Edible Wild Plants by Umesh Srivastava, Ex ICAR, India - Regional Expert Consultation on Underutilized Crops for Food and Nutritional Security in Asia and the Pacific November 13-15, 2017, Bangkok

1. Edible Wild Plants in Asia Pacific:
A Case Study with Bastar Tribal Pockets
Umesh Srivastava
Ex ADG (Hort.), ICAR

2. Crietaria to identify Edible Wild Plants
• Local importance in consumption and production systems
• Highly adapted to agro-ecological niches/marginal areas
• Receive scarce attention by policy makers/ programs on R&D
• Largely represented by ecotypes/landraces, native local diversity
• Wild/Semi-cultivated and utilized by tribal people, relying on
indigenous knowledge, and
• Poorly represented in ex situ collections

3. Asia Pacific Region
Asia pacific region holds rich diversity of wild edible plants
Nutritionally rich also
Their enhanced use can bring about better nutrition and fight hunger
Being culturally, ethnically and ecologically very diverse,
several edible wild species available in the forest areas
and underutilized species under subsistent agriculture are
used by native farmers.
Four Sub-regions of diversity
Chinese-Japanese, Indochinese-Indonesian , Australian/Pacific , Indian region

4. 8 countries fall in the Asia-Pacific
out of total 17 mega biodiversity centres
• Indonesia
• Australia
• China
• India
• Malaysia
• PNG
• Philippines and
• Thailand

5. Diversity Analysis

6. Wild Edible Root and Tubers
• The rhizomatous and bulbous types - Allium,
Curcuma, Zingiber are invariably used in soups
and curries.
• Often eaten raw as salad e.g. Allium species.
• Much diversity of both indigenous (Alocasia,
Colocasia, Dioscorea) and exotic species (Canna,
Coleus, Maranta, Pachyrhizus and Xanthosoma)
confined to the humid tropical areas grown under
subsistence farming/home gardens, backyards.

7. The Pacific region is particularly rich in taro/Colocasia and
Xanthosoma.
The Chinese-Japanese region has only limited diversity in
Alocasia, Colocasia, etc. but with more diversity in
Xanthosoma.
More confined to South China is Amorphophallus harmandii
while A. konjac is distributed east of mainland China, with
sporadic variability prevalent in Japan and the Philippines.
Much diversity occurs in Indo-Chinese-Indonesian and the
Indian regions particularly for Alocasia, Colocasia, Asiatic
Dioscorea spp., Tacca and Amorphophallus.
More diversity occurs in South Asia in Alocasia cucullata,
Amorphophallus paeoniifolius and Moghania vestita

8. Elephant Foot yam
South/SE Asia, India
Large corms are eaten
boiled or fried
Pickled also
• Has Omega3 fatty acid
• Large amt of protein
• Full of great fibre which makes one full
• Anti-coagulant- prevents heart attack

9. Pachyrhizus erosus
Great wt loss food
powerful anti oxidant – prevents heart disease
Good for diabeties
Eastern India, China, Indo-China,
Indonesia, Philippines for the
starchy and palatable tubers;
Eaten boiled/stewed, and as
salad;
Also candied, processed for
sweet preparations.
Starchy powder from tubers
used for custard-puddings
Young pods and tubers as
vegetable

10. Xanthosoma
South American introduction into
South/ SE Asia, and the Pacific;
Sporadically grown elsewhere
Roots are starchy and edible
More nutritious than potatoes
Leaves are also eaten cooked
Eaten as grilled/fried, leaves in soup,
cooked and taken like potato

11. Cereals and Millets
Significant diversity occurs in buckwheat, foxtail millet, and
proso millet in China, Korea and Japan, and in the
Hindukush Himalayas-Indian sub-continent.
Relatively more widespread/distribution is of little millet of
Indian origin, confined to the peninsular region.
Very limited diversity occurs in kodo millet (Panicum
scrobiculatum) in drier peninsular tracts of India.
Two other endemic minor local domesticates confined to
South India (Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh) are Brachiaria
ramosa, Urochloa panicoides and Setaria glauca.

