Search Results (9)

Edible flowers are important components of traditional food systems and biocultural practices in southern China, yet their ethnobotanical significance remains poorly documented. This study investigated the diversity, traditional uses, and cultural importance of edible flowers in Baise City through semi-structured interviews, market surveys, and field observations with local informants. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices, including the Cultural Food Significance Index (CFSI), Fidelity Level (FL), and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), were applied to evaluate cultural and medicinal importance. A total of 96 edible flower taxa belonging to 77 genera and 44 families were documented. Most species were native to China, herbaceous in growth form, and collected from wild habitats. Inflorescences were the most commonly utilized floral organs. Edible flowers were used as vegetables, herbal teas, medicinal edible plants, natural food colorants, condiments, desserts, and snack foods. Species such as Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC., Plantago asiatica L., and Solanum americanum Mill. showed high cultural significance. A total of 64 taxa were recognized as medicinal edible plants, and high ICF values indicated strong agreement among informants regarding ethnomedicinal uses. These findings demonstrate the important roles of edible flowers in local food systems, traditional healthcare, and biocultural heritage, emphasizing their relevance for biodiversity conservation and sustainable food practices. Full article

Traditional markets play an important role in the exchange of plant resources and the preservation of traditional food knowledge. This study documents the diversity of food plants traded in Renmin Market, located in Youjiang District, Baise City, Guangxi, China, and evaluates their cultural importance using the Cultural Food Significance Index (CFSI). Field surveys were conducted through market observations and interviews with vendors and local informants. All edible plant species were recorded, including their scientific names, vernacular names, used parts, and modes of consumption. A total of 104 food plant taxa were documented, representing a wide range of plant families and growth forms. The recorded plants were used in four main utilization categories: vegetables, spices, fruits, and beverages. Frequently used plant parts included fruits, leaves, shoots, and underground organs such as roots, rhizomes, and tubers. The CFSI values showed considerable variation in cultural importance among species, ranging from 21.6 to 1764. The highest CFSI values were recorded for Cucurbita pepo, Allium cepa, Cucurbita maxima, and Houttuynia cordata, reflecting their frequent consumption and versatility in local cuisine. Comparative analysis with previous studies in Baise City indicated that 38 species were shared among three markets, while 30 species were recorded exclusively in Renmin Market. These findings highlight the diversity of food plants available in local markets and their importance in maintaining regional culinary traditions and plant-based dietary diversity. Full article

Urban markets are key nodes for the persistence and adaptation of traditional edible plant knowledge, linking rural production with urban consumption. This study was based on monthly market surveys conducted throughout 2025 in an urban market in Baise City, Guangxi, China. A total of 54 edible plant taxa were recorded, including both native and introduced species, with herbaceous plants predominating alongside climbers, trees, and grasses. Ethnobotanical data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with 40 local informants (20 men and 20 women, aged 25–65 years) selected using purposive sampling, focusing on individuals actively involved in purchasing and preparing edible plants. High Cultural Food Significance Index (CFSI) values highlighted culturally central taxa, including Allium ascalonicum L., × Brassarda juncea (L.) Su Liu & Z.H. Feng, and Houttuynia cordata Thunb., reflecting frequent use and culinary–medicinal integration. Fidelity Level (FL) analyses identified species with strong consensus for specific therapeutic applications, such as × B. juncea, Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd., and Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn., while Informant Consensus Factor (FIC) values indicated moderate to high agreement across gastrointestinal, respiratory, inflammatory, and other health categories. These results underscore the persistence of the “food as medicine” concept, showing that edible plants function simultaneously as nutritional and preventive healthcare resources. The overlap of culinary and medicinal roles demonstrates dynamic food–medicine integration, with urban markets acting as cultural hubs that maintain dietary diversity, household food security, and ethnobotanical knowledge. Future studies should incorporate ethnozoological resources and longitudinal monitoring to capture the full scope of urban food–medicine systems. Full article

