Wild vegetables of Karbi - Anglong district, Assamnopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/5716/1/NPR 7(5) 448-460.pdf · Wild vegetables of Karbi - Anglong district, Assam A Kar1*

Natural Product Radiance448

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IntroductionAssam is rich in flora and diverse

in its vegetational types. This coincideswith the variability of physical features,climate, soil, etc. There are tropical moist-evergreen, tropical semi-evergreen, moistdeciduous, dry deciduous and sub-tropicalmoist evergreen forests. In addition tothese, degraded forests, scrub jungles,grassland and savannahs, bamboo thickets,hydrophytes in wetlands and wastelandsalso occur. There is an estimated 3895species of flowering plants found inAssam1.

The main inhabitants of the hillyarea of the state are tribal peoplebelonging to six major tribes, viz. Karbi,Bodo, Mishing, Hmar, Kuki andGaro2. Among them, the Karbi (Mikir)is a prominent tribe inhabiting mainly inKarbi-Anglong district of Assam. Karbi-Anglong lies between 92° 50′ to 94° 25′

Wild vegetables of Karbi - Anglong district,Assam

A Kar1* and S K Borthakur2

1The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Northeastern Regional CentreVIP Road, Chachal, Guwahati-781 036, Assam, India

2Department of Botany, Gauhati University, Guwahati-781 014*Correspondent author, E-mail: [email protected]

Received 27 July 2007; Accepted 4 February 2008

AbstractThe paper deals with 57 species of wild plants used as vegetable by the Karbi tribe of

Karbi - Anglong district, Assam. The scientific names of the plants, method of use, regeneration,demand and form of use of these vegetables are included. The paper also highlighted the medicinalvalue, market price and shelf-life of the vegetables after harvest. The conservation of the indigenousplant wealth through cultivation and further follow up investigation on these plants for chemicalanalysis has also been emphasized.

Keywords: Karbi- Anglong, Karbi tribe, Market prices, Medicinal value, Shelf-life, Wild vegetables.

IPC code; Int. cl.8— A01G 1/00, A61K 36/00, A23L 1/00, A23L 1/052

East longitude and 25° 05′ and 26° 15′North latitudes3. Karbi people prefer tolive on the hill slopes and are piledwellers4. They belong to the Mongoloidracial stock5. The tribes living in this

district have been leading an intricate lifethat depended on wild plants. Theirknowledge about the plants and theirproperties are immense. These plants areused as food plants, medicine, fodder,fuel, dye, and for festivals, rituals andother functions.

Many wild vegetables are used bythe Karbi people in their daily diet. Theseare used either raw or cooked and helpto compensate their day-to-day caloriesrequirement. They add variety, colour andtexture to our diets. They are rich sourcesof nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Theyare generally low in proteins and fats, and

Makeshift market at Manja Wild vegetable & fruits at Diphu market

Vol 7(5) September-October 2008 449

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many have a high moisture and low drymatter content. Most of them also havehigh medicinal value. Major contribution

Oroxylum indicum

Homalomena aromatica

Acmella paniculataLeucas aspera

Drymaria cordata

Makeshift market at Lahorijan

of vegetables to human health are the largequantity of vitamin C and A and folic acidas well as good amount of dietary fibres

and minerals. Folic acid helps inmultiplication and maturation of cells,and its deficiency results in certain typesof anemia, especially of infants andpregnant women6. The phytochemicals invegetables protect the human body froma large number of ailments. That is whyvegetables are often known as protectivefoods7.

India secured second position inthe world next to China in vegetableproduction. However, this is much lessthan the recommended requirement of300g/Capita/day of vegetables for abalanced diet. Although, 175 major andminor vegetable crops are grown in Indiaincluding 82 leafy vegetables and 41 tuberand bulb crops, there is a challenge toachieve the target of 160 million tons ofvegetables to fulfill the recommendedrequirement by 2020(Ref. 8). Study of wildvegetables of the Karbis will help to findout new crops for large scale cultivationto fulfill the requirement of the area inparticular and the state in general. It isurgently needed also for the country tofill the gap of balanced diet.

The survey and documentation ofwild edible plants in the different partsof Northeastern states of India have beenconducted by various workers9-23. Studieson wild edible fruit and vegetable inKarbi-Anglong have also been under takenfrom time to time24-32. The present studyprovides additional information regardingwild vegetables of the Karbis.

