International Research Journal of Biological Sciences ______ISSN 2278-3202 Vol. 6(3), 14-25, March (2017) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci.

Wild edible plant species in patch vegetations of district, , Dandeswar Dutta, Protul Hazarika and P. Hazarika* Rain Forest Research Institute, Jorhat -785001, Post Box No-136, Assam, India [email protected] Available online at: www.isca.in, www.isca.me Received 8th February 2017, revised 2nd March 2017, accepted 7th March 2017

Abstract Wild edible plant species and their traditional uses were studied in 32 numbers of patch vegetation of , Assam . A total of 119 wild edible plant species were recorded under 57 families, which includes tree, shrubs, climbers and herbs. Among them 18 and 95 plant species comes under monocots and dicots respectively. Four (4) species were recorded under Pteridophytes, whereas Gymnosperm was represented by Gnetum genemon only. Of the total 119 edibles plants species recorded for human consumptio n, 44 were trees, 19 shrubs, 12 climbers and 43 herbs. Moreover, 41 plants species were identified as birds food plant and 38 plant species for animals food and fodder. The villagers of the district use to collect the wild edible plant species from their n earest patch vegetations traditionally, among them 73 species were eaten as vegetables, 41 species as fruits, 2 species as edible seeds and nuts. Barks of 2 species were used as substitute of beetle nuts. Among these wild edibles 56 plant species were reco rded for traditional medicine against different ailment.

Keywords : Patch vegetation, Wild edible plants, Medicinal plants, Birds food and fodder.

Introduction valley is a rich area of plant . Most of the villages have some small fragmented fo rest area ranging from 0.3 to 0.5 Plant species of a particular landmass play significant role to hectare under personal land holdings locally called the shape the life, culture and wellbeing of human societies and kathonibari (woodland). Kathonibari are unique land use of the prime representatives of the environment and biodiversity villagers and can be termed as ‘patch vegetation’. These forest through ages. The different types of plants like herbs, shrubs areas are part of original natural fore sts being fragmented and and trees are used by human society as food, fiber, medicine, transformed by the villagers to homesteads. timber, construction materials, and fuel wood and also for many other socio-cultural uses. Apart from this, the plant species of These patch vegetations are still shelter many valuable trees, the patch vegetation have a key role in maintaining biodiversity shrubs, climbers and epiphytes including a wide variety of food providing food, fodder and shelter to animals, bird etc. This plants. A reasonable numbers of species are used by the people vegetation may be considered as luxurious habitat for rare, as wild food plants available in their surrounding patch endangered, threatened and endemic species. They also play vegetation. There are several reports that villagers of different essential role in carbon sequestration. Wild edibles are locally communities are normally used these wild food plants, available available plant spec ies used by the societies based on their in the forest areas, crop lands, patch vegetations, and wetlan ds 1 traditional ecological knowledge . as seasonal or traditional food 12,13 . These wild edible plants available in the patch vegetations play a significant role in The vulnerable populations of wild edible plant species are restoring health and nutritional requirements of rural 2 more significantly and adversely affected by climate events . community. Several reports depicted that tribal communities often u se wild edibles as food supplement or alternative food source during The villagers use the different parts of these locally avail able 3-5 their food deficient periods of the year . The wild edibles are wild edible plants on basis of their indigenous knowledge and also reported as rich sources of vitamins, enzymes, minerals and recorded 373 plant species of 109 families of 27 villages of medicine for the stock of compounds in different parts o f the Assam which were being domesticated from the natural forests 6,7 plant . In a compilation published 350 species of Angiosperms and utilized for food, fodder, medicinal, spices, aromatic and and 12 species of Pteridophytes from different localities of esse ntial oil, fibers, dyes, beverage, pesticides yielding species, 8 Assam . Many other researchers reported use of available timber, fuel wood , handicraft items, ornamental and aesthetic resources of wild edible plants from different states of the etc 14 . 9-11 country including the . Moreover, the nature and ecology of such patches with multi - In Assam, wide varieties of genetic resources from wild plants species composition are not only unique to scenic beauty of to cultivated crops covering most areas of the Brahmaputra villages but also considered as the repository of rich biodiversity

