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

Status and potential of wild edible of

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 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 contribution to the populations’ nutrition throughout meet their diverse requirements is largely due to the the year6-10. Although the principal role of these plants prevalence of diversity of vegetation in the area1. The is to supplement the food cultivated in home gardens use of wild plants is integral part of their strong and other forms of agriculture, many of the species traditional & cultural systems and practice that have grown or wild-harvested are reported to have both developed and accumulated over generations. These therapeutic and dietary functions10. The sale from the systems form the basis of local-level decision-making surplus of their collection also adds to their income in agriculture, food production, human and animal significantly. Research in several regions has also health and natural resource management2. illustrated that many wild plants that are retained in World over, tribal population still stores a vast local food cultures are inseparable from traditional knowledge on utilization of local plants as food therapeutic systems10-14. Emphasis on the conservation material and other specific uses3. The tribal and management of wild edible plants will help communities draw their sustenance mainly from the enhance and maintain the region’s biodiversity with forests, which provide them food plants and other little adverse impact on the biodiversity8. material requirement. Their lives are much dependent The climatic and ecological diversity of the state on forest or natural plant wealth4. The biological create a foundation for a very rich and diverse flora, wealth is so intrinsically important to the life style and and multi-ethnic population has a long tradition of systems of the indigenous communities that wild close relation with wild plants. A wide range of wild plants make an important contribution for sustenance plant species are used by the local population in of local communities. They play a significant role in a Arunachal Pradesh including many wild green wide range of agricultural systems as a source of wild vegetable leaves, roots and fruits as food15,16. The food and fuel wood, and have an important socio- utilization of wild plants is strongly linked to their economic role through their use in medicines, dyes, strong traditional & cultural system and is a necessary poisons, shelter, fibres and religious and cultural part of the strategies adopted by the local people for ceremonies5. Wild edible plants not only supplement sustenance as they are endowed with a vast the food quantity but also make significant knowledge concerning the use of these wild plants. ______The contribution of the wild edibles to the diet and *Corresponding author economy of the local people is often significant and 542 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 5, No. 4, OCTOBER 2006

therefore focus on these species should remain a consume fruits and leaves however, other plant parts priority. Integration of wild species into agricultural like barks, flowers, tubers, stem, etc. were also system will not only protect biological diversity but utilized infrequently (Fig. 5). Some of the species like also provide adequate food and contribute to the rural Clerodendrum colebrookianum, Gynura cusimbua, economy. For this purpose, identification of the edible Houttuynia cordata, Phlogacanthus sp, Paederia species according to the local preferences is scandens, Plantago major, Solanum nigrum, necessary17. An attempt has been made to present Spilanthes acmella, Zanthoxylum armatum, etc. are status and potential of wild edible plants of Arunachal known for their medicinal properties. 28% of the total Pradesh. wild vegetables are used as medicine by the local people (Figs. 3-4). Wild edible plant species play a Methodology major part in supplementing other foods, especially in The study was conducted in most of the districts of rural communities. Species like Diplazium Arunachal Pradesh, including the different esculantum, Docynia indica, Elaeagnus sp, Ficus sp, geographical zones and indigenous groups (Fig. 1). Houttuynia cordata, Musa sp, Phyllanthus emblica, Extensive field surveys with the help of Prunus persica, Pyrus communis, Solanum nigrum, knowledgeable local people for collection and study, Zizyphus mauritiana and Syzygium cuminii are and understanding of the natural habitats of the plant collected from the wild and from home garden, for species were undertaken. Plant species were identified consumption and for sale to supplement their income from their vernacular names and ethnobotanical (Table 2). Although among the urban and sub-urban information were recorded. Informal interviews were communities, consumption of wild plant species is conducted with some of the local people to document less but significant. and to understand the harvesting and utility patterns. A number of wild edible species, more frequently For selection of priority species, questionnaires consumed by the local people were also found to have were used17. Respondents were selected randomly some other ethnobotanical importance (Table 3). representing both sex and age groups. Important wild Different varieties of mushroom are also collected, edible species were selected by means of ‘free listing’ used and sold in the market abundantly. Some of the method on the principle that the more significant locally preferred species like Castanopsis, Ficus species are likely to be mentioned by several cunia, Mangifera sylvatica, Plantago major, Spondias informants, and are likely to be mentioned earlier in axillaris, etc. are not sold in the local markets due to each list18. Local markets of the selected areas were the easy accessibility and availability of the species surveyed and plant samples collected with necessary from the forest. Most of the local priority species market information including market demands, local recorded, has multipurpose use that includes preferences, etc. utilization as herbal medicine. Collection of plant samples and preparation of Preferred species like Elaeagnus sp. (total sugar, herbarium specimens were done as per the prescribed reducing sugar, vitamin C, proteins), Phyllanthus methodology19. The specimens were identified with emblica (TSS, vitamin C, Mg), Ficus sp (vitamin C), the help of various relevant taxonomic literatures and Fragaria sp (vitamin C, P, Ca, Mg, Fe), Prunus with consultation of herbarium specimens at State persica (non reducing sugar, total mineral, K, Fe), Forest Research Institute, Itanagar, BSI, Shillong Rubus species (sugar, Fe,), Zizyphus jujuba (sugar, () and Central National Herbarium (CAL) proteins, P, K, Ca), Morus alba (vitamin C, Fe), Howrah. Herbarium specimens were deposited with Spondias species (Ca, vitamin C), Mangifera the Department of Forestry, NERIST, Nirjuli, sylvatica (carbohydrate, reducing sugar), Castanopsis Arunachal Pradesh. sp (fats), Terminalia (carbohydrate, K), Zanthoxylum species (cu), Amaranthus species (carbohydrates, Results and discussion proteins, fats, K, Ca), Bamboo species (Ca), In the present study, about 118 wild edible plant species (P, K, Ca), Centella asiatica (Ca), Colocasia species have been recorded (Table 1). Maximum esculentum (carbohydrate, Fats, P, Fe), Diplazium utilization of parts from tree and herb species was esculentum (N, P, K, Fe, Ca), Fagopyrum esculentum observed, while the utility of climber species was (carbohydrate, protein, Fe), Houttuynia cordata (Ca), minimum (Fig. 2). People were mostly found to Oenanthe javanica (protein, K), Plantago major ANGAMI et al.: WILD EDIBLE PLANTS OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH 543

