Ethnobotanical Leaflets 12: 832-40. 2008.

Ethnobotanical Studies on Some Lower Plants of the Central Development Region, Nepal

Kunjani Joshi* and Ananda Raj Joshi**

*Department of Botany, Patan Campus, Tribhuvan University, Nepal

**Former Director General, South Asia Cooperative Environment Program (SACEP), Sri Lanka

Issued 30 October 2008

Abstract

Forty-eight lower plants used by the local communities of the villages of the Central Development Region, Nepal are reported based on a field survey. Local people have remarkable detailed knowledge of species identity, characteristics and their specific uses. At present, some species are under serious threat due to habitat destruction and over exploitation indicating urgent need of documentation and conservation of the useful plants and their habitats.

Keywords: Lower plants, mushrooms, pteridophytes, traditional knowledge, conservation.

Introduction

The Central Development Region of Nepal are phytogeographically a diverse terrain and very rich in biodiversity and offers immense scope for ethnobotanical studies. In spite of the fast modernization process, the local communities of these areas still hold on to their traditional faith and depend on indigenous plants for their various domestic needs and traditional medicine. However, at present, the useful plants and their ethno-information are being eroded as a result of loss or degraded of appropriate habitats of the plants, unsustainable land use activities and over-exploitation of natural resources. Hence priority should be given to document the useful plants and their uses along with local knowledge and practices before these plants are eliminated from the areas. During the ethnobotanical survey of Nepal, an attempt has been made to document the useful lower plants with existing traditional practices which are being used by various tribes of the villages and surrounding areas of the region. Although some works related to the ethnobotany of the region have already been carried out by Bhandary and Shrestha, (1982, 1999); Bista et al., (2002); Chaudhary, (1994); Dangol and Gurung, (1999); Gurung, (1999); Joshi, (1988, 1992); Joshi and Edington, (1990); Joshi and Joshi (2000, 2003, 2005, 2005a &b); Joshi et al., (1996, 2003); Joshi, K. (1991, 1996, 2000, 2003 7 b, 2004, 2005); and Manandhar (2002), the vast store of ethnobotanical information of lower plants with traditional knowledge and practices have still not been comprehensively documented. In the present paper, an attempt has been made to enumerate the useful lower plants with indigenous uses.

Materials and Methods

The ethnobotanical study was carried out in the villages and surrounding areas of the Sundarijal, Mahakal, Okharni, Mulkhadka, Tokha, Nagarjun, Nagarkot, Suryabinayak, Nala, Bajrajogini, Changu, Phulchoki, Godavari, Lele, of Kathmandu valley and Kakani, Thansing, Talakhu, Matragau, Thanapati, Likhu of Nuwakot district and Syabru of Rasuwa district. Several field trips in and around the study areas were undertaken during the years 2005 to 2007 with a view to document the indigenous practices and uses of plant resources. Ethnobotanical information was gathered mainly through repeated interview and open-ended participatory discussions with local informants, such as traditional healers / “jkankri”, teachers and experienced village elders including midwives and by direct observations on the way different plant materials were being collected and used (Joshi and Edington, 1990). Voucher specimens are deposited in the office of Biodiversity Management Programme (BMP), Environmental Management Action (EMA) Group, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Results

During the field survey, ethnobotanical information of 48 species of plants have been collected from various habitats of the study areas. In the following enumeration, the species are arranged alphabetically in two groups (Mushrooms and Pteridophytes), Botanical name followed Nepalese name (Nep.), uses and habitat. Among the documented species, 41 species were used as food and 9 species for treatment of diseases, 1 species for fuel and 1 species for mulching. Though these species are distributed in various habitats, most of the species are mainly confined to the forests.

Enumeration of Species

Mushrooms

Amanita caesarea (Scop. ex Fr.) Pers. ex Schw.

Nep. Salla chyau; Suntale chyau; Dhar shyamo; Phul chyau

Uses: edible, use in culinary purpose, mostly preferred by Tamang

community. It is also sold in Asan market, Kathmandu with Amanita

hemibapha,

Habitat: Moist places, dominantly found in the pine forest, Nagarkot and

Tokha, Kathmandu valley.