International Science Community Association 14 International Research Journal of Biological Sciences ______ISSN 2278-3202 Vol. 6(3), 14-25, March (2017) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. with variety of wild animals, birds, insects, soil microbial flora Selenghat, Pokamura, Charaibahi, Dhalajan and Chalikhowa and fauna. Due to increase of population in rural area land use were studied. The communities near the study patch vegetations pattern found to be changed and in this context the parch were Ahom, Adibashi, Brahman, Chutia, Deauri, , Keot, vegetations are now under threat. Many of the valuable plant Koch, Kaibarta, Mishing, Muslim, Thangal Kachari and some species of this vegetation type are disappearing with time. other castes. Peoples such as with cultivators and house wives Therefore, it has become necessary to focus the contribution of and other elderly persons of each villages of the study sites were wild edible plants of patch vegetations for health and nutrition interviewed through standard questionnaire and information on of rural communities. the availability and conventional uses of wild edible plant resources were collected. The vernacular names of the food Conservation such vegetation as bioresources for the human as plants, the parts used and methods of preparation of food items well as birds and other animals may also be an important area of were also recorded. The edible plant species were collected for study. Keeping in view of the role of the patch vegetation which preparation of herbarium and consulted the local floras for their may be an ideal habitat of wild edible plant species, this study identification 15,16 . The collected herbaria were deposited at was carried out to survey and documentation of edible plant herbarium collection of Rain Forest Research Institute, Sotai, species available in patch vegetations of Jorhat District, Assam. Jorhat, Assam.

Materials and methods Results and discussion Study area: The study areas belong to Jorhat district, Assam The wild edible plants recorded from patch vegetations of the and is situated between latitude 25°49 ′ and 27°17 ′N and district come under the broad groups Angiosperms, longitude 93°18 ′ and 95°26 ′ E in the bank of river Brahmaputra. Gymnosperms and Pteridophytes. The data collected from Total area of the district is 2851 sq. km with a population of 354 different area of the district showed that all together 119 plants persons/sq km. The dominant livelihood option of the district is under 57 families were used by the villagers of different agriculture with about 84.7 per cent of rural population. communities as wild edibles (Table-1).

The district is surrounded by towards north, The different parts of the food plants like the tender shoots, district towards east, the state Nagaland towards south leaves, flowers, fruits, tubers and barks are widely used for and district towards west. The south-west monsoon is edible purpose. Out of the total 119 wild edible species recorded prevailing climate of the district with minimum annual 73 were eaten as vegetables mainly as curry or in fried form, temperature 9 oC and maximum up to 40 oC. The district is fruits of 41 species eaten as raw or ripe, seeds of 2 species were experienced with an average rainfall 2244 mm. The seasonal eaten as nuts and barks of 2 species used as substitute of beetle calendar is divided into four seasons - cold winter, pre-monsoon nuts. Euphorbiaceae family showed highest edible species (7) summer, rainy and post monsoon season. The summer followed by Moraceae with 6 species among the angiosperms. temperature of the district ranges from 15 oC to 28 oC and the The families Ameranthaceae, Clucicceae and Rubiaceae have 5 range of winter temperature is from 7 oC to 18 oC. The types of edible species. Likewise, the families Arecaceae, Asteraceae, vegetation of the district are the tropical moist deciduous, Rosaceae, Verbenaceae had 4 species and Araceae, Myrtaceae, tropical semi evergreen and a small area of tropical wet Polygonaceae, Piperaceae, Solanaceae had 3 species. Four (4) evergreen in the eastern side. The river Brahmaputra controls species of pteridophytes under 3 families Blechnaceae, the watershed system of the district with some other tributaries Marseliaceae and Woodsiaceae were recorded as edible (Table- flowing throughout its middle position and also created the 1). The Monocotyledons and Dicotyledons were represented by River Island . 18 and 95 species respectively. The only edible gymnosperm recorded was Gnetum gnemon . The district can be divided into three regions - the northern flood prone area widespread throughout the river bank of the The vernacular names for the species, its edible parts and the Brahmaputra, the southern highland area along the foothills of other information were recorded and mentioned in the Table-1. Naga-patkai range and in middle the central zone. The numbers Of the total edibles plants recorded, 44 were trees, 19 shrubs, 12 wetlands with area between 50 to 200 ha are 10 and below 50 ha climbers and 43 herbs were found. Among the herbs, 7 species are 100. The district has about 25000 ha of land under tea were aquatic in nature and distributed in the marshy areas of cultivation. Field visits were carried out to different areas of patch vegetation. In another study reported 244 species of wild Jorhat district during April, 2014 to February 2015. Edible plant edibles from different areas of Assam 17 . In an extensive study species from 32 patch vegetations in village area of the district of published literatures it was reported that of the total plant namely Shyamdeuri, Gayangaon, Garurajbari, Karatipar, species of the state nearly 7.34 percent are wild edibles 4. Similar Nikinikhwa, Mekhali, Upper deuri, Nam deuri, Namgorumora, study was conducted and recorded for 101 species of edible Kakolimukh, Tamulichiga, Rajabari, Jhangimukh, Sotai, plants of different area of Assam that have been used in Rangali Meleng, Hatigarh, Kakojan, Holongapara, Borbamchungi, festival 18 . Jalukoni, Balijan, Rangajan, Thangalgoan, Lahing, Boloma,

