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Wild edible plants used by the Kattunaikka, Paniya and Kuruma tribes of
Wayanad District, Kerala, India

Article in Journal of Medicinal Plants Research · August 2011

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Journal of Medicinal Plants Research Vol. 5(15), pp. 3520-3529, 4 August, 2011
Available online at http://www.academicjournals.org/JMPR
ISSN 1996-0875 ©2011 Academic Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Wild edible plants used by the Kattunaikka, Paniya and

Kuruma tribes of Wayanad District, Kerala, India
M. K. Ratheesh Narayanan1, N. Anilkumar1, V. Balakrishnan1, M. Sivadasan2*,
H. Ahmed Alfarhan2 and A. A. Alatar2
1
Community Agrobiodiversity Centre, M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Puthoorvayal P. O., Kalpetta,
Wayanad - 673 121, Kerala, India.
2
Department of Botany and Microbiology, King Saud University, College of Science, P. B. No 2455, Riyadh - 11451,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Accepted 5 April, 2011

Wayanad district is with a hilly terrain on the southern Western Ghats and located in the northeast part
of Kerala state. The ethnic diversity of the district is very impressive as evidenced by ten different tribal
groups. Ethnobotanical studies in the district resulted in the documentation of information on 165
edible plants used by Kattunaikka, Paniya and Kuruma tribes. The Paniya community possesses
knowledge regarding 136 taxa of wild edible plants, with Kattunaikkas coming next with knowledge of 97
taxa. Amongst these tribal communities, the Kurumas are at the bottom of the knowledge-ladder with
knowledge of 42 taxa of wild edible plants.

Key words: Ethnobotany, India, Kattunaikka, Kerala, Kuruma, Paniya, Wayanad, wild edible plants.

INTRODUCTION

There are at least 3000 edible plant species known to for market are mostly dependent on it as their major
mankind, but just about 30 crops alone contribute to more source of income (Muralidharan et al., 1997).
than 90% of the world’s calorie intake and only 120 crops Many tribal and rural families of Wayanad district in
are economically important at the national scale (FAO, Kerala still conserve knowledge on a wide range of
1993). This shows that several hundreds of species species for their food needs (Hema et al., 2006;
remain discarded or unnoticed at the hands of various Anilkumar et al., 2008; Narayanan et al., 2011), medicine
human societies. Among the edible plant diversity, many (Mathew and Unnithan, 1992; Nisha and Sivadasan,
are nutritionally or otherwise important. For example, 2007; Mini and Sivadasan, 2007; Narayanan et al., 2011;
Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), a staple grain of Incas is Shanavaskhan et al., 2011), uses related to religious and
little known to the modern world, yet it is one of world’s supernatural beliefs (Pramod and Sivadasan, 2003), and
most productive sources of protein (Reid and Miller, various other uses (Narayanan et al., 2011). For certain
1989). Similarly a number of such little known crops and communities among them, the consumption of wild-food
edible species found in the wild are not getting plant seems to be one of the important local survival
recognition, though they play a crucial role in the food strategies and many of these species are not just
security of tribal and rural families. For instance, various consumed during periods of drought, food scarcity and
wild species of Dioscorea, Colocasia, and Amaranthus, other hardships but also forms part of their regular dietary
which are the source of vitamins and nutrients, intake (Narayanan and Anilkumar, 2007). The present
supplement the food needs of a multitude of families who study has been undertaken with the aim of recording the
live near to forests (Roy et al., 1998). Wild food also details of various edible plants used by the tribals of
contributes to the household income security of millions Wayanad district of Kerala.
of forest dependent communities. In India those who
collect species such as gooseberry, garcenia, and honey
STUDY AREA

Wayanad district (Figure 1) is with a hilly terrain on the

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] southern Western Ghats and located in the northeast part
 Narayanan et al. 3521

Figure 1. Map of study area – Wayanad district in Kerala, India.