Materials and MethodsThe field study was undertaken

during the period 2006-07. Intensive fieldsurveys with the help of village heads andpersons who have knowledge on wild


vegetables were undertaken for collectionand to record their uses. Local marketsof the selected localities were surveyed andplant samples were collected withnecessary market information includingprices and shelf-life of the vegetables afterharvest. Prior information consent (PIC)of Community Chiefs (since all theethnomedicinal recepies and traditionalknowledge are community property) wasobtained to put their practice in the publicdomain. Collected plants were made intoherbarium specimen following standardtechniques33. Herbarium specimens wereidentified with the help of Herbarium ofBotany Department and voucherherbarium specimens have been depositedin the Herbarium of the BotanyDepartment, Gauhati University, Guwahatifor future reference.

Results and DiscussionIn the present study 56 species

of Angiosperms and one species ofGymnosperm have been recorded. Of theAngiosperms, 10 species belong to

Monocotyledons and 46 species belong toDicotyledons.

The Table 1 is the alphabeticalenumeration of recorded species togetherwith botanical name, family, Karbiname(s), and brief description, time ofavailability, mode of use, taste, habitat andtheir regeneration. Market prices of 30vegetables from six local markets also havebeen provided in Table 2. The price variesfrom market to market and fluctuatesfrom season to season depending on theirpreference of use. Table 3 representsvegetables used as medicine by the Karbitribe. Table 4 provides shelf-life of thevegetable after harvest.

Majority of the vegetables areeaten fresh. Out of 57 plants, 04 fruitsare eaten cooked and 03 rhizomes, 03tubers and 01 corm are eaten boiled/bakedor cooked; 09 are flower vegetables whichare eaten fried or boiled; 01 stem pithand 01 stem vegetable, 21 are leafyvegetables and 16 are shoot vegetables.For some plants more than one parts areused as vegetables, viz. Homalomena

aromatica (Roxb.) Schott (leaf andtuber); Lasia spinosa (Linn.) Thw.(shoot and tuber); Cissusquadrangularis Linn. (stem andleaves) and Zingiber zerumbet(Linn.) Smith (rhizome and flowers).Some documented vegetables analysesearlier like Spondias pinnata (Linn.f.) Kurz are rich in carbohydrate andfibre; Persicaria microcephala(D. Don) H. Gross rich in mineral, fibreand carbohydrate; Dioscorea puberBlume rich in carbohydrate andalbuminoides; Portulaca oleraceaLinn. and P. quadrifida Linn. rich inVitamin C content34, these contentsprotect our body against differentailments. Further more, in a studyconducted by FAO it has been reportedthat wild foods are a part of rural peoplediet not only during periods of foodshortage but also on a daily basis. Thedaily consumption of wild productscontributes to overall nutritional wellbeing of tribes35.

Table 1: Wild edible vegetables of Karbi-Anglong, Assam

S. Botanical name/Family Karbi name Brief Time of Method Taste Habitat RegenerationNo. description availability of use

1 Abelmoschus moschatus Arnam Shrub; leaves May to August Tender pod Sweet, Forest, SeedMedic. (Malvaceae) hanserong lobed; fruit taken boiled slightly Road

armed with or fried. slimy sidesminute hairs.

2 Abrus precatorius Linn. Chuselok Climber; leaves April to Fresh leaves Sweet Forest Seed(Fabaceae) compound; November taken in

flower white or curries.pink.

3 Abutilon indicum (Linn.) Mir-at Shrub; leaves April to Fresh flowers Sweet Forest SeedSweet (Malvaceae) ovate; flower August fried and

yellow. eaten.




4 Acmella paniculata (DC.) Bapchuki Herb; leaves April to Leaves eaten Sweet Crop field SeedJansen (Asteraceae) elliptical; flower August boiled. slight

yellow. pungent

5 Adhatoda zeylanica Medic. Jok-an- Shrub; leaves April to White flowers Bitter Road Root(Acanthaceae) kelok elliptical; flower December and leaves sides,

white. eaten fried. Forest.

6 Alocasia macrorrhiza Henchala Aroid; leaves September Corm eaten Sweet with Forest Corm(Linn.) G. Don (Araceae) large with to January boiled. slightly

petiole. astringent

7 Alpinia galanga (Linn.) Phrikan- Shrub; leaves October to Boiled Sweet with Forest RhizomeWilld. (Zingeberaceae) gnek elliptical; rhizome March rhizome mild aroma

white with aroma. made intochutney withsalt and chilli.