Amanita hemibapha (Berk. et Br.) Sacc. subsp. hemibapha Corner & Bas.

Nep. Dhar shyamo, Suntale chyau, Phul chyau

Use: whole aerial parts are eaten as vegetables. It is also sold in Kathmandu

market mixed with Amanita ceasarea, Amanita hemibapha subsp.similis

and Aminata hamibapha subsp. javanica,

Habitat: moist shady places of pine forest, Nagarkot.

Amanita hemibapha (Berk. et Br.) Sacc. subsp. Javanica Corner & Bas.

Nep.Dhar shyamo

Use: edible. It is also sold mixed with Amanita ceaserea, Amanita

hemibapha var. hemibapha in market,.

Habitat: moist soil in pine forest, Nagarkot

Amanita hemibapha (Berk et. Br.) Sacc. Subsp.similis

Nep: Dhar shyamo.

Use: edible. It is also sold in Kathamndu market (Asan) with Amanita

hemibapha subsp. hemibapha, .

Habitat : moist soil in pine forest, Nagarkot

Auricularia auricula (Hook.) Underwood

Nep. Kane chyau; Mushkane chyau; Naryang shyamo, Chiple chyau

Use: edible, few people used for culinary purpose.

Habitat: rotten stump of Gravelia robusta, Nagarjun, Kathmandu

Boletus edulis Bull ex Fr.

Nep. Pho shyamo

Use: edible, mostly used by Tamang community.

Habitat: moist shady places in mixed forest, Suryavinayak

Cantharellus cibarius Fr.

Nep. Ura shyamo; Kukhure Ko phul chyau

Use: edible. It is also sold in Asan market, Kathmandu

Habitat: moist places in mixed forests of pine and other decedious trees,

Sundarijal

Cantharellus subalbidus Fr.

Nep. Ura shyamo, Kurkure chyau

Use: edible. It is also sold in Asan market, Kathmandu,.

Habitat: moist places of mixed forests, Sundarijal

Cantharellus tubiformis Fr.

Nep. Budhi chyau

Use: edible

Habitat: moist places of mixed forests, Sundarijal

Clavaria cristata (Holmsk) Pers

Nep. Thokre chyau; Thakre chyau

Use: edible. It is also sold in Asan market, Kathmandu,.

Habitat: moist places of mixed forests .Godavari.

Clavulina cinera (Fr.) Corner

Use: edible/ It is also sold in market with Laccaria laccata, Kathmandu

Habitat: moist places in mixed forest, Suryavinayak and Nala.

Craterellus cornucopoides (L. ex. Fr.) Pers

Use: edible. It is also sold in Tarkari market, Daubahal with Cantharellus

cibarius,

Habitat: moist places, Godavari.

Grifola frondosa (Dick ex Fr.) S.F. Gray

Nep : Sulshing marmo, Nagroom, Bhalu chyau

Use: edible. It is also sold in Sundarijal market,.

Habitat: moist places in mixed forests, Sundarijal and Lele.

Hericium erinaceus (Bull) Pers.

Nep. Thokre chyau; Thankar shyamo.

Use: edible. It is sold in Ashan market, Kathmandu

Hydnum repandum L.

Nep. Chwali shyamo, Ura shyamo, Chwali ura shyamo.

Use: edible, sometime eaten raw, preferred by Tamang community.

Habitat: moist places covered with pine litter, pine forest, Tokha

Laccaria laccata (Scop. ex Fr.) Berk & Br.

Nep. Budhi chyau; Jhari chyau, Kurkure chyau, Bhuinbapale chyau,

Chinmrukan

Use: edible, mostly preferred by Tamang and Newar ethenic cast. It is also

sold in Kathmandu market

Habitat: moist shady and open places in Pinus roxburghii forest and in

mixed forest, Tokha, Sundarijal, Lele , Bajrayogini and

Suryavinayak.

Lactarius piperatus (Fr.) S.F. Gray

Nep. Dudhe chyau, Nghe shyamo

Use: edible, but not preferred.

