Collection calendar: the diversity and local knowledge of wild edible plants used by Chenthang Sherpa people to treat seasonal food shortages in Tibet, China

Abstract Background Wild edible plants (WEPs) are non-cultivated and non-domesticated plants used for food. WEPs provided food, nutrition, herbs and other plant products for people in underdeveloped areas, such as the Everest region, to maintain their daily lives. Chenthang Town is the only Sherpa ethnic township in Tibet, China. The core purpose of this research is to investigate, collect and record the WEPs and related local knowledge and functions within the Sherpa community. The ultimate goal is to answer the question of why Sherpa people choose these particular plants. Materials and methods The field study was carried out in the six Sherpa communities of Chenthang Township from September 2019 to August 2020. The WEPs and related local knowledge were collected through semistructured interviews and direct observations. The field work was performed with the assistance of local guides. During the field survey, we collected plant specimens based on the principle of one plant with one vernacular name. In this study, we utilised a use report (UR) and cultural importance index (CI) to evaluate the comprehensive utilization value of WEPs in the daily diet of Sherpa people. Results We interviewed 78 people individually who provided us with 1199 use reports. In total, we collected 84 WEPs belonging to 65 genera in 41 families. These species were identified as 78 distinct ethno-species by local people, and the vernacular name of each ethno-species was recorded. Then, these use reports were classified into six use categories. All these plants were native wild plants. In these plants, Arisaema utile, Sorbus cuspidata and Elaeagnus umbellata have been introduced into home gardens by local people. Following the description of the Sherpa people, we articulated a collection calendar for WEPs. The Sherpa collect WEPs throughout nearly the entire year, January and February being the exceptions. Conclusion The collection calendar of wild edible plants reflects the wisdom of the Sherpa in terms of survival. The Sherpa cleverly survive the food shortage periods by harnessing the phenology of different species. In general, WEPs can provide the Sherpa with seasonal carbohydrates, nutrition, healthcare supplements and other products and services necessary for survival, which is likely why the Sherpa choose these plants.

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Being Blessed by Qomolangma: The Diversity and Local Knowledge of Wild Edible Plants Used by Chenthang Sherpa People to Treat Seasonal Food Shortage

10.21203/rs.3.rs-211888/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Xiaoyong Ding ◽

Yu Zhang ◽

Lu Wang ◽

Huifu Zhuang ◽

Wenyun Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Local Knowledge ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Food Shortage ◽

Local People ◽

Wild Edible Plants ◽

Wild Plants ◽

Edible Plants ◽

Daily Lives ◽

Importance Index ◽

Field Works

Abstract Background Wild edible plants (WEPs), which are identified as non-cultivated and non-domesticated plants for food. WEPs provided food, nutrition, herbs and other plant products for people in underdeveloped areas, such as the Everest region, to maintain their daily lives. Chenthang Town is the only Sherpa ethnic township in China. The core purpose of this research is to investigate, collect, and record the WEPs and related local knowledge and functions in the Sherpa community. Looking forward to answering the ultimate question, why did Sherpa people choose these plants? Materials and methods The field study was carried out in the six Sherpa communities of Chenthang Township from September 2019 to August 2020. The WEPs and related local knowledge were collected by semi-structured interview and direct observation. And the field works were performed with the assistance of local guides. During the field survey, we collected plant specimens based on the principle of one plant with one vernacular name. In this study, we used use-report (UR) and cultural importance index (CI) to evaluate the comprehensive utilization value of WEPs in the daily diet of Sherpa people. Results We interviewed 78 people individually who provided us with 1,199 use-reports. In total, we collected 84 WEPs belonging to 62 genera in 40 families. These species were identified into 78 ethno-species by local people, and the vernacular name of each ethno-species was recorded. These use-reports were classified into 6 use-categories. All of these plants were native wild plants. In these plants, Arisaema utile, Sorbus cuspidat and Elaeagnus umbellate have been introduced into home gardens by local people. According to the description of the Sherpa people, we drew a collecting calendar of WEPs. The Sherpa collect WEPs almost throughout the year, except for January and February. Conclusion WEPs have made a huge contribution to the Sherpa dietary in supplementing Carbohydrate, nutrition, and healthcare during the seasonal food shortage. In general, the diversity and products and services of WEPs based on local knowledge enhance the resistance and resilience of local food supply system to treat food shortage which might be the answer to why the locals choose these plants.

