Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 13 (3), July 2014, pp. 606-612 Ethnobotanical notes on Allium species of Arunachal Pradesh, India Ashalata Devi* 1, K Rakshit 1, B Sarania 1, Adi, Apatani, Monpa & Nyishi Community 1Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Napaam - 784028, Assam, India E-mails: [email protected]; [email protected] Received 27.08.13, revised 28.11.13 Onion and garlic is considered one the most important ancient cultivated crops of genus Allium . Large numbers of Allium species has been widely used for various purposes in hilly area of Arunachal Pradesh. Arunachal Pradesh, a state in North east India, harbours a wide range of wild Allium species which are being used by natives as for vegetable, spices, condiment and medicine. A total of 9 plant species namely, Allium cepa, Allium chinense, Allium hookeri, Allium macranthum, Allium prattii, Allium rubellum, Allium sativum, Allium tuberosum and Allium wallichii were recorded in different parts of Arunachal Pradesh during June 2012 to July 2013. All the 9 species were consumed as raw or in processed form, as flavours/ condiment in preparing food items and as herbal medicine. It was recognized that Allium chinense, Allium hookeri, Allium tuberosum and Allium macranthum have high ornamental potential value. Most of the species are locally cultivated and have good market value in areas of occurrence. However, wild Allium species of Arunachal Pradesh is largely threatened by several human activities exerted by natives. The present work mainly highlights information on species diversity, distribution and utilization of Allium species of Arunachal Pradesh for future cultivation and conservation programmes. Keywords: Allium species, Species diversity, Distribution, Utilization, Cultivation and conservation IPC Int. Cl. 8: A01, A61K 36/00, GO1S 3/72, GO1S 7/42, A23B, A01N 3/00 Charaka-Samhita, the oldest known Indian Ayurvedic accepted more than 750 Allium species 6,7,8,9 . Genus medical treatise, dating from ca. 400 to 200 BC, Allium is characterized by superior ovary which attributes many health virtues to garlic and (characteristic of family Liliaceae) and scapose onion plants and their cultivation 1. In addition to umbellate inflorescence (flowers borne in a bracted commonly cultivated species of Allium in India, umbel on top of a scape) with membranous bracts other species of less known are grown in selected (characteristic of family Amaryllidaceae) has been pockets as semi-domesticated types or wild economic placed in family Alliaceae 10 . Different species have species 2,3 . The genus Allium (Family-Alliaceae) is characteristic features of rhizome/ bulb, leaf, economically important because it includes several inflorescences, odour and taste. important historical vegetable crops – onion, garlic, Genus Allium is widely distributed in the etc. as well as many wild ornamental species. Allium northern temperate and Alpine regions of the world. species are consumed as raw or cooked or as About 35-40 species occur in temperate and Alpine pickle/processed form, as dried condiment and 11,12,13,14,15 regions of Himalaya in India . In recent spices/flavours. The taxonomic position of Allium and years, anthropogenic intervention such as related genera had been a matter of controversy for indiscriminate felling of trees and large scale long 4 period of time. Takhtajan 5 adopted the harvesting of wild species from natural habitats for taxonomical hierarchy of Allium as: 1. Class – trades have posed serious threat and thus these species Liliopsida, 2. Subclass – Liliidae, 3. Superorder – deserve to be given special attention for sustainable Liliianae, 4. Order – Amaryllidales, 5. Family – collection and conservation. Alliaceae, 6. Subfamily – Allioideae, 7. Tribe – Allieae, 8. Genus – Allium. The modern classification In present communication, we attempt to highlight _________ some of the ethnobotnical notes on valued genetic *Corresponding author resources of Allium in Arunachal Pradesh, India DEVI et al. : ETHNOBOTANICAL NOTES ON ALLIUM SPECIES OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH, INDIA 607 which had not been done so far in this state. Arunachal Pradesh 19 . Voucher specimens were made Arunachal Pradesh spread over an area of 83,743 sq by using standard plant press, authenticated and km with altitudinal range from 150-5500 m deposited at Herbarium centre of the Ecology harbouring different forest type namely, Tropical semi laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, evergreen, Tropical wet evergreen, Sub tropical Tezpur University, Assam. forest, Pine forests, Temperate forests and Alpine forests. The climatic and ecological diversity of the Results and discussion state promote rich floral and faunal diversity in Distribution of Allium species in