Ethnobotanical study of wild edible plants used by Meinit Ethnic Community at Bench-Maji Zone, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract Background Meinit sociocultural community have a long tradition of using wild edible plants (WEPs) for food, spice, medicine and income generation. These locally collected wild edibles are consumed during food scarcity and as supplement to staple food. WEPs also provide cheaper source of dietary energy, vitamins and micronutrients for rural subsistence farmers. However, the utilization and management of WEPs have been declining due to dietary shift, climatic and anthropogenic factors. Despite the rich botanical diversity and ample traditional knowledge on the use of WEPs by the Meinit sociocultural community, the ethnobotanical documentation of WEPs is very scant. Therefore, the study aimed to record an ethnobotanical investigation of WEPs used by the Meinit sociocultural community. Methods Focused group discussion(FGD), key informants’(KI) interview using semi-structured interview questions, guided field walk, preference ranking and pairwise comparisons were applied during ethnobotanical study of WEPs. Descriptive statistics were used for data analyses. Results A total of 66 WEPs species from 34 families were recorded. Asteraceae (seven species) contributed to the highest number of species followed by Fabaceae (six species), Amaranthaceae and Moraceae (five species each); among which 28 species were herbs ,14 were shrubs, 13 were climbers and 11 were trees. The WEPs are gathered from farm, fallow land, woodland, grassland and forest. The WEPs were consumed as raw, boiled, stewed, baked and local beverage. Boiling was frequently used in traditional cooking practice for leafy vegetables, roots and tubers. Soup or local dish prepared from wild edible vegetables and accompanied with porridge or flatten bread is relished by the community. Conclusion The study districts have rich resource of WEPs and untapped traditional knowledge associated with the use of these plants for food, medicine and income generation. However, the availability of the WEPs and their traditional knowledge have been declining from time to time.

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An ethnobotanical study of wild edible plants in Yilmana Densa and Quarit Districts, West Gojjam, Western Ethiopia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-70088/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Derebe Alemneh

Keyword(s):

Forest Products ◽

Wild Edible Plants ◽

Anthropogenic Factors ◽

Wild Food ◽

Ethnobotanical Study ◽

Edible Plants ◽

Wild Edible Plant ◽

Edible Plant ◽

West Gojjam ◽

Western Ethiopia

Abstract Backgrounds: Globally, wild edible plants are one of the main non-timber forest products and possess up to 96% of the value of forests. They are an essential source of supplementary foods in many parts of Ethiopia. However, they have been highly degraded and lost due to anthropogenic factors. Thus, current study aims at recording and documenting wild edible plants in Yilmana Densa and Quarit Districts, West Gojjam, Western Ethiopia to pave a way for further research and conservation. Methods: Semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, participant observation and market survey were the data collection tools. Preference and direct matrix ranking were used to analyze the data. Results: Thirty two wild edible plant species were reported in the two Districts. Most of the species were herbs while the major (53.1%) edible parts were fruits. Most of the collectors of the wild food were young males. Ficus sur was the most preferred wild edible plant. Conclusion: The districts are still rich sources of wild edible plants. However, there was low potential of conservation. Therefore, there should be extensive awareness rising for wild edible plant conservation.

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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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Identification and frequency of consumption of wild edible plants over a year in central Tunisia: a mixed-methods approach

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980019003409 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 23 (5) ◽

pp. 782-794

Author(s):

Marie Claude Dop ◽

Fayçal Kefi ◽

Olfa Karous ◽

Eric O Verger ◽

Asma Bahrini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Leafy Vegetables ◽

Wild Edible Plants ◽

Wild Plants ◽

Wild Plant ◽

Tunisian Population ◽

Ethnobotanical Study ◽

Median Frequency ◽

Edible Plants ◽

Key Informants ◽

Central Tunisia

AbstractObjective:To identify wild plants used as food and assess their frequency of consumption over a year in a region of Tunisia where agriculture is undergoing a major transformation from smallholder farming to an intensive high-input agricultural system.Design:Qualitative ethnobotanical study followed by a survey of women’s frequency of consumption of wild plants conducted using FFQ at quarterly intervals.Setting:Sidi Bouzid governorate of central Tunisia.Participants:Mixed-gender group of key informants (n 14) and focus group participants (n 43). Survey sample of women aged 20–49 years, representative at governorate level (n 584).Results:Ethnobotanical study: thirty folk species of wild edible plants corresponding to thirty-five taxa were identified by key informants, while twenty folk species (twenty-five taxa) were described by focus groups as commonly eaten. Population-based survey: 98 % of women had consumed a wild plant over the year, with a median frequency of 2 d/month. Wild and semi-domesticated fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill. and Anethum graveolens) was the most frequently consumed folk species. Women in the upper tertile of wild plant consumption frequency were more likely to be in their 30s, to live in an urban area, to have non-monetary access to foods from their extended family and to belong to wealthier households.Conclusions:In this population, wild edible plants, predominantly leafy vegetables, are appreciated but consumed infrequently. Their favourable perception, however, offers an opportunity for promoting their consumption which could play a role in providing healthy diets and mitigating the obesity epidemic that is affecting the Tunisian population.