Habitat: pine forest, Nagarkot

Laetiporus sulphureus (Fr.) Murr

Nep. Wala shyamo; Sulsingwala marmo

Use: edible. It is also sold in Asan market ,.

Habitat: moist places, Sundarijal.

Lentinellus sp

Use: edible. It is also sold in Kathmandu market with Pleurotus

cornucopiae,.

Habitat: forest, Tokha.

Lycoperdon pyriforme Schaeffer ex Fr.

Nep. Phusphure chyau; Nagala Phum shyamo.

Use: edible;

Habitat: moist places in mixed tropical forests, Kakani and Changu.

Meripilus giganteus (Fr.) Karst

Nep. Bhalu Chyau

Use: edible

Habitat: Quercus stump, Phulchoki

Oudemansiella radicate (Rehl ex Fr.) Singer

Nep. Kagkhutte chyau, Tang shyamo

Use: edible, roasted on fire or fried with various things.

Habitat: soil in open moist places, Suryavinayak, Lele and Kakani.

Pleurotus cornucopiae (Paul ex Pers) Rolland

Use: edible, The mushrooms are sold in Asan market, Kathmandu and

Mangal Bazar, Patan,

Pleurotus pulmonarius (Fr.) Quel

Nep. Kande chyau

Use: edible. It is sold in Kathmandu market, mixed with Pleurotus conucopiae

and Lentinellus spp.,

Polyporus arcularius Fr.

Use: edible. It is also sold at Asan market, Kathmandu

Habitat: moist places of forest, Phulchowki

Polyporus varius Fr.

Use: edible.

This species is sold in Kathmandu Market

Ramaria aurea (Fr.) Quel.

Nep. Thakre chyau

Use: edible It is also sold in Kathmandu market

Habitat: moist places of pine forests, Nagarkot and Lele .

Ramaria botrytis (Pers.) Ricken

Nep. Thekre chyau

Use: edible. It is also sold at Asan market, Kathmandu

Habitat: soil in moist places in pine forest, Kakani .

Ramaria flava (Fr.) Quel

Nep. Thokre chyau

Use: edible. It is also sold at Kathmandu market.

Habitat: soil in pine forest, Kakani

Ramaria formosa (Fr.) Quel.

Nep. Thokre chyau

Use: edible.

Habitat: It is sold at Asan market mixed with Ramaria aurea and Ramaria

flava.

Russula adusta Fr.

Nep. Kan shyamo

Use: edible, but poor in taste.

Habitat: moist shady places in pine forest or in mixed forests, Lele ,

Nagarkot, Bajrayogine and Matatirtha.

Russula densifolia Gill

Use:edible, but poor in taste.

Habitat: moist shady places in pine forests,Bajrnyogini, Lele and

Suryavinayak.

Scleroderma citrinum Pers

Nep. Phusphure chyau, Dalle chyau, Til chyau, Shakan shyamo, Allu chyau,

Pattun chyau.

Use: edible. It is also sold in Asan market, Kathmandu

Habitat: soil in moist places of the mixed forest, Matatirtha,

Sundarijal and Changu ,

Termitomyces eurhizus (Berk) Heim

Nep. Kalunge chyau, Puchina, Jhyarno, Chyarmo, Kalunge

Use: edible, aerial parts are eaten after roasted. It is also sold in Kathmandu

market

Habitat: ` moist soil in pine forest as well as in mixed forests, Nagarkot ,

and Kakani

Pteridophytes

Adiantum Capillus veneris (Linn.) Adiantaceae

Nep. Rani uneu

Use: A paste made from the fronds is applied to the forehead to relieve

headaches and to the chest to relieve chest pains; decoction of

plant is drunk to treat whooping cough and throat and bronchial

disorders; squeezed leaf juice is applied on wounds.

Habitat: stone crevices and rocky slopes, Kakani

Adiantum caudatum L. Adiantaceae

Nep. Uneu

Use: Green leaves are pounded in water and juice is applied to the affected area of skin infection; dried leaf is decocted and then drunk to treat cough and fever; leaf juice is taken to cure diabetes.