8 Alternanthera sessilis Raeaba Herb; leaves March to Tender Sweet Road Seed(Linn.) R.Br. ex DC. lanceolate; stem November shoots eaten sides(Amaranthaceae) ribbed. boiled.

9 Amorphophalus bulbifer Hen salku Herb; leaves April to July Tender Sweet with Road Corm(Schott) Blume (Araceae) lobed; flower shoots eaten astringent sides,

yellow. boiled with Forestchilli and salt.

10 Antidesma acidum Retz. Ingchum Shrub; leaves April to Tender shoots Very sour Forest Seed(Euphorbiaceae) elliptical; berry October eaten boiled

black when ripe. with chilli andsalt.

11 Arisaema tortuosum Chamua Aroid; leaves April to Fruit roasted Sweet, Forest Corm(Wall.) Schott (Araceae) lobed; tuber July and boiled astringent

white. tuber taken with salt.

12 Beta vulgaris Linn. var. Bengali Herb; stem March to Tender shoots Sweet with Forest, Seed, Stembenghalensis Roxb. dido and leaves November boiled and slime Scrubs(Chenopodiaceae) succulent; taken with

flower pink. rice.

13 Calamus rotang Linn. Pri Cane; stem April to Tender shoot Slightly Forest, Rhizome,(Arecaceae) and leaves August burn on the bitter Scrubs Seed

armed with fire andspines. prepared

curry.

14 Callicarpa arborea Roxb. Arhi-arong Tree; leaves May to Flower Sweet and Forest, Seed(Verbenaceae) elliptical with August prepared slightly Road

hairs; flower chutney with astringent sidespink. chilli, salt

and ginger.




15 Cassia fistula Linn. Shonaru Tree; leaves March to Tender Sweet Forest, Seed(Caesalpiniaceae) compound, May flower Road

leaflet elliptical; buds eaten sidesflower yellow. boiled.

16 Cassia tora Linn. Bapduli Herb; leaves April to Tender shoots Sweet Road Seed(Caesalpiniaceae) compound; September eaten sides

flower yellow. boiled.

17 Chenopodium album Churu Herb; leaves December to Tender Sweet Crop field Seed Linn. (Chenopodiaceae) elliptical; stem March shoots

fibrous. fried andtaken.

18 Cissus quadrangularis Repich- Twiner; leaves March to Stem and Sweet with Forest Stem Linn. (Vitaceae) ingthun cordate; stem October leaves eaten astringent

succulent and boiled.winged.

19 Clerodendrum indicum Bapnem-ai Shrub; leaves May to Tender Sweet Road Seed, Root(Linn.) O. Kuntze lanceolate, September shoots sides,(Verbenaceae) whorled; flowers eaten Forest

yellow. boiled.

20 Clerodendrum serratum Phelang- Shrub; leaves April to Ripe fruits Sour Forest Seed (Linn.) Sprengel riho elliptical, serrate; August are roasted (Verbenaceae) flower whitish over fire and

blue. made intochutney.

21 Commelina benghalensis Kurveng Herb; leaves May to Tender Sweet with Crop SeedLinn. (Commelinaceae) elliptical, hairy; September shoots eaten slimy field,

flower blue. boiled. Road sides

22 Crataeva nurvala Buch.- Mirbarun Shrub; leaves April to Tender shoots Sweet Forest, SeedHam. (Capparidaceae) compound, June eaten boiled. Road

leaflet elliptical; sidesflower white.

23 Curcuma amada Roxb. Tharmit Herb; leaves November to Fresh rhizome Pungent Forest Rhizome(Zingiberaceae) tharve elliptical, April are crushed with floor

distichous; and made into mangorhizome with chutney with smellmango smell. chilli and salt.

24 Cycas pectinata Griff. Or-oh Shrub; leaves March to Tender leaves Sweet Forest Cone(Cycadaceae) pectinate; May are eaten fried

stem with or boiled.leaf scar.

25 Deeringia amaranthoides Hanthai Climbing, shrub; April to Tender Sweet Road Seed(Lam.) Merr. (Amaranthaceae) leaves elliptical; July shoots sides,

stem ribbed; eaten boiled. Forestfruit red.




26 Dioscorea esculenta (Lour.) Ruipheng Climber; leaves March to Mature Sweet Forest Seed, Bulbils,Burkill (Dioscoreaceae) selu cordate; stem May tubers Tuber

ribbed; tuber eaten boiled.white.

