Ethnoecological Survey of Underutilized Plant Diversity of Hamirpur District, Himachal Pradesh, India: An Edibility Assessment

Abstract

The present study was conducted to explore diversity and status of underutilized wild edible plants of Hamirpur district, Himachal Pradesh, India. Total 85 plant species of 66 genera belonging to 39 families under various life forms and origins were recorded; in which, 30 species as trees (25 native and 5 exotic), 11 shrubs (6 native and 5 exotic), 28 herbs (10 native and 18 exotic) and remaining 16 were creepers (12 native and 4 exotic). Edibility index (EI) showed 100% score of edibility by two species, while 80% was shown by 11 species, 40% by 3 species and remaining 69 species showed 10 to 30% only. Across family, maximum utilization efficiency (10 score) was found only in 2 families (Apiaceae and Violaceae), while 5 families (Chenopodiaceae, Commelinaceae, Liliaceae, Oxalidaceae and Portulaceae) have shown 8 and one family (Amaranthaceae) exhibited 5.8 score followed by 31 other families. In this study, it was observed that consumption mode of various plant parts were either fresh or cooked. In conclusion, present study may help in alleviating food scarcity, malnutrition and can be employed further as commercial crop plants for the welfare of human in developing countries.