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Table-1: Wild edible plants recorded from patch vegetations of Jorhat district, Assam. Scientific Vernacular Parts used as Used Family Habit Other uses name name edibles by Alternanthera Whole plant as As medicine for stomach Amaranthaceae Matikaduri Herb C sessilis (L.) R Br . vegetables. trouble Alternanthera Whole plant as philoxeroides Amaranthaceae Panikaduri Herb As fodder for cattle. C vegetables (Mart)Griseb. Fruits, rhizome as medicine, Alpinia nigra Tender leaves 2, 5, Zingiberaceae Tora Shrub leaf sheath for making ropes (Gaertn.) Burtt. as vegetables. 10, 12 for cattle. Amaranthus Hati Tender shoots As antidote to snake bite, as Amaranthaceae Herb C spinosus L. khutora as vegetables fodder to milk giving cows. Amaranthus viridis Tender shoots Amaranthaceae Khutora Herb As antidote to snake bite. C L. as vegetables. Corm, peduncle Amorphophallus and The corm as medicine paeoniifolius C Araceae Ol kachu Herb inflorescence as against piles. (Dennst) Nicolson vegetables. Ripe fruits as Antidesma acidum Abutenga raw, tender Leaves as medicine against Euphorbiaceae Tree C Retz. leaves, shoot as snake bite. vegetables Antidesma bunias Ripe fruits as Leaves as medicine against Euphorbiaceae Pani helos Tree C (Linn.) Spreng. raw. snake bite. Antidesma Ripe fruits as ghaesembilla Euphorbiaceae Helos Tree C raw. - Gaertn. Ardisia thyrsiflora Ripe fruits as Bark as antidote to snake Myrsinaceae Tolotha poka Shrub C D. Don. raw. bite. Wood as timber for house , Artocarpus chama Ripe fruits as Moraceae Sam kothal Tree furniture, agricultural C Buch.-Ham. raw. implements Ripe fruit as Artocarpus Wood as timber for furniture, raw, young heterophyllus house, musical instruments; C Moraceae Kothal Tree fruits as Lamk. leaves as fodder vegetables. Artocarpus lacucha Bark is chewed Wood as timber for house Moraceae Bohot Tree C Buch.-Ham. with betel nut. and furniture making Wood as timber for making Baccaurea Ripe fruit as Euphorbiaceae Letekoo Tree traditional rice husking C ramiflora Lour . raw device Tender shoots Bambusa balcooa Stem in house making, Poaceae Bholuka bah Tree as vegetables, C Roxb. furniture, fencing, fire wood pickle Wood as timber for house Bischofia javanica Tender shoots Euphorbiaceae Uriam Tree making, fuel wood, bark as 5,10 Bl . as vegetables dye Cotton from mature fruits for Flowers and making mattress and pillow, 5, 9, Bombex ceiba L . Bombaceceae Simalu Tree unripe fruits as wood as timber, bark as 10 vegetables medicine, flowers as fodder, wood as minor timber. Calamus tenuis Tender shoots Stem for making furniture, Arecaceae Jati bet Climber C Roxb. as vegetables household articles. Tender

