2.15 cosm

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Dioscorea alata Man tun Tuber Veg Used as food item HG, Mons L[Dioscoreaceae]; MPB- 280,dtd.11.12.16

Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk. Ya-haun- Whole Med Whole plant paste mix with rice HG [Compositae], MPB-224, khew plant. washed water and taken orally in dtd.19.4.16 Pneumonia, Digestion

Eleusine indica Gaertn. Ya-phak- Whole Med Whole plant juice are taken orally in HG [Poaceae] MPB-239, khai plant urinary problem dtd.4.7.16

Emblica officinalis Mak Fruit Med, Eaten raw for digestion , dried fruit Mons Gaertn. [Euphorbiaceae]; maha nat Fruit, with salt used in dysentery, fruit MPB-300,dtd.6.9.14 cosm juice used as hair dye

Eupatorium birmannicum Chinkora Twig Rit., Leave paste used as purifier in ritual HG, Mons DC [Compositae] Med., activities MPB-94, dtd. 8.1.15 sacred Ficus religiosa L. Budhi Whole Rit, Med Conserve in monastery as sacred Mons [Moraceae]; MPB-24, dt. plant plant, dry root powder used in 6.7.14 asthma medicine Flacourtia indica (Burm. Me Ken Fruit Fruit Fruit eaten raw HG F.) Merr. [Salicaceae] MPB-70, dtd. 5.12.14 Garcinia xanthochymus Ma neng Bark Dye, Yellow dye is extracted from fresh HG Hook.f. ex T.Anderson san Fruit bark, Fruit eaten raw [Clusiaceae] MPB-61, dt. 12.10.14 Gardenia florida Linn Che luwa Flower Rit, Flower offered to Lord Buddha in [Rubiaceae]; MPB- Ornam festive time 263,dtd.17.7.16 Gardenia gummifera Linn Che luwa Flower Rit, Flower offered to Lord Buddha in [Rubiaceae]; MPB-185, Ornam festive time dtd.6.9.15 Gardenia jasminoides Che luwa Flower Rit., Flower offered to Lord Buddha in Mons J.Ellis [Rubiaceae]; MPB- Ornam festive time 42, dt. 15.7.14 Gladiolus illyricus Che Pe Flower Ornam. Flower offered to Lord Buddha in HG, Mons W.D.J.Koch [Iridaceae]; festive time MPB-44, dt. 15.7.14 Hedychium coronarium Hue Mon Flower Ornam Flower offered to Lord Buddha in HG Koeing [Zingiberaceae]; festive time MPB-262,dtd.17.7.16 Hibiscus mutabilis Linn Mok wai Flower Ornam Flower offered to Lord Buddha in HG. Mons [Malvaceae]; MPB- waan festive time 165,dtd.26.7.15 Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Mok gyan Flower Ornam, Ornamental use of flower HG, Mons