of Kerala state in India. The area lies between North et al., 2010b).
latitudes 11°26´ to 12° 00´ and East longitudes 75° 75’ to
76° 56´. The altitude varies from 700 to 2100 metres
above MSL. It is bounded on the east by Nilgiris and Ethnic groups
Mysore district of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka
respectively, on the north by Coorg district of Karnataka, The ethnic diversity of the district is very impressive as
on the south by Malappuram district and on the west by evidenced by ten different tribal groups. Among them,
Kozhikode and Kannur districts of Kerala. Wayanad got three dominant tribal groups are Mullu Kuruma or
the status of district in November 1, 1980 and the total Kuruma, Paniya, and Kattunaikka. These are the
geographic area is about 2136 km2 . The name Wayanad communities which still hold knowledge on biodiversity.
is said to be derived from different names like Waynad The Paniya constitutes the single largest scheduled tribe
(upper land - as its name denotes, an elevated plateau), in Kerala and is mainly found in the Wayanad district and
Vayalnadu (land of paddy fields) and Vananad (land of the neighbouring areas of Karnataka. They have a
forests) (Nair, 1911). The district is unique for its rich distinct language of their own, closely related to
wealth of flora (earning it the sobriquet ‘green paradise’) Malayalam. There is a theory that the Paniyas were
and for the diverse ethnic cultures that inhabit the land. brought to Wayanad by the Gounders who were
Several new taxa of plants have been discovered from landlords, and they trained them to be agricultural
the district and described as new to science by the labourers in their fields (Thurston, 1909). The community,
authors (Sivadasan and Balakrishnan, 1989; Sivadasan almost entirely, depend on wage-labour in the paddy
and Jaleel, 2002; Narayanan et al., 2010a; Narayanan fields and farms of the land-owning classes for their
3522 J. Med. Plant. Res.

Table 1. Usage of plants and number of wild edible plant species/ varieties used by
three major tribal groups and non-tribal communities.

Number of taxa used by communities

Wild edibles
Paniya Kuruma Kattunaikka
Leafy greens 71 21 35
Tuber and roots 15 6 25
Fruits and seeds 50 15 37
Total 136 42 97

livelihood. They are non-vegetarian, but generally avoid interviews using unstructured questionnaire with open-ended
beef (Singh, 1994). The Kattunaikkas are referred to questions and discussions were carried out either in gender specific
groups or in mixed gender groups. The discussions were held in the
variously as Jenu Kuruman, Tenu Kurumban and local language – Malayalam. People who seemed comparatively
Naickan. The term ‘Kattunaikkan’ has been derived from more knowledgeable among the group were contacted individually
the word ‘Kadu’, meaning forest, and Naikkan meaning and in-depth interviews were held with them. Separate transect-
leader or headman (Thurston, 1909). The community is walks in different landscapes were undertaken with men and
now predominantly distributed in the Wayanad district. women of three different tribal groups. Plant specimens were
They speak the Kattunaikka dialect, which is close to the collected and identified, and deposited in the herbarium of the
Community Agrobiodiversity Centre (CAbC) of the MS
Dravidian language, Kannada. Rice and ragi are their Swaminathan Research Foundation, Kalpetta, Wayanad as
staple cereals supplemented by roots and tubers (Luiz, vouchers.
1962).
Food and Non Wood Forest Produce (NWFP) gather-
ing, hunting, fishing and trapping of birds and animals are RESULTS
the traditional occupations of the Kattunaikka, which a
few of them continue to pursue to the day. A few of them Consumption of wild edible plants by different tribal
are land-owning cultivators. They worship trees, rocks, communities of Wayanad varies remarkably. The study
the sun, moon, local deities and the spirits of their looked at the knowledge of wild edible plant species among
ancestors. The Kuruma are distributed within a radius of the major 3 tribal communities in selected areas of the
about 30 km, including the eastern part of Wayanad and district. A total of 165 plants have been found to be used
the western part of Gudalur taluk of Tamil Nadu for edible purposes by the communities. The social
(Narayanan and Anilkumar, 2007). Their language is values held by the community have a significant bearing
basically Malayalam with a spattering of Kannada and on the manner in which wild edible plants are consumed
Tamil words. Agriculture is the main occupation of this and conserved by the community for food needs. The
settled land-owning community. The main crop is paddy, Paniya community possesses knowledge regarding 136
which is cultivated in the fallows and flat lands as well as taxa of wild edible plants, with Kattunaikkas coming next
on moderate slopes. In the past (about 20 to 25 years with knowledge of 97 taxa (Table 1). Amongst these tribal
back), hunting and fishing were as important a means to communities, the Kurumas are at the bottom of the
garner food as agriculture, several of their religious rites knowledge-ladder with knowledge of 42 taxa of wild
and life cycle rituals prescribe the offering or use of meat edible plants, which is still way above the knowledge
of animals killed in the hunt (Janah, 1994). amongst non-tribal communities. The wild foods have
been categorized into four groups based on the parts of
the plant consumed, namely tubers and roots, leafy
METHODOLOGY vegetables and greens, buds and flowers, fruits, seeds
and nuts (Arora and Pandey, 1996). In the present study
The field studies involved extensive field survey and data collection the same classification has been followed in which tubers
lasting through all the seasons of two calendar years from August and roots, leafy greens, and fruits and seeds are studied
2001 to July 2003 and during the years 2008-2010. This has in detail.
resulted in the information about all wild edible plant species and
materials of the Wayanad district. Five study sites were selected at
random using a grid map of Wayanad. Fifteen tribal hamlets from
these five sites were randomly selected on the basis of degree of Consumption of tubers
traditionalism of people, vegetation type of the area and
dependency of local people on forest and natural resources. A total Edible roots, tubers and rhizomes of 24 wild plant
of 366 knowledge holders (men, women and children) of different species/varieties (Table 2) are eaten by the tribal
age groups from three different socio-cultural groups were selected
communities in Wayanad. These species are still a major
randomly from these hamlets and directly interviewed during the
study. The data collection exercise attempted to enumerate and source of food for forest-based communities like
categorize the plant species of the area used as food, and the level Kattunaikka and these serve as a ‘life saving’ plant group
of knowledge difference among different communities. The during periods of food scarcity. Kattunaikka call these
 Narayanan et al. 3523