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Scientific Vernacular Parts used as Used Family Habit Other uses name name edibles by shoots as medicine for worms. Bark as Callicarpa arborea Leaves, barks as medicine Verbenaceae Bonmola Tree substitute of 2,12 Roxb. against mouth diseases. betel nut Wood as timber for making Carallia lucida Ripe fruits as traditional rice husking Rhizophoraceae Mahithekara Tree C Roxb. raw implement, house making, fire-wood. Stem as water channels in Caryata urens L. Arecaceae Sewa Tree Seeds as raw traditional houses. Seed C pericarp is use for asthma Wood as timber in house Pulp of fruit as construction; pulp from fruit Cassia fistula L. Caesalpiniaceae Sonaru Tree C raw medicine for liver trouble, piles. Leaves, young Centella asiatica Whole plant as medicine for Apiaceae Manimuni Herb shoots as C (L.) Urban. stomach trouble. vegetables Chrysophyllum Wood as timber for house Ripe fruits as lanceolatum (Bl.) Sapotaceae Bonpitha Tree construction, furniture C raw DC. making. Mesocarp, juice Citrus medica L. Rutaceae Joratenga Shrub _ C of fruit as raw Clerodendrum Tender leaves, Leaves as medicine against glandulosum Verbenaceae Nefafoo Shrub shoots as C blood pressure. Coleb.ex Wall. vegetables. Coccnia grandis Fruits as raw or Cucurbitaceae Belipoka Climber - C (L.) Voigt. ripe Tender leaves, Colocasia esculanta Araceae Panikachu Herb petiole as Whole plant as fodder. C (L.) Schoot. vegetables Commelina Tender shoots Latex from stem applied in Commelinaceae Konasimolu Herb C benghalensis L. as vegetables eye disease. Costus speciosus Young shoots as Rhizome as medicine against (Koen ex Retz.) Costaceae Jomlakhuti Herb vegetables, stem 2 jaundice. Sm. as raw Crassocephalum Leaves, tender

crepidioides Astereceae Bon kopahi Herb shoot as C - (Benth.) S. Moore vegetables Deeringia Tender leaves, amaranthiodes Amaranthaceae Methokthoka Climber twigs as - C (Lamk) Meer. vegetables Dendrocalamus Stem in house making, Young shoots as hamiltonii Nee and Poaceae Kakobah Tree furniture, fencing and fire C vegetables Arn. wood. Fleshy sepals as Fire wood, pulp of fruits in Dillenia indica L. Dilleniaceae Outenga Tree vegetables, C hair wash. pickles Dioscorea bulbifera Tubers as Tuber as medicine for piles, Dioscoriaceae Gothia alu Climber C L. vegetables dysentery. Dioscorea Tuber as Tuber as medicine for piles, Dioscoriaceae Pasoptia alu Climber C pentaphylla L. vegetables dysentery.

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Scientific Vernacular Parts used as Used Family Habit Other uses name name edibles by Diplazium asperum Tender leaves Woodsiaceae Dhekiasak Herb C Bl. as vegetables - Diplazium Tender leaves esculentum (Retz.) Woodsiaceae Dhekiasak Herb - C as vegetables Sw. Duchesnea indica Ripe fruits are Rosaceae Goru khis Herb Fodder for cattle. C (Andr.) Focke. eaten as raw Tender leaves, Drymaria diandra The whole plant as medicine Caryophyllaceae Laijabori Herb shoots as C Bl . for stomach, nasal problems. vegetables The inflorescence as Tender leaves Eclipta alba L. Asteraceae Kehraj Herb medicine for wounds inside C as vegetables mouth, liver. Elaeocarpus Ripe fruits as Elaeocarpaceae Jalphai Tree Fire wood. C floribundus Bl. jams, pickles Ficus auriculata Ripe fruits as Moraceae Mou dimoru Tree Fire wood. 5, 10 Lour. raw Tender leaves Fire wood, Leaves as fodder Ficus hispida Vahl Moraceae Katjia dimoru Tree and shots as 5,10 for cattle. vegetable Ripe fruits as Ficus racemosa L. Moraceae Mou dimoru Tree Fire wood. C raw Flacourtia Ripe fruits as Wood for making handles for jangomas (Lour.) Flacourtiaceae Ponial Tree jams and household and agricultural C Raeusch. pickles implements. Flashy fruits as As timber for house making, Garcinia Large raw, acidifying Cluciaceae Borthekara traditional rice husking C pedanculata Roxb. tree agent for curry, implements, fire wood. pickles Wood as timber for making Garcinia cowa Ripe fruits as traditional houses, sliced dry Cluciaceae Kuji thekara Tree C Roxb. raw and dry fruits as medicine for stomach trouble. Wood as timber for making Garcinia kydia Ripe fruits as traditional houses, sliced dry Cluciaceae Kuji thekara Tree C Roxb. raw and dry fruits as medicine for stomach trouble. Garcinia sopsopia Ripe fruits as Wood as timber for making (Buch.-Ham.) Sosopatenga Tree raw or unripe C Cluciaceae traditional houses Mabberley. fruits as pickles Ripe fruits as Wood as timber for making Garcinia raw or cooked traditional rice husking Cluciaceae Teportenga Tree C xanthochymus Hk.f. with other implement, latex from bark vegetables. for preparation of dye Bark as medicine in Glycosmis arborea Ripe fruits as Rutaceae Sauldhua Shrub pneumonia C (Roxb.) Corr. raw.

