Ethnobotanical documentation and quantitative analysis of edible plant species used by tribal communities in Ernakulam District, Kerala, India
Abstract
Plants play a crucial role in ensuring food and nutritional security, particularly among tribal and rural communities in India. The present study documents the diversity and utilization of edible plant species among tribal communities in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, India. A total of 30 species belonging to 18 families were recorded, with Dioscoreaceae as the dominant family. Fruits were the most utilized plant part, followed by leaves, tubers, rhizomes, and seeds. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices, including Use Value (UV), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), were applied to evaluate the significance of the documented species. The UV ranged from 0.17 to 0.86, with Begonia floccifera Bedd., Passiflora foetida L., and Hibiscus hispidissimus Griff. showing the highest values. RFC values reflected similar trends. High ICF values (0.975-0.982) across all categories indicated strong agreement among informants. The study highlights the importance of edible plants in supporting nutrition, food security, and traditional knowledge, emphasizing the need for their conservation and sustainable utilization.