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VOL. 10, ISSUE 11 (2025)
Ethnobotanical Documentation of wild edible plants and their uses in Tapi District, Gujarat
Authors
Snehal Gamit, Rasik Sojitra, Kamlesh Gadhvi, Suhas Vyas, Sandip Gamit
Abstract
Wild edible plants (WEPs) are vital to the
subsistence, nutrition, and healthcare of herbal communities, yet their
documentation remains limited in India. This study records the mode of
consumption pattern, with their habit, edible part, habit, folk names, seasonal
availability, and associated medicinal uses of WEPs among the tribal
communities of Tapi District, Gujarat, during 2023-2025. Data were collected
across seven talukas – Songadh, Vyara, Dolvan, Uchchhal, Nizar, Valod and
Kukurmunda – using semi-structured questionnaires, expert interviews, and group
discussions. Thirty traditional healers from the Gamit, Vasava, Kokni, and
Chaudhari communities are interviewed to gather information. A total of 88 wild
edible plant species belonging to 76 genera and 39 families are recorded.
Fabaceae is the most dominant family, followed by Apocynaceae and Malvaceae.
Trees are the most common growth form, followed by climbers and herbs. Leaves
and tender leaves (29 species) and fruits (28 species) are the most frequently
consumed parts, with tubers and roots as crucial seasonal staples. Plants are
classified into six food categories, with vegetables predominating, followed by
raw edible parts and fruits. Ethnolinguistic diversity is evident, as the same species
often had multiple folk names across communities. In addition to their dietary
value, these plants are used to treat 53 ailments, notably fever, sores,
sugar-related disorders, and diarrhea. Traditional knowledge is concentrated
among elderly male farmers, indicating a risk of erosion. This study fills a
major gap in Gujarat’s ethnobotanical literature and provides a baseline for
conservation, nutritional studies, and intergenerational transfer of indigenous
knowledge.
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Pages:37-47
How to cite this article:
Snehal Gamit, Rasik Sojitra, Kamlesh Gadhvi, Suhas Vyas, Sandip Gamit "Ethnobotanical Documentation of wild edible plants and their uses in Tapi District, Gujarat". International Journal of Botany Studies, Vol 10, Issue 11, 2025, Pages 37-47
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