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 Vegetable leaves Medicinal Bombax ceiba L. Bombacaceae Semi phul (C) Flowers Vegetable Calamus erectus Roxb. 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 Fruits Taken raw (N) Cardamine hirsuta L. Brassicaceae Serampeti (N) Whole plant Vegetable Caryota urens L. Arecaceae Rani sengor (C) Tender stem Vegetable Castanopsis hystrix A. DC. Fagaceae Kora (N) Fruits Taken raw (=C. rufescens Hk. f & Thoms.) Castanopsis indica A. DC Fagaceae Kora (N), Bazana gulo (C) Fruits Taken raw Centella asiatica L. Apiaceae Mengoni (C), Narang (N), Glankhako Leaves, shoot Vegetable, (Ap) Medicinal Chenopodium album. L. Chenopodiaceae Machiosak (A) Leaves, Tender Vegetable shoot Cinnamomum tamala Nees & Lauraceae Tejpat (C) Leaves Spices Ebrm. Citrus medica L. Rutaceae Jamir (C), Narang (N), Pinchi (A) Fruits Taken raw, Medicinal Clerodendrum Verbenaceae Poto (N), Ongin / Oin (A), Heliasak Leaves Vegetable, colebrookianum Walp. (C), Khamo (T) Medicinal Clerodendrum viscosum Vent. Ongin / Oin / Heliasak (C) Leaves Vegetable, Medicinal

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

Cordia myxa L. Boraginaceae - Fruits Pickle

Crassocephalum crepideoides Asteraceae Tong phul (C), Leaves, Tender Vegetable,

(Benth.) S. Moore Thung nam (T) shoot Medicinal Curcuma aromatica Salisb. Zingiberaceae Jangali haladhi (A) Flower Vegetable Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Poaceae - Tender shoot Vegetable Nees & Arn. 544 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 5, No. 4, OCTOBER 2006

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, Vegetable, Medicinal 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. Sonneratiaceae Hojo Gulo (C) Fruit Taken raw ex DC.) Walp. Elaeagnus pyriformis Hk. f. Elaeagnaceae Maza sok bizi (C) Fruits Taken raw Elaeagnus latifolia L. Elaeagnaceae Gamyamrap (M) Fruits Taken raw Makhachi (S) Elaeocarpus floribundus Bl. Elaeocarpaceae Jalpai (As), Goroshi (I) Fruits Taken raw Elatostema sessile Forst. Urticaceae - Leaves, Tender Vegetable shoot Emblica officinales Gaertn. Euphorbiaceae Amolodi (C) Fruits Taken raw, Medicinal Ensete superbum Cheesman Musaceae Colon / Kopak (A), Namninyah (S), Fruits, Stem Vegetable, Napkhoi (T) Taken raw Erythrina stricta Roxb. Fabaceae Chemroy (T) Flowers Vegetable Euphorbia hirta L. Euphorbiaceae - Tender plant Vegetable Fagopyrum esculentum Polygonaceae Papor (C), Hukuna (N) Tender leaves Vegetable, Moench. 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 Asteraceae Tap (N) Leaves Vegetable Willd (= G. purpureum L.) Gynura cusimbua (D. Don) S. Asteraceae Nakling (A) Buli / Yogin (N) Leaves Vegetable Moore. Medicinal Houttuynia cordata Thunb. Saururaceae Amuli (I), Thingnaluk (T), Leaves Vegetable Ipomoea cymosa Roem. & Convolvulaceae Kalmau (As) Tuber Vegetable Schult. 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, Taken raw, Fruits Medicinal Mangifera sylvatica Roxb. Anacardiaceae Tagol (N), Jharbuo aam (C) Fruits Taken raw Melastoma malabathricum L. Melastomaceae Daidassa (N) Fruits, Taken raw, Leaves 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 ANGAMI et al.: WILD EDIBLE PLANTS OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH 545

Table 1⎯Wild edible plants⎯Contd.

