Table 2.
Names, life forms, local uses, collection period and additional local uses of wild edible plants in five districts of central and western Nepal
| Latin name, Botanical family and Growth habit | Vernacular name(s)‡ | Local use(s) (edible only) | Collection period | Additional local use(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Acacia rugata (Lam.) Voigt Leguminosae, Climber |
Sikakai (Np.); Aila (Mag.); Lashiur (Thr.) |
Young shoots used to make pickle or cooked as vegetable. |
June-August |
Fruits used as detergent. |
|
Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa* Rutaceae, Tree |
Bel (Np.); Ber (Thr.) |
Pulp of ripe fruits eaten fresh and also taken as syrup. |
March-June |
Plant of ritual importance. Fruit juice used as fish poisoning. Unripe fruits taken to treat diarrhoea. |
|
Antidesma acidum Retz. Euphorbiaceae, Tree |
Dakhi (Thr.) |
Fruits edible. Young leaves used to make pickle. |
September-May |
Leaves used as fodder. |
|
Ardisia macrocarpa Wall. Myrsinaceae, Tree |
Paniphal (Np.); Damarai (Thr.) |
Ripe fruits edible. |
August-September |
- |
|
Arisaema tortuosum (Wall) Schott Araceae, Herb |
Baanko (Np.) |
Aerial parts used as vegetable. |
April-July |
- |
|
Artocarpus lakoocha Roxb. Moraceae, Tree |
Badahar (Np.) |
Ripe fruits eaten fresh. Young shoots cooked as vegetable. |
June-August |
Leaf juice used to make fermenting material locally called "Marcha". Leaves used as fodder. |
|
Asparagus racemosus Willd* Liliaceae, Herb |
Kurilo, Jhirjhire kanda (Np.); Kurla (Thr.) |
Tender shoots eaten as vegetable or used to make pickle. |
June–July |
- |
|
Bambusa arundinacea Willd* Poaceae, Herb |
Bans (Np.) |
Young shoots eaten as vegetable. |
June-August |
Leaf juice used to treat jaundice. Root juice used in otitis “Kan pakne”. |
|
Bambusa nepalensis Stapleton* Poaceae, Herb |
Choya bans (Np.) |
Young shoots eaten as vegetable. |
June-August |
- |
|
Bauhinia purpurea L Leguminosae, Tree |
Tanki (Np., Bk.) |
Flowers and young shoots eaten as vegetable. |
March-May |
Leaves used as fodder. |
|
Bauhinia vahlii Wight & Arn. Leguminosae, Climber |
Bhorla (Np.); Malu, Namarain, Moharain (Thr.) |
Pods eaten as vegetable. Fruits edible. |
August-February |
Stem bark used to make ropes. Leaves used to make umbrella “Ghoom” and traditional plates “Duna” and “Tapari” for ritual functions. Bark juice used as fermenting material and to cure blood dysentery. |
|
Bauhinia variegata L.* Leguminosae, Tree |
Koiralo (Np.); Koilar (Thr.) |
Young shoots and leaves eaten as vegetable. Flowers eaten as vegetable or used to make pickle. |
March-May |
- |
|
Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn.* Cucurbitaceae, Climber |
Kubhindo (Np., Bk.) |
Fruits used to make pickle or vegetable. |
August-November |
- |
|
Bombax ceiba L. Bombacaceae, Tree |
Simal (Np.); Samura, Semara (Thr.) |
Young flowers eaten as vegetable. |
December-March |
Seeds used to make yeast and to treat abdomen pain. Young flowers used as fodder. |
|
Buchanania latifolia Roxb. M.R. Almeida* Anacardiaceae, Tree |
Piyar, Piyari (Thr.) |
Young shoots eaten raw. Fruits edible. |
May-June |
Leaves used as fodder. |
|
Caesalpinia decapetala (Roth) Alston Leguminosae, Shrub |
Karauji, Kanja (Thr.) |
Fruits edible. |
April-September |
- |
|