12. Amaranths
How a trendy
ancient
grains turn
nomads into
farmers ?
Powerful multipurpose plant, packed
with complete protein,heart healthy
diet, tasty gluten free grain, leaf
nutritionally rich

13. Benefits of Buckwheat
(Fagopyrum esculentum)
• Acts as antioxidant
• Can increase your good
cholesterol
• Can help regulate
blood glucose
• Good source of fibre
• Safe for those with
gluten sensitivity
Gluten free protein packed fights cholesterol, high in protein/amino acids, lowers
blood sugar, good for digestion

14. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa)
• Quinoa tends to
enter your system
slowly, unlike most
cereal crops.
• So it makes you full
slowly and steadily;
hence it's much
easier to digest.

15. Millet revolution in India:
Let's keep up the momentum!
• Millets are truly on the rise in India.
• A mission to serve healthy millet-based
foods.
• Demand for millet is increasing in high-
end organic markets, while their entry in
the PDS also mean the poor are gaining
greater access to these nutritious cereals
via subsidized rates.
• Farmers want to grow millets but the
seed is not available.
• Processing machinery also continues to
be a major bottleneck,
• A fair compensation rate is critical to
ensure the benefits of these crops reach
the poor and not just wealthy health-
conscious consumers

16. Millets are amazing in their nutrition content.
Each of the millets is three to five times nutritionally
superior to the widely promoted rice and wheat in ---

17. Small millets, big potential:
diverse, nutritious, and climate smart
• Reviving production of small millets could lead to better
nutrition, health in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
• In developing countries, lack of dietary diversity is one of the
key factors behind malnutrition and the prevalence of non-
communicable diseases such as diabetes.
Small millets- No small in nutrition, protein 7-12%, balanced diet

18. • Performing well in marginal environments, they have
superior nutritional properties, including high micronutrient
and dietary fibre content, and low glycemic index.
• But there is drastic decline in the production and
consumption of small millets, mainly due to limited
productivity, the labour and drudgery involved in their
processing, and the negative perceptions of small millets as
food for the poor.
• Integrated and focused public support is now needed for
context-specific production and processing technologies, for
effective promotion by the private sector, and for inclusion
in government food schemes, to bring back small millets to
farms and food baskets.

19. Finger millet, Ragi (Eleusine coracana)
This super grain is now a health hero and this is how it benefits you
• Introduced from Africa. South Asia,
Hindu Kush Himalayas; peninsular
India
• Grains are boiled, pounded and
used as porridge
• Flour into several diverse
preparations and value-added
products
Ragi helps you lose weight.
High fibre -heart healthy, and a great food for diabetics.
Gluten-free-a great substitute for lactose (milk) intolerant
Rich in calcium
'Regular intake helps in bone development/maintenance of children/adults

20. Kodo millet- cooked
South Asia, mainly India
Cultivated in rainfed drier
tracts of peninsular region
Grains are boiled and eaten
Also made into flour
High protein 11%, low fat, high fibre,
easy to digest, rich vit B, ca, Fe K, gluten
free, beneficial to post menopausal
women

21. Foxtail millet
Hindu Kush Himalayas and
East Asia; Chinese origin,
Adapted to cold hilly tracts of
Hindu Kush Himalayas, and in
other parts of China, Korea
and Japan;
Less in SE Asia, Indo-China.
South Asia- South India, in
Tamil Nadu and Andhra
Pradesh.
Grains are eaten boiled, as in
other small millets, also made
into flour.
Fights diabetes, ideal for reducing
cholesterol, high in protein, low in
glucose, ease constipation

22. Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum)
South and East Asia;
commonly grown in cold hilly tracts of the
Hindukush Himalayas
Much diversity occurs in compactum cultivar
group
Adapted to subtropical, tropical plains of
peninsular India
Grains are pounded and boiled into gruel
Nutritious, delicious, contains
vital nutrients, gluten free,
good source of antioxidant-
anti ageing,

23. Kutki, Sanwa (Panicum sumatrense)
S Asia, Sri Lanka, sporadic
elsewhere in South/ SE
Asia, South India-
peninsular region
More diversity in eastern,
peninsular India of tall
robust types, with more
tillers and compact/semi-
lax inflorescences
• Grains are made into flour
or are eaten boiled,
• as rice also

24. Brachiaria ramosa
South Asia, India-
peninsular tracts
Domesticated in
Karnataka and TN
Grains are edible,
Roasted, pounded and
made into gruel.