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Linn [Malvaceae]; MPB- neng Med 213,dtd.16.2.16 Impatiens balsamina (L.) Kou-nam Root, Med Root& leave paste mix with mustard [Balsaminaceae] leaves oil and applied locally as anti-septic MPB-258, dtd.17.7.16 Ipomea batatas Linn Mann Tuber Veg Boiled tuber use as food HG [Convolvulaceae]; MPB- aon 131,dtd.3.7.15 Ixora coccinea Chip la Flower Rit, Ornamental use HG, Mons Linn.[Rubiaceae] Ornam. Jatropha curcas L. Paw Stem Med. Fresh stem juice use in toothache HG, Mons [Euphorbiaceae] MPB-56, dt. 12.10.14 Justicia adhatoda L. Aoung Flower, Med Flower is taken as curry and HG, Mons [Acanthaceae]; Rhizome powdered rhizome taken orally in MPB-261, dtd.17.7.16 cough. Lawsonia inermis L. Mang- Leaves Cosm., Leaf juice use as dye, Leave paste HG, Mons [Lythraceae] yoam Med applies locally in skin disease. MPB-239, dtd.2.2.14 Leucas aspera (Willd.) Ya-hang- Leaves Med Leave juice taken orally and use as HG, Mons Link [Lamiaceae] en curry in indigestion MPB-150,dtd.12.5.15 Kaempferia 19ndrogyn Hung Rhizome Med Rhizome used in gynaecological HG [Zingiberaceae] MPB- khiu disease 217,dtd.16.2.16; Livistona jenkinsiana Tong Ko Leaf, Const. Leaves are used in roof, sitting mat HG, Mons Griff. [Arecaceae] MPB- leaf is made from leaf petiole 52, dt. 12.10.14 petiole Maesa 19ndrogynou C.Y. Maoit Leaf Dye Mixed with Garcinia in extraction of HG Wu [Primulaceae], yellow dye MPB-62, dt. 12.10.14 Mangifera indica Linn. Maak Fruit Fruit, Fresh fruit eaten raw , works as HG, Mons [Anacardiaceae]; MPB- Moun Med laxative 125, dtd 24.2.15 Mentha viridis Linn. Ta je hon Leaf Spice, Leaves used in cooking HG [Lamiaceae]; MPB- Med 300,dtd.6.9.14 Mesua ferrea Linn. Kam ko Stem Const Wood used in construction, shuttle Mons [Clusiaceae]; MPB-177, making[ dtd.30.7.15 Musa acuminate Colla Koin Fruit, Fruit, Fruit eaten raw, inflorescence is used HG, Mons [Musaceae]; MPB-202, infloresc Food in vegetable soup dtd.16.2.16 ence Musa champa Hort. Kuin hom Fruit Fruit, Fruit eaten raw HG, Mons [Musaceae] Med MPB-204, dtd.16.2.16 Musa chinensis Sweet. Koin kin Fruit Fruit Fruit eaten raw HG, Mons Published online: 30-04-2021

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[Musaceae]; MPB- Phak 170,dtd.30.7.15 Musa acuminata L. Tun Koin Fruit Fruit Fruit used as curry HG, Mons [Musaceae]; MPB- 271,dtd.11.12.16 Nerium indicum Mill. Sang se Flower Rit, Ornamental use HG, Mons [Apocyanaeae]; MPB- Ornam 152,dtd.26.7.15 Nyctanthes arber tristis Tun oo Flower Ornam. Ornamental use HG Linn [Olaeaceae]; MPB- nun cha 244,dtd.4.7.16 Ocimum basilicum L. Im phim Leaf Spice Popular spice often use in soup HG, Mons [Lamiaceae] MPB-20, dt. 4.7.14 Ocimum sanctum Linn. Phim Leaves Med Leaf juice is used in cold and cough HG, Mons [Lamiaceae]; MPB- 238,dtd.4.7.16 Opuntia vulgaris Gibbes Ya ling Whole Fencing Used as biofencing HG, Mons [Cactaceae] MPB-62; dt. ngak plant 22.10.14 Oroxylum indicum (L.) Im-phim- Bark, Med Powdered Bark and roots are used Mons Kurz [Bignoneaceae] num root orally in cancer treatment MPB-285, dtd.5.6.14 Oxalis corniculata L. Phak- Whole Med Whole plant juice taken orally in HG, Mons [Oxalidaceae] chem- plant dysentery MPB-361,dtd.10.7.15 chem Pandanas odoratissimum Mok Flower, Ornam, Used as biofencing HG, Mons Linn. [Pandanaceae] Cham ka plant Fencing MPB-250,dtd.4.7.16; Papillonanthe teres Roxb Mok nuk Flower Ornam Ornamental use HG [Orchidaceae]; MPB- tat 158,dtd.26.7.15 Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Ma phaii Twig Spice Common spice use in curry HG Delarbre [Polygonaceae] hom MPB-19, dt. 4.7.14 Phlagocanthus thirsiflorus Mok chu Flower Veg, Flower use as food, planted as HG, Mons [Acanthaceae]; MPB- rom Fencing fencing 230,dtd.19.4.16 Phrynium pubinerve Tong Leaf Packing Very essential for packing of Khao HG, Mons Blume [Marantaceae] chin ho MPB-22, dt. 4.7.14 Phyllanthus emblica L. Maak- Fruit Med Fruits are taken orally in dysentery Mons [Phyllanthaceae]; MPB- kham 388, dtd.7.9.15 Piper betel Linn Mung po Leaves Mast Masticator use HG [Piperaceae]; MPB- 142,dtd.3.7.15

