Table 1 List of selected wild food plants
Wild food plant name | Smith's Salience Index* | Gathering | Consuming | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Â | Boy | Girl | Â | Â |
1. Phak kaen khom ( Botanical name: Lobelia alsinoides Lam. Family: Campanulaceae Common name: Chickweed | 0.542 | 0.558 | Gathered by hands from paddy fields and areas where there is moisture in the soil. | Most abundant and consumed in October to February after rice harvesting. It has bitter taste. Yod (tip of the plant that is new growth consisting of tender young leaves and stem) or whole young plant is eaten. Often cooked in curry. |
2. Phak kayang ( Botanical name: Limnophila aromatica (Lomk.) Merr. Family: Scrophulariaceae Common name: Rice Paddy Herb | 0.230 | 0.217 | Gathered by hands from paddy fields. | Available from May to November. Yod or whole young plant is eaten. Often cooked in curry. |
3. Phak khee lek ( Botanical name: Cassia siamea Lam. Family: Caesalpiniaceae Common name: Thai Copper Pod | 0.167 | 0.259 | Gathered by hands or fork stick from house area (transplanted), around the village, paddy fields, plantation areas, and secondary forests. | Most consumed in November to February. Yod and flower are eaten. Often cooked in curry. |
4. Phak som/Phak kaen som ( Botanical name: - Family: - Common name: - | 0.169 | 0.135 | Gathered by hands from paddy fields and areas where there is moisture in the soil. It looks similar to Phak kaen khom but has sour taste. These two species often grow together. Children have to learn to distinguish these two species when they collect. | Most abundant and consumed in October to March. Yod or whole young plant is eaten. Often put in curry to give some sour taste. |
5. Phak mek ( Botanical name: Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S.T.Blake Family: Myrtaceae Common name: Punk Tree/Paperbark Tea Trees | 0.211 | 0.020 | Gathered by hand from house area (transplanted), around the village, paddy fields, plantation areas and secondary forests. | Consumed all year round when new leaf buds emerge., especially during the rainy season. It has a slightly sour taste. Young leaf shoots are eaten raw. |
6. Phak waen ( Botanical name: Marsilea crenata C. Presl Family: Marsileaceae Common name: Water Clover, Clover Fern | 0.156 | 0.073 | Gathered by hand from house area (not transplanted), around the village, paddy fields and areas where there is moisture in the soil. | Most abundant and consumed in August to October. Young leaf shoot is eaten raw. |
7. Phak hom ( Botanical name: Marsilea crenata C. Presl Family: Marsileaceae Common name: Water Clover, Clover Fern | 0.058 | 0.067 | Gathered by hand from house area (not transplanted), around the village, and paddy fields. | Young plants are consumed all year round and especially during the rainy season. Young leaf shoot or whole young plant is eaten raw or parboiled. |
8. Phak lin pii ( Botanical name: Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC. Family: Asteraceae Common name: Lilac Tasselflower | 0.043 | 0.060 | Gathered by hand from paddy fields. | Most abundant and consumed from November to December. Young leaf shoot and flowers are eaten raw. |
9. Bak tong leeng ( Botanical name: Polyalthia evecta (Pierre) Finet & Gangnep. Family: Annonaceae Common name:- | 0.017 | 0.038 | Gathered by hand from the village area, plantation area, and secondary forest. | Fruit is available from June to July. Fruit is eaten raw and often on spot as snack. |
10. Phak lam ( Botanical name: Adenanthera pavonina L. Family: Mimosaceae Common name: Red Beadtree | 0 | 0.002 | Gather by hand or long fork stick on pole from house area (transplanted), around the village, paddy fields, and secondary forests. | Different parts are eaten. Young leaf shoots and flowers are eaten fresh or parboiled. Seed/fruit is roasted and eaten as a snack. Raw seed/fruit is toxic. |
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