25. Pulses
• Most widely distributed are the cultivated Vigna species of Asian origin,
V. mungo/black gram in South Asia, particularly India and Nepal
• V. umbellata rice bean in East Asia extending to South and SE Asia
• V. angularis/adzuki bean more confined to East Asia and in the Hindu
Kush Himalayas where it is spordically grown.
• More confined to semi-drier tracts is Vigna aconitifolia/moth bean,
mainly grown in western India in Rajasthan and to a minor extent in
Deccan peninsular region in Andhra Pradesh.
• Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (winged bean) is considered to be of South
Pacific/ Papua New Guinea origin, with more diversity in the Philippines,
Thailand, Indonesia extending to Indo -China and NE India, to Southern
India and Sri Lanka.

26. Rice bean (Vigna umbellata)
East Asian/Eastern Himalayan origin,
NE India, Hindu Kush Himalayas,
East/SE Asia China, Japan, Korea,
Philippines
Sporadically in Malaysia and
Indonesia, Pacific Islands
Much diversity in cultivated types
occur for both viny and bushy types,
pod size and seed size/colour
Grains are boiled and eaten as pulse
usually with rice;
Young pods used as vegetable.
Young pods boiled, eaten; rich in protein, fat low, balanced diet,
dried seed boiled,stewed/soup

27. Faba bean (Vicia faba)
West Asian origin with
diversity in the Himalayan
region.
Grown in South, SE and East
Asia; mainly a cold weather
crop in India, Nepal, China.
Grown both for grains (as
pulse) and for green pods
used as a vegetable.
High in protein 28% compared pea
24%, used as animal feed as well

28. Winged bean
(Psophocarpus tetragonolobus)
Originated in Papua New
Guinea/ East Africa
All parts edible of this protein
rich grain legume/
vegetable crop are edible;
• tender pods,
• seeds,
• leaf as vegetable and
• tubers as salad.
Low in calorie, rich vit C, folate,
Ca, high in protein, prevents pre-
mature ageing

29. Edible Wild Vegetables
• In the Asia-Pacific region, the tremendous diversity occur in leafy edible
types and of fruits used as vegetables.
• More important edible leafy types - Amaranthus, Allium, Asparagus,
Atriplex, Basella, Brassica, Chenopodium, Phytolacca, Pisonia,
Polygonum, Portulaca, Rumex and Tetragonia; leaves/young shoots are
eaten cooked or used in soup like preparations or in salad.
• Tender fruits-Abelmoschus, Benincasa, Coccinia, Cucurbita, Luffa,
Momordica, Solanum and Trichosanthes; pods of Canavalia,Dolichos,
Mucuna, Vigna
• Sechium edule represents a secondary centre of diversity in the Kumoun
hills, Eastern Himalayas/ NE region of India, Indo-Chinese region.
• Amaranthus species are more important, and much variability in these
occurs in the Himalayan region in South Asia,

30. Kangkong/Karemua (Ipomoea aquatica)
Much cultivated in SE/East Asia
Indo-China, Vietnam, Thailand,
Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia,
China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea,
Japan
Also grown in South Asia, NE India,
Bangladesh, Sri Lanka
Young leaves and shoots of green
and pigmented red leaf types are
consumed as vegetable
Stem is also pickled

31. Garden lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
Sporadically grown in
SE/East Asia; China, Taiwan
and Japan where much
diversity occurs;
Philippines
Leaves and young shoots
are edible

32. Stuffing cucumber (Cyclanthera pedata)
• Cultivated in tropical
America (native to
South America )/ Asia
• Young fruits are eaten
• Edible mature fruit,
predominantly used as
a vegetable