Table 2. Wild tubers consumed by different tribes.

Local names used by communities

S/N Scientific name
Kattunaikka Paniya Kuruma
1 Adenia hondala - Koombikilangu -
2 Aponogeton appendiculatus - Chammikaya -
3 Asparagus racemosus - Sathavarikilangu -
4 Costus speciosus - Channakoova -
5 Dioscorea belophylla Hekku - -
6 D. hamiltonii Kaluvenni Bennykilangu Vennangu
7 D. hispida Kottunoora - -
8 D. intermedia Shoddikalasu - -
9 D. kalkapershadii Nara - -
10 D. oppositifolia Kavalakalasu Kavalaikilangu -
11 D. pentaphylla Noorakorana Noorankilangu -
12 D. pentaphylla var. communis Hendhikorana - -
13 D. pentaphylla var. linnaei Chenakorana - -
14 D. pentaphylla var. rheedii Korana Koranakilangu -
15 D. pubera Boojikavala - -
16 D. tomentosa Salu - -
17 D. wallichii Narra Naraikilangu Nara
18 D. wightii Narramooyan Mooyankilangu -
19 Dioscorea sp. Erekalasu - -
20 Dioscorea sp. Moodavenni Cholabenny -
21 Dioscorea sp. Hekkuheruman - -
22 Dioscorea sp. Heruman Naravayan -
23 Ipomoea mauritiana - Muthukku -
24 Pecteilis gigantea - Kundukilangu -

tubers as Kalasu and they are knowledgeable about 18 excellent in taste and is commonly found in moist forests
taxa of Dioscorea. These communities who are on which the Kattunaikka community depends more.
dependent on wild Dioscorea for their food classify each Dioscorea tomentosa (Salukalasu) is not consumed
member of this genus, based on characteristics like regularly due to its high mucilaginous content, and is
edibility, taste, colour, size, direction of growth, fiber eaten only during times of acute famine. Communities
content, cooking properties and occasionally the pattern other than Kattunaikka keep away from this tuber as it
of underground proliferation. Among the varieties known has peculiar kind of fibres that leave an itching sensation
to them, D. hamiltonii (Vennikalasu), D. belophylla when consumed, particularly among children.
(Hehkkukalasu), D. oppositifolia (Kavalakalasu) are seen The Paniya community use roots and tubers of 15 plant
in interior evergreen and moist deciduous forests, and species as their food. As in the case of Kattunaikkas,
Dioscorea wightii (Erakalasu) in rocky grasslands. D. tubers of Dioscorea species (Kattukachil or
pentaphylla (Noorakalasu, Nallanoora), D. wallichii Kattukizhangu) form important source of their food. They
(Narakalasu), D. bulbifera (Hendiridaekalasu) are found consume tubers of 9 taxa of Dioscorea, the most
among wayside-bushes and D. pubera preferred being D. oppositifolia (Kavalakizhangu) and D.
(Boojikavalakalasu) in marshy areas. pentaphylla (Noorakizhangu). They consider the
The Kattunaikkas collect Dioscorea tubers from almost Noorakizhangu and Kavalakizhangu to be rich in ‘podi’
all these places, but more frequently from the forests and (starch) and ‘kozhuppu’ (pulp) and the D. wallichii
other such unmanaged habitats. Among the different (Narakizhangu) to be rich in ‘naru’ (fibre). Noora and
species of Dioscorea, Dioscorea pentaphylla (Nallanoora) Kavala do not need any detoxification or pretreatment
is the most commonly consumed tuber. As the name before cooking. Kuruma tribe has the knowledge of about
indicates, ‘nalla’ means safe or good to eat. The tuber is 6 species/varieties including 3 wild species of Dioscorea
single, less fibrous and is smooth pasty when cooked and yielding edible tubers. Fifteen to twenty years ago, men
tastes good. This variety is common on the fringes of of these communities used to collect Kavala and Nooran,
deciduous forests. D. oppositifolia (Kavala) is another but now a days wild tubers do not flavour their diets. They
very popular tuber among all the tribes of Wayanad. It is consider it too tedious a job to search and dig out the
3524 J. Med. Plant. Res.