Tender leaves shoots as Gnetum gnemon L. Gnetaceae Majarguti Shrub - 12 vegetables, ripe fruits as raw Grewia sapida Ripe fruit as Extract from fruits for hair Tiliaceae Soura Shrub 2 Roxb. raw. wash, leaves as fodder

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Scientific Vernacular Parts used as Used Family Habit Other uses name name edibles by Leaves, tender Hedyotis diffusa The whole plant as medicine Rubiaceae Bonjaluk Herb shoots, flowers C Willd. for stomach trouble as vegetables The whole plant as medicine Houttuynia cordata Young plant as Saururaceae Moshundari Herb for stomach trouble, C Thunb. vegetables. Dysentery Hydrocotyle Soru Young plant as The whole plant as medicine sibthorpioides Apiaceae Herb C manimuni vegetables. for stomach trouble Lamk. Juice made from the plant as Ipomoea aquatica Tender shoots Convolvulaceae Kalmou Herb medicine for jaundice, C Forsk. as vegetables. urinary trouble 4 Kaempferia Leaves as raw Rhizome in marriage Zingiberaceae Gathion Shrub galanga L. vegetables. functions

Tender leaves Lasia spinosa (L.) Leaves and roots as medicine Araceae Sengmora Herb with petiole as C Thw. for piles, menstrual problems vegetables. Tender shoots Leaves as appetizer, stomach Leucas plukenetii Lamiaceae Durun Herb and leaves as trouble, flower with honey to C (Roth.) Spreng. vegetables. cure cough Licuala peltata Leaves in making traditional Arecaceae Jengu Herb Fruits as raw. C Roxb. umbrella (japi ) Leaves as material for Livistonia roofing, making traditional Arecaceae Tokow Tree Seed as raw. C jenkinsiana Griff umbrella ( Japi ), fans. Stem in house making Ripe fruits as Wood for house making, Mangifera indica L. Anacardiaceae Aam Tree raw, premature furniture, other parts as fuel C fruits as pickle wood Tender shoot, Marselia Marseliaceae Pani tengeshi Herb leaves as - 9,10 quadrifolia L. vegetable Melastoma Ripe fruits as As fire wood Melastomaceae Phutkala Shrub C malabathricum L. raw Meyna spinosa Ripe fruits as Young shoots as medicine Rubiaceae Kotkora Tree C Roxb. raw for amoebic dysentery Monochoria hastata Inflorescence as Roots as medicine for Pontederiaceae Sorumetaka Herb C (L.) Solms. vegetable stomach trouble, toothache Murraya koenigii Leaves as Leaves as medicine for Rutaceae Norosingho Shrub C (L.) Spreng. vegetable stomach trouble, vomiting Root stock as Nelumbo nucifera vegetable, Leaves as medicine in fever, Nelumbonaceae Podum Herb C Gaertn. young seed as roots for stomach trouble raw Neolamerckia Recepticular cadamba (Roxb) Rubiaceae Kadam Tree head as Wood as timber C Bosser vegetable Root stock, Powdered roots as medicine Nypmhaea nouchali pedicle as Nympheaceae Bhat Herb for diarrhea, piles and skin C Burm. f. vegetable, seed diseases as raw

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Scientific Vernacular Parts used as Used Family Habit Other uses name name edibles by Root stock, Powdered roots as medicine Nymphaea pedicle as Nympheaceae Bhat Herb for diarrhea, piles and skin C pubescens Willd. vegetable, seed diseases as raw Leaves, tender Hedyotis diffusa The whole plant as medicine Rubiaceae Bonjaluk Herb shoots, flowers C Willd. for stomach trouble as vegetable Tender leaves, Oroxylum indicum Bark as medicine for Bignoniaceae Bhatghila Tree shoot, flowers C (L.) Vent. stomach trouble, dysentery as vegetable Extract from the plant as Oxalis corniculata Whole plant as Oxalidaceae Sorutengacha Herb medicine for dysentery, C L. acidifying agent appetizer Tender shoots, Leaves as medicine for leaves as Paederia foetida L. Rubiaceae Bhadai lota Climber stomach trouble, kidney, C vegetable appetizer