33. Moth bean ( Vigna aconitifolia)
South Asia, mainly in drier
tracts of Pakistan, India
(eastern India particularly
Rajasthan), also in
Bangladesh, Sri Lanka,
Myanmar, China
Grown as pulse crop
Grains are eaten boiled,
roasted and as sprouted salad.
High yielding types developed in maximum variability in
wild and domesticated forms

34. Kulhal range in
Himalaya along
Poanta Sahib,
Dehra Dun,
Western Ghat
areas, Tehri
Garhwal region
Abu Road
Rajasthan

35. South Asia - mainly India, Sri Lanka,
Myanmar, Pakistan ext. to
SE Asia, Malaysia, Thailand,
Indonesia
Fruits are often cooked and eaten as
vegetable (also young shoots)
Roots & leaves used in folk medicine
for diabetes and skin eruptions.
Ivy gourd (Coccinia grandis)
In diabetes, gonorrhia
and constipation, fruits
and leaves as vegetable

36. Trichosanthes sp.
T. dioica
• South/ SE/East Asia; Mainly S Asia
• Possibly of east Indian origin where
maximum diversity occurs in fruit size,
shape, surface-smooth or striped.
• Used as a cooked/fried vegetable; also
popular in northern India to prepare
sweetmeats.
T. cucumerina
Much variability in S India and Sri Lanka,
China/Japan also in Indo-China and
neighbouring areas, also in the Pacific.
Unripe fruits are eaten as a vegetable and
ripe fruits as preserve.

37. Cho-Cho (Sechium edule)
Cho-Cho is native of Mexico
and Guatemala and has been
under cultivation for centuries.
In India, striking variability
collected from Assam, Meghalaya,
Uttarakhand and maintained at
Bhowali and Barapani
Fruits as vegetable
Cho-cho as effective
herbal in dissolving kidney
stones

38. Sweet gourd
(Momordica cochinchinensis)
• South/SE Asia –NE India /
Indo China;
• Semi-domesticated/
domesticated small and large
fruit types occur in this region
• Sporadically spread to other
parts of SE Asia and East Asia.
• Fruits are cooked as a
vegetable and
• Pulp made into soup
Potential source of carotenoids and B- carotene

39. Bitter melon notably contains phytonutrient, polypeptide-P, a plant
insulin known to lower blood sugar levels; excellent source of
health benefiting flavonoids such as β-carotene, α-carotene, lutein,
and zea-xanthin; stimulates smooth digestion and peristalsis of
food.
1.Momordica charantia , 2. Momordica dioica
23

40. Ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula)
• Ridge gourd - throughout India in tropical and
subtropical climates
• Luffa acutangula has three varieties:
var. acutangula is grown in South-eastern Asia and other tropical
areas,
var. amara, a wild form, confined to peninsular India,
var. forskallii - another wild form, is confined to Yemen

41. Sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica)
• L. cylindrica (sponge gourd) is
grown throughout India in
tropical and subtropical
climates.
• Luffa graveolens is a wild
species distributed in parts of
Northcentral India, and
• Luffa echinata grows in
natural habitat in western
Himalayas, central India and
Gangetic plains.

42. Satputia ( L. harmaphrodita)
• L. harmaphrodita
(satputia) bears fruits in
clusters,
• Cultivated in north
eastern Uttar Pradesh
and Bihar.

43. Rajgummad C. maxima
Carotene rich, fruit and flower as vegetable, seed edible

44. Cucumis species
• Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and melon (C. melo) have major
economic importance in the Region.
• Rich variability is found in foothills of North-West Himalayas and
southern hills for C. hardwickii
(ENDEMIC to WESTERN HIMALAYAS)
• North-East Himalayas (Meghalaya, Mizoram, Assam) for C. hystrix
• Parts of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan (Sirohi district) and TN
for C. prophetarum
• Parts of Maharashtra for C. setosus

45. • Two other species of some importance in Cucumis are
C. anguria (West Indian gherkin) and C. metuliferus
(African horned cucumber), available in SE Asia
• Produces extraordinarily large number of fruits.
potential for wider use in gherkin production (for
example, as small pickled fruit).
• Cucumis metuliferus is also of African origin and has
commercial potential.

