ETHNOBOTANICAL SURVEY ON WILD EDIBLE PLANTS OF KALRAYAN HILLS, SALEM DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU, INDIA

Abstract

The livelihood system of hill tribes traditionally depends on the forest resources. This paper describes the identification and documentation of wild edible plants of Malayali tribes, the native people of Kalrayan hills, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India. Use of 84 plant species from 69 genera belonging to 43 families has been recorded as eatables. Wild edible parts of the plants mainly fall under the categories such as leafy vegetable and stem, fruit and seed, flower and underground parts such as tubers, roots, etc. In the present study, we observed that the Malayali tribes of Kalrayan hills are having rich knowledge on the wild edible plants and their utilization as eatables.

Headnote

ABSTRACT

The livelihood system of hill tribes traditionally depends on the forest resources. This paper describes the identification and documentation of wild edible plants of Malayali tribes, the native people of Kalrayan hills, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India. Use of 84 plant species from 69 genera belonging to 43 families has been recorded as eatables. Wild edible parts of the plants mainly fall under the categories such as leafy vegetable and stem, fruit and seed, flower and underground parts such as tubers, roots, etc. In the present study, we observed that the Malayali tribes of Kalrayan hills are having rich knowledge on the wild edible plants and their utilization as eatables.

Keywords: Ethnobotany, Eastern Ghats, Kalrayan hills, Malayali tribes, Salem, Forest resources, Wild edibles.

INTRODUCTION

India is one of the richest biodiversity countries with two hot spots and possesses 12,600 plant species which contributes to 8% of the world's biodiversity (Kalaiselvan and Gopalan, 2014). Indian subcontinent is praised with most varied and diverse soil and climate conditions suitable for the growth of various plant species (Alagesaboopathi, 2011). In the developing countries, about 60-70% of the population living in the forest areas will collect various plant parts such as root, leaf, fruit and nuts from the forest resources for their daily needs (Jeyaprakash et al., 2011).

The tribal societies are closely related to the forest ecosystem with which they traditionally live in harmony (Kadavul and Dixit, 2009). The hilly terrain and surrounding plains of Southern Eastern Ghats are densely populated and the tribal people of this region are called "Malayalees" (Arul Pragasan and Parthasarathy, 2009). Malayali tribes use the plants for various purposes such as edible purpose, construction, house hold implements, fuel wood, agriculture tools, religious, decorative, ward off evil spirits etc. (Prabakaran et al., 2013; Rekha and Senthil Kumar, 2014a). Wild edible plants are important in the livelihood system of tribal populations and they provide nutritionally valuable supplements in the form of ingredients, vegetables and beverages (Yesodharan and Sujana, 2007). These edible plants must be given consideration and treated with equal importance as like medicinal plants (Rekha and Senthil Kumar, 2014b). The present study focuses on the documentation of wild edible plants of Malayali tribes of Kalrayan hills, Salem district, Tamil Nadu, India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study area

Kalrayan (Kalvarayan) hills are a range of hills situated in the Eastern Ghats of the Southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, lies between 11° 36' and 12 ° 01' N and 78 ° 29' and 78 ° 54' E (Figure 1). It spreads over three districts viz. Salem (Southern and South Western portion), Villupuram (Central and Eastern portion) and a small region in the northern part of Thiruvannamalai district and it stretches over an area of 1158.4 km2 (Sakthivel et al., 2010). The average annual rainfall in the study area ranges from 782.98 to 1787.20 mm. The temperature varies from minimum of 25°C to a maximum of 40°C. The study area is composed of seven soil types and varies from red-loam to black clay (Kadavul and Parthasarathy, 2001).

Divisions of Kalrayans

Geographically, Kalrayan hills are divided into five regions or "Nadus" (Cluster of tribal villages) and totally it includes 79 revenue villages (Sakthivel et al., 2006). Among them, Chinnakalrayan Nadu and Periyakalrayan Nadu belong to Salem district, Tamil Nadu and they comprise 58 and 44 tribal hamlets respectively (Revenue Department Report, 2011). The region Jadaya Goundan Nadu, Kurumba Goundan Nadu and Aariya Goundan Nadu belong to Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu.

Tribal community

The tribal history of Kalrayan hills dates back to the time of Krishna Deverayar, the Emperor of Vijaya Nagara Kingdom. The native people of the Kalrayans were called as Vedar. The warriors belonging to Karalar community had invaded from Kanchipuram and settled in Kalrayan hills. They are mingled with Vedar community by marriage. The mixed population of Karalar and Vedar communities who at present are called Malayali and they called themselves as Goundars (Revenue Department Report, 2011).

Tribal community of Kalrayan hills is basically farmers. They are hardworking and economically backward. Few are in government services and some are farmers. Remaining people are doing works interrelated with agriculture and they are engaged in agriculture as Coolis (Daily wages). They are also involved in collection of honey, bee wax and other minor forest products. Due to lack of established irrigational sources, their agriculture is seasonal type. Except few of them, they cultivate tapioca, millets, gingelly, dry paddy, sorghum, maize, castor, tomato, grams etc.

Data Collection

Ethnobotanical information on wild edible plants such as local name, plant part used and method of utilization were collected from tribal heads, aged persons, farmers in the agricultural fields having familiarity and knowledge on wild edibles and traditional healers through personal interviews, discussions and field observations by the regular field visits, during 2009 to 2014 at various hamlets of Kalrayan hills following standard methods (Jain, 1987). The information was verified with the literature available and the plants were identified with standard flora (Gamble and Fisher, 1935; Mathew, 1983).