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Traditional knowledge of wild edible plants in Hasankeyf (Batman Province, Turkey)

Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae ◽

10.5586/asbp.3633 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 88 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Yeter Yeşil ◽

İlyas İnal

Keyword(s):

Traditional Knowledge ◽

Chenopodium Album ◽

Amaranthus Retroflexus ◽

Wild Edible Plants ◽

Wild Plants ◽

Edible Plants ◽

Cultural Significance ◽

Rural Settlements ◽

Daily Lives ◽

The Town

Hasankeyf is an ancient city located on the shores of the Tigris River in Batman Province, southeast Turkey. The town and some of its surrounding villages will be soon submerged, due to the construction of Ilısu Dam, which will force the residents to move to new settlements. The aim of the present study was to collect and record the traditional knowledge regarding the indigenous wild plants that will be submerged by this flooding. The study was carried out between March 2017 and April 2019. Interviews were conducted with 72 women and 53 men in the town center and 22 rural settlements, with a focus on the five villages that are due to be submerged. Information about a total of 86 wild edible plants belonging to 32 families was recorded. Interviewees reported that these were used as green vegetables (45 taxa), ripe fruits and seeds (25 taxa), seasoning and preservatives (16 taxa), beverages (nine taxa), and children’s snacks (seven taxa). In addition, the data were analyzed on the basis of the cultural importance index to determine the cultural significance of these wild edible plants and the informants’ knowledge about them. Culturally, the most significant species included Mentha longifolia, Polygonum cognatum, Rosa canina, Chenopodium album, Urtica dioica, Amaranthus retroflexus, and Malva neglecta. In addition, the data were compared with relevant data in the ethnobotanical literature of Turkey and its neighboring countries. Several uses mentioned here are documented here for the first time. Our research highlights the importance of wild edible plants in the daily lives of inhabitants and their potential for economic use. The present study also provides information for future archaeobotanical studies in this region.

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A study on wild edible plants for human consumption in Hizan county of Bitlis, Turkey

Bangladesh Journal of Plant Taxonomy ◽

10.3329/bjpt.v27i2.50675 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 27 (2) ◽

pp. 377-389

Author(s):

Ibrahim Demir

Keyword(s):

Local People ◽

Wild Edible Plants ◽

Wild Plants ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Edible Plants ◽

Silene Vulgaris ◽

Edible Plant ◽

Plant Use ◽

The Face ◽

Plant Taxon

This study covers the edible plants in Hizan where there is a rich culture of plant consumption. The study was conducted between 2018 and 2019 to record the culture of traditional food plant use of the local people in Hizan. In this regard, the face-to-face interviews with the local people were made, and the relevant plants used were collected and identified. A total of 65 species of wild edible plants belonging to 24 families were identified, and their different traditional usages were categorized as cooked, cheese making, rennet, specie and gum producing, and as raw or beverages etc. In addition, the use-value (VU) index was calculated for each species. The mostly used species included Rheum ribes L. (UV: 0.70), Gundelia tournefortii L. (0.66), Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke, Rosa canina L. (0.64), Urtica dioica L. (0.63), Malva neglecta Wallr. (0.61), and Pistacia khinjuk Stocks (0.60). The culture of edible plant use is widespread throughout the Anatolia. However, traditional uses of many wild plants have not been recorded yet. Therefore, this research will be an important contribution to the preservation of the cultural heritage associated with traditional wild edible plants in this region. Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 27(2): 377-389, 2020 (December)

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Ethnobotanical Wield Edible Plants and Tradition Used in Vientiane Province, Lao P.D.R

10.21203/rs.3.rs-139060/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

KHAMBAY KHAMPHILAVONG ◽

Zhang Lili ◽

Kang Yongxiang ◽

Li Hua ◽

Muththanthirige D L C Nishantha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Traditional Knowledge ◽