Scientific name Family Vernacular name Parts used Uses

Oenanthe javanica (Bl.) DC. Apiaceae Kebunamul / Babon (N) Leaves, Tender Vegetable, shoot Medicinal Oxalis corniculata L. Oxalidaceae Bangal amelia (C), Sajang Habo (N), Leaves, Stem Vegetable, Okhui hamang (Ap) Medicinal Paederia scandens (Lour.) Rubiaceae Phadobas lodi (C), Tapin Rimin (N), Leaves, Stem, Vegetable, Merr. ( =P. foetida L.) Paritaro (Ap) Fruits Medicinal 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, Vegetable, Leaves Medicinal Phobe cooperiana U.N Lauraceae Tambor (A) Fruits Taken raw Kanjilal ex A. Das Pinanga gracilis (Roxb.) Arecaceae Morizya (C), Tachar (N) Fruits Taken raw Blume 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.- Polygonaceae Mejia daro aga (C), Uyushayan (A), Leaves, Tender Vegetable Ham. ex Spreng. Ahopi (I) shoot Polygonum chinense L. Polygonaceae Okung (A) Leaves Vegetable Prunus persica Batsch Rosaceae Amuchi (I), Kompe (A) Fruits Taken raw Pyrus pashia Buch.-Ham.ex Rosaceae Semo (Ap) Fruits Taken raw D.Don Rhus semialata Murr. Anacardiaceae Amashi (I), Tamo (Ap) Fruits Spices, (=R. javanica Linn.) Medicinal Rubus ellipticus Sm. Rosaceae Aingkushi (I), Nintcho (N), Fruits Taken raw Komrupsiang (M) Rubus lineatus Reinw. Rosaceae Kada aphal (C), Chichi nintch (N), Fruits Taken raw Achin barin (A) 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, Vegetable, Tender shoot Medicinal Solanum torvum Sw. Solanaceae Bor bagulo (C), Akapu (Ak) Fruits Vegetable Spilanthes paniculata Wall ex Asteraceae Namlang marchang Tender plants Vegetable, DC. vajungnam (T), Marcha (N) Medicinal Paynson (Ak) 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), Fruits Spices, Machang (S) 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 546 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 5, No. 4, OCTOBER 2006

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 Scientific Name Family Market status Parts used Other uses Local Other market markets

Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Poaceae √ √ Young shoot Mature culm used as material for Bambusa tulda Poaceae √ √ 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 Verbenaceae √ X Leaves Leaves for high blood pressure, colebrookianum bark for malarial fever Clerodendrum viscosum Verbenaceae √ X Leaves Medicinally for high blood pressure Spilanthes acmella Asteraceae √ X Flowers, Roots Used for toothache ANGAMI et al.: WILD EDIBLE PLANTS OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH 547

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

A-Wild vegetables Scientific Name Family Market status Parts used Other uses Local Other market markets

Calamus erectus Arecaceae √ X Fruits, Tender shoot, Fruits eaten raw, stem used for Calamus flagellum X √ Stem making baskets, chair, etc. Calamus latifolius. X √ 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 Species Family Market status Other uses Local Other market markets

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 548 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 5, No. 4, OCTOBER 2006

ANGAMI et al.: WILD EDIBLE PLANTS OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH 549

(protein) and Solanum nigrum (fats ,Ca) also have Deputy Director, FRLHT, Bangalore (the then high nutritive values4,20-23. Systematic Botanist, State Forest Research Institute, The consumption of wild plants is a necessary part Itanagar) for valued help and suggestion. of the strategies adopted by the local people for sustenance. Domestication grew out of food gathering References almost imperceptibly led to cultivation5. Locally, 1 Katewa SS, Contribution of some wild food plants from forestry to the diet of tribal of southern Rajasthan, Indian different wild edibles are in various stages of Forester, 129 (9) (2003) 1117-1131. domestication. 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There is a need for systematic food: An adaptive framework for the interpretation of plant utilization among the Hausa of Northern Nigeria, Social incorporation of information on current use of wild Med, 16 (1982) 1559-1573. food resources in any programmes dealing with 12 Fleuret A, Dietary and therapeutic uses of fruit in three Taita sustained food security and rural development for the communities, in: Plants in Indigenous Medicine and Diet, by benefit of the local people. Etkin NL, (Redgrave, Bedford Hills, NY), 1993. 13 Gessler M, & Hodel U, In situ conservation of plant genetic resources in home gardens in southern Vietnam, Acknowledgement (International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Malaysia), Authors are grateful to MHRD, New Delhi and 1997. 14 Moreno-Black, Somnasang GP & Thamathawan S, CSIR, New Delhi for financial assistance. 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