27 Dioscorea pentaphylla Ruipheng Climber; March to Mature Sweet Forest Seed, Bulbils, Linn. (Dioscoreaceae) leaves digitate; May tubers eaten Tuber

stem ribbed; boiled withtuber white. salt and chilli.

28 Dioscorea puber Blume Rui- chilong Climber; leaves March to Mature Sweet Forest Seed, Bulbils,(Dioscoreaceae) cordate; stem May tubers eaten Tuber

ribbed; tuber boiled withwhite. salt.

29 Drymaria cordata (Linn.) Kur-vengso Herb; leaves March to Young Sweet Crop SeedRoem. & Schult. cordate, November shoots field,(Caryophyllaceae) inflorescence eaten Road

with sticky boiled. sidesgland; flowerwhite.

30 Ensete superbum (Roxb.) Lobong Herb; leaves Throughout Fresh Water Forest RhizomeCheesman (Musaceae) keng tong oblong with the year stem pith taste with

sheath; eaten astringentinflorescence boiled.large.

31 Ficus hispida Linn. f. Ingthum Tree; leaves April to Fresh leaves Sweet Forest Seed(Moraceae) elliptical; stem August eaten fried

and leaves with or boiled.milky latex.

32 Homalomena aromatica Ok hi Herb; leaves Throughout Leaves made Sweet Forest Tuber(Roxb.) Schott (Araceae) atehang cordate with the year into chutney with

prominent and tuber mildleaf veins. eaten boiled. fragrance

33 Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Chong Herb; leaves Throughout Leaves are Sweet Crop Runner Lam. (Apiaceae) amok reniform; the year made into field,

flower green. chutney with Roadsalt and chilli. sides

34 Ipomoea batatas (Linn.) Ruidok Climber; June to Tender leaves Sweet Forest Tuber Lam. (Convolvulaceae) leaves cordate; January eaten boiled.

stem with latex;flower purple.

35 Lasia spinosa (Linn.) Henru Herb; leaves April to Young shoots Bitter Forest TuberThw. (Araceae) ehong/ armed with July eaten fried with patches

Chusot spine; tuber and mature mildwhite. tubers are fragrance

eaten boiled.




36 Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link Chanrong Herb; leaves Throughout Fresh Bitter Road Seed(Lamiaceae) aan lanceolate; the year leaves sides

stem square, eatenhairy; flower fried.white.

37 Lippia geminata H.B. & K. Lopong brik Shrub; leaves April to Fresh leaves Sweet Road Seed(Verbenaceae) elliptical, September made into with sides

aromatic; chutney. strongflower pink. smell

38 Murraya koenigii (Linn.) Thengsakso Shrub; leaves April to Leaves Sweet with Forest SeedSpreng. (Rutaceae) elliptical, November made into mild

aromatic. chutney. fragrance

39 Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Hewali Shrub; leaves April to Tender Bitter Forest Seed Linn. (Nyctaginaceae) opposite, December shoots

elliptical; eatenflower white. boiled.

40 Olax acuminata Wall. Hanboka Shrub; leaves Throughout Fresh leaves Sweet Forest Seedex Benth. (Olacaceae) elliptical to the year eaten boiled.

lanceolate.

41 Oroxylum indicum (Linn.) Nopak ban Tree; leaves November to Fresh Very Road SeedVent. (Bignoniaceae) compound; March flowers bitter sides,

flower pink. eaten fried. Forest

42 Oxalis corniculata Linn. Vothung Herb; leaves Throughout Leaves Sour Forest Root, Seed(Oxalidaceae) mekbop trifoliate; the year boiled with

flower yellow. dal and taken.

43 Paederia foetida Linn. Rekang Scandent Throughout Leaves eaten Sweet Forest Seed, Root(Rubiaceae) nemthu shrub; leaves the year boiled with with patches

elliptical; chilli and foetidflower pink. salt. smell

44 Persicaria microcephala Delap Shrub; leaves March to Leaves Sour Forest, Seed(D. Don) H. Gross elliptical; August eaten Road(Polygonaceae) flower white. boiled. sides

45 Phlogacanthus tubiflorus Jok-anke-et Shrub; leaves May to Flowers Bitter Forest Seed Nees (Acanthaceae) elliptical; August fried and

flower yellow. taken.

