11.ETHNOBOTANICAL INVESTIGATION OF WILD EDIBLE PLANTS OF ARAMBAGH SUB-DIVISION OF HOOGHLY DISTRICT, WEST BENGAL, INDIA By PRADYUT BISWAS AND SUBRATA MONDAL2

Abstract

Ethnobotanical investigation of wild edible plants has been carried out to document their use as medicine
in addition to vegetable in Arambagh subdivision of Hooghly District, West Bengal, India. Frequent
market survey as well as field survey of such wild edible plants results in their seasonal occurrence,
which signifies a socio-economic importance of these plants to the peoples in this sub-division. The
investigated taxa constitute 40 plant species belonging to angiosperms (97.50%), and pteridophyte
(2.50%). Out of 39 angiospermic plants 3 (7.69%) are monocotyledons and 36 (92.30%) are dicotyledons.
Leaves are used as a source of food as vegetables in maximum cases (72.50%) and fruits, seeds, corm and
spathe are occasionally used (27.50%). Leaf parts of most of the plant species are used as source of herbal
medicine for primary healthcare. Some wild plants (10 species) have been recorded for the first time in
West Bengal to have their use as vegetable in addition to medicine. Such traditional ethnobotanical
information of wild edible plants may help in formulation of new drug. Thus proper use of these plants is
urgently needed, which highlights on their conservation for future benefit.
KEY WORD: Ethnobotany, Arambagh, Wild edible plants, Herbal medicine.