Table 1 Wild and non-cultivated edible plants identified in Khar VDC, Kailash Sacred Landscape, Nepal
From: Diversity and use of wild and non-cultivated edible plants in the Western Himalaya
| Â | Family | Botanical name | Englishname | Nepali name | Localname | Usea | Parts usedb | Remarks | Specimen number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Acoraceae | Acorus calamus L. | Flag root, myrtle flag | Bojho | Bojho | M | R | Dried rhizome used to treat sore throat, coughs and colds | D142 |
2 | Adoxaceae | Viburnum erubescens Wall. | Â | Bajrang | Ganaule | F | F | Fruit eaten | D305 |
3 | Adoxaceae | Viburnum mullaha Buch.-Ham.ex D. Don | Â | Kavase | Titmelau | F | F | Fruit sour but eaten | D278 |
4 | Amaranthaceae | Amaranthus lividus L. | Amaranth | Marshi | Latte | V | L, Sh | Leaves and young shoots eaten as a green vegetable | D500 |
5 | Amaranthaceae | Amaranthus spinosus L. | Amaranth | Marshi | Kanya marshi/chuwa | V | L, Sh | Young leaves and shoots eaten as agreen vegetable | D283 |
6 | Amaranthaceae | Amaranthus viridis L. | Amaranth | Marshi | Ghiya marshi | V, O | L, Sh, Se | Young shoots and leaves eaten as a green vegetable; seeds ground to flour and used to make chapattis; seeds fried in ghee and honey and made into round balls to be eaten (ladoo/geda) | D316 |
7 | Amaryllidaceae | Allium spp. | Â | Â | Dhunu | S | L | Dried plant leaves used in curries | D160 |
8 | Amaryllidaceae | Allium wallichii Kunth | Jimbur or Himalayan onion | Jimbu Jhar | Sekkwa/sekuwa | S | W | Dried plant used in dal and curries | D50 |
9 | Anacardiaceae | Pistacia chinensis subsp. integerrima (J.L. Stewart ex Brandis) Rech.f. | Insect gall in Pistacia | Kakarsingee | Kakarsingee | M | Gall | Gall used to treat snake and scorpion bites | D294 |
10 | Apiaceae | Angelica archangelica L. | Â | Â | Ganano | S, M | R, Se | Root ground and made into soup to treat stomach pain. Seeds ground to flour and used as spice in curry | D101 |
11 | Araceae | Arisaema flavum (Forssk.) Schott | Â | Bako | Bako | V | T | Corms (tubers) boiled in ash and salt to remove toxic elements, cleaned, made into a paste and mixed with buckwheat flour to prepare curry | D196 |
12 | Araceae | Arisaema tortuosum(Wall.) Schott | Whipcord cobra lily | Bako | Bako | V | T | Boiled tubers eaten as vegetable | D412 |
13 | Araceae | Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott. | Taro | Pidaalu | Pidaalu | V | R, S, L | Rhizome boiled and eaten as a vegetable; young stem and leaves used as a vegetable and in pickle | D119 |
14 | Arecaceae | Phoenix humilis Royle | Â | Thakal | Thakil/thakilo | F, O | F, S | Fruit eaten; pith from stem eaten; stem used to make thatched roofs | D284 |
15 | Asparagaceae | Asparagus racemosus Willd. | Asaparagus, wild Asparagus | Kurilo | Jhijhirkani | V, M | R, Sh | Shoots and leaves eaten as a vegetable; roots used to treat urinary and liver problems | D140 |
16 | Asteraceae | Ageratina adenophora (Spreng.) R.M. King & H. Rob. | Crofton weed | Banmara | Banmara | M | L | Juice from crushed leaves used to treat wounds and cuts | Â |
17 | Asteraceae | Ageratum conyzoides (L.) L. | Billygoat-weed | Gandhe | Gandhe | M | L | Leaves crushed and juice used to treat cuts and wounds | D73 |