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Ethnobotanical study on wild edible plants used by three trans-boundary ethnic groups in Jiangcheng County, Pu’er, Southwest China

10.21203/rs.3.rs-40805/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yilin Cao ◽

ren li ◽

Shishun Zhou ◽

Liang Song ◽

Ruichang Quan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural Resources ◽

Traditional Knowledge ◽

Higher Plants ◽

Boundary Region ◽

Wild Edible Plants ◽

Ethnobotanical Study ◽

Young Generation ◽

Use Value ◽

Edible Plants ◽

Species List

Abstract Background: Dai, Hani, and Yao people, in the trans-boundary region between China, Laos, and Vietnam, have gathered plentiful traditional knowledge about wild edible plants during their long history of understanding and using natural resources. The ecologically rich environment and the multi-ethnic integration provide a valuable foundation and driving force for high biodiversity and cultural diversity in this region. However, little study has uncovered the mystical veil of this unique and attractive culture to the world. Methods: We conducted Ethnobotanical survey in 20 villages of Jiangcheng County from 2016 to 2020. Altogether 109 local Dai, Hani, and Yao people were interviewed, and their traditional knowledge about wild edible plants was recorded. Voucher specimens were identified by the authors and deposited in the herbarium of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences (HITBC). The use value was used as a quantitative index to evaluate the consume frequency and relative importance of the wild edible plants. The Jaccard index was calculated to assess the usage similarity of different areas. The relationship of age and recognized wild edible plants by different ethnic people was performed by R. Results: A total of 211 wild edible plants, belonging to 71 families and 151 genera, were recorded. These plants were consumed as wild edible vegetables, seasonal fruits, salads, spices, sour condiments, tonic soups, tea substitutes, liquor brewing, or dyeing materials. The use value, current cultivation, market availability, as well as the quantitative traditional knowledge inheritance situation of these wild edible plants among different generations were analyzed. Based on the data from threatened species list of China’s higher plants and the IUCN Red List, the food plant list for Asia Elephant, the Subject Database of China Plant and the calculated UV score, the top 30 most important wild edible plants were selected for further cultivation in some local villages. Conclusion: Traditional knowledge of wild edible plants, owned by Dai, Hani, and Yao people in Jiangcheng County, is rich but at risk of being lost among the young generation. Diversified cultivation of wild edible plants by the local communities could be a solution for sustainable use of natural resources and to conserve the endangered species in this trans-boundary region.

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Ethnobotanical Study on Wild Edible Plants Used by Three Trans-Boundary Ethnic Groups in Jiangcheng County, Pu’er, Southwest China

10.21203/rs.3.rs-40805/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yilin Cao ◽

Ren Li ◽

Shishun Zhou ◽

Liang Song ◽

Ruichang Quan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural Resources ◽

Traditional Knowledge ◽

Higher Plants ◽

Botanical Garden ◽

Boundary Region ◽

Wild Edible Plants ◽

Ethnobotanical Study ◽

Young Generation ◽

Edible Plants ◽

Species List

Abstract Background: Dai, Hani and Yao people in the trans-boundary region between China, Laos and Vietnam, have gathered plentiful traditional knowledge about wild edible plants during the long history of understanding and using natural resources. The ecologically rich environment and the multi-ethnic integration provide a valuable foundation and driving force for high biodiversity and cultural diversity in this region. However, little study has uncovered the mystical veil of this unique and attractive culture. Methods: Ethnobotanical fieldwork, market and village survey have been conducted in 20 villages of Jiangcheng County during the period from 2016 to 2019. Altogether 109 local Dai, Hani and Yao people were interviewed, and their traditional knowledge of wild edible plants was recorded. Voucher specimens were identified by the authors and deposited in the herbarium of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences (HITBC). The statistical analysis was performed using R Studio software. Results: 211 wild edible plants, belonging to 73 families and 152 genera, were recorded. These plants were consumed as wild edible vegetables, seasonal fruits, salads, spices, sour condiments, tonic soups, tea substitutes, liquor brewing or dyeing materials. The use value (UV), current cultivation, market availability, as well as the quantitative traditional knowledge inheritance situation of these wild edible plants among different generations were analyzed. Based on the data from threatened species list of China’s higher plants and the IUCN red list, the food plant list for Asia Elephant, the subject database of China plant and the calculated UV score, the top 30 most important wild edible plants were selected for further cultivation in the local village Conclusion: Traditional knowledge of wild edible plants, owned by Dai, Hani and Yao people in Jiangcheng County, is rich but at risk of losing among the young generation. Diversified cultivation of wild edible plants by the local communities could be a solution for sustainable use of natural resources, and conserve the endangered species in this trans-boundary region.