46. Bhus
C. prophetarum
C.melo
C. hardwickii

48. Wild Edible Fruits and Nuts
• Several tropical fruits were domesticated in south
and SE Asia.
• More diversity occurs in south Asia in
Artocarpus heterophyllus, A. lakoocha, Aegle marmelos,
Carissa congesta,Citrus indica, C. macroptera, C.pseudo-
limon,, Elaeocarpus floribundus, Emblica officinalis,
Feronia limonia, Flacourtia ramontchii, Garcinia indica, G.
gummi gutta, Grewia subinaequalis, Manilkara hexandra,
Morus spp., Spondias oleoides, S.pinnata, Salvadora
persica,Syzygium cumini, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, Rubus
ellipticus and Ziziphus mauritiana.

49. -Rich source of anti-oxidant,
-helps nutritional needs of local people;
-insurance against mal nutrition,
-laden with nutritionally rich compounds
The Chinese region is rich in temperate types besides several
sub-tropical species.
Rich diversity occurs in Actinidia callosa, A. rubicaulis, Prunus
mume, Citrus spp., Crataegus cuneata, C.pentagyna,
Duchesnea filipendula,Malus asiatica, M. spectabilis,Poncirus
trifoliata, Prunus cantabrigiensis, P. cerasifera, P.salicina, Ribes
longeracemosum, Pyrus prunifolia, P. pyrifolia, P. sinensis, Vitis
amurensis with Malus halliana introduced in Japan and
Diospyros lotus in the Himalayan region.

50. Some species have more diversity in the Indonesian region-Java, viz.
Garcinia dulcis, G. lateriflora; still others in the Philippines such as Dracontomelon
edule and Syzygium cumini, also occurring in the Pacific Islands.
Overall, several species in this region exhibit a relatively wider distribution within
south and SE Asia i.e.,
Artocarpus heterophyllus, A. carambola, Citrus, Garcinia, Manilkara, Musa,
Syzygium, Ziziphus and Mangifera.
In nuts, more diversity occurs in China for Prunus/Amygdalus tangutica, Castanea
mollissima, Corylus chinensis, C. sieboldiana and Juglans ailantifolia.
In the Indian region, much native diversity occurs in Terminalia catappa in S India, for
Buchanania lanzan in central India particularly in Betul and adjoining areas, and in
Pinus gerardiana (chilgoza nut) in the western Himalayas, Pangi region.
In the Australian region, Macadamia, a native domesticated nut, is widely grown
Aquatic types - Euryale ferox, Nelumbo nucifera and Trapa natans and other species;
diversity is more in Euryale ferox (Makhana nut in eastern India particularly in and
around Darbhanga, Bihar).

51. Mahua (Madhuca indica)
India
Cultivated for its
flowers and fruits,
Tender fruits used as
vegetables also.
Tribals in Bastar use it
in preparing local drink.
Oil laxative, cures piles; bark is used
relieving itching, heal wounds

52. Breadfruit
Native of the Pacific Islands,
grown in southeast Asia;
More diversity in the Pacific and
SE Asia/S Asia; mainly in home
gardens.
Fruits are rich in carbohydrates,
eaten raw or cooked.
Flour is made from pulp;
Seeds are nutritious and are
roasted and eaten.
High in protein- amino acids
Rich in vitamins
Sources of carbohydrate also

53. Mulberry (Morus alba)
South/ east Asia-
Hindu Kush Himalayas, and in
subtropical/warm temperate
tracts.
Fruits are edible, very sweet
and juicy.
Powerhouse of nutrients
Excellent source of proteins
Reservoir of antioxidants
Improves digestion, lowers cholesterol
promotes brain health,
improve immunity

54. Poncirus trifoliata
• East Asia mainly; elsewhere
introduced
• Fruits are occasionally eaten
• Used for marmalades and
drinks
• Cold resistant types are used
in breeding
• Also for disease resistance

55. Carambola, Kamrakh
(Averrhoa carambola)
SE Asia; Indo-China, Malaysia,
China, Taiwan; sporadic
elsewhere.
Fruits are acidic with quince
like flavour,
Eaten raw or made into jam,
jelly, syrup/drinks, also sliced
and served as salad;
Rich source of Vitamin A and
minerals.
Sweet types occur in China.Taste mix of apple, pear, grape, citrus;
low calorie fruit, rich in antioxidant,
good sources of Vit B complex

56. Gular (Ficus auriculata syn F. roxburghii)
• Indian subcontinent -
sub-Himalaya, NE hills,
Eastern India, extending
to SE Asia.
• Fruits are with edible
pulp.