Wild edible plants (WEPs) play a crucial role in sustaining local food systems, cultural heritage, and livelihoods in northeastern Thailand. This study documents the diversity, cultural significance, medicinal use, and economic value of WEPs among the Tai Yoy community in Akat Amnuai District, Sakon Nakhon Province. Field surveys, interviews, and market observations recorded 78 species belonging to 42 families, with 52 species represent new records for the province. Fruits and leaves were the most commonly used parts, while multifunctional species such as Curcuma angustifolia Roxb., Phyllanthus androgynus (L.) Chakrab. & N.P.Balakr., and Spondias pinnata (L.f.) Kurz were highly valued for both dietary and medicinal purposes. Quantitative analyses, including the Cultural Food Significance Index (CFSI), fidelity level (FL), and Jaccard’s similarity index (JI), revealed strong cultural consensus on key species and regional patterns shaped by ecological and sociocultural factors. Market surveys identified 25 species contributing to household income, highlighting the economic importance of WEPs and the potential risks of overharvesting. The study emphasizes the need for sustainable management, including cultivation of high-demand species, to reduce pressure on wild populations while supporting food security and traditional knowledge. These findings provide a comprehensive baseline for future ethnobotanical research, conservation planning, and the sustainable use of WEPs in northeastern Thailand. Full article

Edible underground storage organ (EUO) plants, including tubers, rhizomes, corms, and root tubers, play a crucial role in food security, nutrition, traditional medicine, and local livelihoods, yet many regions of northeastern Thailand, including Maha Sarakham Province, remain underexplored in ethnobotanical research. This study aimed to document the diversity, traditional uses, and economic importance of EUO plants in the province. Field surveys, local market assessments, and ethnobotanical interviews were conducted, and voucher specimens were collected. Quantitative indices, including the Cultural Food Significance Index (CFSI), Fidelity Level (%FL), and economic value (EV), were applied to evaluate the cultural, medicinal, and economic significance of each species. A total of 53 EUO taxa from 22 families were recorded, representing both wild-harvested and cultivated resources. Dioscoreaceae and Zingiberaceae were among the most species-rich families. Among the EUO plants, Allium ascalonicum L. stood out for its cultural significance, Gloriosa superba L. for its medicinal importance, and Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp.) H.Rob. for its economic value. Several other EUO plants exhibited high cultural consensus and consistent use patterns, underscoring their integration into local diets, traditional healthcare, and rural economies. The study demonstrates that EUO plants contribute not only to dietary diversity and cultural identity but also to rural economies. These findings highlight the importance of conserving biological and traditional knowledge and promote sustainable cultivation and horticultural development of priority EUO species to strengthen local food system resilience. Full article

Traditional knowledge of edible plants is essential for food security, nutrition, and cultural identity in rural communities, yet many regions, including Mueang District, Yasothon Province (MY), remain underexplored in ethnobotanical studies. The lack of systematic documentation of local plant diversity and uses in MY presents a significant gap in understanding how these resources contribute to the sustainability of local food systems. This study addresses this gap by providing a comprehensive ethnobotanical survey of edible plants in Mueang District, Northeastern Thailand. Documenting 170 species across 60 families, the study reveals a rich plant diversity reflecting a dynamic interplay of native and introduced species, as well as cultivated and wild-harvested resources that sustain local food security, nutrition, and cultural traditions. Fabaceae emerged as the most species-rich family, while staple cereals such as Oryza sativa L. and Zea mays L. dominate use-value rankings. Quantitative indices, including Species Use Value (SUV), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Cultural Food Significance Index (CFSI), and Fidelity Level (%FL), elucidate nuanced patterns of plant utilization, highlighting multifunctional species that bridge food and medicine. High cultural consensus on key medicinal plants underscores the deep integration of traditional healthcare within local food systems. The diversity of edible plant uses—from beverages and condiments to medicinal foods—illustrates adaptive strategies that enhance dietary diversity and ecological resilience. These findings contribute to the understanding of biocultural diversity and underscore the importance of conserving both plant biodiversity and indigenous knowledge to promote sustainable, locally adapted food systems. The study also identifies priority species for future pharmacological and agronomic research to support climate-resilient food sovereignty. Full article