Capparis spinosa L. Capparaceae, Shrub |
Baganchuwa (Thr) |
Young shoots used to make pickle or vegetable. |
October-November |
- |
|
Carissa carandas L. Apocynaceae, Shrub |
Chutro (Np.); Karaudi (Thr.) |
Fruits edible. |
June-July |
Root juice used in abortion. |
|
Castanopsis indica (Roxb. ex Lindl.) A.DC.* Fagaceae, Tree |
Katus (Np.); Katwas, Jheru (Mag.) |
Fruits edible. Young shoots eaten as vegetable. |
September–November |
Leaves used as fodder. |
|
Cinnamomum tamala (Buch.-Ham.) T. Nees & Eberm.* Lauraceae, Tree |
Tejpat (Np.) |
Leaves and bark used as spices. |
October-December |
Leaves used as fodder. |
|
Cissus javana DC. Vitaceae, Climber |
Jogi lahara (Np.) |
Leaves used to make pickle. |
September-November |
- |
|
Cleome viscosa L. Cleomaceae, Herb |
Ban tori (Np.) |
Seeds used as spice. |
September-November |
- |
|
Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt Cucurbitaceae, Climber |
Gol kakri, Ban kakri (Np.) |
Fruits edible. |
July-December |
- |
|
Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott* Araceae, Herb |
Karkalo (Np., Bk), Gabda (Thr.) |
Tuber and leaves eaten as vegetable. |
Whole year |
- |
|
Crateva unilocularis Buch.-Ham* Capparaceae, Tree |
Sipligan (Np.) |
Young shoots eaten as vegetable. |
January-March |
- |
|
Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Nees & Arn. ex Munro* Poaceae, Herb |
Tamabans (Np.) |
Tender shoots eaten as vegetables. |
September-October |
Shoots used to make flute “Basuri”. |
|
Dillenia pentagyna Roxb. Dilleniaceae, Tree |
Agaie (Thr.) |
Young shoots and flowers eaten as vegetable. |
March-April |
- |
|
Dioscorea bulbifera L.* Dioscoreaceae, Climber |
Githa (Np.) |
Fruits eaten as vegetable. |
November-December |
- |
|
Dioscorea deltoidea Wall. ex Griseb.* Dioscoreaceae, Climber |
Bhyakur (Np.) |
Tuberous roots eaten as vegetable. |
November-February |
- |
|
Diospyros malabarica (Desr.) Kostel Ebenaceae, Tree |
Tendu, Tendak (Thr.) |
Fruits edible. |
April-May |
Leaves used to make cigarettes “Bidi”. |
|
Diplazium esculentum (Retz.) Sw.* Woodsiaceae, Herb |
Neuro (Np.); Kochiya (Thr.) |
Young shoots eaten as vegetable. |
April-June |
- |
|
Diploknema butyracea (Roxb.) H.J. Lam* Sapotaceae, Tree |
Chiuri (Np.) |
Ripe fruits edible. |
April-July |
- |
|
Ensete glaucum (Roxb.) Cheesman Musaceae, Herb |
Ban kera (Np.) |
Fruits edible. |
September-December |
- |
|
Ficus auriculata Lour. Moraceae, Tree |
Nebaro (Np.) |
Ripe figs edible. |
June–July |
Leaves and twigs used as fodder. |
|
Ficus benghalensis L. Moraceae, Tree |
Bar (Np.); Bargad (Thr.) |
Ripe figs edible. |
April-June |
Milky latex used in scabies. Plant used as fodder, fuel-wood, and in religious functions. |
|
Ficus hispida L.f. Moraceae, Tree |
Thote, Khasreto (Np.) |
Fruits edible or used to make pickle. |
June-September |
Leaves and twigs used as fodder. |
|
Ficus lacor Buch.-Ham. Moraceae, Tree |
Kabro (Np.); Pakadi (Thr.) |
Young shoots eaten as vegetable. |
March-May |
- |
|
Ficus racemosa L. Moraceae, Tree |
Dumri (Np.); Daurai, Gullar (Thr.) |
Ripe figs edible. |
July-September |
Leaves and twigs used as fodder. |
|
Ficus sarmentosa Buch.-Ham. ex Sm. Moraceae, Tree |
Bedulo (Np.) |
Ripe figs edible. |
July-September |
- |
|
Ficus semicordata Buch.-Ham. ex Sm. Moraceae, Tree |
Khanneu, Khaniyo (Np.) |