46 Physalis peruviana Linn. Thebong- Herb; leaves April to Leaves Sweet Crop field, Seed(Solanaceae) kang elliptical; fruit August eaten Road

armed with calyx. boiled. sides

47 Portulaca oleracea Linn. Chitu Herb; leaves September Tender Sour Crop field Seed(Portulacaceae) succulent; to June shoots

flower eaten boiledyellow. or made

into chutney.




48 Portulaca quadrifida Vothung Herb; leaves September to Tender shoots Sour Crop Seed Linn. (Portulacaceae) mekvoke-er succulent, June eaten boiled field,

four in number or made into Roadat node; flower chutney. sidesyellow.

49 Sesbania grandiflora Bokphul Tree; leaves November to Fresh Sweet Forest Seed Pers. (Fabaceae) compound; February flowers

flower white. eaten fried.

50 Solanum nigrum Linn. Pharchingki Herb; leaves March to Leaves Bitter Forest, Seed(Solanaceae) elliptical; flower November boiled and Road

white; berry fruits made sidesblack when ripe. into chutney.

51 Solanum spirale Roxb. Jok-ho Shrub; leaves May to Tender leaves Slightly Forest Seed(Solanaceae) elliptical; September eaten boiled bitter patches

flower white. with chilliand salt.

52 Solanum torvum Swartz Theso- Shrub; leaves April to Fruits eaten Bitter Forest, Seed(Solanaceae) rongman elliptical, lobed; August fried. Road

berry round. sides

53 Spondias pinnata (Linn. f.) Siming Tree; leaves August to Flower Sour Forest SeedKurz (Anacardiaceae) compound; October buds made

flower white. into chutney.

54 Tagetes erecta Linn. Mir Herb; leaves September to Tender Sweet Road Seed(Asteraceae) kadomphui pinnatisect; March leaves sides

flower yellow. eaten boiled.

55 Vitex negundo Linn. Vorke Shrub; Throughout Tender Bitter Road Seed(Verbenaceae) abap leaves trifoliate; the year leaves eaten sides

flower purple. boiled.

56 Xanthium strumarium Parak Herb; leaves November to Tender leaves Sweet Road SeedLinn. (Asteraceae) hanthor cordate; August eaten boiled. sides

fruit spiny.

57 Zingiber zerumbet Phrilang Shrub; leaves April to Rhizome Pungent Forest rhizome (Linn.) Smith dung elliptical; November made into patches(Zingiberaceae) flower white; chutney and

rhizome white. fried flowerseaten asvegetable.



Table 2 : Local market prices of some wild vegetable in Karbi-Anglong

S. No. Name of the plant Parts sold Market locality Market price

1 Acmella paniculata (DC.) Jansen Leaves Diphu, Bukajan, Silanijan, Manja Rs.5/-per bundle

2 Alocasia macrorrhiza Corm Diphu, Manja, Dokmoka, Lahorijan Rs.15/- to 20/- per kg(Linn.) G. Don

3 Alternanthera sessilis (Linn.) Tender shoots Diphu, Bukajan, Manja, Dokmoka, Silanijan Rs.2/-per bundle R.Br. ex DC.

4 Amorphophalus bulbifer Tender shoots Diphu, Manja, Silanijan Rs.5/-per bundle(Schott) Blume

5 Antidesma acidum Retz. Tender shoots Diphu, Bukajan, Lahorijan, Silanijan, Manja Rs.2/-per bundle

6 Beta vulgaris Linn. var. Tender shoots Diphu, Manja, Silanijan Rs.5/-per bundle

benghalensis Roxb.

7 Calamus rotang Linn. Tender shoots Diphu, Bukajan, Dokmoka, Manja, Lahorijan Rs.5/-per bundle

8 Chenopodium album Linn. Tender shoots Diphu, Lahorijan, Silanijan, Manja, Dokmoka Rs.2/-per bundle

9 Cissus quadrangularis Linn. Stem Diphu, Silanijan, Manja Rs.10/-per bundle

10 Clerodendrum indicum (Linn.) Tender shoots Diphu, Bukajan, Silanijan, Manja Rs.2/-per bundleO. Kuntze

11 Curcuma amada Roxb. Rhizome Diphu, Silanijan Rs.40/-per kg

12 Dioscorea esculenta (Lour.) Burkill Tuber Diphu, Bukajan, Manja Rs.40/-per kg

13 Dioscorea pentaphylla Linn. Tuber Manja, Diphu, Bukajan Rs.40/-per kg

14 Drymaria cordata (Linn.) Tender shoots Bukajan, Manja, Diphu, Lahorijan Rs.2/-per bundleRoem. & Schult.

15 Homalomena aromatica Leaves, Tuber Diphu, Dokmoka, Silanijan, Bukajan, Manja Rs.5/-per bundle(Roxb.) Schott and Rs.20/-per kg