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Piper nigrum L. Maak- Fruit Med Powdered fruit is taken orally in cold HG, Mons [Piperaceae] pheit-lum and cough MPB-375, dtd.7.9.15 Polygonum hydropiper Ma phai Twig Spice Commonly use as spice HG Linn. [Polyginaceae] hom MPB-243,dtd.4.7.16; Premna corymbosa L. Chak- Bark Med Dried powder of bark is used orally [Verbenaceae] lang in cancer treatment MPB-224, dtd.2.2.16 Prunus persica (L.) Ma-mon , Root. Med Dried powder of root is taken orally HG, Mons Batsch [Rosaceae] in asthmatic trouble MPB-241, dtd.4.7.16; Rhyncostylis retusa (L)Bl Mok Mui Flower Ornam Ornamental use HG [Orchidaceae]; MPB-124, dtd.24.2.15 Rosa indica Mok Flower Ornam Ornamental use HG Linn.[Rosaceae] MPB- Khong 228,dtd.19.4.16 Sesamum indicum DC Ngaa Seed Veg Dry seed use as food HG [Pedaliaceae]; MPB- 234,dtd.19.4.16 Solanam indicum Linn. Mehang Fruit, Veg Popular food item HG [Solanaceae] MPB- khum tender 237,dtd.4.7.16; leaves Sarcochlamys Khong Flower Veg. Flower eaten as curry HG pulcherrima Gaudich. kha [Urticaceae]; MPB-115, dt. 24.2.15 Sauropus androgynous Po khong Leaf, Veg Popular vegetable of Tai Phake HG (L) Merr. khao tender [Phyllanthaceae]; MPB- stem 50, dt. 15.7.14 Schumannianthus Phok Root Med. Powdered root is used in hernia HG dichotomus (Roxb.) pong disease Gagnep. [Marantaceae] MPB-91, dt. 8.1.15 Senna siamea (Lam.) May kang Flower Veg. Flower used as vegetable HG, Mons H.S.Irwin & Barneby [Leguminosae] MPB-104, dt. 8.1.15 Smilax ovalifolia Roxb. ex Nam Flower, Veg, Flower, tender stem used as HG D.Don. [Smilacaceae]; kang han Young Med vegetable. Dried root powder used as MPB-117, dt.24.2.15 stem, medicine in asthma root Strobilanthes cusia (Nees) Hompat Leaf Dye Leaves dipped in water for several HG Kuntze [Acanthaceae] days and extract black dye from it MPB-64, dt. 22.10.14