Habitat: stone crevices and rocky slopes, Kakani and Talakhu of Nuwakot district.

Adiantum incisum Forssk, Adiantaceae

Nep. Uneu

Use: Frond is squeezed between thumb and then juice is applied externally to cure scabies.

Habitat: Forests, Matragau, Nuwakot district.

Diplazium stoliczkae Bedd. Aspidiaceae

Nep. Kalo neuro

Use : The tender shoots are commonly eaten as delicious vegetable.

Habitat: Forest, Kakani and Syabru

Deparia boryana (Willd.) M. Kato., Woodsiaceae

Nep. Kaloneuro

Use: Young parts are eaten as vegetable.

Habitat: Forest, Thanapati

Dryopteris cochleata (D. Don.) C. Chr. Aspidiaceae.

Nep. Dantheneuro

Use : The tender shoots are consumed as vegetable after boiling and are used to

sell in market; juice extracted from the fronds is used to treat muscular

and rheumatic pain

Habitat: Forest, waste moist areas, Thansing, Kakani, Mulkhadka, Okharni and

adjoining areas

Dryothyrium boryanum (Willd.) Ching., Aspidiaceae

Nep. Kaloneuro

Use : The young parts are eaten as vegetable.

Habitat: Forest, Sundarijal

Equisetum debile Roxb. ex Vaucher, Equisetaceae

Nep. Ankhe jhar, kurkure

Use: Plants are pounded and paste is then applied in bone facture and also used to cure old ulcers.

Habitat: stagnant water, shady moist areas, Kakani and Likhu, Nuwakot district

Geleichenia gigantea Wall ex Hook & Bauer. Gleicheniaceae

Use: Frond is used as fuel and mulching.

Habitat: Profoundly occur on dry exposed areas, Thansing

Lycopodium clavatum L. Lycopodiaceae,

Nep. Nagbeli jhar;

Use: decoction of shoot is drunk three times a day for stomach ache;

spores are used to treat cuts and wounds; plant decoction is used

in rheumatism.

Habitat: forest, exposed slopes, Okharni, Mulkhadka and Thansing

Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) Presl. Davalliaceae

Nep. Pani-amala, Pani saro

Use: Fleshy tubers are eaten by village children. Herb is used against cough and

skin diseases; water bulbs are taken to cure Leocorrhea.

Habitat: Shady or dry open places, Kakani and Syabru.

Polystichum squarrosum (D. Don) Fee. Aspidiaceae

Nep. Phusre neuro, Bhyagnte neuro, Thulo neuro

Use: Tender shoots are consumed.

Habitat: Shady as well as exposed parts of the forest, Mahakal and Syabru,

Pteridium aquilinum (L) Kuhn. Dennstaedtiaceae

Nep. Uneu

Use: Young frond is eaten as vegetable; Decoction of rhizome is used for

the treatment of spleen.

Habitat: Exposed area, moist places, Kakani

Selaginella biformis A. Br. ex Kuhn. Selaginellaceae

Nep. Sindure

Use: powder of strobilus is applied on cuts and wounds to stop

bleeding;

Habitat: shady slopes, riversides, Kakani.

Discussion

The present study revealed that wild plants are widely used to fulfill basic needs and for therapeutic purposes in the villages of the Central Development Region. Ramaria aurea and Ramaria flava are considered as nonedible species in Japan (Imazeki et al. 1988), but they are used as vegetable in Kathmandu valley (Joshi and Joshi, 1999). The local inhabitants of the study areas have developed a traditional knowledge system related to utilisation of plant resources in a sustainable manner. Especially, women have significant knowledge regarding usefulness of the plants and their parts. But when questioned about the changing status of the existing plants, our respondents listed some important species such as Auricularia auricula and Cantharellus cibarius which have also declined in abundance during the last decade. Hence, efforts should be directed to conserve the valuable species and their habitats with the implementation of locally appropriatesustainable management measures involving local participation.

Ackowledgement

The authors are thankful to local informants for providing information.

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