16 Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam. Leaves Diphu, Bukajan, Dokmoka Rs. 5/-per parts (100-150g)

17 Ipomoea batatas (Linn.) Lam. Tender leaves Diphu, Bukajan, Lahorijan, Manja, Silanijan Rs.10/-per part (200-250g)

18 Lasia spinosa (Linn.) Thw. Tender shoots Diphu, Lahorijan, Manja, Silanijan Rs.10/-per part (250-300g)

19 Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link Leaves Diphu, Dokmoka, Bukajan Rs.5/-per bundle

20 Lippia geminata H.B. & K. Leaves Diphu, Bukajan, Manja, Silanijan Rs.5/- per bundle

21 Oroxylum indicum (Linn.) Vent. Flowers Diphu, Bukajan, Dokmoka, Silanijan, Manja Rs.10/-per part (200-250g)

22 Paederia foetida Linn. Leaves Diphu, Bukajan, Dokmoka, Silanijan, Manja Rs.5/- per part (150g)

23 Phlogacanthus tubiflorus Nees Flowers Diphu Rs.10/-per bundle

24 Portulaca oleracea Linn. Tender shoots Diphu, Dokmoka Rs.5/-per bundle

25 Portulaca quadrifida Linn. Tender shoots Diphu, Dokmoka, Lahorijan Rs.5/-per bundle

26 Sesbania grandiflora Pers. Flowers Diphu Rs.10/- per part (100g)

27 Solanum nigrum Linn. Leaves, Fruit Diphu, Dokmoka Rs.5/-per part (100g)

28 Solanum torvum Swartz Fruits Diphu, Bukajan, Dokmoka, Lahorijan, Rs.5/- per part (150g)Silanijan, Manja

29 Spondias pinnata (Linn.f.) Kurz Flower buds Diphu, Bukajan Silanijan Rs.10/-per part (50-100g)

30 Zingiber zerumbet (Linn.) Smith Rhizome Diphu, Bukajan, Dokmoka, Lahorijan Rs.60/-per kg



Table 3: Uses of wild vegetables as medicine by the Karbi tribe

S. Name of the plant Name of Method of use & dosagesNo. the ailment

1 Abrus precatorius Linn. Cough Two table spoons of fresh juice, twice daily after meals for six days.

2 Acmella paniculata (DC.) Jansen Stomachache One table spoon of leaf juice is taken after meals, twice daily for five days.

3 Adhatoda zeylanica Medic. Dysentery Juice of two mature leaves, thrice daily before meal for three days.

4 Alpinia galanga (Linn.) Willd. Bronchitis Half a tea cup of rhizome juice, once daily after meal for ten days.

5 Alternanthera sessilis (Linn.) Skin disease Fresh leaves paste applied on the affected parts twice daily for eight days.R. Br. ex DC.

6 Amorphophalus bulbifer (Schott) Piles 100g tuber boiled and taken with rice twice daily for a month.Blume

7 Antidesma acidum Retz. Appetizer Two boiled tender shoots taken with rice, once daily for five days.

8 Arisaema tortuosum Schott Piles 50 g tuber boiled and taken with rice, twice daily for a month.

9 Beta vulgaris Linn. var. Jaundice 50 g boiled tender shoots taken once daily with meal for ten days.benghalensis Roxb.

10 Calamus rotang Linn. Vitality 50 g boiled tender shoots taken, with meal, twice daily for twenty days.

11 Cassia tora Linn. Jaundice Five table spoons of leave juice, once daily after meal for fifteen days.

12 Chenopodium album Linn. Dysentery Two table spoons of leaf juice, thrice daily after meal.

13 Cissus quadrangularis Linn. Joint pain 25 g of boiled stem taken with meal, once daily for ten days.

14 Clerodendrum indicum (Linn.) Cough Three fresh mature fruits taken directly with luke warm water, twice dailyO.Kuntze for seven days.

