An ethnobotanical study on the wild vegetable plants consumed by ethnic communities of Junnar Tehsil, in Pune district of Maharashtra, India

Wild plants and their parts mainly root, corm, stem, leaves, and sometimes whole plants are directly utilized as a seasonal cuisine. Among all, it has been directly utilized as a traditional medicine. Wild vegetables are a reviving, tasty, and inexpensive source of vitamins, minerals, and proteins for users. However, the current situation shows that their utilization and knowledge are reducing over time. Therefore, there is an urgent need to investigate ethnic knowledge and expertise on edible plants' nutritional and therapeutic benefits. It is necessary to take action against exploiting these plant species and conservation priorities would be taken through biotechnological interventions. This study shows that the ethnic groups and forest dwellers have extensive traditional knowledge of the medicinal importance of wild edible plants and their use. The present study was carried out in the tribal communities of Junnar tehsil in Pune (Maharashtra), with a particular emphasis on Katkari, Thakar, Mahadev Koli, Dongar Koli, and Bhil tribes. This is an endeavor to preserve the important ethnomedical knowledge of these tribes in the Junnar tehsil. In the present study, a total of 97 species from 84 genera belonging to 52 families have been investigated as wild edibles. Due to their high-value of potentialities, these wild vegetables could be used in pharmaceutical industry and vegetable crop sources in agriculture.