57. Zizyphus jujube
• East Asia - cultivated in
Japan, Korea and China.
• Fruits are eaten fresh,
also dried or cooked in
honey.
• Dried fruits are roasted
or fried, sometimes
made into sweetmeats.
Helps in wt loss, strengthen immune system, fights alzheimers

58. Zizyphus nummularia
• South Asia- in India
profusely in western
semi-arid tracts,
• Brownish red fruits
are sweet and edible,
dried/
• Semi-dried fruits also are
eaten, and used for
medicine.

59. Clausena excavata
• East/southeast Asia-
native of China- S China
• Fruits have a refreshing
aroma and sub-acidic
flavour and are eaten
fresh or
• used for marmalade.

60. Macadamia nut
Pacific Islands/ Oceania. Australia,
Queensland-much grown for
commercial production;
Varietal diversity occurs in
Hawaiian and Australian types.
Introduced elsewhere.
Kernels/nuts are rich in fat and
protein; very tasty, and nutritious
kernels eaten raw and in desserts,
cocktails or
Used in confectionery, in
chocolates, ice cream and
bakery products
Contains imp vitamins, minerals, powerhouse of nutrition, rich source
of Mn, Mg- for healthy bones, aid to wt loss, plentiful of phosphorus

61. Water Chestnut (Trapa natans)
• East Asia - grown in China,
Japan;
• elsewhere in south Asia -
India, Bangladesh;
• Also introduced into
Australia.
• Seeds are eaten raw or
cooked,
• Also dried to make flour.
Excellent coolant for body, perfect food, high
nutrient, low calorie, fat loss, helps in
jaundice, thyroid gland, controls diarrhea

63. A Case Study: Wild Edibles in Bastar
Landa-a local drink from Salfi (Caryota urens)Typical Bastar tribal farmer

64. • Major Bastar Tribes are the
Gond, Bhunjia, Baiga, Abhujhmarhia, Maria, Dandami Maria, Bison horn
Maria, Parghi, Muria, Halba, Bhatra, Parja, Dhurvaa, Dorla, Dhanwar, Kol,
Korwa, Rajgond, Bhaiyana Tribe, Binjwar and Munda.
• Each of the tribes possesses its own rich history and culture.
• Bastar is a ‘hot-spot’ for most of the tropical and sub tropical tuber bearing
plants which are rarely available in other areas of the state as well as other
states, especially in;
Abhujhmarh hills, Kanger vally, Binta and Mardoom forests,
Bailadila forest, Barsur forest, Bhairamgarh, Dantewada, Bhopalpatanam,
Basaguda, Madded, Gollapalli, Jagargunda, Machkot forest, Darbha forest,
Sukma, Kondagoan and Keskal forests
are the places of maximum diversity of tuber species and other crops.

65. 10 Segments of undivided Bastar
(204 km length, 184 km width)
(now 7 districts viz., Kanker, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Bijapur, Bastar, Dantewada,Sukma)
• Keskal-Kanker-Pharasgaon Areas (North-east)
• Bhanupratappur- Antagarh-Pakhanjore Areas (North-west)
• Abujhmarh- Narayanpur-Dhaudai-Gudadi Areas (Central -west)
• Jagdalpur-Kondagoan Forest Areas (Central -east)
• Kanger -Teerathgarh-Kotumsar Areas (South-central 1)
• Chitrakot-Mardoom-Binta Areas (South-central 2)
• Dantewara and Bailadila Hilly Areas (Central)
• Barsur- Bijapur- Bhopalpatnam-Usoor-Pujarikanker Areas (South-west)
• Niyanar-Machkot-Gupteswar-Tiriya Areas (Adjacent to Odisha border)
• Sukma-Konta Areas (South-east)