15 Clerodendrum serratum (Linn.) Wound Mature fruits are crushed and made into a paste and then applied onSprengel the affected parts.

16 Commelina benghalensis Linn. Earache Two drops of leaf juice are applied on the affected ear, once daily for three days.

17 Crataeva nurvala Buch.-Ham. Gastritis 50 g boiled shoots is taken with meals, twice daily for ten days.

18 Curcuma amada Roxb. Gastritis Two table spoons of rhizome juice, twice daily after meals for five days.

19 Cycas pectinata Griff. Gastritis Three table spoons of leaf juice, twice daily after meals for five days.

20 Deeringia amaranthoides Haemostatic Paste of fresh leaves is applied on the affected parts.(Lam.)Merr.

21 Drymaria cordata (Linn.) Sinusitis Two drops of warm leaf juice are applied as drops, once daily for six days.Roem. & Schult.

22 Ensete superbum (Roxb.) Vitality 100g stem pith boiled in 500ml of water till the quantity become half, andCheesman then taken, once daily after meal for twenty days.

23 Homalomena aromatica Joint pain Petiole paste is applied on the affected parts, twice daily for a month.(Roxb.) Schott

24 Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam. Dysentery Two table spoons of leaves juice, twice daily after meals for six days.

25 Ipomoea batatas (Linn.) Lam. Digestive 50 g boiled leaves taken with meal, once daily for ten days.

26 Lasia spinosa Thw. Piles 50 g boiled rhizome taken with salt and mustard oil, once daily for fifteen days.

27 Leucas asper (Willd.) Link Sinusitis One drop of leaf juice is used as drop, once daily for six days.

28 Lippia geminata H.B.& K. Conjunctivitis One drop of leaf juice applied once daily for three days.



S. Name of the plant Name of Method of use & dosagesNo. the ailment

29 Murraya koenigii Sprengel Gastritis Three table spoons of leaves juice, once daily after meal for five days.

30 Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn. Malaria Half a tea cup of leaves juice, once daily after meal for ten days.

31 Oroxylum indicum (Linn.) Vent. Intestinal worm Two boiled flowers are taken, twice daily after meals for seven days.

32 Oxalis corniculata Linn. Appetizer Two table spoons of leaves juice taken, twice daily after meal for ten days.

33 Paederia foetida Linn. Gastritis Four table spoons of leaves juice, once daily after meals for a week.

34 Persicaria microcephala Wound Paste of leaves is applied on the affected parts, twice daily for three days.(D. Don) H. Gross

35 Phlogacanthus tubiflorus Nees Intestinal worm One table spoon of inflorescence juice taken after meals, twice daily for three days.

36 Physalis peruviana Linn. Stomach pain 25g of boiled tender shots taken with meal, once daily for five days.

37 Portulaca oleracea Linn. Earache Two drops of leaf juice are applied on the affected ear, twice daily for five days.

38 Portulaca quadrifida Linn. Earache Two drops of leaf juice are applied on the affected ear, twice daily for five days.

39 Solanum nigrum Linn. Intestinal Three mature fruits are taken, once daily after meal for three days.worm

40 Solanum torvum Swartz Intestinal Five mature fruits are taken, twice daily after meal for five days.worm

41 Vitex negundo Linn. Malaria 50g leaves boiled in 300ml water till the quantity become half and then taken, twicedaily after meals for fourteen days.

