Research Journal of Recent Sciences _________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502 Vol. 4(ISC-2014), 165-169 (2015) Res. J. Recent. Sci. International Science Congress Association 165 Some Edible Plants of Bundelkhand Region of India Ahirwar J.R. Department of Botany, Govt. P.G. College Niwari, District –Tikamgarh, MP, INDIAAvailable online at: www.isca.in, www.isca.me Received 16th November 2014, revised 19th January 2015, accepted 23rd February 2015 AbstractAn extensive survey has been made to enumerate the edible plants of Bundelkhand region of India. During this survey 90 (ninety) plant species of angiosperms were recorded which are being used as vegetables, drinks, fruits, dry fruits, pickles, foods, chutney, confection and curry. The name of family, botanical name, vernacular name, along with utilization of plants parts have been presented through this paper. Keywords:Edible plants, family, botanical name, vernacular name, Bundelkhand. Introduction Bundelkhand is very important region of India. It is unique in many aspects being the central part of the country; it is much safe like heart in our body. It is famous for the most popular tourist places (Jhansi, Khajuraho, Chitrakoot and Orchha). Bundelkhand is spread over southern Uttar Pradesh and northern Madhya Pradesh, between 23°10' and 26°30' north latitude and 78°20' and 81°40' east longitude. The region covers a geographical area of around 70,000 sq km and includes seven districts of Uttar Pradesh and six districts of Madhya Pradesh. Thus Bundelkhand comprises thirteen districts: Jhansi, Lalitpur, Jalaun, Hamirpur, Mahoba, Banda and Chitrakoot (all in Uttar Pradesh), and Datia, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Panna, Sagar and Damoh (all in Madhya Pradesh) as depicted in photograph (figure-1). Bundelkhand region encompasses many plant species which are being used as food, shelter, clothing and medicines by the people of village communities. Plants are the main source of socio-economic development as well as provide several things like food, fruits, flowers, fodder, fibre, fragrance, gum, resin, oil, spices, vegetable, dyes, rubber, wood, timber, etc. The relationship between man and plant communities is as old as his hunger, and long before science was born, our ancestors studied the plants around them to meet their basic requirements. The large tribal population living in forest fringes is largely dependent on forest for food, shelter, social and livelihood needs and subsistence on forest products. Plants play very important role in the daily life of human being. People can not survive without using of plants. The people of village community mostly depend on the forest plants. Some plants species occurs at the time of rainy season which have multifarious uses but due to lack of communication people remain unaware of those plants. Due to lack of proper records and over exploitation of these wild edible plants by local people; the natural resources along with related indigenous knowledge are depleting day by day. The traditional knowledge regarding the edible plants needs to be studied and documented before it is lost to make awareness among the people. Hence, the present study was undertaken to enumerate some edible plants which are used as a source of food by the people of Bundelkhand region of India. Material and Methods During the year 2012 -13 the forest area and rural area of Bundelkhand have been surveyed and covered extensively to study the edible plants of this region. The areas were visited with most important edible plants. For recording enthnobotanical data, a generalized questionnaire was prepared about the uses of plants. The informations regarding edible plants were collected on