Plant Species ◽

Local People ◽

Wild Edible Plants ◽

Wild Plants ◽

Wild Plant ◽

Cash Income ◽

Edible Plants ◽

Remote Areas ◽

The People

Abstract Background: Local people harvested wild edible plants to provide food and cash income for indigenous people and are of good importance to guarantee global food security. Individuals also play a significant role in maintaining the productivity and stability of indigenous ecosystems. Vientiane province, the middle part of Laos, is regarded as the biodiversity hotspot. The people who are living there have consolidated traditional knowledge about plants used. Hence, with the developing country, wild edible plants are threatening, and the associated local knowledge is in danger of being lost. However, wild plants surveys were conducted to investigate and documented the wild edible plants indigenous experience used by local people.Methods: Five-teen villages were carried out the field investigation. The information was collected using questionnaires, direct observation, individual discussion, semi-structured interviews, key informant interviews, group discussion, and participatory rural appraisal (PRA).Results: In this research, information about 202 wild edible plant species in 150 genera of 83 families was recorded. Most species were edible fruits (55 species), followed by young leaves (48 species). The wild edible plants are sources or fresh markets for local people, especially those living in remote areas, to procure mineral elements and vitamins. In addition, were 79 species sold as a mixture at the market. Therefore, the utilization of wild edible plants related to knowledge was according swiftly, especially in an area with the livable transportation and booming traveler.Conclusion: Local food, wild plant species are abundant and diverse in Vientiane province. The people provide food and proteins to remote areas people and also be a source of income. Hence, their associated traditional knowledge and wild edible plants are facing a variety of intimidation. So, preservation and sustainable utilization of these wild plants in this region are important. To document of these plant species might provide incipient information for conservation, probably further exploitation and will gather local indigenous knowledge.

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Diversity of wild edible plants traditionally used by the Galo tribe of Indian Eastern Himalayan state of Arunachal Pradesh

Plant Science Today ◽

10.14719/pst.2020.7.4.855 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Padma Raj Gajurel ◽

Tajum Doni

Keyword(s):

Relative Frequency ◽

Vital Role ◽

Leafy Vegetables ◽

Wild Edible Plants ◽

Wild Plants ◽

Wild Plant ◽

Edible Plants ◽

Arunachal Pradesh ◽

Plant Resources ◽

Edible Plant

Wild edible plants are found very useful in the fulfilment of food and nutritional requirements. Because of the availibity and cultural preference, the consumption of these plants among the tribes is high. To find out the diversity, utilisation pattern and sociocultural importance of the wild plants, a study was conducted in the state of Arunachal Pradesh selecting the Galo tribe, and accordingly the wild edible plants consumed are documented here. Data were collected through extensive field surveys and interviews with the community in the selected 12 villages in Upper Subansiri and West Siang districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Overall, 125 wild edible plant species under 99 genera and 54 families are reported. These species are consumed mostly as leafy vegetables, fruits, medicine, spices and condiments and as a substitute to food grains. The Urticaceae with ten species is the most utilised family followed by Asteraceae, Moraceae and Lamiaceae with at least five species in each. Herbs with 47 species were found to be the most dominant growth form followed by trees with 44 species. Based on parts used leaves with 66 species were recorded to be the most used plant parts followed by fruits. The highest edibility index of 50 % was reported in Solanum americanum. The analysis of relative frequency of citation revealed that total 78 species exhibits more than 0.50 relative frequency of citation value with highest value in Pouzolzia hirta (0.95). It has been found that the wild plant resources play a vital role in the socio-economic aspects of the Galo tribe.

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Wild Edible Plants Used by Endangered & Indigenous Raji Tribe in Western Nepal

International Journal of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology ◽

10.3126/ijasbt.v2i3.10969 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 243-252 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lal B Thapa ◽

Til Maya Dhakal ◽

Raghunath Chaudhary

Keyword(s):

Indigenous People ◽

Mother Tongue ◽

Wild Edible Plants ◽

Wild Plants ◽

Traditional Practices ◽

Edible Plants ◽

Wild Edible Plant ◽

Edible Plant ◽

Beliefs And Practices ◽

Different Parts

The Rajis are one of the endangered indigenous people distributed in western part of Nepal enriched in their own mother tongue, culture, beliefs and practices. Owing to lack of proper documentation, the traditional knowledge of uses and practices on wild edible plants by such an endangered community is about to extinct. This paper aims to present the traditional practices and use of wild edible plants by Raji people in Nepal. Our study found that a total of 67 wild edible plant species included in 56 genera and 38 families used by Raji people. Out of them 62 species were angiosperms, one species was Gymnosperm and 4 species were Pteridophytes. The results of study show that Rajis have their traditional way to use different parts of wild plants such as seeds, fruits, leaves, shoots, roots and tubers in the forms of vegetables, pickles, juice, and raw or as fruits.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v2i3.10969 Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol. 2(3): 243-252

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Traditional knowledge and ways of consumption of wild edible plants by rural communities of Shimla District, Himachal Pradesh (India)

Plant Science Today ◽

10.14719/pst.2019.6.2.507 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 201-207 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rinku Jhamta ◽

Richa Puri ◽

Manohar Lal Sharma ◽

Sana Khan ◽

Harsimran Kaur

Keyword(s):

