Wild edible plants of the Anamalais, Coimbatore district, western Ghats,Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Anamalai hills, western Ghats, Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu were surveyed to list out the edible plants utilized by the tribal communities such as Kadars, Pulaiyars, Malasars, Malaimalasars and Mudhuvars. About 74 plant species including 25 leafy vegetables, 4 fruit yielding and 45 fruit / seed yielding varieties have been identified. The local tribal communities for their dietary requirements since a long time have utilized these forest produce. Many of these less familiar edible plants can be subjected to further investigation to meet the food and nutrition security of the nation.