the basis of intensive interviews and long discussions with villagers of various age groups. To confirm the information, repeated queries raised time to time among the people of village community. All of the plants have been identified and recorded by consulting the available literatures8-15. A list of edible plants was prepared alphabetically along with their botanical names, local names, families and mode of application. Results and Discussion From the above survey 90 plant species belonging to different families of monocotyledons and dicotyledons have been enumerated and recorded from Bundelkhand region which are being used as vegetables, drinks, fruits, dry fruits, pickles, chutney, confection and curry. The relevant informations regarding the uses of these edible plants are documented as table-1. Conclusion Based upon the above enumeration it can be concluded that 90 plant species have been documented, which are being used as a Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______________________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502Vol. 4(ISC-2014), 165-169 (2015) Res. J. Recent. Sci. International Science Congress Association 166 source food material like vegetables, drinks, fruits, dry fruits, pickles, chutney, confection and curry. It is hoped that the present study may be useful to make awareness among the people, so that people will inspire to grow and conserve these edible plants wherever possible. Source-http://www.apnabundelkhand.com/districtsofbundel.html Figure-1 Showing the map of Bundelkhand Table-1 Taxonomic details of plants and their utilization SN Botanical Name Local Name Family Uses 01 Abelmoschus crinitus Wall. Ban Bhindi Malvaceae Fruits are used as a vegetable. 02 Acacia nilotica Del.Babool Mimosaceae The gum of this plant is edible. 03 Acacia catechu (L) WilldKhair Mimosaceae The gum of this plant is edible. 04 Aegle marmelos (L)Corr.Bel Rutaceae The pulp of ripen fruits is eaten and also used to make a drink (sherbet). 05 Alangium lamarckii Thw.Akola Alangiaceae Ripe fruits of this plant are eaten by some tribal people. 06 Annona squamosa Sitafal Annonaceae Ripe fruits of this plant are very delicious and edible. 07 Amaranthus spinosus . Katili chaurai Amaranthaceae Leaves and shoot are used as vegetable. 08 Amaranthus viridis . Chaurai Amaranthaceae Leaves and shoot are used as vegetable. 09 Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst) Necolson. Suran, Jimikand Araceae Tuberous roots are cooked as vegetable. 10 Asparagus racemosus Willd.Satawar Asparagaceae Tuberous Roots of this plant are edible. Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______________________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502Vol. 4(ISC-2014), 165-169 (2015) Res. J. Recent. Sci. International Science Congress Association 167 11 Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.Kathal Moraceae Fruits are used as vegetable and pickle. 12 Basella alba L Poi, Poibhaji Basellaceae Plant used as vegetable and salad. 13 Bauhinia variegata L.Kachnar Caesalpiniaceae Flower buds are used as vegetables. 14 Bauhinia vahli Wt & Arn.Mahuli Caesalpiniaceae Young legumes are used in vegetable. 15 Buchanania latifolia, Roxb.Achar, Chironji Anacardaceae Fruits are edible and seeds are used as dry fruits (mewa). 16 Capparis aphylla RothKaril Capparaceae Raw fruits are used as pickle and ripe fruits are eaten 17 Carissa spinarum L.Jangli Karonda Apocynaceae Raw and ripe fruits are eaten. 18 Cassia tora L. Puwar, Chakoda Caesalpiniaceae Tender leaves are used as vegetable. 19 Chenopodium album LBathua Cheopodiaceae Tender leaves and shoots are used as vegetables. 