Abstract
The use of wild tree species as a traditional food is an age-old practice of various ethnic communities of Manipur, Northeast India. In this study, we explored the importance of wild tree vegetables in contributing to dietary practices and supporting the economic livelihoods of three ethnic communities (Meitei, Tangkhul, and Kuki) in Manipur. We identified 32 wild tree species from 16 families that are used as traditional vegetables. We assessed their mode of use, market value, relative frequency of citation (RFC), direct matrix ranking, medicinal fidelity level (FL), and other use categories. Zanthoxylum armatum showed the highest RFC value (0.97), followed by Wendlandia glabrata (0.96). Direct matrix ranking revealed Dysoxylum excelsum as the species with the highest number of use categories. Species such as Cycas pectinata, Senegalia pennata, and Dysoxylum excelsum were greatly valued in the market. We found that Clerodendrum colebrookianum, Zanthoxylum armatum, and Oroxylum indicum were highly preferred medicinal tree vegetable species, all with an FL score of 100%. By examining species with high culinary, ethnomedicinal, and economic values to local communities, we propose domestication, commercial cultivation, and conservation as future strategies to enhance dietary practices and biocultural sustainability.
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Acknowledgements
We are grateful to the Director, CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat, Assam, India for providing research facilities. NY and EH respectively acknowledge UGC and CSIR for providing financial assistance in the form of SRF. We thank the Scientist-in-Charge of BSI, Regional Centre Shillong (Assam) for identification of the plant specimens. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants of this study for sharing their knowledge. We express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Karsten Fatur for enhancing the readability of the final manuscript.
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NY and HBS conceptualized the study and designed the method; NY and EH conducted the research; NY, EH, and KN wrote the manuscript.
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Supplementary Information
ESM 1
Appendix 1: List of wild tree vegetable species used as traditional vegetables by ethnic groups of Manipur, North East India (DOCX 19 kb)
ESM 2
Appendix 2: Direct matrix ranking of wild tree vegetable species (DOCX 15 kb)
ESM 3
Appendix 3: Other uses of wild tree vegetable species in Manipur, North East India (DOCX 14 kb)
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Yaipharembi, N., Huidrom, E., Nongalleima, K. et al. An Ethnobotanical Study on the Dietary Use of Wild Trees as Traditional Vegetables by Three Ethnic Communities in Manipur, North East India. Econ Bot 77, 324–339 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12231-023-09582-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12231-023-09582-x