18 | Asteraceae | Artemisia indica Willd. | Mug-wort, Indian worm wood fleabane | Titepati | Kuljo | R, M | L | Leaves used in death ceremonies; leaves crushed and juice used to treat skin problems (irritation) | D506 |
19 | Berberidaceae | Berberis aristata DC. | Barberry/Nepal Barberry/common Barberry | Chutro | Chutro | F, O, M | F, Ba | Fruit eaten; bark used as a dye and to treat diarrhoea, piles and malaria | D190 |
20 | Berberidaceae | Berberis asiatica Roxb. ex DC. | Barberry/Nepal Barberry | Kirmando | Kirmada | F, O | F, Ba | Fruit eaten; bark used as a dye | D116 |
21 | Bombacaceae | Bombax ceiba L. | Silk cotton tree, Simal tree | Simal | Simal | V | Fl | Flowers used in a vegetable curry | D230 |
22 | Cannabaceae | Cannabis sativa L. | True hemp, Indian hemp, marijuana | Bhang | Bhango | O, M | Se, L | Roasted seeds used to make pickle or eaten raw; green leaves occasionally used to make snacks (pakauda); green leaves made into a paste and applied to the forehead to treat high fever | D402 |
23 | Chenopodiaceae | Chenopodium album L. | Lamb’s quarter | Bethe sag | Betu/charchare | V | L | Leaves and young shoots eaten as a green vegetable | D229 |
24 | Combretaceae | Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. | Belleric myrobalan | Barro | Barado | F, M | Se, F | Ripe fruit eaten; seeds used to treat coughs and colds | D100 |
25 | Combretaceae | Terminalia chebula Retz. | Chebulie myrobalan, yellow myrobalan | Harro | Harado | F, M | Se, F | Fruit eaten; fruit and seeds used to treat coughs and colds | D154 |
26 | Commelinaceae | Commelina benghalensis L. | Day flower | Kane Sag | Kanya sag | V | L, Sh | Young leaves and shoots eaten as a green vegetable | D131 |
27 | Convolvulaceae | Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. | Dodder | Aakas beli | Megh | M | W | Whole plant used to prepare medicine to treat livestock with cough and throat allergy | D300 |
28 | Cucurbitaceae | Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt | Ivy gourd, Kavai fruit | Golkakri | Golyakakadi | V | F | Fruits eaten asa vegetable | D280 |
29 | Cucurbitaceae | Momordica dioica Roxb. ex Willd. | Â | Bankarela | Bankarela | V | F | Immature fruit eaten as a green vegetable | D205 |
30 | Dioscoreaceae | Dioscorea bulbifera L. | Palmate leaved yam | Githi | Githo | V | T | Tubers boiled and eaten as a vegetable | D429 |
31 | Dioscoreaceae | Dioscorea deltoidea Wall. ex Griseb. | Cush-cush yam | Bhyakur | Bhyakur | V, | B, T | Bulbil and tubers boiled and eatenas a vegetable | D432 |
32 | Dioscoreaceae | Dioscorea hamiltonii Hook.f. | Air potato, potato yam | Ban tarul | Ban taud | V, R | B, T | Tubers and bulbils cooked and eaten. Boiled tubers are used during religious event first day of Nepali Month Magh (January) | D438 |
33 | Dryopteridaceae | Dryopteris cochleata (D. Don) C. Chr. | Edible fern shoot | Niuro | Liundo | V, O | L, Sh | Young coiled fronds and shoots cooked and eaten as a vegetable; sold in urban markets (high demand) | D113 |
34 | Elaeagnaceae | Elaeagnus parvifolia Wall. ex Royle | Oleaster | Kankoli | Guyaalo | F | F | Fruit eaten | D266 |
35 | Ericaceae | Rhododendron arboreum Sm. | Rhododendron | Laligurans | Gurauns | M, O | Fl | Flowers eaten; nectar used to treat diarrhoea and dysentery | D218 |