Leaves as medicine for Tender shoots, Paederia scandens stomach trouble, kidney, Rubiaceae Bhadai lota Climber leaves as C (Lour.) Merr. appetizer vegetable

Phlogocanthus Flowers and leaves as Flower as thyrsiformis Acanthaceae Titaphul Shrub medicine for worm, cough, C vegetable (Hardow.) Mabb. asthma. Flowers and leaves as Phlogocanthus Flower as Acanthaceae Titaphul Shrub medicine for worm, cough, C tubiflorus Nees . vegetable asthma. Juice of young shoots as Phyllanthus Whole plant as Euphorbiaceae Bonamlakhi Herb medicine for dysentery, C fraternus Webster. vegetable jaundice. Juice of young shoots as Phyllanthus Whole plant as Euphorbiaceae Matiamlakhi Herb medicine for dysentery, C urinaria L. vegetable jaundice and urinary trouble. Leaves, tender Polygonum Polygonaceae Modhu suleng Herb stem as _ C chinense L. acidifying agent Polygonum Leaves, tender _ microcephalum Polygonaceae Modhu suleng Herb stem as C D . Don acidifying agent Leaves, tender Polygonum Polygonaceae Bagh achur Herb stem as _ C perfoliatum L. acidifying agent Portulaca oleracea Malbhug Shoots as Portulacaceae Herb - C L. khutora vegetables Tender shoots Premna latifolia and leaves as Verbenaceae Gohora Tree As fire-wood 10 Roxb. vegetables with pork. Prunus jenkinsii Ripe fruit as Wood for making handles for Rosaceae Thereju Tree C Hk.f. and Th. raw. household implements. Mature influences as Piper sylvaticum Leaves with Piperaceae Auni pan herb medicine for liver and 5,10 Roxb. betel nut urinary trouble.

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Scientific Vernacular Parts used as Used Family Habit Other uses name name edibles by Inflorescence as Inflorescence as medicine for Piper longum L. Piperaceae Pipoli Herb 5,10 spice cough. Rubus alceifolius Ripe fruits as Rosaceae Jatulipoka Herb C Poir. raw - Rubus ellipticus Bor Ripe fruits as Roots as medicine in Rosaceae Herb C Sm. Jatulipoka raw pneumonia. Young shoots, Sarcochlamys 1, 2, Urticaceae Mesaki Shrub leaves as As fire wood. pulcherrima Gaud. 12 vegetable Saurauia Ripe berry as 1, Saurauiaceae Bon pochala Tree Leaves as fodder. roxburghii Wall. raw 2,12 Whole plant for making Tender shoot as vodka, root and leaves as Scoparia dulcis L. Scrophulariaceae Mithapat Herb C vegetable medicine for pneumonia, blood dysentery. Tender shoots Roots as medicine in Smilex zeylanica L. Smilacaceae Tikonibaruah Climber C as vegetable rheumatic and other pains. Fruits as medicine for fever, Young shoots as Solanum nigrum L. Solanaceae Pokmou Herb eye disease, liver, piles, roots C vegetable for asthma Solanum torvum Fruits as Seeds as medicine for Solanaceae Hati bhekuri Herb C Sw. vegetable enlarged spleen. Fruits as appetizer, roots for Solanum anguivi Fruits as raw or Solanaceae Bhakuri tita Shrub toothache, asthma, colic pain, C Lamk. vegetable cough, skin diseases Tender leaves, Spondias pinnata Fruits, barks as medicine for Anacardiaceae Amora Tree fruit as C (L.f.) Kurz. stomach trouble, dysentery. vegetable The whole plant as fish Spilanthes Tender shoots, poison. Seeds chewed as paniculata Wall. ex Asteraceae Suhoni Herb flowers as C medicine to relive pain inside DC. vegetables. mouth Tender shoots Tender leaves and shoots are Stellaria media (L.) Caryophyllacee Morolia Herb and leaves as used as medicine for C Villars vegetables. rheumatism Stem as fasten material in Stenochlaena Tender shoots house constructions, pelustris (Burm.) Blechnaceae Dhekia lota Climber and leaves as C agricultural implements, Bedd. vegetables bamboo crafts etc Wood as timber in house Sterculia villosa Seeds as boiled Sterculiaceae Udal Tree making, fire wood, Bark 1,2,12 Roxb. or baked. fiber as rope Stixis suaveolens Madhoi Ripe fruits as Stem parts as rope for Capparidaceae Climber C (Roxb) Pierrie maloti raw. agricultural implements Wood as timber in house making, fruits and bark as Syzygium cumini Ripe fruits as Myrtaceae Bor jamu Tree medicine for dysentery, C (L.)Skeel. raw. gastritis, powdered seeds for diabetes Wood as timber for making Syzygium jambos Ripe fruits as of traditional houses. Juice of Myrtaceae Bogi jamu Tree C (L.) Alston. raw. the bark as medicine for gastritis.