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Ethnobotanical study on wild edible plants used by three trans-boundary ethnic groups in Jiangcheng County, Pu' er, Southwest China

10.21203/rs.3.rs-40805/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yilin Cao ◽

ren li ◽

Shishun Zhou ◽

Liang Song ◽

Ruichang Quan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural Resources ◽

Traditional Knowledge ◽

Higher Plants ◽

Boundary Region ◽

Wild Edible Plants ◽

Ethnobotanical Study ◽

Young Generation ◽

Use Value ◽

Edible Plants ◽

Species List

Abstract Background: Dai, Hani, and Yao people, in the trans-boundary region between China, Laos, and Vietnam, have gathered plentiful traditional knowledge about wild edible plants during their long history of understanding and using natural resources. The ecologically rich environment and the multi-ethnic integration provide a valuable foundation and driving force for high biodiversity and cultural diversity in this region. However, little study has uncovered this unique and attractive culture to the world. Methods: We conducted Ethnobotanical survey in 20 villages of Jiangcheng County from 2016 to 2020. Altogether 109 local Dai, Hani, and Yao people were interviewed, and their traditional knowledge about wild edible plants was recorded. Voucher specimens were identified by the authors and deposited in the herbarium of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences (HITBC). The use value was used as a quantitative index to evaluate the consume frequency and relative importance of the wild edible plants. The Jaccard index was calculated to assess the usage similarity of different areas. The relationship of age and recognized wild edible plants by different ethnic people was performed by R. Results: A total of 211 wild edible plants, belonging to 71 families and 151 genera, were recorded. These plants were consumed as wild edible vegetables, seasonal fruits, salads, spices, sour condiments, tonic soups, tea substitutes, liquor brewing, or dyeing materials. The use value (UV), current cultivation, market availability, as well as the quantitative traditional knowledge inheritance situation of these wild edible plants among different generations were analyzed. Based on the data from threatened species list of China’s higher plants and the IUCN Red List, the food plant list for Asia Elephant, the Subject Database of China Plant and the calculated UV score, the top 30 most important wild edible plants were selected for further cultivation in some local villages. Conclusion: Traditional knowledge of wild edible plants, owned by Dai, Hani, and Yao people in Jiangcheng County, is rich but at risk of being lost among the young generation. Diversified cultivation of wild edible plants by the local communities could be a solution for sustainable use of natural resources and to conserve the endangered species in this trans-boundary region.

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Ethnobotanical study on wild edible plants used by three trans-boundary ethnic groups in Jiangcheng County, Pu’er, Southwest China

Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine ◽

10.1186/s13002-020-00420-1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yilin Cao ◽

Ren Li ◽

Shishun Zhou ◽

Liang Song ◽

Ruichang Quan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural Resources ◽

Traditional Knowledge ◽

Higher Plants ◽

Boundary Region ◽

Wild Edible Plants ◽

Ethnobotanical Study ◽

Young Generation ◽

Use Value ◽

Edible Plants ◽

Species List

Abstract Background Dai, Hani, and Yao people, in the trans-boundary region between China, Laos, and Vietnam, have gathered plentiful traditional knowledge about wild edible plants during their long history of understanding and using natural resources. The ecologically rich environment and the multi-ethnic integration provide a valuable foundation and driving force for high biodiversity and cultural diversity in this region. However, little study has uncovered this unique and attractive culture to the world. Methods We conducted ethnobotanical survey in 20 villages of Jiangcheng County from 2016 to 2020. Altogether 109 local Dai, Hani, and Yao people were interviewed, and their traditional knowledge about wild edible plants was recorded. Voucher specimens were identified by the authors and deposited in the herbarium of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences (HITBC). The use value was used as a quantitative index to evaluate the consumption frequency and relative importance of the wild edible plants. The Jaccard index was calculated to assess the usage similarity of different areas. The relationship of age and recognized wild edible plants by different ethnic people was performed by R. Results A total of 211 wild edible plants, belonging to 71 families and 151 genera, were recorded. These plants were consumed as wild edible vegetables, seasonal fruits, salads, spices, sour condiments, tonic soups, tea substitutes, liquor brewing, or dyeing materials. The use value (UV), current cultivation, market availability, and the quantitative traditional knowledge inheritance situation of these wild edible plants among different generations, were analyzed. Based on the data from the threatened species list of China’s higher plants and the IUCN Red List, the food plant list for Asia Elephant, the Subject Database of China Plant, and the calculated UV score, the top 30 most important wild edible plants were selected for further cultivation in some local villages. Conclusion Traditional knowledge of wild edible plants, owned by Dai, Hani, and Yao people in Jiangcheng County, is rich but at risk of being lost among the young generation. Diversified cultivation of wild edible plants by the local communities could be a solution for the sustainable use of natural resources and to conserve the endangered species in this trans-boundary region.

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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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