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Syzygium comini Sheel Cha Pey Fruit Fruit, Eaten raw, Ripe fruit taken in Mons [Myrtaceae]; MPB-174, Med dysentery dtd.30.7.15 Tabernaemontana Khau pai Flower/ Med Flower offer to temple, dried root HG, Mons coronaria R. Br. Root powder is used in asthmatic [Apocyanaceae]; MPB-9, medicine dt. 4.7.14 Tagetes erecta Linn. Pi lu Flower Med, Flower offer to temple, Leaf paste HG, Mons [Compositae]; MPB- Ornam applied locally in cuts and wound 216,dtd.16.2.16 Tagetes corymbosa Sweet Pi lu Flower, Med, Flower offer to temple, Leaf paste HG, Mons [ Compositae ]; MPB- Leaf Ornam applied locally in cuts and wound 83,dtd.8.1.15 Tamarindus indica Linn Mekeng Fruit Fruit, Eaten raw, Ripe fruit taken in acidity Mons [Caesalpinaceae] MPB- Med 226,dtd.19.4.16; Terminalia belerica Roxb Tun pau Fruit Fruit, Powdered fruit is taken in stomach HG, Mons [Combretaceae] MPB- meun Med problem 129, dtd.24.2.15 Terminalia cebula Retz. Tun tam Fruit Med Eaten raw for stomach ache Mons [Combretaceae]; MPB- ma 231,dtd.19.4.16 Terminalia mariocarpa Ton Ka Stem Const Wood is used in construction Mons Heur [Combretaceae] MPB-200,dtd.6.9.15 Vitex nigundo Linn Yang pan Leaves Med Leave paste apply locally in HG,Mons [Verbinaceae]; MPB- backache 201,dtd.16.2.16 Zanthoxylum nitidum Nom hom Leaf Med Dried leaf powder used in diarrhoea HG, Mons (Roxb.) DC [Rutaceae]; and cholera MPB-72, dt.5.12.14 Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum Kan sang Leaf Spice Common leafy spice mixed in HG, Mons Edgew [Rutaceae] MPB- vegetable soup 84, dtd.8.1.15 Zingiber cassumunar Ming Rhizome Med Dried powder is given in HG Roxb [Zingiberaceae] chrang regularisation of mansturation MPB-222,dtd.19.4.16; Zingiber officinale Roxb Khing Rhizome Spice, Used as spice, Raw or powdered HG [Zingiberaceae]; MPB- keng Med rhizome is taken orally as 257,dtd 17.7.16 carminative Zyzyphus jujube Lamk. Mokho Fruit Fruit Eaten raw Mons [Rhamnaceae]; MPB- 223,dtd.19.4.16

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PHOTO PLATE-I

A B C

D E

F G

Fig 4: Home Garden of Tai Phake

A: Justicia adhatoda Linn B: Cleodendrum colebrookianum Walper C: Garcinia xanthochymus Hook D: Jatropha curcas Linn E: Caesalpinia cucullata Roxb. F: Tea plantation and Orchids in Areca catechu plant G: Piper betel Linn

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PHOTO PLATE-II

A B

C D

E F

G H

Fig 5: Home Garden of Tai Phake A: Smilax ovalifolia Roxb ex D.Don B: Ocimum basillicum Linn C: Eupatorium birmanicum Linn D: Sauropus androgynus (L.) Merr. E: Sarcochlamys pulcherima Gaudich. F: Cinnamomum sulphuratum Nees G: Bischofia javanica Bl. H: Justicia gendarrusa Burm.f.

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Results and Discussion

Diversity of plants in home gardens and monasteries

Almost every Tai Phake household maintains a homestead garden in front and usually both sides of the path leading to the house which is a culture of Tai people. All monasteries have gardens of varied sizes that mostly grow plants for use in prayers and Homegarden Homegarden + Monastery for aesthetic value. The monastery of Moung Lang (46) Monastery (48) (22) village, Margherita has highest species diversity. This study documented 116 species belonging to 94 genera and 60 families,some of which are shown in Table No. 1. Five families Arecaceae, Lamiaceae, Phyllanthaceae, Orchidaceae and Caesalpiniaceae are represented by 4 species; four families Acanthaceae, Compositae, Rutaceae and Zingiberaceae have 3 species each while Apocyanaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Moraceae,

Marantaceae, Poaceae, Polygonaceae Rosaceae, Rubiaceae and Verbinaceae have 2 species each. Fig.2 Venn diagram showing distribution of plants in Tai Rest of the families has one member each. Phake home gardens and monasteries According to Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) portal following the IUCN red list the conservation status of the plant species are categorized as Least concern (LC- 20), Not Management and utilization of resources Evaluated ( NE-76), Threatened (TH-01), Vulnerable (VU-03), Endangered (EN-03), Data deficient (DD-09) and Critical (01) suggesting their Plant resources of home gardens and monasteries prioritization for conservation. are under active management practice. Among the 116 plants, 25 species are wild plants which have In monasteries, the Bhantes (priests) maintain large been under domestication for many years. Plants of gardens with various plants for different purposes. home gardens comprise of species that are utilized Ficus religiosa, believed to be a sacred plant, can be for household requirements such as food, medicine, found at every monastery campus. Among the Tai cultural value and recreation while plants in community Plumeria rubra believed to be a monastery gardens are mainly used for the purpose prestigious plant and always planted in front of the of offerings. It also contributes towards house, but during my study time it was not found in conservation of rare and valuable plants whose the villages. Distribution of the species inventoried existence in the wild is threatened by anthropogenic showed variability with 46 species (40%) recorded and natural factors. Plants of home gardens are from home gardens and 22 species (19.13%) from harvested throughout the year for household monasteries; 48 (47.73%) species are common in requirements of medicine (52), ornamental (16), both home gardens and monasteries (Fig. 2). Greater ritual (07), vegetable (24), spice (07), dye (03), diversity of plants in home gardens provides construction (10), masticator (02), fruit (18), flower ecosystem services to daily household requirements. as food (03), sacred (02), veterinary (01), cosmatics (05), biofencing (03) and beverage (01) (Fig. 3).

