Ancient Science of Life, Vol No. VII Nos.

3 & 4, January & April 1988, Pages 201 - 206

WILD EDIBLE PLANTS OF JAMMU & KASHMIR STATE – AN ETHNO-

BOTANICAL STUDY
T. N. SRIVASTAVA

Regional Research Laboratory (CSIR) Canal Road, Jammu – 180 001, India

Received: 9 April, 1987 Accepted: 11 November, 1987

ABSTRACT: While conducting the Ethno-Botanical explorations of Jammu and Kashmir State,
the authors gathered information from the primitive society, Gujar, Bakarwala and other
inhabitants living in far-flung areas not exposed to civilization as well as the villages, on the
importance of the plants, used by them in their way of life, as medicine, food, fodder and other
religio-social customs and beliefs. The present paper deals with 109 species of the wild edible
plants only being used by them for food in various ways. The botanical names of the wild edible
plants, local names, places of collection, parts used and mode of use, are also discussed.

INTRODUCTION

Recently efforts have been made to identify the folk-lore medicines of Jammu and Kashmir State
(Gupta & Srivastava et al 1980, 1981 : Srivastava et al, 1978, 1980, 1981a, 1981b). Information
collected on the use of wild edible plants is meager. Atal et al (1980) have discussed a few
emergency food through wild flora of Sundarbani area.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ethno-Botanical Surveys were conducted in various parts of the State, Jammu & Kashmir
inclusive of Ladakh, and information regarding use of the plants by the primitive society, Gujar,
Bakarwal and other inhabitants of the far-flung areas not exposed to civilization as well villagers
of the areas, was collected in detail. In the present paper only the wild plants used by them as
food either raw, cooked or after processing, have been discussed.

The botanical names of the wild edible plants, local names, place of collection, parts used, and
mode of use, are listed in a Table No. I. The species have been arranged alphabetically. The
specimens were collected properly identified and deposited in the herbarium of Regional
Research Centre, Rehari Chowk, Jammu.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

(Author is grateful to the Director, CCRAS for providing necessary facilities during the intensive
Ethno – Botanical explorations of Jammu & Kashmir State).

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 TABLE – I

Wild Edible Plants of Jammu and Kashmir

Sl. Botanical Name Verna. / Local Place of collection Part used Mode of use
No. Name
1 Acacia modesta Wall. Phulaigum Nandani Gum Fried with ghee
and eaten
2 Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa Bill Taror Patti, Chak Fruits Ripe fruits eaten
Bhalwal (Jammu) raw and sherbet
3 Allium atropurpureum Waldst. & Kit Wanpraan Bandipur Leaves Vegetable

4 Amaranthus paniculatus Linn. Seol Kulwanta Seeds, Leaves Fried, Vegetable

5 Amaranthus spinosus Linn. Charleree Udhampur Leaves Vegetable

6 Amaranthus tricolor Linn. Charleree Rajouri, Taror Patti Leaves Vegetable

(Jammu)
7 Amaranthus viridis Linn. Charleri Chak Bhalwal (Jammu) Leaves Vegetable

8 Angelica qlauco Edgew. Chorak Sekhpura (Tilel) Root Spices

9 Arnebia euchroma (Royle) I. M. Jonston Aamokh Zozila (Ladakh) Roots Stews & Soups

10 Arnebia quttata Bunger Var. quttata Demokh Upshi (Ladakh) Roots Stews & Soups

11 Artocarpus lakoocha Roxb. Teu Chak– Bhalwal Fruits Raw & Pickles
(Jammu)
12 Asparaqus racemosus Willd. Sahnspour Ramnagar Tubers Vegetable

13 Astragalus chlorstachys Lindl. Aiste-kachh Gurez Fruits Raw

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14 Bauhinia variegate Linn. Kartrer Rajouri, Reasi Buds Vegetable

15 Berberis artstata DC Kambel Rajouri Fruits Raw

16 B. lyceum Royle Kambel Pancheri (Udhampur) Fruits Raw

17 Bunium persicum (Boiss). Fedtsch Kalajeera/jeerakarpo Dawar (Gurez) Fruits Spice

Nee (Ladakh)
18 Bupleurum tenue Don. Jeeraghas Dawar (Gurez) Seeds Spices adulterant
to Kalajeera
19 Capparis spinosa Linn. Kalira Khalsi (Ladakh) Unripe fruits & Vegetable
young leaves
20 Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medic Kralmond Bandipur Leaves Vegetable

21 Caralluma tuberculata N. E. Br. Charungli Nawshera, Sunderbani Tubers Cooked &

Pickles
22 Carissa opaca Stapf. Ex Hains Garna Chak Bhalwal (Jammu) Fruits Raw
Udhampur
23 Carum carvi Linn Kumblick / Jeera Dras (Ladakh) Fruits Leaves Spice, Vegetable
Karpo
24 Centaurea iberica Trev. Ex Spreng Krotzkond Tangmarg Tender Leaves Vegetable