20 Chlorophytum tuberosum Baker Safed Musli Liliaceae The tubers of this plant are edible 21 Cocculus hirsutus (L)DielSareta Menispermaceae The clotted juice of leaves is edible. 22 Commelina benghalensis L. Kankauua Comelinaceae Leaves and shoots are used as vegetables. 23 Convolvulus pluricaulisForssk. Sakhauli Covolvulaceae Tender leaves and shoots are used as vegetables. 24 Corchorus olitorius . Mitha Chench Tiliaceae Leaves of this plant are used as vegetables. 25 Cordia myxa L Labhera, Lasora Boraginaceae Ripe fruits are edible and raw fruits are used as pickle. 26 Crotolaria spectabilis Roth. Jhunjhuna Fabaceae The dried fruit powder is a source of famine food. 27 Cucumis pubescens WilldKachariya Cucurbitaceae Ripe fruits of this plant are edible. 28 Cucumis callosus (Rottl)Cogn.Ban kachariya Cucurbitaceae Ripe fruits are edible and used to make pickle. 29 Cynanchum barbigerum (Scheele) Shinners. Badmashia Asclepiadaceae The young fruits are sweet and edible. 30 Cyperus esculentus Kaseru Cyperaceae Tubers of this plant are edible. 31 Dioscorea alata, L. Ratalu Dioscoreaceae The underground parts known as Kandoura are used as vegetable. 32 Dioscorea esculenta Maauri Dioscoreaceae Raw and roasted tubers of this plant are eaten. 33 Discorea opposita Thunb. Maauri Dioscoreaceae Raw and roasted tubers of this plant are eaten. 34 Discorea bulbifera L.Angittha Dioscoreaceae The roasted tubers and bulbils are edible. 35 Digera arvensis Forssk.Lehusua Amaranthaceae Leaves and tender shoots are used as vegetables. 36 Diopyros melanoxylon Roxb.Tendu Ebenaceae Ripe fruits of this plant are eaten. 37 Eleocharis indica (Lour.) Druce Kaseru Cyperaceae Underground part known as kaseru is edible. 38 Emblica officinalis Gaertn.Amla Euphorbiaceae Fruits are used to make pickle and confection. 39 Eucalyptus globulus Labill.Safeda Myrtaceae Leaves of this plant are used as spices. 40 Eugenia heyneana Wall.Kath Jamun Myrtaceae The fruits are very delicious and edible. 41 Eugenia jambolena, LamkJamun Myrtaceae Ripe fruits are very delicious and edible. 42 Evolvulus alsinoides L. Sakhauli Convolvulaceae Tender leaves and shoots are used as vegetables. 43 Feronia elephantum L.(Corr)Kaitha Rutaceae Raw fruits are used as pickle and ripe fruit pulp is used to make chutney. 44 Ficus hispida L.Kathumar Moraceae Ripe fruits are eaten and raw fruits are used as vegetable. 45 Ficus racemosa L. Umar, Gular Moraceae Raw fruits are used as vegetable and ripe fruits are eaten. 46 Ficus benghalensis L. Bargad Moraceae The ripe fruits known as Gulasi are edible. 47 Ficus religiosa L. Peepal Moraceae Ripe fruits known as Gulasi are edible. 48 Flacourtia ramontchi L’Herit. Kanker, Katai Flacourtiaceae Ripe fruits of this plant are edible. 49 Hemidesmus indicus R.Br. Anantmool Asclepiadaceae Root of this plant is edible and used to make drink (Sherbet). 50 Hibiscus sabdariffa L. Khatua Malvaceae Fleshy and sour calyces are edible and used to form chutney. 51 Holoptelia integrifolia Chirol, Chilla Ulmaceae The seeds of this plant are edible. Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______________________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502Vol. 4(ISC-2014), 165-169 (2015) Res. J. Recent. Sci. International Science Congress Association 168 (Roxb) Panch. 52 Hydrocotyle asiatica L. Bramhi Apiaceae Leaves are used to make sweet drink (sherbet). 53 Ipomoea eqatica Forssk.Naribhaji Convolvulaceae Tender shoots and leaves are used as vegetables. 54 Lantana camara L. Kirmich Verbenaceae Ripe fruits are sweet and edible. 55 Madhuca indica, Gmel.Mahua Sapotaceae Dried corolla is used to form Dubhri (porridge) a kind of sweet dish. 56 Manilkara hexandra (Rox) Dub. Khirni Sapotaceae Fruits of this plant are edible. 57 Mentha arvensis L.Poudina Lamiaceae Leaves are used to make chutney and salad. 