tuber, being otherwise engaged. They grow Dioscorea Compared to the Paniya, the Kattunaikka community
alata in their home gardens and these are not too costly uses less leafy greens (35 species) and this can partly be
in the markets either. The collected tubers are stored attributed to their lower dependency on agricultural and
inside the huts in the open. Almost all the roots and associated landscapes. However, they regularly include
tubers require processing to make it palatable. A wide several greens in their diet. Embelia tsjeriam-cottam
range of methods is adopted by Kattunaikka for (Marakkeera), Commelina benghalensis (Kannisoppu)
processing the tubers. The tuber of Dioscorea hispida and Justicia nilgherrensis (Hattakheerai) are among the
(Kottunoora) requires thorough processing before greens regularly consumed by the community. Among
consumption. The chopped tubers are wrapped in a white the 84 wild greens identified, 13 species are exclusively
cloth and kept in running water in the streams for over 24 consumed by the Kattunaikka community. Most of these
h before being cooked. This species is considered toxic are pure forest species, which are not generally accessed
and except Kattunaikka none of the other communities by the Paniya or Kuruma women. Among the three tribal
consume it. After the tuber is dug out, the apical portion of communities, the Kuruma are the least dependent on wild
it, along with the stem (vine) is put back in the pit and leafy greens for their food requirements. The reasons
filled with soil up to three-fourth levels for regeneration. cited for this reduced dependency range from low
Another piece is placed in a small pit close by to confuse preference of the men and children in the family to wild
the wild boars, which are in constant competition with the leafy greens in the diet, non-availability/non-accessibility,
tribals for wild tubers. time constraints for collection and perceptions that
accessing wild greens for food reduces social prestige.
Invariably, in all the Kuruma households, there are home
Consumption of leafy greens gardens, which are maintained well by women and this
may be another reason for their lower dependency on
Among the four socio-cultural groups studied, wild and wild greens.
weedy greens form the most regularly used food
supplement among the three tribal groups and are of
great dietary importance especially among the Paniya Consumption of fruits and seeds
families. The study identified 84 plant species which are
used as wild edible greens, but only a few species are Information on 62 edible fruits and seeds (fruits 53, seeds
widely used (Table 3). The household survey revealed 9) was collected during the study (Table 4). Among the
that the Paniya families use about 71 species followed by edible fruit yielding plants, 33 are trees, usually found in
the Kattunaikka who use 35 species, and the Kuruma use the forests and hills. Among the tribal communities, the
about 21 plant species as leafy greens. Most of these Paniyas are the largest consumers of various wild fruits.
species are herbs (90%), and very few are trees. Among There are about 50 species that are consumed by this
the frequently eaten greens are the species like community alone, largely collected from forests, wooded
Alternanthera sessilis (Ponnamkkanni), Amaranthus hills or such unmanaged areas. Fruits of 37 taxa
spinosus (Mullencheera), Amaranthus viridis including 16 trees like Buchanania lanzan, Diospyros
(Kuppacheera) and Solanum nigrum (Mudungachappu). melanoxylon, Ficus racemosa, Flacourtia montana,
One wild species regularly used, which is strictly Madhuca longifolia, Schleichera oleosa, Semecarpus
restricted to forest is Embelia tsjeriam-cottam anacardium, etc. are eaten as raw after ripening by
(Maracheera) but it is consumed only by the Kattunaikka Kattunaikka community. Emblica officinalis (Nellikka) is
community. Species like Adenia hondala one of the most widely collected wild fruits and it is an
(Koombichappu), Ophioglossum reticulatum important source of income for Kattunaikka families.
(Nakkuneety), Momordica dioica and Momordica Another important wild fruit collected for the market is
subangulata (Kattukaipa), and Alternanthera bidentata Garcinia gummi-gutta (Kudampuli). Kuruma women are
(Kozhivalan) are greatly preferred, but their consumption rather selective in their choice of fruits. They accord
does not match the revealed preference. These species greater preference to wild mango and jack. Wild
are seen to be neither always readily available, nor easily mangoes are widely collected to prepare dishes like
accessible and are seasonal. Species like Lycianthes ‘Mangapuli’, which is used as souring agent for their
laevis (Kattumudunga), Alternanthera bidentata dishes. This can be stored for years-together with no
(Kozhivalan), and Cryptocoryne retrospiralis deterioration in quality without any preservatives. An
(Panchithalu) are rare in distribution and found only in important seed, which is largely used by Paniya and
forest and stream sides. But several of the edible leafy occasionally by Kattunaikka, is that of bamboo called
species, in fact, a large majority of those identified, are Mulayari. During the flowering season of bamboo, this is
seldom consumed despite their abundance, availability an important ingredient in their diet. Bamboo flowers very
and accessibility. The Paniya families, for instance, know rarely, and at the onset of the flowering season the
over 60 such species but use them only during times like Paniya women start preparations for the collection of
severe monsoon when there is acute food scarcity. seeds. Women go to the bamboo brakes before fruit-
 Narayanan et al. 3525