Rural Communities ◽

Natural Habitat ◽

Field Investigation ◽

Local People ◽

Wild Edible Plants ◽

Edible Plants ◽

Wild Edible Plant ◽

Fidelity Level ◽

Edible Plant ◽

Rural Appraisal

Wild edible plants are used as a source of food by local people where they still rely on natural resources to meet their daily needs. The study was conducted in the rural communities of the Shimla district to document wild edible plants and their edible uses known to local people. The study documented 103 wild edible plant species belonging to 75 genera and 46 families. Rosaceae is the most dominant family with 18 species occupying 17 % of the total use reports. Of the reported plants 43% were used as fruits, 42% as vegetables and remaining have used as juice, gums, spices and condiments. As many as 74 ways of consumption methods shows a Fidelity level (FL) of more than 80%. The use category of vegetables shows highest degree of consensus factor followed by fruit category. Horticultural land expansion is the major threat to the natural habitat of wild edible plants followed by overgrazing. Field visits to various villages in 16 regions of the study area were carried out in different phases from May 2015- September 2018. A total of 102 informants were involved in field investigation and a semi-structured questionnaires and participatory rural appraisal method were used to analyze and study the traditional wild edible plants.

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Wild edible plants collected by Hani from terraced rice paddy agroecosystem in Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan, China

Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine ◽

10.1186/s13002-019-0336-x ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Binsheng Luo ◽

Bo Liu ◽

Hongzhen Zhang ◽

Hongkang Zhang ◽

Xuan Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Traditional Knowledge ◽

Future Development ◽

Biodiversity Loss ◽

Rice Paddy ◽

Local People ◽

Wild Edible Plants ◽

Edible Plants ◽

Traditional Practice ◽

Preparation Methods ◽

Voucher Specimens

Abstract Background The Hani people in the Honghe Prefecture of Southeastern Yunnan, China, have practiced terraced rice paddy farming for more than 1300 years. These rice fields, combined with the surrounding forests and water systems, form a special agroecosystem that has attracted both tourists and scientists. For centuries, the local people have traditionally collected wild edible plants (WEP) from the agroecosystem, but this unique traditional practice in this area has never been reported. Methods Ethnobotanical fieldwork was conducted in four counties (Yuanyang, Honghe, Jinping, and Lüchun) between 2014 and 2019. Local self-identified Hani people (186) were interviewed, and information concerning local WEP species was obtained, documented, and analyzed. Plant samples and voucher specimens were collected for taxonomic identification. Results A total of 224 WEP species, belonging to 90 families and 170 genera, were recorded as used by the Hani people in Honghe. The most common WEP parts used include fruits, stems, and leaves, and the most common preparation methods include eating as a potherb (wild vegetable) and eating fresh. Some WEPs, like Phyllanthus emblica and Dioscorea subcalva, have unique preparation methods. The use-value (UV) and frequency of utilization index (FUI) of WEP species were analyzed. The 20 WEP species with the highest UV were noted as particularly important to the Hani people’s daily life in Honghe. Conclusion A large majority of these WEP species possess tremendous economic potential for future development. However, the diversity of WEP species, the associated traditional knowledge, and the broader agroecosystem are facing challenges such as biodiversity loss and pollution from chemical pesticides and fertilizers. This study may help local people to recognize the value of local WEP species and associated traditional knowledge, as well as provide ethnobotanical information for the future development of this tourism region.

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Wild edible plants in Yeşilli (Mardin-Turkey), a multicultural area

Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine ◽

10.1186/s13002-019-0327-y ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Yeter Yeşil ◽

Mahmut Çelik ◽

Bahattin Yılmaz

Keyword(s):