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

In the present study, we recorded the utilization of 84 plant species from 69 genera belonging to 43 families and they are consumed as eatables and as food adjuvant by indigenous people of the study area. Out of 84 plant species 39 (46.4%) are trees, 11 (13.1%) are climbers, 10 (11.9 %) are shrubs and 24 (28.6%) are herbs (Figure 2). Among them, fruits of 56 species are edible. Likewise, other plant parts such as leaves (26 species) and shoots (four species) are used as leafy vegetables (greens), underground parts (six species) and flowers (two species) are utilized for the preparation of food items or used as food adjuvant.

The recorded plants were systematically arranged under each category along with the information such as their botanical name, vernacular name, family, part of the plant used and mode of utilization. It was observed that the Malayali tribes of the study area fulfill their food requirements with wild edible plants in their daily diet. Tribal people are familiar with plants of their surrounding area and knew that what to eat and how to separate harmful substances from the edible part of plants. For edible purposes they utilize the plants as greens and vegetables, fruits, pickles and food adjuvant etc. Tribals living in remote areas depend on wild edible plants since there is no market in their vicinity for buying the vegetables and fruits in order to meet their dietary requirements. Most of the eatables are purely from forest origin and few of them are derived from cultivation.

Fruits

56 species belonging to 45 genera under 31 families are used as wild edible plants (Table 1). Most of the ripened fruits are eaten fresh without any processes. The tender fruits of Artocarpus altilis, Cassia tora and Coccinia indica are used as vegetables after cooking process and the tender fruits of Tamarindus indica is eaten as such by the children. Mature fruits of Artocarpus heterophylus are edible as fresh, whereas its seeds are edible either fried are boiled. Mesocarp of Thevetia neriifolia is edible, whereas its seeds are poisonous. The fruits of Phyllanthus emblica and Phyllanthus acidus are used for reducing thirst and also for the preparation of pickles. Matured but not ripened fruits of Borassus flabellifer made in to small pieces and boiled. This edible preparation is vernacularly called as Sevaa. The fully ripened fruit is also edible after burning process by keeping the fruit directly on fire for some time, till a pleasant aroma emerges from the fruit. Dry fruits of Bambusa arundinacea are called as Moongil Nel (Paddy) and it is used as an alternate source for the rice in dry seasons.

Leaves

Leaves of 26 species belonging to 23 genera under 17 families are used as greens and vegetables which include Marsilea quadrifolia a Pteridophyte (Table 2). Leaves of Delonix elata are used for preparing chutneys which has medicinal properties too.

Stems

Tender shoots of four species belonging to four genera under four families are used as vegetables or for the preparation of food items (Table 3). Tender shoots of Asclepias curassavica, Polygonum glabrum and Cleome monophylla are used as vegetables. The tender stem of Cissus quadrangularis along with salt, chillies, tamarind and other ingredients is used for the preparation of chutney which is having digestive property and used in making pickles as well. In this preparation all the ingredients are ground in to paste and require no cooking.

Underground parts

Underground parts of plants such as tubers and roots of six species belonging to five genera under five families are considered as eatables (Table 4). Underground part of Colacasia esculenta, tubers of Dioscorea alata and Dioscorea oppositifolia are used for food preparations along with ingredients. Pickles are prepared from the tubers of Decalepis hamiltonii. Roots of Crataeva religiosa are used as adjuvant in order to provide aroma and taste to the food preparation.

Flowers

Flowers of Sesbania grandiflora are consumed as leafy vegetables along with its leaves. Flowers of Tamarindus indica are used for making chutneys along with other ingredients. It is consumed as fresh preparation and requires no cooking (Table 5).

In addition to the above plants, the plants under cultivation such as Eleusine coracana, Helianthus annus, Manihot utilissima, Oryza sativa, Panicum miliaceum, Panicum milliare, Saccharum officinarum, Setaria italica, Sorghum vulgare, Zea mays etc., are some of the common sources of food for their day-to-day life.

CONCLUSION

The present study reveals the utilization pattern of wild edible plants by Malayali tribes of Kalrayan hills, Salem district, Tamil Nadu, India. They are knowledgeable in utilizing plants in the form of fresh fruits and seeds. They also have good acquaintance on various parts of the plant to be stored and conserved for future uses. Few plant species are used as substitutes for staple food and are used as minor items in normal daily diet. Apart from these some plant parts are important as major food at the time of food scarcity. As the present younger generations are having least interest and availability of fewer documents on valuable traditional knowledge of elder people, it is to be documented for the future generations and there is much scope for modern agronomic researches in order to improve the conservation of wild edibles.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

One of the authors (MK) is thankful to The Chancellor, Vinayaka Missions University, Salem for providing facilities and tribal people of the study area who generously shared their knowledge on plants. The authors also grateful to Dr. R. Prabakaran, Vivekanandha College of Arts and Sciences (W), Tiruchengode for his help in identification of the plant species. A special word of gratitude for tribal informant Mr. A. Murugesan who helped the author a lot during the course of the study.

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Cite this article:

M Kannan, T Senthil Kumar, M V Rao (2015), ETHNOBOTANICAL SURVEY ON WILD EDIBLE PLANTS OF KALRAYAN HILLS, SALEM DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU, INDIA, Global J Res. Med. Plants & Indigen. Med., Volume 4(12): 236-246

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