36 | Euphorbiaceae | Phyllanthus emblica L. | Indian gooseberry | Amala | Aaula | F, M | F | Fruit eaten raw and dried; fruit used in preparation of some Ayurvedic medicines for treating indigestion | D307 |
37 | Fabaceae | Albizia procera (Roxb.) Benth. | White siris | Siris | Siris (not edible) | O | L | Leaves used to cover bananas to ripen them | D85 |
38 | Fabaceae | Bauhinia variegata L. | Mountain ebony, White bauli | Koiralo | Koiral | V, M | Bu, Fl | Buds and flowers used as a vegetable and in pickle; flowers used to make soup to treat bacillary dysentery | D236 |
39 | Fagaceae | Castanopsis tribuloides (Sm.) A.DC. | Chestnut | Katus | Katauj | F, R | F | Fruit eaten and offered to gods during rituals | D145 |
40 | Fagaceae | Quercus lanata Sm. | Woolly-leaved oak | Baanjha | Baanjha | F | F | Fruit (lekaal) eaten | D480 |
41 | Gentianaceae | Swertia chirayita (Roxb. ex Fleming) Karsten | Chiretta | Chiraita | Chiraito | M | W | Whole plant used to treat fever, diabetes, and skin diseases | D299 |
42 | Hippocastanaceae | Aesculus indica (Wall. ex Cambess.) Hook. | Indian horse chestnut | Pangar | Pangar | M, O | F | Roasted fruit eaten to kill stomach worms; fruit used for washing clothes | D214 |
43 | Juglandaceae | Juglans regia L. | Walnut | Okhar | Okhad | F, R | F | Fruit eaten and offered to gods during festivals | D233 |
44 | Lamiaceae | Mentha arvensis L. | Mint | Pudina | Padamchal | S, M | L | Leaves used in pickle; juice from leaves used for cooling in summer | D110 |
45 | Lamiaceae | Mentha spicata L. | Mint | Pudina | Padamchal | S, M | L | Leaves used as spice in pickle; leaves used as medicine to reduce ‘body heat’ | D248 |
46 | Lamiaceae | Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton | Perilla | Silame | Bhangiro | S | Se | Seeds roasted and ground to use in pickle | D387 |
47 | Lardizabalaceae | Holboellia latifolia Wall. | Â | Â | Ghopala | F | F | Ripe fruit eaten | D493 |
48 | Lauraceae | Cinnamomum glanduliferum (Wall.) Meisn. | Nepal camphor tree | Sunghandhaakokila | Sunghandhaakokila | M, R | Ba, F | Bark and fruit used to treat coughs and colds, toothache, and swelling of muscles; leaves and fruit offered to gods during rituals | D96 |
49 | Lauraceae | Cinnamomum tamala (Buch.-Ham.) T.Nees & Eberm. | Bay leaf | Tejpaat | Tejpaat/dalchini | S | L | Dried leaves used as spice for curries to add flavour and smell | D82 |
50 | Loranthaceae | Loranthus odoratus Wall. | Â | Ajeru | Anjedu | F | F | Fruit very tasty | D178 |
51 | Moraceae | Ficus auriculata Lour. | Eye’s apron, Moretan-bay fig | Timilo | Timlo | F | F | Fruit eaten | D352 |
52 | Moraceae | Ficus hispida L.f. | Â | Khasreto | Khasattya | F | F | Fruit eaten | D132 |
53 | Moraceae | Ficus lacor Buch.-Ham | Â | Kabhro | Kapado | V | Bu, Fl | Buds and flowers boiled and eaten as a vegetable and pickle | D100 |
54 | Moraceae | Ficus neriifolia Sm. | Â | Dudhilo | Dudilo | V, F | Sh, F | Young shoots eaten as a vegetable; fruit eaten | D328 |
55 | Moraceae | Ficus semicordata Buch.-Ham. ex Sm. | Nepal fodder fig | Khaniyo | Khannyo/khinne | F | F | Fruit eaten | D211 |
56 | Moraceae | Ficus subincisa Buch.-Ham. ex Sm. | Â | Berlo | Belto/beldo | F | F | Ripe fruit eaten | D48 |
57 | Moraceae | Morus serrata Roxb. | Mulberry | Kimbu | Kimu | F, O | F, L | Fruit eaten, very popular among children; leaves used as fodder, preferred by goats | D333 |