42 Xanthium strumarium Linn. High blood 25 g of boiled shoots taken with meal, twice daily for twenty days.pressure

43 Zingiber zerumbet (Linn.) Smith Blood Two table spoons of rhizome juice are taken after meals for five days.dysentery

Table 4 : Shelf-life of wild vegetables of Karbi-Anglong

S. No. Name of the plant Shelf-life after harvest

1 Abelmoschus moschatus Medic. 3-4 days (pod)

2 Abrus precatorius Linn. 1-2 days (leaves)

3 Abutilon indicum (Linn.) Sweet 1-2 days (flower)

4 Acmella paniculata (DC.) Jansen 1-2 days (leaves)

5 Adhatoda zeylanica Medic. 2-3 days (flower)

6 Alocasia macrorrhiza (Linn.) G.Don 5-10 days (corm)

7 Alpinia galanga (Linn.) Willd. 5-12 days (rhizome)

8 Alternanthera sessilis (Linn.) R. Br. ex DC. 1-2 days (tender shoots)

9 Amorphophalus bulbifer (Schott) Blume 2-3 days (tender shoots)

10 Antidesma acidum Retz. 1-2 days (tender shoots)

11 Arisaema tortuosum Schott 5-6 days (fruit)

12 Beta vulgaris Linn. var. benghalensis Roxb. 2-3 days (tender shoots)

13 Calamus rotang Linn. 5-6 days (tender shoots)

14 Callicarpa arborea Roxb. 1-2 days (flower)

15 Cassia fistula Linn. 2-3 days (flower bud)

ConclusionThe wild edible vegetables need

to be popularized as many of them havenutritive and medicinal value36. By growingthem the local people can earnremunerative prices for their livelihood.Collections of wild vegetables are goingon from their natural habitat. Therefore,their populations are decreasing day byday. To protect them and to popularizethe wild vegetables the followingimmediate aspects need attention: (i)Development of agro-techniques of wildedible vegetables; (ii) Promotion of largescale cultivation of wild vegetables; and(iii) Biochemical analysis of wildvegetables to work out their nutrient value.The authors also emphasize more



S. No. Name of the plant Shelf-life after harvest

16 Cassia tora Linn. 1-2 days (tender shoots)

17 Chenopodium album Linn. 1-2 days (tender shoots)

18 Cissus quadrangularis Linn. 3-5 days (stem)

19 Clerodendrum indicum (Linn.) O.Kuntze 1-2 days (tender shoots)

20 Clerodendrum serratum (Linn.) Sprengel 3-4 days (ripe fruit)

21 Commelina benghalensis Linn. 2-3 days (tender shoots)

22 Crataeva nurvala Buch.-Ham. 1-2 days (tender shoots)

23 Curcuma amada Roxb. 7-8 days (rhizome)

24 Cycas pectinata Griffith 3-4 days (tender shoots)

25 Deeringia amaranthoides (Lam.)Merr. 2-3 days (tender shoots)

26 Dioscorea esculenta (Lour.) Burkill 7-8 days (mature tuber)

27 Dioscorea pentaphylla Linn. 6-10 days (mature tuber)

28 Dioscorea puber Blume 7-10 days (mature tuber)

29 Drymaria cordata (Linn.) Roem. & Schult. 1-2 days (tender shoots)

30 Ensete superbum (Roxb.)Cheesman 3-5 days (stem pith)

31 Ficus hispida Linn. f. 3-4 days (leaves)

32 Homalomena aromatica (Roxb.) Schott 2-3 days (leaves)

33 Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam. 1-2 days (leaves)

34 Ipomoea batatas Lam. 1-2 days (tender leaves)

35 Lasia spinosa Thw. 2-3 days (tender shoots)

36 Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link 1-2 days (leaves)

37 Lippia geminata H.B. & K. 2-3 days (leaves)

38 Murraya koenigii (Linn.) Spreng. 1-2 days (leaves)

39 Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn. 1-2 days (tender shoots)

40 Olax acuminata Wall. ex Benth. 1-2 days (leaves)

41 Oroxylum indicum (Linn.) Vent. 3-4 days (flower)

42 Oxalis corniculata Linn. 1-2 days (leaves)

43 Paederia foetida Linn. 1-2 days (leaves)

44 Persicaria microcephala (D. Don) H. Gross 1-2 days (leaves)

45 Phlogacanthus tubiflorus Nees 2-3 days (flower)

46 Physalis peruviana Linn. 1-2 days (leaves)

47 Portulaca oleracea Linn. 2-3 days (tender shoots)

48 Portulaca quadrifida Linn. 2-3 days (tender shoots)

49 Sesbania grandiflora Pers. 2-3 days (flower)

50 Solanum nigrum Linn. 4-5 days (leaves)

51 Solanum spirale Roxb. 4-5 days (leaves)

52 Solanum torvum Swartz 5-6 days (fruit)

53 Spondias pinnata (Linn.f.) Kurz 2-3 days (flower bud)

54 Tagetes erecta Linn. 1-2 days (tender leaves)

55 Vitex negundo Linn. 1-2 days (tender leaves)

56 Xanthium strumarium Linn. 1-2 days (tender leaves)

57 Zingiber zerumbet (Linn.) Smith 6-7 days (rhizome)

ethnobotanical studies in the districtwhich will add new findings regardingwild vegetables.

AcknowledgementThe authors are thankful to local

vegetable vendors, village heads andinformants for their assistance and helpin carrying out the field work.

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