66. • Dioscorea sp.,
• Wild and cultivated arvi (Colocasia sp.),
• Wild zamikand (Amorphophallus companulatus) ,
• Semal kand (Martynia annua),
• Piper longum etc.
• Lemon grass and
• Pamarosa and
• Buchanaia lanzan (Char/chironji) abundant
Keskal-Kanker-Pharasgaon Areas
(North-east)

67. Bhanupratappur-Antagarh-Pakhanjore Areas
(North-west)
• Rich in Kalmegh, Gorakhmundi, Gumma, Bhaskatiya, Satyanasi, Indrayan
(Citrullus colocinthis), Dudhi, Nagbel, Dokarbela, Mucuna prurita and
• Some tubers like Dioscorea sp., Jangli haldi, Jangli bhindi, Costus
speciosus, wild Amorphophallus, jangli Colocasia etc.
• Thus, this area can be considered as in situ diversity centre for Colocasia,
Zingiber sp.
• Chlorophytum sp. is rare in this area only C. tuberosum is found in some
pockets.
• The typical species of Dioscorea like Sikka kanda (D. rotundata), Dori
kand (D. syanensis), Surenda (D. pentaphylla) and Baichandi (D. hispida)
are well represented in the area.

68. Abujhmarh- Narayanpur-Dhaudai-Gudadi Areas
(Central -west)
• Abujhmarh hills, hillocks of Bastar and parts of Geedam/Dantewada is the most
protected and prohibited parts because the specific tribal race Abujhmaria, are
native of this region but under full prohibition, since their main food source are
roots, tubers, minor forest produces and hunting wild animals, thus forest based
economy prevails.
• Abundantly available in the region are Chlorophytum sp., C tuberosum, C.
arundinaceum, C. laxasum, C. borivillianum, Gloriosa superba, Disoscorea alata,
D. bulbifera, D. dumetorum, D. pentaphylla, D. trifoliata, D. esculenta, D.
hispida, Curcuma angustifolia, Curcuma sp. (Kalihaldi, ama haldi, jangli haldi),
Ramdatan (Smilax macrophylla), Costus speciosus, Chitrak (Plumbago sp.),
Jatamansi (Nardostachys grandiflora), Bhui neem, Dholka kand, Anantmool,
Bach (Acorus calmus.), and Indrayan (Citrullus colocinthes) .
• Jangli piyaj, Jangli lahsun, jangli arand , Jangli suran (Amorphophallus sp.), Jangli
arvi (Colocasia sp.),
• Wild chillies resembling to Bhut Jolakia (Naga mirch) having wrinkled and uneven
shape with light yellow colour and extreme pungency, also small clove size and
black round chilli all having excessive pungency is also observed in this area.

69. Jagdalpur-Kondagaon Areas
(Central -east)
• Asparagus sp., Amorphophallus sp. and Diascorea species
• The typical strain of Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivillianum)
having leaves dark green colour on upper surface and pinkish blue
on lower surface is observed in interior forests near Baniyagoan
which is never seen in any place of Chhattisgarh.
• The taste of tuber is very sweet and sticky but thin and medium in
length. This elite strain of safed musli should be studied and
conserved in its existing place.
• The typical strain of reddish brown Mucuna prurita is also recorded
in this region.

70. Kanger Ghati-Teerathgarh-Kotumsar
(South-central 1)
• Jangali haldi, Jangali adark, Jangli bhindi, Keu kand, Teekhur
(Curcuma angustifolia), Indrayan (Citrullus colocinthis), Wild
suran, Wild Colocasia, Bada Gunj (Abrus precadiorius) and
Kiwanch (Mucuna purita) etc.
• Thus this area can be considered as diversity for Dioscorea,
Amorphophallus, Colocasia, Curcuma, Zingiber.
• Dioscorea like Sikka kand (D. rotundata), Dori kand (D. sinensis),
Surenda (D. pentaphylla), Targariya kand (D. ovata) and Baichandi
(D. hispida) are observed in abundance.
• Wild Dioscorea, wild Colocasia, Amorphophallus (Gaint), bada
gunj and mandukparni are important species in this area hence,
may be conserved in this location.