58 | Musaceae | Musa balbisiana Colla | Banana | Bankera | Bankela | F, R | F | Ripe fruit eaten and offered to gods during rituals | D127 |
59 | Myricaceae | Myrica esculenta Buch.-Ham.ex D. Don | Box byrtle | Kafal | Kafal | F | F | Fruit tasty and popular | D318 |
60 | Myrtaceae | Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels | Black plum, Java plum, Indian black berry | Jamun | Jamno | F | F | Fruit eaten | D246 |
61 | Myrtaceae | Syzygium spp. | Â | Â | Phalda | F | F | Fruit eaten | D329 |
62 | Nephrolepidaceae | Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) C. Presl | Sword fern | Pani amala | Rasmada | M | T | Tubers eaten to treat worms | D72 |
63 | Oxalidaceae | Oxalis corniculata L. | Indian sorrel, creeping sorrel | Chari amilo | Chalmado | S | L | Leaves used in preparing pickle | D99 |
64 | Paeoniaceae | Paeonia emodi Royle | Â | Â | Hetto | V | L, Sh | Young shoots and leaves eaten as a green vegetable, fresh or sundried, rehydrated, and cooked (in winter) | D32 |
65 | Phytolaccaceae | Phytolacca acinosa Roxb. | Â | Jarko | Jarak/jarka | V, M | L, R | Young leaves and shoots eaten as a green vegetable; root used to treat sickness after eating buckwheat leaves | D4001 |
66 | Pinaceae | Pinus roxburghii Sarg. | Chir pine, Himalayan long-leaved pine | Salla | Sallo khote | M | La | Resin used to clear blood clots | D70 |
67 | Poaceae | Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Neer & Arn. ex Munro | Tufted bamboo | Bans | Bans | V | Sh | Young shoots (tama) eaten as a vegetable | D174 |
68 | Poaceae | Drepanostachyum falcatum (Munro) Keng f. | Himalayan Bamboo | Nigaalo | Nigaalo | V, O | S, Sh | Stem used to make mats;young shoots eaten as a vegetable | D290 |
69 | Polygonaceae | Fagopyrum esculentum Moench | Buckwheat | Phapar | Phanpar | V | L, Sh | Young shoots and leaves eaten as a vegetable | D443 |
70 | Polygonaceae | Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn. | Buckwheat | Phapar | Phanpar | V | L | Young shoots and leaves eaten as a vegetable | D205 |
71 | Polygonaceae | Polygonum spp. | Â | Â | Halaudo | S | L | Young leaves used to make pickle | D8 |
72 | Polygonaceae | Polygonum verticillatum Birolli ex Colla | Â | Nigali sag | Khinaudo | V | L | Young leaves eaten as a vegetable | D112 |
73 | Ranunculaceae | Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. ex Royle | Aconite | Atis | Atis | M | W, R | Whole plant and roots used to treat high fever and abdominal pain | D260 |
74 | Rosaceae | Fragaria nubicola (Lindl.ex. Hook.f) Lacaita | Â | Â | Gande kafal | F, R, M | F, W | Fruit eaten; whole plant used in death rituals; whole plant used to treat stomach disorders | D68 |
75 | Rosaceae | Pyracantha crenulata (Roxb. ex D. Don) M. Roem. | Fire horn | Ghangyaru/kaatha gedi | Ghangyar | F | F | Ripe fruit eaten in large quantities | D108 |
76 | Rosaceae | Pyrus pashia Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don. | Â | Mayal | Mel | F | F | Fruit eaten | D239 |
77 | Rosaceae | Rubus ellipticus Sm. | Golden evergreen raspberry | Ainselu | Anselu | F | F | Fruit very popular | D348 |
78 | Rosaceae | Rubus foliolosus D. Don | Rasberry | Ainselu | Kalo anselu | F, R | F, L, W | Fruit eaten; leaves or whole plant used in death ceremonies | D501 |