58 Mangifera indica L.Aam Anacardaceae Raw fruits are used as pickle and ripe fruits are edible. 59 Momordica charantia L.Karelia, Cucurbitaceae Fruits are used as vegetables. 60 Momordica dioca Roxb.Padora Cucurbitaceae Fruits of this plant are used as vegetable. 61 Moringa oleifera Lam.Munga, Surjana Moringaceae Tender roots are used to form pickles and fruits are used as vegetables. 62 Murraya koengii, Spreng. Curry Neem Rutaceae Leaves are used to form curry. 63 Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.Kamal Nymphaeaceae/ Nelumbonaceae Rhizomes are used as vegetable and seeds are edible. 64 Nymphea nouchali Burm.Kumudni Nymphaeaceae Flower peduncles are edible and used as vegetable 65 Nymphoides indica ( L.) KuntzeSurka Menyanthaceae The boiled rhizomes of this plant are edible. 66 Opuntia aciculata GriffithsNagphani Cactaceae The fruits of this plant are edible. 67 Oryza rufipogon GriffPasai dhan Poaceae Rice is cooked and eaten at the time of fasting. 68 Ocimum sanctum,L.Tulsi Lamiaceae Leaves are used for making tea. 69 Panicum milliare Lamk. Sama, Poaceae The grains are boiled for famine food. 70 Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth.Jangaljalebi Fabaceae Fruits (seed aril) of this plant are edible. 71 Physalis minima L.Jharpota, Pidkua Solanaceae The Ripe fruits of this plant are eaten. 72 Phoenix sylvestris (L) Roxb. Khajoor Arecaceae Ripe fruits of this plant are eaten. 73 Portulaca oleracea L. Noniabhaji, Malmala Portulacaceae Stem and leaves used as a leafy vegetable and salad. 74 Psidium guajava Bihi, Amrud Myrtaceae Fruits of this plant are edible. 75 Rivea hypocrateriformis (Desr.)ChoisyBarsaga Convolvulaceae Tender leaves are eaten as vegetable. 76 Rumex vesicarius L. Khatta Palak, Khatua Polygonaceae The leaves are used as salad and vegetable. 77 Securinega virosa (Roxb. Ex Willd) Baill . Chirgodi Phyllanthaceae Ripe fruits of this plant are edible. 78 Setaria italica (L.)Beauv. Kakun Poaceae The grains are boiled for food. 79 Solanum nigrum,L.Makoi Solanaceae Ripe fruits of this plant are edible. 80 Sterculia urens, Roxb.Karad, Kullu Sterculiaceae The gum of this plant is eaten with sugar. 81 Syzygium heyneanum Wall Kath jamun Myrtaceae Ripe fruits of this plant are edible. 82 Tamarindus indica,L.Imli Ceasalpiniaceae Fruits are used to form chutney. 83 Terminalia ballerica, Roxb. Bahera Combretaceae The seeds of this plant are edible. 84 Trapa bispinosa Roxb.Singhara, Kaudi Trapaceae Fruits are edible and used as vegetable. 85 Trichosanthes cucumerina Bilaiya Cucurbitaceae Fruits are used as vegetables. 86 Urginea indica (Roxb)Kunth.Jangli piyaz Liliaceae Bulbs of this plant are used as vegetable. 87 Vigna Trilobata (L.) Verdc. Banmungiya Fabaceae Legumes of this plant are edible. 88 Zizyphus mauritiana Lamk.Ber Rhamnaceae Ripe fruits of this plant are eaten. 89 Ziziphus nummularia(Burm.) Wight & Arn. Jaria, Jharber Rhamnaceae Ripe fruits of this plant are edible. 90 Zizyphus oenoplea (L.) Mill. Makora Rhamnaceae Ripe fruits of this plant are eaten. Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______________________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502Vol. 4(ISC-2014), 165-169 (2015) Res. J. Recent. Sci. International Science Congress Association 169 References 1.www.indianofficer.com/topic4878-bundelkhand (2014)2.www.bundelkhandinfo.org.in/general/maps/maps.html (2014)3.Ahirwar J.R., Socio-Religious Importance of Plants in Bundelkhand Region of India, Research Journal of Recent Sciences, 2(ISC-2012), 1-4 (2013) 4.Ahirwar J.R., Plants used in Health care of People from Bundelkhand region of India, The Journal of Ethnobiology and Traditional Medicine. 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