WILD EDIBLE PLANTS USED BY MEITEI COMMUNITY OF EASTERN HIMALAYAS, INDIA

DEDRILKUMAR SINGH¹, BINU MATHEW²*
¹Department of Rural Development and Agricultural Production, North-Eastern Hill University, Tura Campus, Tura, 794002, Meghalaya, India
²Department of Rural Development and Agricultural Production, North-Eastern Hill University, Tura Campus, Tura, 794002, Meghalaya, India
* Corresponding Author : drbmathew@gmail.com

Received : 17-08-2016     Accepted : 23-09-2016     Published : 01-11-2016
Volume : 8     Issue : 53       Pages : 2699 - 2702
Int J Agr Sci 8.53 (2016):2699-2702

Keywords : Wild edible plants, Ethnobotany, Meitei, Indigenous
Academic Editor : Dr Laxman Sharma
Conflict of Interest : None declared
Acknowledgements/Funding : The authors acknowledge the cooperation, active participation and knowledge shared by the Meitei community of Imphal West District of Manipur.
Author Contribution : None declared

The study was conducted at Imphal West District of Manipur, India during 2009-2014. The study area is situated in the Manipur valley between the latitude 24.30ON to 25.00ON and longitude of 93.45OE to 94.15OE covering an area of 558 sq. kms. The population is predominately dominated by the Meitei community. The present study was conducted to identify and document the indigenous wild edible plants being used by the Meitei community. This research was carried out through extensive field survey, personal interviews and careful documentation of wild edible plants in the selected study area. In the present study, 105 wild edible plant species under 83 genera belonging to 48 families were recorded which were found to be ethnobotanically important among the Meitei community. These plants were identified and listed with their botanical name, vernacular names, family and plant parts used.