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Journal of Advanced Plant Sciences 2021.11(1): 13-28 26

constructed on raised platform. Leaves of Livitsona jenkinsiana is profusely used for roofing of the house. The common varieties of bamboo such as Bambusa tulda, B. balcooa and Dendrocalamus hamiltonii are used in construction of traditional houses.

The traditional costumes of the Tai Phake are weaved by colourful yarns which are dyed with fascinating hues obtained from plants. All the women are expert weavers. During this study six plants are recorded for extraction of dye and dyeing process is a lengthy one. Strobilanthes cusia and Garcinia xanthochymus (Mau la, Fig.4C) are the principal source of natural dye of black and yellow colour respectively and the associate plants are Figure 3: Utilization of plant in different purpose Maesa reticulata (Maoit), Ricinus communis, Oryza sativa and Dalbergia sissoo. Plant ash is collected Tai people have maintained kitchen garden in all from the fire wood of Dalbergia that used to prepare household where annual vegetables of several kinds alkali for washing the dyed threads. and verities such as Brassica rugosa (Pa kat chum), Sauropus androgynous (Po kong kha, Fig.5D), Phake home gardens are also rich source of plants Malva verticillata, Solanam melongona (Maa khru), with economic value. Surplus products are traded in Capsicum annum (Me pheit) etc. Dietary use of local markets for cash benefits; many members flowers is a prominent culture among the Tai however are engaged in trading produce of home people. Floral parts of Musa acuminata, Biscofia gardens and wild plants as source of livelihood. The javanica (Khum phat, Fig.5G), Senna siamea (Man leaves of Livistona jenkinsiana and various species chri lung), Caesalpinia cucullata (Thou nao nam, of bamboos are supplied to nearest markets. Fig.4E), Sarcochlamys pulcherima (Khong kha, Fig.5E), Smilax ovalifolia (Nam kan hang, Fig.5A), Plants having curative properties are abundant in Eichornia crassipes etc. are very popular food Phake homestead gardens and monastery for items. Some common fruit yielding plants are medicinal importance. Medicinal plants (herbs, recorded in the campus of monastery and home shrubs, climbers and trees) constituted 44.82% of garden includes Psidium guajava, Mangifera indica, the total plant resources. Ethnomedicine is very Artocarpus heterophyllus, Syzygium comuni, Cocos popular culture among Tai Phake people (Borgohain nucifera etc. The traditional food items of Tai Phake et al., 2016). The medicine men have specialized are often flavoured with aromatic herbs (spices) like knowledge of one or more diseases and key Zanthoxyllum oxyphyllum (Mezenga), Z. ingredients of prescription and are found in his or hamiltonium (Makat), Persicaria hydropiper (Maa her garden only. For example, traditional phaii hom), Ocimum basilicum (Im Phim, Fig.5B) practitioners of Namphake village use Justicia etc., are planted in every kitchen garden. Three adhatoda (Auong, Fig.4A), Oxalis corniculata households found having tea plantation (Fig.4F) for (Phak chem chem), Zingiber cassumunar (Ming their personal use. The tea leaves are processed chrang) and Urena lobata (Ya khat lung) for the manually at home to produce green tea. treatment of gynecological problems. Some Consumption of plants as masticator is common practitioners of Borphake village conserve many among elders e.g. Areca catechu and Piper betel medicinal plants such as Zanthoxylum nitidum, (Fig.4G) with a pinch of lime. Zingiber cassumunar (Ming chrang), Curcuma longa, Schumannianthus dichotomus, Some plants of home gardens are often used for Tebernaemontana coronaria (Khau pai) etc. For the constructional purpose. Traditional houses are treatment of cancer patient, they follow a unique