71. Chitrakot-Mardoom-Binta Areas
(South-central 2)
• Among location specific species peng beej, white and red gunj ,
Asparagus having extra white tubers, wild bael (Aegle marmelos
Wild.), Bada Surenda and edible sweet arvi (Colocasia esculenta)
are also noted in this region.
• Wild suran (Amorphophallus companulatus and A. poinifolious L.),
Anantmool, Buchh, jangli arand, Semal Kand, Baghnakkha
(Martynia annua L.) etc. are noted in abundance.
• Wild bael, peng beej, baghnakkha, kalmegh, various Dioscorea,
wild brinjal etc.
• Dioscorea alata, D. bulbifera, D. dumetorum, D. pentaphylla, D.
trifoliata, D. esculenta, D. hispida, and herbs and shrubs, viz., Bhui
neem, Wild brinjal (Solanum sp.), Vaibidang, Asparagus sp.,

72. Dantewada and Bailadila Hills Areas
(Central)
• Wild & edible Kiwanch (Mucuna prurita L.),
• Kali Haldi (Curcuma caesia Roxb.),
• Black fruited Benjamin fig (Ficus benjamina L),
• Piplamool (Piper longum L.),
• Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia L.),
• Teekhur (Curcuma angustifolia Roxb.),
• Safed musli (Chlorophytum arundinaceum L.),
• Aonla,
• Baila adrak (Alpinia galanga),
• Patal Kumhra,
• Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata L.)
are the species available in abundance.

73. Barsur- Bijapur- Bastanar-Bhopalpatnam-Pujarikanker Areas
(South-west)
• Kalihari (Gloriosa superba),
• various Dioscorea sp., viz., Dori kanda, Tagariya,
• Wild suran,
• Safed musli (Chlorophytum. laxum, C. arundinaceum),
• Bhilawa trees (Semecarpus anacardium),
• Ramdatan (Smilax macrophylla), Ratanjot, Dokarbela,
• Wood apple, Asparagus sp.,
• Teekhur, Jangli adrak, Jangli haldi, Kali musli, white gunj,
Marodphalli (Helicterus isora), Gullu tree (Sterculia urens)
etc.
• Besides, various orchids, bramhi (Bacopa monniari),ferns
and mosses are also available in riverbanks and most
forests of Bastanar surroundings.

74. Niyanar-Machkot-Gupteswar-Tiriya Areas
(Adjacent to West Odisha border)
• Sal (Shorea robusta), Tendu, Palas (Butea frondosa) and some
other trees.
• The important diversity noted on this area are
• Wild Amorphophallus,
• Pipramool (Piper longum),
• Chlorophytum tuberosum, Chlorophytum arundinaceum
• Dioscorea sp., Lal Gunj (Abrus precatorius) etc.
• However, occurrence of wild suran (Amorphophallus
campanulatus),
• Rauvolfia serpentina,
• Plumbago zylenica, Jatropha curcas, wild Colocasia
• and other herbs of shed loving nature are also noted.

75. Sukma-Konta Region
South-east
• Puraria tuberosa (locally called Patal Kumhra),
• Dioscorea species,
• Tinospora cordifolia,
• Chlorophytum sp.,
• Kiwanch yellow and
• Red fruit type (Macuna puriata L.) and white and red gunj
(Abrus precatorius), Kalmegh, Asparagus sp., Nagbel,
Nagbala etc. are in abundance.
• Bhut Jolakia (Naga mirch), small yellow in colour but
having extremely high pungency was also observed in this
area.

76. Way Forward
• Create and manage a database of wild edible plants,
nutritive values, resilience to climate change etc.
• Involve communities and research scientists in conservation
and crop improvement, including information gathering,
knowledge sharing and dissemination.
• Breeding initiative for a selected set of edible wild plants.
• Create awareness on local nutrition, income, ecosystem
health and farm productivity through these important
species.
• Market studies value chains for wild edible plants
• Develop best practices for sustainable use of edible species.
• Pursue funding for R&D of wild and edible plant species.