25 Chaerophyllum villosum Wall Janpligajar Rajori Roots Raw or cooked

26 Chenopodium album Linn. Bathu Chak Bhalwal (Jammu) Leaves Vegetable

27 Cicer soongaricum Steph. Ex. DC. Seri-jriboo Leh (Ladakh) Unripe Legumes Vegetable

28 Cichorium intybus Linn. Kasini Tangmarg Tender plant Vegetable

29 Codonopsis ovata Benth. Ex. Royle Ludut Brandipur Taproot Vegetable

30 Commelina benghalensia Linn. Chura Lander (Udhampur) Leaves As Pakora

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31 Cordia dichotoma Forst. F. Lasoora Chak – Bhalwal Fruits Vegetable & as
(Jammu) Pickles
32 Dioscorea belophylla Volgt. Tarar Mansar Bulbs Vegetable

33 Dioscorea bulbefera Linn. Tagald/Githi Kirmichi Tubers Vegetable

34 Diospyrus lotus Linn. Amlok Ramban Fruits Raw

35 Diospyrus mitis Don Wopulhak Dawar (Gurez) Tender Leaves Vegetable

36 Emblica officinalis Gaertn. Amla Mansar Fruits Acchar &

Chutney
37 Ephedra qeradiana Wall. Cheldum Nubra (Ladakh) Fruits Raw

38 Euphorbia royleana Boiss. Thor Kulwanta Top Tender Boiled and made
portion of stem Raita
39 Ficus auriculata Lour. Trimbal Mansar Fruits Raw

40 Ficus palmate Forsk. Phagwar Rajouri, Udhampur Figs Raw

41 Ficus racemosa Linn. Rumbal Mansar (Udhampur) Fruits Raw

42 Flacourtia indica (Burm. f.) Merr. Kakoah Chak Bhalwal (Jammu) Fruits Raw

43 Fragaria vesca Linn. Ankhe Sanasar Fruits Raw

44 Fritillaria roylei Hook. Sheethkar Patalwan (Gurez) Bulb Raw

45 Hippophae rhamnoides Linn. Srimang Tungri (Ladakh) Fruits Raw

46 H. tibetana Schlet Chharboo Chakchu (Ladakh) Fruits Raw

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47 Impatiens glandulifera Royle Phutong Dawar (Gurez.) Seeds Raw

48 Lactuca brunoniana (Wall.) Cl. Gundula Gurez Leaves Vegetable

49 Lactuca dolicophylla Katam. Gundhali Pancheri (Udhampur) Leaves Vegetable

50 Lopidium sativum Linn. Halayan Mansar Young leaves Vegetable

51 Malva parviflora Linn. Swanchal Chak Bhalwal (Jammu) Leaves Vegetable

52 Malva sylvestris Linn. Soochal Kirmichi Leaves Vegetable

53 Marselia quadrifolia Linn. Chopatia Mansar Leaves Vegetable

54 Medicago sativa Linn. Ispit Dawar (Gurez) Tender Leaves Vegetable

55 Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds sap. Pudina-kachh Dawar (Gurez) Leaves Chatney
Longifolia
56 Momordica dioica Roxb. Ex. Willd Kakora Talabtillo (Jammu) Fruits Vegetable

57 Moringa oleifera Lamk. Sohanjna Ramnagar Fruits Vegetabl &

Pickles
58 Morus alba Linn. Tut / Tul Udhampur, Srinagar Fruits Raw

59 Nasturtium officinale R. Br. Nagbabur Tangmarg Leaves Vegetable

60 Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. Kamal Kanachak (Jammu) Rhizomes Vegetable

61 Nymphaea alba Linn. Brimposh / Nilofer Srinagar Rhizomes Vegetable

62 Nymphoides peltatum Kuntz. Khur Srinagar Petiole Vegetable

63 Onosma hispidum Wall. Ratanjot Tilel Root Stews & Soups

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64 Origanum normale Don. Marzanjosh / Srinagar Leaves & topes Spices
Wanbabur cut prior to
blooming
65 Orobanche alba steph. Subzgul Neeru (Tilel) Whole plant Vegetable

66 Oxalis acetosella Linn. Cholmori Gulmarg Leaves Eaten as raw or

added to cooked
vegetable to give
sub acid taste
67 Oxalis corniculata Linn. Ammikhati Udhampur Leaves - do –

68 Oxyria digyna Mill. Suma / Churboo Panikhar (Ladakh) Leaves Vegetable &
Patan Chatney
69 Phanera vahlii (W. & A.) Benth Malwar Udhampur Seeds Roasted / Fried

70 Phoenix sylvervestris Roxb. Khajoor Krimchi (Udhampur) Fruits Raw

71 Physalis peruviana Linn. Patakka Gol Gujral (Jammu) Fruits Raw

72 Phytolacca acinosa Roxb. Saranugun Gurez Tender leaves Vegetable

73 Pinus roxburghii Sarg Chir Mansar Seeds Raw

74 Plantago asiatica Linn. Karche / Nikto Panikhar (Ladakh) Leaves Vegetable

75 Plantago himalaica Pilger Karche / Nikto Panikhar (Ladakh) Leaves Vegetable

76 Plantago lanceolata Linn Gul Srinagar Tender leaves Vegetable

77 Podophyllum emodi Wall. Ex. Royle Tenumoo-Kusoo Chhanghra (Ladakh) Ripe fruits Raw

78 Polygonum alpinum All. Tsokladar Suru Tender leaves Vegetable

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79 Polygonum amplexicaule Don Mashleen Udhampur Roots As tea