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Journal of Advanced Plant Sciences 2021.11(1): 13-28 27 herbal formulation containing Bombax ceiba, house, art and craft, various festivals etc. The role of Premna corymbosa, Averrhoa carambola, women in different culture is acknowledged by one Cinnamomum sulphuratum, Aganosma dichotoma and all.In the present context of Tai Phake society and Smilax ovalifolia. In the treatment of cancer there are some women-centered occupations where disease among this tribe most significant thing is the role of men is minimal. Women play main role that the required ingredients of cancer medicine. in name giving ceremony, ethnomedicines for The most distinctive and indispensable material is women diseases, weaving and dyeing culture of the milk of a tigress along with other ingredients. traditional costume, tobacco packing ceremony They collect it from the deep forest in solid state (small amount of tobacco is packed in Phrynium which is very difficult to identify as it is identical to leaf, used for invitation in marriage ceremony) etc. the python’s stool. But the people identify the milk Tai Phake people observe Poi Kathin festival where by the fungus growing on it. Phake women have to prepare the Kathin (dress of monk) within a day. Garcinia xanthochymus is the Besides plant for material use, a small ornamental main source of natural yellow dye and Strobilanthes garden maintained in front of every household and cusia is for black dye. Such practices led to the monastery including various flowers and biofencing development of gender-specific knowledge system with Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Justicia gendarussa of plants and the same is transmitted through (Ya khing, Fig.5H), Jetropha curcas (Fig.4D), women only. Opuntia vulgaris etc. Eupatorium birmanicum (Pha, Fig.5C) is always confined in front of the house and Acknowledgements plays an indispensable role in name giving Authors are grateful to all the heads of families, ceremony of a new born baby. elder persons and traditional healers of Phake

villages and Bhantes (Priests) of Phake monasteries Motivations behind plant domestication for their kind cooperation. We also thank the Tai Phake is a small ethnic group of Assam. They Institutional Biotech Hub, Department of Life are inherited with rich ethnobotanical heritage from Science & Bioinformatics, Assam University, Diphu their ancestors. Surrounding plant resources along Campus for infrastructural support. with animal resources fulfil their basic needs to live and this relationship is reflected in their social, cultural and religious life. They are trying hard to Reference retain their traditions, culture and language. The natural habitat of the Phake has undergone drastic Alexiades M.N. (1996).Collecting ethnobotanical change largely due to anthropogenic factors and data: An introduction to basic concepts and partly due to natural calamity in the form of massive techniques. In: M.N. Alexiades (ed.), soil erosion from flooding rivers. The Phake Selected Guidelines for Ethnobotanical however, were quick to sense the consequence of Research: A Field Manual. The New York rapid degradation of natural resources through a Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York. 53 – novel strategy is plant domestication. The Tai Phake 94. tribe exhibit their habit of plant domestication by Borgohain M. P., Teron R. and Tamuli A.K. (2016). planting huge number of rare and valuable plant Ethnomedicinal Plants of the Tai Phake tribe resources in their home garden as well as in the of Upper Brahmaputra Valley in Assam, monastery gardens. India. Pleione. 10(1): 123-133. Borthakur S. K. and Gogoi P. (1992). Conservation Gender aspects of plant domestication of Biological Diversity- A Cultural Tradition of the Tais, Le-Nge-Ri, Souvenir, The Tai Phakes are Buddhist by religion. They Purbanchal Tai Sahitya Sabha. 88-90. maintain unique culture in every aspects of their life Borthakur S.K. (1997a).Certain Plants in the folk- such as food habit, weaving and textile, agriculture, lore and folk-tales of the Karbis (Mikirs) of indigenous medicine, construction of traditional Assam, In Jain SK (Ed.) Glimpses of Indian

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