Arunachal Pradesh different types of forest. The state is also rich in Nine species namely, Allium cepa, Allium chinense, ethnic communities and multi-ethnic population has a Allium hookeri, Allium macranthum, Allium prattii, long tradition of close relation with wild plants. They Allium rubellum, Allium sativum, Allium tuberosum collect and consume a large number of wild plant and Allium wallichii were recorded from different species as food and to fulfill many of their basic areas of 6 districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Maximum requirements for livelihood. The potential of of 7 species were recorded from Tawang district, Arunachal Pradesh’s Allium germplasm is tried to 6 species from Papum Pare district, 4 species from highlight in order to boost sustainable collection and Lower Subansiri district, three species each were conservation activities and value addition of the recorded from East Kameng and West Kameng economic products. districts, and 4 species from Upper Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh (Table 1). Allium sativum L. and Methodology Allium cepa L. are common species found in all the An extensive inventory and frequent field trips for study areas. Allium cepa leaves are shorter bears exploration of Allium species was conducted at white flowers and swelling bulb. Allium chinense monthly or fortnightly interval from June 2012 to have narrowly linear basal leaves, red purple flowers July 2013 using enthnobotanical and Participatory and bulbs clustered. Leaves of Allium hookeri are Rural Appraisal (PRA) methods in 6 districts of the slender with prominent midrib, basal linear state Arunachal Pradesh, a state in Northeastern India. membranous, white flowers and white fibrous roots. Herbal healers of age group between 30 and 60 yrs Allium macranthum leaves are many and linear, large belonging to different communities from 6 districts of dark purple flowers and bulb narrow membranous. the state were interviewed and recorded the Allium prattii have board linear leaves with prominent information in a prescribed questionnaire 16 . The midrib and bears pink to red flower. Allium rubellum questionnaire revealed the name, age and address of leaves flattish, small rosy flowers, bulb small. Allium herbal healer, date of interview, local and botanical sativum leaves are flat, white flowers, bulbs elongate, names of drug plants, parts used, collected fresh or cylindric with white fleshy root. Allium tuberosum dried stored material, locality, dose quantity, dose leaves are narrow-linear flat tall compressed, white or per day, method of drug preparation, care to be taken pink flowers, bulbs elongate, cylindric with white or the side effects if any and mode of administration. fleshy root. Allium wallichii leaves are long linear Ethics as well as cultural importance of drug plants flat, purple flowers, bulbs hardly developed. were also recorded. Prior informed consent (PIC) was Altitudinal distribution of species shows a maximum taken from the knowledge providers as per CBD 6 species in the alpine and sub-temperate region guidelines. Collection and maintenance of plant (2,500-4,500 m), and 3 species in temperate region specimens have been made by following standard (1,500-2,500 m). methodology. Specimens were collected from wild habitat, cultivated areas and local indigenous Collection and conservation status market during field survey and herbarium techniques Biodiversity provides a foundation for ecologically have been followed for the study 17,18 . Secondary sustainable development and food security. information was also collected through scrutiny of Indigenous community holds potential knowledge for literature, notes on herbarium and systematic studies preserving biodiversity, cultural diversity and on this group. Botanical specimens of all the maintaining ecological functions. Livelihood of medicinal plants were photographed, collected and natives of Arunachal Pradesh is greatly dependent on identified by referring to the Material for the Flora of traditionally maintained ecosystems. Their beliefs and 608 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL 13, NO. 3, JULY 2014 Table 1—Distribution, status of occurrence and use of recorded Allium species by ethnic people of Arunachal Pradesh. Species Distribution Occurrence Status of Uses occurrence Allium chinense Papum Pare, Upper Dibang Frequent and Common Vegetable, Condiment/Flavour G. Don Valley, occasionally and Medicine cultivated Allium hookeri Tawang, Lower Subansiri, Frequent and Common Vegetable, Condiment/Flavour Thw. West Kameng, Upper Dibang occasionally and Medicine Valley, East Kameng and cultivated Papum Pare Allium macranthum Tawang Less common and Rare Vegetable, Condiment and Baker occasionally Medicine cultivated Allium prattii Tawang Less common Rare