79 | Rosaceae | Rubus niveus Thunb. | Â | Ainselu | Katrya anselu | F | F | Fruit eaten | D98 |
80 | Rubiaceae | Rubia manjith Roxb. ex Fleming | Indian madder | Majitho | Majitho | M | S, L | Stem and leaves used to treat cuts and wounds | D103 |
81 | Rutaceae | Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa | Bael fruit | Bel | Bel | F, R | F, L | Fruit pulp eaten; leaves used for religious purposes,especially offering to gods during rituals | D187 |
82 | Rutaceae | Zanthoxylum armatum DC. | Nepal pepper, prickly ash | Timur | Timur | S, M | F | Fruit dried and used as a spice in pickles and curries; dried fruit used in various allopathic medicines like indigestion and nausea | D234 |
83 | Sapindaceae | Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn. | Soap nut | Reetha | Reetha (not edible) | O | F | Fruit pulp used to wash hair | D431 |
84 | Sapotaceae | Diploknema butyracea (Roxb.) H.J.Lam | Nepal butter fruit Phulwara | Chiuri | Chyuro | O, F | Fl, F, Se | Nectar from flowers and ripened fruit (bhina) eaten; seeds used to make a butter for cooking vegetables and others | D268 |
85 | Saurauiaceae | Saurauia napaulensis DC. | Â | Gogan | Gogan | F | F | Fruit eaten | D15 |
86 | Saxifragaceae | Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb. | Rock foil | Pakhanbed | Pakhanbed/simpari phool | M | R | Rhizome used to make medicine totreat kidney stones | D134 |
87 | Schisandraceae | Schisandra grandiflora (Wall.) Hook.f. & Thomson | Magnolia Vine | Â | Haliyude | F | F | Ripe fruit eaten | D245 |
88 | Smilacaceae | Smilax aspera L. | Green briers | Kukurdaino | Kukuldaino | F, V | Sh, F | Fruit eaten; young shoots eaten as a vegetable | D218 |
89 | Smilacaceae | Smilax ovalifolia Roxb. ex D. Don | Green briers | Kukurdaino | Kukuldaino | F, V | Sh, F | Fruit eaten; young shoots eaten as a vegetable | D68 |
90 | Solanaceae | Solanum nigrum L. | Â | Kalokamai | Ninauni | F | F | Fruit eaten | D149 |
91 | Trilliaceae | Paris polyphylla Sm. | Â | Satuwa | Satuwa | V, M | L, R | Tender leaves eaten as a vegetable; root made into paste and applied to snake bite to control the poison | D179 |
92 | Urticaceae | Boehmeria rugulosa Wedd. | Â | Getha | Githi | O | Ba | Bark paste/powder mixed with rice flour to prepare sel roti(a form of rice doughnut); bark paste used as soda and to wash clothes | D22 |
93 | Urticaceae | Debregeasia salicifolia (D. Don) Rendle | Â | Tusaare | Tusaaro | F | F | Fruit eaten | D55 |
94 | Urticaceae | Girardinia diversifolia (Link) Friis | Himalayan Nettle | Allo Sisnu | Allo | V, O | L, Sh, S, | Young leaves and shoots eaten; fibreextracted from stems used to make clothes and bags | D17 |
95 | Urticaceae | Gonostegia hirta (Blume ex Hassk.) Miq. | Â | Â | Attinno | O | R | Ground root used to prepare chapatti; groundroot used for washing hair | D458 |
96 | Urticaceae | Urtica dioica L. | Stinging nettle | Sisnu | Sisnu | V | L, Sh | Young leaves and shoots used as a vegetable | D16 |
97 | Verbenaceae | Callicarpa arborea Roxb. | Beauty berry | Guyalo | Gwailo | F | F | Tasty fruit | D67 |
98 | Violaceae | Viola L. | Â | Â | Juke jhaar | M | L, R | Leaves and roots used to treat worms in children | D481 |
99 | Vitaceae | Tetrastigma spp. | Â | Â | Pudaayen | F | F | Fruit eaten | D344 |