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Scientific Vernacular Parts used as Used Family Habit Other uses name name edibles by Syzygium Ripe fruits as Wood as timber for house Myrtaceae Bon Jamu Tree C fruticosum DC. raw. making, firewood Tender Tetrastigma branches and thomsonianum - C Vitaceae Noltenga Climber leaves as Planch. vegetables. Terminalia Fruits as raw or Wood as timber for house Combretaceae Bhumura Tree C bellerica Roxb. dried. making, furniture. Wood as timber for house Terminalia citrina Fruits as raw, Combretaceae Silikha Tree making, furniture, Dheki the C Roxb. dry or as curry. traditional rice husking Trichosanthes Young fruits as Juice of leaves as liver tonic, Cucurbitaceae Bon dhunduli Climber C cucumerina L. vegetables. juice from fruit as appetizer. Tender shoots, Typha elephantina Typhaceae Maduribon Shrub rhizomes as Leaves in making of mats. 9 Roxb . vegetables. Tender shoots as medicine in Vernonia cinerea Young shoot as Asteraceae Sahadevi Herb fever, root juice in C (L) Less vegetables. indigestion. Tender leaves Leaves as medicine against Vitex negundo L. Verbenaceae Posotia shrub and shoots as c pain. vegetables. The whole plant as medicine Xanthium Young shoots as Asteraceae Agora Herb against malarial fever and c strumarium L. vegetables. urinary trouble. Tender shoots are used for Barks and seeds as medicine Zanthoxylum Rutaceae Mejenga Shrub preparation of in fever and dyspepsia and c oxyphyllum Edgw. curry with meat cholera. or fish

Tender shoots Fruits as medicine for Zanthoxylum rhetsa as vegetables by rheumatism, diarrhea, and Rutaceae Bazarmoni Tree 9 (Roxb.) DC. the Mishing seeds are used for fish people. poisoning.

Ripe fruits as Bark as medicine for Zizyphus Rhamnaceae Bogori Tree raw, powder or diarrhea, pain, cut and C mauritiana Lamk. as pickles. wounds.

The study also revealed that wild edibles were highly valued by peltata and Livistonia jenkinsiana were eaten but leaves were the villagers as the special food supplement because of its recorded for use as roofing material for construction of nutrient as well medicinal values. Among the seasonally traditional houses and also in making the traditional umbrella available medicinal herbs Alternanthera sessilis, Centella (Japi ). Tendered shoot/ rhizomes of Bambusa balcooa and asiatica, Drymaria diandra, Houttuynia cordata and Dendrocalamus hamiltonii were recorded edible and the mature Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides, Peperomia pellucida and Stellaria culms were used in house and furniture making. It was also media were commonly eaten by the villagers all communities as found that wild edibles are also source of income to some of the the curries. Among the edible fruit giving trees 22 species were villagers. The tender shoot and leaves of Alternanthera sessilis, recorded for timber used in house making, furniture, agricultural A. philoxeroides, Calamus tenuis, Colocasia esculanta, implements and other household articles. Seeds of Licula Diplazium esculantum, Murraya koenigii, Paderia foetida, P.

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Figure-1: Few Wild edible plants: 1. Antidesma bunius . 2. Dillenia indica. 3. Garcinia cowa . 4. Fragaria indica. 5. Sarcochlamys pulcherima. 6. Smilex zeylanica . 7. Flacourtia jangomas and Artocarpus chama