Ripe figs edible. |
June–July |
Leaves and twigs used as fodder. |
|
Grewia optiva J.R. Drumm. ex Burret Tiliaceae, Tree |
Phorsa, Phorshat (Thr.) |
Fruits edible. |
September-December |
- |
|
Hydnum repandum L. Hydnaceae, Fungi |
Chyau (Np., Bk) |
Whole plant eaten as vegetable or used to make pickle. |
March-July |
- |
|
Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Merr. Anacardiaceae, Tree |
Dabdabe (Np.); Jangra (Thr.), |
Fruits edible. |
July-October |
Leaf juice used in cuts. |
|
Madhuca longifolia (J. König ex L.) J.F. Macbr. Sapotaceae, Tree |
Mahuwa (Thr.) |
Succulent flowers eaten fresh. Fruits edible. |
March-July |
Seed cake used as fish poisoning. Flower used to make local liquor. Leaves used as plates. |
|
Mangifera indica L.* Anacardiaceae, Tree |
Aamp (Np.); Sathak (Mag.) |
Fruits eaten raw or used to make pickle. |
June-July |
Bark juice used in pneumonia and stomach disorders. |
|
Manihot esculenta Crantz* Euphorbiaceae, Shrub |
Simal tarul (Np., Bk) |
Tuberous roots eaten as vegetable. |
December–February |
- |
|
Melastoma malabathricum L. Melastomataceae, Shrub |
Angeri (Np.) |
Ripe fruits eaten fresh. |
July-December |
- |
|
Momordica dioica Roxb. ex Willd. Cucurbitaceae, Climber |
Ban karela (Np.) |
Fruits eaten as vegetable. |
August-November |
- |
|
Moringa oleifera Lam. Moringaceae, Tree |
Sital chini, Saijan (Np.) |
Pods used as vegetable. |
April-June |
- |
|
Morus nigra L.* Moraceae, Tree |
Kimbu (Np.) |
Fruits edible. |
May-July |
- |
|
Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng.* Rutaceae, Shrub |
Karipatta, Boke (Np.); Binbinveria (Thr.) |
Leaves used as spices. Ripe fruits eaten fresh. |
June-August |
- |
|
Myrica esculenta Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don* Myricaceae, Tree |
Kafal (Np.) |
Ripe fruits edible. |
March–June |
- |
|
Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) C. Presl Davalliaceae, Herb |
Pani amala (Np.) |
Tuberous roots eaten as fruit. |
August-September |
- |
|
Ocimum gratissimum L. Lamiaceae, Herb |
Ban tulsi (Bk.) |
Seeds edible. |
October-December |
- |
|
Ophioglossum reticulatum L.* Ophioglossaceae, Herb |
Jibre saag (Np.); Ek patiya (Thr.) |
Young leaves used as vegetable. |
March–April |
- |
|
Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton Lamiaceae, Herb |
Silam (Np., Bk) |
Roasted seeds used to make pickle. |
October-December |
- |
|
Phoenix humilis Royle & Hook.f. Palmae, Herb |
Thakal (Np.); Khajuri (Thr.) |
Ripe fruits edible. Tuberous roots eaten as vegetable. |
February-May |
Leaves used as thatching material and as brooms. Fruits used in local liquor preparation. |
|
Phyllanthus emblica L.* Euphorbiaceae, Tree |
Amala (Np.); Amar, Aura, Amalosa (Thr.) |
Fruits eaten fresh or used to make pickle. |
October-December |
Fruit paste used as fish poisoning. Fruits used in cough and cold. |
|
Piper longum L. Piperaceae, Herb |
Pipla (Np.) |
Fruits edible. |
November-December |
Fruit powder used to treat cough and cold. |
|
Remusatia vivipara (Roxb.) Schott Araceae, Herb |
Jaluko (Np., Thr.) |
Tender shoots eaten as vegetable. |
May-September |
- |
|
Rhus javanica Miller Anacardiaceae, Tree |
Bhakmilo (Thr.) |
Fruits edible. |
November-March |
- |
|
Rhus wallichii Hook.f Anacardaceae, Tree |
Kag bhalayo (Np.) |