Table 3. Wild plants used as vegetables by Paniya, Kattunaikka and Kuruma tribes of Wayanad.

Local name used by communities

S/N Scientific name Part used
Paniya Kattunaikka Kuruma
1 Abelmoschus angulosus F Kattuvenda - Kattuvenda
2 Abrus precatorius F Kunni - -
3 Achyranthes aspera L Valiyakadaladi - -
4 Achyranthes bidentata L Kozhivalan - -
5 Adenia hondala Fl Koombichapu - -
6 Allmania nodiflora L - Hallukeerai -
7 Alternanthera bettzickiana L Cherucheera - -
8 Alternanthera brasiliana L Choracheera Chorakkerai Choracheera
9 Alternanthera pungens L Minnamkkanni - -
10 Alternanthera sessilis L Ponnamkkanni Honkalasoppu Ponamkanni
11 Amaranthus caudatus L Kattucheera - -
12 Amaranthus spinosus W Mullancheera Mullankkeerai Mullancheera
13 Amaranthus viridis W Kuppacheera Valakkeerai Kuppacheera
14 Antidesma acidum L Noolithali - -
15 Arenga wightii TL Netipankumpu - -
16 Bacopa monnieri W Brahmichappu - -
17 Bambusa bambos TL Kayalkkalli Kattaekalli Mulankumpu
18 Basala alba W Vasalachapu - Vasala
19 Bauhinia purpurea L Katumandaram - -
20 Begonia malabarica L Malampuli - -
21 Begonia floccifera L Malampuli - -
22 Bidens biternata L Alanchappu Uthransoppu -
23 Blumea barbata TL - Kadukucheera -
24 Boerhaavia diffusa W Thazhuthama - Thazhuthama
25 Bombax ceiba TL Poola - -
26 Canavalia cathartica F Kattupayar - -
27 Capparis brevispina L - Maradasoppu -
28 Capsicum frutescens TL Cheenaparangi Koorimanasu Kanthary
29 Caryota urens TL Panamchapu Panasoppu -
30 Cassia occidentalis TL Poninthavara - -
31 Cassia tora TL Thavara Thakattasoppu Thakara
32 Catunaregam spinosa TL Kara - -
33 Catunaregam uliginosa F - Hinnisan kaya -
34 Centella asiatica L Muthilila Muthilsopu Muthil
35 Ceropegia metziana L - Palankeera -
36 Chenopodium album L - Parippukkera -
37 Cissus discolor W Vallimaruma Thadavasopu -
38 Cleome viscosa L Naikkadugu - -
39 Colocasia esculenta TL;P Kollithalu Henchichebu Thalu
40 Commelinabenghalensis L - Kannisoppu
41 Costus speciosus R Unnithandu - -
42 Crotalaria laevigata - Koovilisoppu -
43 Cryptocoryne retrospiralis W Panchithalu - -
44 Cucumis porphetarum TF Attanga - -
45 Cyathula prostrata Cherukadaladi - -
46 Dillenia indica TL Malampunna - -
47 Diplazium esculentum W Churuli Surulisoppu Churuli
48 Diplocyclos palmatus F Kuniyanchappu Uvakandasopu -
49 Dryopteris cucullata W Parachava - -
50 Embelia tsjeriam-cottam L - Marakkeera -
3526 J. Med. Plant. Res.

