Lesser-known wild edible plants used by Thadou-Kuki tribe of Indo-Myanmar region, Manipur, India

Abstract

Abstract. Haokip LL, Panmei R. 2022. Lesser-known wild edible plants used by Thadou-Kuki tribe of Indo-Myanmar region, Manipur, India. Biodiversitas 23: 3991-3998. Wild edible plants are overlooked groups of plants which forms an integral part of the culture and tradition of many indigenous communities by providing both nourishment and variety in the diet. The present study is an inventory on the wild edible plants consumed by Thadou-Kuki tribe of Manipur. Field survey was carried out in five villages and three local markets of the district. The survey documented 73 wild edible plants consumed by the Thadou tribe. Except for one species each of Gymnosperm and Pteridophyte, all the species (71) are Angiosperms under 64 genera and 43 families. Most of the edible plants are consumed in cooked vegetable form (45%) while processed fruits (4%) is the least mode of consumption. The use of species like Dysoxylum excelsum, Entada rheedii, Eurya acuminata and Erigeron canadensis as vegetables and Meyna spinosa and Physalis alkekengi as fruits is one of the interesting records as these species’ usage is meager among other tribes of the northeastern state. It is found that most of the wild plant resources play a vital role in the nutritional fulfillment, medicine and socio-economic aspects of the Thadou tribe.