Traditional Knowledge ◽

Juglans Regia ◽

Food Sources ◽

Wild Edible Plants ◽

Wild Plants ◽

Ethnobotanical Study ◽

Edible Plants ◽

Cultural Significance ◽

Traditional Use ◽

Informant Consensus

Abstract Background The Yeşilli district (Mardin) is located in the southeastern of Turkey and hosts different cultures. The objective of this study was to record the traditional knowledge of wild edible plants used by indigenous people in Yeşilli, where no ethnobotanical studies have been conducted previously. Methods An ethnobotanical study was carried out in Yeşilli district in March 2017–March 2019 to document the traditional knowledge of wild edible plants. The data were collected by interviewing 62 informants. Additionally, the data were analysed based on the cultural importance index (CI) and factor informant consensus (FİC) to determine the cultural significance of wild edible plants and knowledge of wild edible plants among the informants. Results We documented 74 wild edible taxa belonging to 31 families and 57 genera in the present study. The richness of the wild edible taxa was highest for vegetables (46 taxa), followed by medicinal plants (17 taxa) and fruit (14 taxa). The most important families were Asteraceae (ten taxa), Rosaceae (seven taxa) and Fabaceae (six taxa). The most culturally important taxa (based on the CI index) were Ficus carica subsp. carica, Lepidium draba, Anchusa strigosa, Rhus coriaria, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Sinapis alba, Gundelia tournefortii, Notobasis syriaca, Onopordum carduchorum, Malva neglecta, Mentha longifolia, Juglans regia and Urtica dioica. The maximum number of use reports was recorded for vegetables (1011). The factor informant consensus index (Fic) varied between 0.95 and 0.98 for preserved vegetables, beverages and spices and processed fruits have the highest Fic (0.99). We reported for the first time the ethnobotanical usage of 12 taxa as food. We also recorded the use of Allium wendelboanum, an endemic species in the study area. Conclusion The obtained data were compared with data from other wild edible and ethnobotanical studies conducted in Turkey and particularly those conducted in eastern Turkey. Furthermore, the data were compared with data from studies conducted in the bordering countries of Iraq and Armenia. The present study reflects the cultural diversity of the region, and it is necessary to conduct more studies since it is thought that this diversity will contribute to the economy. This study will enable the traditional use of wild plants as food sources to be passed on to future generations.

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EFFECT OF BOILING AND MICROWAVE COOKING ON NUTRITIONAL, ANTI-NUTRITIONAL AND TOXICITY OF WILD EDIBLE PLANTS OF NORTH-EASTERN REGION IN INDIA

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences ◽

10.22159/ijpps.2020v12i11.38892 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 61-70

Author(s):

TAPAN SEAL

Keyword(s):

Wild Edible Plants ◽

Wild Plants ◽

Local Market ◽

Eastern Region ◽

Edible Plants ◽

Microwave Cooking ◽

Cytotoxicity Studies ◽

North Eastern ◽

Wild Edibles

Objective: The target of this appraisal was to explore the impacts of various cooking techniques, for example, boiling and microwave cooking on nutritional, antinutritional, minerals content and in vitro toxicity of ten wild consumable plants viz. Zanthoxylum acanthopodium, Viburnum foetidum, Houttuynia cordata, Sonchus arvensis, Oenanthe linearis, Perilla ocymoides, Clerodendrum colebrookeanum, Solanum gilo, Solanum kurzii, Potentilla lineata, widely consumed by the common individuals of North-Eastern area in India. Methods: The proximate parameters like ash, moisture, protein, fat, fibre, carbohydrate, energy content, minerals viz. sodium, calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc and antinutritional parameters like oxalate, phytate, tannin, saponin, cyanogenic glycoside content were evaluated in the selected wild edible plants using standard food analysis techniques. In vitro haemolytic toxicity of aqueous extracts (100, 300 and 500µg/cc) of ten palatable wild plants was done with the blood samples were gathered from healthy rat, mixed with Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid(EDTA) and centrifuged at 5,000 Revolutions Per Minute (rpm) for five minutes. The 10 % erythrocyte suspension was set up in sterile Phosphate buffer saline (PBS, pH 7.4) for haemolytic examination. The genotoxic potential of the concentrates were assessed by a single-cell gel electrophoresis comet test. Cytotoxicity studies were evaluated with fresh goat livers procured from the local market were perfused in PBS (pH 7.4) with collagenase and the liver was then minced in minute pieces and cells were isolated utilizing cell strainer. Results: Both cooking medications diminished the congregations of ash, fat, minerals, antinutritional parts and the destructive nature of the consumable plants while the carbohydrate and fiber substance were expanded. The protein focuses in the wild edibles were expanded fundamentally (P<0.05) in the range from 1.26 to 10.45% on microwave cooking while the indistinguishable were exhausted in the range out of 2.20 to11.55% on boiling treatment. The microwave cooking demonstrated lesser misfortunes in minerals in the consumable plants than those cooked by frothing. The microwave cooking also caused the colossal rot (P<0.05) of antinutritional parameters and damaging tendency to a more significant degree than the sputtering medications of the wild edibles. Conclusion: Therefore, the outcomes uncovered that microwaving of appealing plants could be prescribed to expand the supporting quality and to diminish the fat, threatening to dietary structure and lethality. The toxicity assessment of the consumable plants at cell and genomic level showed that these are harmless to consume.

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