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Pak. J. Bot., 45(SI): 215-222, 2013. |
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Updated: 01-02-13 | ||||
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ETHNO-MEDICINAL ASSESSMENT OF SOME SELECTED WILD EDIBLE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES OF LESSER-HIMALAYAS, PAKISTAN
ARSHAD MEHMOOD ABBASI*, MIR AJAB KHAN AND MUHAMMAD ZAFAR
Abstract: The present investigation is an attempt to assess the ethno-medicinal worth of some selected wild edible fruits and vegetables used by the inhabitants Lesser Himalayas, Pakistan. Informed consent semi-structured interviews from 95 inhabitants of fifteen mountainous vicinities were conducted to collect data. A total of 20 wild edible fruits and vegetables belonging to 18 families and 18 genera were documented. Amaranthus viridis, Berberis lycium and Zanthoxylum armatum were found most significant ethno-medicinal species. Among wild edible fruits Berberis lycium, Carissa opaca, Ficus carica, Ficus palmata and Ziziphus nummularia express extreme citation; while Amaranthus viridis and Solanum nigrum were among the most popular wild edible vegetables. Ficus carica, Ficus palmata, Phyllanthus emblica and Zanthoxylum armatum were used equally as fruit and vegetables. Gathering, processing and consuming wild edible plants are still experienced in all explored areas. The tradition of using wild palatable plants is still alive in the rural populations of Lesser Himalayas, but is vanishing. Consequently, the recording, preserving, and infusing of this traditional knowledge to upcoming generations is pressing and vital.
Department of Plant Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad Pakistan *Corresponding author e-mail: arshad799@yahoo.com |
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