Ethnobotanical studies of Wild edible plants used by ethnic people in Pabbar valley, district Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
- Author P. P. Chauhan
- DOI 10.17605/O
- Country : India
- Subject :
Keywords : Ethnobotany, Traditional use, Wild Edible Plants (WEPs), Consumption pattern, Pabbar Valley
Abstract
This research paper describes the list of wild edible plants used by local communities in Pabbar valley, district Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. The information on wild edible plants was gathered from local inhabitants through interviews, group discussions, observations, and free listing. A total of 38 plant species belonging to 27 families, 34 genera were found edible in the present study. Rosaceae, Asteraceae, and Polygonaceae were reported to be the dominant families. The herbs (28 species) were the dominant life form. The leaves of 20 species, seeds of 8 species, roots, bulb and fruits of 3 species each were the primary parts used for consumption. There were 9 primary preparation and consumption methods reported; such as cooked vegetables, eaten raw, chutney, medicinal tea, draught food, oil, spice or flavour enhancer, Juice and beverage. The four plant species viz., Diplazium esculentum Retz. (vegetable), Trillium govanianum Wall ex D. Don, Aconitum violaceum Jacf. ex Staf and Asparagus adscendens Roxb. (medicinal) were also traded in the markets. Promoting the use of wild edible among the younger generation is essentially required to protect the traditional knowledge as it serves a readily available nutritious food at the time of food crisis such as famine, drought and food shortage.
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