Table 3. Contd.

51 Emilia sonchifolia L Muyalcheviyan Muyalkivi -

52 Erythrina stricta L Murikkinchapu Murikkusoppu -
53 Euphorbia hirta L Palcheera - -
54 Gmelina arborea Fl Kumbil - -
55 Hibiscus hispidissimus L Paruthiyila - Pulichapu
56 Hygrophila schulli L Kozhimullan - -
57 Justicia nilgherrensis L - Hattakkerai -
58 Laportea interrupta L Choriyanam - Choriyan
59 Leea indica TL - Idavasoppu -
60 Lycianthes laevis L Kattumudunga - -
61 Marselia quadrifolia W Vattachappu - -
62 Momordica dioica F Kattukaippa - Kaipa
63 Momordica subangulata F Kattupaval Kattuhakhila Katukaipa
64 Monochoria vaginalis L Karinkoovalam - -
65 Mucuna monosperma F Kattupayar - Payaru
66 Mukia maderaspatana F Mukkapeera - -
67 Nymphaea nouchali R Ambal - -
68 Ophioglossum reticulatum W Nakkuneeti - -
69 Oxalis corniculata L Puliyarila Pulielai Puliyela
70 Passiflora calcarata TF Kattuthakkali - -
71 Phoenix sylvestris TL Kattueenthu - -
72 Phyllanthus urinaria L - Keezharnelli -
73 Physalis minima F Motampuli - -
74 Persicaria chinensis TL Chorakam - -
75 Persicaria glabra TL Pulichapu - -
76 Portulaca oleracea L Kozhupacheera Kozhupasoppu Kozhupa
77 Pteridium aquilinum W - Thaivasoppu Churuli
78 Remusatia vivipara L Marachembu Marachembu -
79 Solanum nigrum F Mudungachapu Ganagasopu Mudunga
80 Sonerila rheedei W Kundimaruma - -
81 Talinum cuneifolium L Sambarcheera - -
82 Thespesia populnea L Poovarasu - -
83 Waltheria indica W Maracheera - -
84 Zehneria mysorensis L Aliyanchappu Katusoppu -
F: Fruit; Fl: flower, L: leaves; P: petiole; R: rhizome; TF: tender fruits; TL: tender leaves; W: whole plant.

setting and clear the undergrowth and prepare a clean out the fact that the Paniya community successfully
bed for the seeds to fall. Sometimes, the people smear explore all the landscapes ranging from forests to grazing
cow dung on the ground below huge canopies signifying lands, but more from the habitats outside forest-thickets,
the value attached to this rare bonanza from the forests. plantations, paddy fields, swamps, waysides and grazing
The collection may continue for days together and men lands/mountains while the Kattunaikkas, on the other
and children join in gathering the seeds. Often the entire hand, forage mostly the forests, and the Kurumas access
family stays amidst the bamboo brakes through the the plantations and paddy fields.
flowering period. The collected grains are carefully stored The consumption of wild food plants has been and still
for future use, accentuated by the popular belief that a is being underestimated, and research, particularly
period of famine follows the flowering of bamboo. concerning the socio-economic, cultural, traditional, and
nutritional aspects of wild-food plants still lacks adequate
attention. Further, there is little information on the
Conclusion distribution and the consumption pattern of the wild foods
of different communities in different landscapes. The
An examination of the pattern of accessing wild food from present work has focused on the tribal communities that
various landscapes by the different communities bears are dependent on wild foods and other forest resources
 Narayanan et al. 3527

Table 4. Wild fruits and seeds consumed by Paniya, Kattunaikka and Kuruma tribes.