80 Polygonum aviculare Linn. Endrani Gurez Tender leaves Vegetable

81 Polygonum orientale Linn. Abuj Srinagar Tender leaves Vegetable

82 Portulaca oleracea Linn. Loonki / Nunar Chak Bhalwal (Jammu) Leaves Vegetable
Srinagar
83 Pueraira tuberose DC. Bidda / Biddsiah Reasi, Udhampur Tubers Raw and cooked

84 Punica granatum Linn. Dadim / Anardana Batote Seeds Chatney

85 Rheum emodi Wall. Lachu / Chucha Rangdum (Ladakh) Tender leaves Vegetable

86 Rheum webbianum Royle. Lachu / Chucha Chakchhu (Ladakh) Tender leaves Vegetable

87 Rosa moschata Hern. Krich Srinagar Fruits, Young Raw Vegetable

shoots
88 Rubus ellipticus Sm. Syari Pancheri (Udhampur) Fruits Raw

89 R. niveus Thunb. Chhanchh Srinagar Fruits Raw

90 R. ulmifolius Shoot Chhanchh Srinagar Fruits Raw

91 Rumex acetosa Linn Tsoktsin Srinagar Leaves Vegetable

92 Rumex hastatus D. Don Aula / Ambli Srinagar, Udhampur Leaves Vegetable

93 Sagittaria sagittifolia Linn. Tote Sumh (Jammu) Tuber Vegetable

94 Sedum ewersii Ledeb. Churuppa Rangdum (Ladakh) Whole plant Vegetable

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95 Sedum tibeticum Hk. f. & Th. Solomarpo Leh – Ladakh Leaves Vegetable

96 Seseli libanotis (L) K. Koch Khumbak Tesur (Ladakh) Shoots Vegetable

97 Solanum nigrum Linn. Kainkothi Chak – Bhalwal Green leaves Vegetable

(Jammu)
98 Sorghum halepense (L). Pers. Braham Srinagar Seeds Flour

99 Szygium cummini (L) Sheels Jamoon Chak – Bhalwal Fruits Raw

(Jammu)
100 Taraxacum officinale Weber Hand Gurez Leaves Vegetable

101 Telosma pallida Craib Goalmand Tillo-Talab (Jammu) Tender fruits Cooked

102 Terminalia bellerica (Gaertn.) Roxb. Baira Udhampur Seeds Raw

103 Trifolium repens Linn. Chopati Dawar (Gurez) Leaves Vegetable

104 Triglochin palustre Linn. Makka / Kasam Panikhar (Ladakh) Fruits Eaten as bread
after making of
its flour
105 Typha angustata Bory & Chaub Petz Srinagar Rhizome Vegetable

106 Viburnum grandiflorum Wall. Ex DC. Kulmanch / kulem Srinagar Fruits Raw

107 Zanthoxylum alatum Roxb Timru Sudhmahadev, Lati Fruits Used in pickles
and as spice.
108 Zizyphus mauritianum Lamk. Ber Chak – Bhalwal Fruits Raw
(Jammu)
109 Zizyphus vulgaris Lamk. Ber Batote Fruits Raw

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REFERENCES

Atal, C. K., Sharma, B. M. and Bhatia, A. K. Search of Emergency food through wild flora of
Jammu & Kashmir State. Sundarbani area I. Indian forester 106 (3): 211 – 219 (1980).

Gupta, O. P., Srivastava, T. N., Gupta, S. C. and Badola, D. P. Ethno-Botanical and Phyto-
Chemical Screening of high altitude plants of Ladakh I. Bull Ethno Medico. Bot. Res. New
Delhi 1 (3): 310 – 317 (1980).

Gupta, O. P., Srivastava, T. N., Gupta, S. C. and Badola, D. P. Ethno-Botanical and Phyto-
Chemical Screening of high altitude plants of Ladakh II. Bull Ethno Medico. Bot. Res. New
Delhi 2 (1): 67 – 88 (1981).

Srivastava, T. N., Uniyal, M. R., Gupta, O. P. and Shah, N. C. Preliminary Techno Economic
Survey of Natural Resources and Herbal Wealth of Ladakh, IInd Edn. CCAAS Oub. 21 (1978).

Srivastava, T. N., Pathak, N. N. and Hussain, S. M. S. Medicinal Plants of Kailash (J & K), Bull.
Ethno-Med. Bot. Res. 2 (2): 145 – 166 (1980).

Srivastava, T. N., Pathak, N. N. Gupta, O. P. and Badola, D. P. An Exploration of Medicinal

Plants of Udhampur ( J & K) Forest Div. I. Bull. Ethno. Medico. Bot. Res. 2(1) : 1 – 22 (1981).

Srivastava, T. N., Badola, D. P. and Gupta, O. P. Medicinal Herbs used by Amchies of Ladakh.
Bull. Ethno Medico. Bot. Res. 2(2) : 193 – 202 (1981).

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