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Edible but medicinal: The present study also revealed that out Fruit of Dillenia indica is favorate food for elephant . Seeds and of 119 species of wild edible plant species, different fraction fruits of Zizyphus mauritiana, Z. nummularia Artocarpus such as the leaves, barks, tuber or roots of 56 plant species were chama, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Artocarpus lacucha Calamus used by the villagers as traditional medicine against different tenuis, Centella asiatica, Costus speciosus, Bambusa balcooa, ailments (Table-1). The extract prepared dried pericarps of Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, Duchesnea indica, Ficus auriculata, Garcinia pedunculata, G. cowa and G. kydia and fermented Ficus hispida, Hedyotis diffusa, Houttuynia cordata, Houttuynia juice prepared from Syzygium cumini is widely is used as cordata, Oroxylum indicum, Oxalis corniculata and Phyllanthus medicine against stomach disorder. The extract prepared from fraternus were recorded animal food. Alternanthera sessilis, Centella asiatica and Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides is also used as Alternanthera philoxeroides, Alpinia nigra, Amaranthus tonic and medicine against stomach problems. Apart from these spinosus, Commelina benghalensis, Ficus hispida, Marselia Alternanthera sessilis , Hedyotis diffusa , Clerodendrum quadrifolia, Monochoria hastata, Polygonum microcephalum , glandulosum , Vernonia cinérea , Paederia scandens , Paederia Portulaca oleracea, Premna latifolia, Solanum nigrum, foetida , Oxalis corniculata , Hedyotis diffusa , Murraya koenigii Spondias pinnata and Stellaria media were recorded as fodder and Leucas plukenetii are recorded for herbal medicine for for animals. stomach troubles use by different communities of the district. Conclusion Rhizome of Costus speciosus, bark of Glycosmis arborea, whole plant of Phyllanthus urinaria, Phyllanthus fraternus are It is evident from this survey and documentation work that recoded as medicine given for curing jaundice. The corm of among the phyto resources of patch vegetations the wild edible Amorphophallus paeoniifolius was recorded for use as medicine plant are also collected and used by the villagers as vegetables against piles. Leaves of Antidesma bunias, Antidesma acidum or different raw food items with time and as per indigenous and whole plant of Amaranthus spinosus and Amaranthus knowledge. Though, the wild edible plants available in the patch viridis and bark of Ardisia thyrsiflora were recorded as antidote vegetations plays a significant role in the society as the natural use against snake bite. Leaves, tendered shoot of Eclipta alba source of nutritive foods, change in land uses in the rural areas and barks of Callicarpa arborea were recorded as medicine now a day’s brings about threat for the patches as the habitat for against various mouth diseases. Seed pericarp of Caryata urens wild edibles. Moreover, patch vegetations have unique was recorded for treatment of asthma. Whole plant of importance as they are biodiversity reservoir of rare, endangered Houttuynia cordata , Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides , Phyllanthus and endemic flora. Evidence also recorded for attempting fraternus , Phyllanthus urinaria ; bark of Syzygium cumini and maximum harvests from some biological population by Oroxylum indicum were recorded for use as medicine for indigenous society; however, risk of its extinction is 20 dysentery etc. Bark of Glycosmis arborea , root of Rubus minimum . However, due to increase of human population the ellipticus and tendered shoots of Scoparia dulcis were recorded patch vegetations are being shrinking and established new for utilized as medicine for treatment of pneumonia. Similar homesteads there. Therefore, research on the scientific investigation was conducted and recorded 241 medicinal plant evaluation of these wild edibles and their other important uses species used by Naga tribes for traditional medicine 19 . including biodiversity and environmental services is an urgent need not only for conservation of the patch vegetation as the Bird’s food: About 41 plant species were recorded for their repository of wild edible plants but also from bio-prospecting different parts mainly fruits and seeds are eaten by birds. They point of view. are - Antidesma acidum, A. bunias, A. ghaesembilla, Ardisia thyrsiflora, Artocarpus chama A. heterophyllus, A. lacucha, Acknowledgement Baccaurea ramiflora, Bischofia javanica Callicarpa arborea, Carallia lucida, Cassia fistula, Chrysophyllum lanceolatum, Authors are thankful to the Director, Rain Forest Research Clerodendrum glandulosum, Coccnia grandis, Deeringia Institute, Jorhat; Assam and Director General, Indian Council of amaranthiodes, Duchesnea indica, Elaeocarpus floribundus, Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun, India, for Ficus auriculata, Ficus hispida, Flacourtia jangomas, Fragaria timely permission and facilities provided to complete this study. spp, Glycosmis arborea, Grewia sapida, Livistonia jenkinsiana, Mangifera indica, Melastoma malabathricum, Murraya References koenigii, Premna latifolia, Prunus jenkinsii, Rubus ellipticus, 1. Arenas P. and Scarpa G.F. (2007). 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