The Bignoniaceae family encompasses numerous species of ecological, medicinal, and cultural significance, yet its ethnobotanical value remains underexplored in many regions of Thailand. This study investigates the diversity, phenology, cultural relevance, and traditional uses of Bignoniaceae species in Maha Sarakham Province, Northeastern Thailand. Through semi-structured interviews with 260 local informants across 13 districts—alongside field observations and herbarium voucher collections—we documented 27 species across 21 genera. These integrated methods enabled the identification of key culturally significant species and provided insights into their traditional uses. Phenological data revealed clear seasonal patterns in flowering and fruiting, aligned with the regional climatic cycle. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices—including Species Use Value (SUV), Genera Use Value (GUV), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Cultural Importance Index (CI), and Cultural Food Significance Index (CFSI)—were employed to evaluate species significance. Results indicate that species such as Dolichandrone serrulata, D. spathacea, and Oroxylum indicum hold high cultural and practical value, particularly in traditional medicine, spiritual practices, and local landscaping. These findings underscore the critical role of Bignoniaceae in sustaining biocultural diversity and emphasize the urgency of preserving traditional botanical knowledge amid environmental and socio-economic change. Moreover, the insights contribute to broader efforts in cultural heritage preservation and biodiversity conservation across tropical and subtropical regions. Full article

Edible flowers (EFs) form a special group of food plants that serve a pivotal role in local food systems, both in their utilitarian value and cultural significance. Dali, renowned for its rich biocultural diversity, is home to various ethnic groups with unique traditions regarding the consumption of EFs. However, systematic and comprehensive ethnobotanical studies of EFs are lacking, and their biocultural significance has not been discussed. Through ethnobotanical surveys conducted in 15 markets across Dali, 163 taxa of EFs were documented, encompassing 56 families and 108 genera. They were consumed in 16 ways and as 5 types of food. Quantitative evaluations using the Relative Occurrence Frequency (ROF) and Cultural Food Significance Index (CFSI) assessed the local importance of these flowers. Comparisons were made with another site regarding flower-eating species and methods, revealing biocultural differences. The study highlights how these flowers contribute to local dietary practices and cultural traditions. The role of EFs in sustainable food systems (SFS) is discussed, with emphasis on their economic, environmental, and social impacts. Protecting biocultural diversity means maintaining reciprocal relationships between people and edible species, which are crucial nodes in local SFS. Full article

Wild food plants are commonly used in the traditional diets of indigenous people in many parts of the world, including northern Thailand. The potential contribution of wild food plants to the nutrition of the Karen and Lawa communities remains poorly understood. Wild food plants, with a focus on leafy vegetables, were ranked by the Cultural Food Significance Index (CFSI) based on semi-structured interviews. Twelve wild plant species were highly mentioned and widely consumed. The importance of the wild vegetables was mainly related to taste, availability, and multifunctionality of the species. Their contents of proximate and minerals (P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu) were analyzed using standard methods. The proximate contents were comparable to most domesticated vegetables. The contents of Mg (104 mg/100 g FW), Fe (11 mg/100 g FW), and Zn (19 mg/100 g FW) in the wild leafy vegetables were high enough to cover the daily recommended dietary allowances of adults (19–50 years), whereas a few species showed Mn contents higher than the tolerable upper intake level (>11 mg/100 g edible part). The wild leafy vegetables, therefore, are good sources of minerals and we recommend their continued usage by indigenous people. Further research on these wild leafy vegetables’ contents of antioxidants, vitamins, heavy metals, anti-nutrient factors, and food safety is recommended. Full article