Fruit pulp eaten. |
December-April |
- |
|
Ricinus communis L. Euphorbiaceae, Herb |
Ander (Np.); Aril, Raine (Thr.); Renu (Mag.) |
Fruits used to make pickle. |
May-October |
Stem used in ear problems. |
|
Rubus ellipticus Sm.* Rosaceae, Shrub |
Aiselu (Np.) |
Ripe fruits eaten fresh. |
May–July |
Root juice used to treat typhoid and measles. |
|
Schleichera oleosa (Lour.) Merr. Sapindaceae, Tree |
Kusum (Np.); Kosam (Thr.) |
Pulp of ripe fruits edible. |
June-August |
Twigs used as fodder. Leaves used as fertilizer. |
|
Semecarpus anacardium L.f. Anacardiaceae, Tree |
Bhalayo (Np.); Bhella, Bheli (Thr.) |
Fruits edible. |
November-March |
Seeds used to cure cut and wounds. |
|
Smilax aspera L. Smilacaceae, Climber |
Kukurdaino (Np.) |
Young shoots used as vegetable. Flowers used to make pickle. |
September-October |
- |
|
Smilax ovalifolia Roxb. ex D. Don Smilacaceae, Climber |
Kukurdaino (Np.) |
Young shoots used as vegetable. |
September-October |
- |
|
Spondias pinnata (L. f.) Kurz Anacardiaceae, Tree |
Amora (Np.); Amar (Thr.) |
Fruits edible and also used to make pickle. |
November-March |
- |
|
Sterculia villosa Roxb. Malvaceae, Tree |
Odal (Np.) |
Fruits edible. |
June-August |
Bark fibre used to make ropes. Root power used as soda powder. |
|
Symplocos pyrifolia Wall. ex G. Don Symplocaceae, Tree |
Kale kath (Np., Bk.) |
Fruits edible. |
July-August |
- |
|
Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels* Myrtaceae, Tree |
Jamun (Np.); Jamuni (Thr.) |
Ripe fruits eaten fresh. |
May-August |
Bark juice used in abdominal pain, diarrhoea and as fish poison. |
|
Tamilnadia uliginosa (Retz.) Tirveng. & Sastre Rubiaceae, Tree |
Perra (Thr.) |
Fruits used as vegetable. |
May-September |
- |
|
Tectaria coadunata (Wall. ex Hook. & Grev.) C. Chr.* Dryopteridaceae, Herb |
Kalo neuro (Np.); Dhakurok (Mag.) |
Young leafy parts used as vegetable. |
May-June |
Root juice used in blood dysentery and “Gano”. |
|
Tectaria zeylanica (Houtt.) Sledge Ophioglossaceae, Herb |
Mayur kutea (Np.); Dhagrajawa (Thr.) |
Leaves eaten as vegetable. |
March-April |
- |
|
Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb.* Combretaceae, Tree |
Barro (Np.); Bahare (Thr.) |
Seed pulp edible. |
November-January |
Fruits used to prepare local wine. Fruit powder used in cough. Leaves used as plates. |
|
Termitomyces eurhizus (Berk.) Heim.* Tricholomataceae, Fungi |
Chyau (Np., Bk) |
Plant eaten as vegetable. |
June-September |
- |
|
Tetrastigma serrulatum (Roxb.) Planch Vitaceae, Climber |
Pureni, Charchare jhar (Np.) |
Ripe fruits eaten fresh. |
November-February |
Root juice used to treat wounds. Plant juice used in eye troubles. Leaves used as fodder. |
|
Urtica dioica L. Urticaceae, Herb |
Sisnu (Np.) |
Young shoots taken as vegetable. |
Whole year |
- |
|
Zizyphus mauritiana Lam.* Rhamnaceae, Shrub |
Bayer (Np.) |
Fruits eaten raw or used to make pickle. |
October-March |
Bark juice and stem nodule used in dysentery. Roots used to make fermenting material. Fruit paste used as fish poisoning. |
|
Zizyphus rugosa Lam.* Rhamnaceae, Tree |
Rukh bayer (Np.) | Fruits edible. | December-February | Stem juice used to treat swelling legs. Fruit paste used as fish poisoning. |
*Species with commercial value.
‡Np. Nepali name; Thr. Tharu name; Bk. Bankariya name