S/N Scientific name Part/s used Local name Tribal groups

1 Ficus racemosa F Athypazham K, P
2 Syzygium densiflorum F Arinjaval P, K
3 Artocarpus hirsutus F and S Ayanichakka K, Ku, P
4 Grewia tiliifolia F Chadachikkaya P, K
5 Schleichera oleosa F Chakadahannu K
6 Flacourtia montana F Chalir P, Ku, K
7 Aponogeton appendiculatus S Chammikkaya P
8 Ixora coccinia F Chekkipazham K, P, K
9 Diospyros melanoxylon F Deprahannu K
10 Aporosa lindleyana F Eachil P
11 Leea indica F Edavahannu K
12 Cycas circinalis F Eenthukaya P, K
13 Mimusops elengi F and S Elanchipazham P
14 Buchanania lanzan S Murickil K
15 Grewia hirsuta F Hallaekaya K
16 Sterculia foetida S Kalanthatta P
17 Solanum xanthocarpum F and S Kandakarichunda P, K, Ku
18 Syzygium gardneri F Karinjavel P, K
19 Solena amplexicaulis F and S Karuvachakka P
20 Spondias indica F Kattambazham P
21 Coix lacryma-jobi S Kattubarli P
22 Artocarpus heterophyllus F and S Kattuchakka K, Ku, P
23 Myristica malabarica F Kattujadikka P
24 Clausena heptaphylla F Kattukariveppu P, K
25 Garcinia gummi-gutta F Kattukodampuli P, K
26 Mangifera indica F Kattumanga P, K, Ku
27 Rubus fulvus F Kattumundhiri P, K
28 Syzygium laetum F Kattunjaval P, K
29 Passiflora calcarata F Kattuthakkali P
30 Scleropyrum pentandrum F Kirinda P
31 Lantana camara F Kongini P, Ka
32 Aegle marmelos F Koovalam P
33 Ziziphus jujuba F Kottamullu P
34 Ziziphus oenoplia F Kottapazham P, Ku, K
35 Elaeocarpus munronii F and S Kottilampazham P, K
36 Bambusa bambos S Mulayari P, K, Ku
37 Solanum ferox F and S Kurukkanchunda P, Ku, K
38 Physalis minima F and S Motampuli P, K, Ku
39 Baccaurea courtallensis F Mottilthoory P
40 Solanum nigrum F and S Mudungakaya P, Ku
41 Bridelia retusa F Mukayani P
42 Toddalia asiatica F Mulluvalli P
43 Bischofia javanica F Neelipazham P, K
44 Phyllanthus emblica F Nelli K, Ku, P
45 Bridelia scandens F Nendravally P
46 Syzygium cumini F Njarapazham P, K, Ku
47 Syzygium caryophyllatum F Njarapazham P
48 Gnetum ula S Njenumkaya P
49 Physalis mouritiana F Njotanjodian P
50 Palaquium ellipticum F Palakkai P
3528 J. Med. Plant. Res.

Table 4. Contd.

51 Glycosmis pentaphylla F Panlpazham P

52 Melastoma malabathricum F Pillandi P
53 Tamilnadia uliginosa F Pindichakka K, Ku, P
54 Syzygium zeylanicum F Poochapazham P
55 Passiflora foetida F Poodapazham P, K
56 Solanum torvum F and S Putharichunda P, K, Ku
57 Terminalia bellirica S Thanikkuru P, H
58 Ziziphus rugosa F Thodali P, Ku, K
59 Syzygium hemisphericum F Tholnjaval P, K
60 Syzygium mundagam F Undanjaval P, K
61 Madhuca longifolia S Hippehannu K
62 Semecarpus anacardium S Geruhannu K
F: Fruit, K: Kattunaikk, Ku: Kuruma; P: Paniya, S: seed.

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Narayanan MKR, Manudev KM, Sujanapal P, Anilkumar N, Sivadasan
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Director of M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Narayanan MKR, Mithunlal S, Sujanapal P, Anilkumar N, Sivadasan M,
Alfarhan AH, Alatar AA (2011). Ethnobotanically important trees and
Chennai for providing facilities to carry out the study. The their uses by Kattunaikka tribe in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary,
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