By Hanumantha. M., Assistant Professor, Dept.

of FPU, COF, Sirsi 2020

Drugs: Sources and Importance

Drugs are the degradation products of metabolism of the plant. They may consist of
glucosides, alkaloids or their compounds.
They are extracted from the plant tissues by a variety of processes, and depend for their
medicinal value on definite physiological effects which they produce on human body. They come
from trees, shrubs and herbs. They are made from fruit, flower, leaf, stem, or root in to solids,
liquids, infusions or dusts.
The drugs require treatment, before they are marketed and extracts may be obtained. The
drugs may be pain soothers/anodynes, hypnotics, narcotics (Cocaine), antipyretics (drugs which
allay fever) and stimulants (Strychnine). Drugs preventing infection may be antiseptics; astringents
which have the power to constrict or contract organic tissues, draw together cut or torn tissues and
check bleeding.
Most medicinal plants are gathered by hand and locally dried. In the dried state they are
commercially known as crude drugs. Some drugs undergo a preliminary processing at their
sources, such as air drying, before being transported to consuming centres.
Practically all drugs require treatment before they marketed, such as sifting, reconditioning,
grinding, and blending. Extracts may be obtained by the usual process of maceration, percolation,
filtration, and evaporation, utilizing water, alcohol or some other solvent.
The active principles in plants are commonly most concentrated in storage regions, such as
roots and seeds, and to a smaller extent elsewhere, as in leaves, bark, wood, and flowers.

e.g., Chiretta (Whole plant), Senna (Leaves), Rhubarb (Root), Cinchona (Bark), Cannabis
(Flowers), and Nux vomica (seeds).

History
 Drugs derived from plants were in use in china in 5000 to 4000 B. C.

 Ancient texts of India, of even earlier epoch; detail the methods of gathering and preparing

drugs.

 Egyptians recorded the names of many plants on Egyptian papyri in 1600 B. C.

 Dioscorides, in his “De Materia Medica” written in 77 B.C., deals with the properties all

medicinal substances known in his time.

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 By Hanumantha. M., Assistant Professor, Dept. of FPU, COF, Sirsi 2020

Classification of drugs
The classification of drugs may be based on the chemical nature or therapeutic value of the
products, the natural affinities of various species or the plant organ from which the drug is derived.

Classification of plant drugs based on plant organ from which the drug is derived
1. Drugs from roots and other underground parts
2. Drugs obtained from barks
3. Drugs obtained from woods
4. Drugs obtained from leaves
5. Drugs obtained from flowers
6. Drugs obtained from fruits and seeds

1. Drugs from roots and other underground parts

a. Podophyllum hexandrum ; Berberidaceae ; Bankaru
 It is small herb found in the temperate Himalayas (HP, UP and J&K).
 Roots are used for diseases of liver and as purgative in the form of pills, in cases of chronic
constipation.
b. Saussuria lappa ; Compositae ; Kuth
 The roots yield the commercial kuth. It is used in medicine, burning as incense, in cough,
asthma and skin diseases.
 Oil also extracted which is used in blending the scents.
c. Aconitum spp. ; Ranunculaceae
There are about 24 species of aconites, found in Himalayan regions. The roots are used as
astringent. These have alkaloids like Atisine, Heteratisine and Dry hydroatsine. These act as
astringent, stomachic and aphrodisiac.
i. Aconitum chasmanthum
ii. A. heterophyllum
iii. A. ferox
d. Acorous calamus; Aracaceae ; Sweet falg
 It is an aromatic herb, found in damp marshy places
 The rhizomes are remedy for colic, dyspepsia, and a pleasant adjunct to tonic.
e. Picrorhiza kurroa ; Scrophulariaceae ; Kuru, Kulki
 It is a hairy perennial herb found in alpine Himalayas from Kashmir to Sikkim.

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 By Hanumantha. M., Assistant Professor, Dept. of FPU, COF, Sirsi 2020

 The roots are used as stomachic tonic and febrifuge. The active principle is the glucoside
“Picrorhizin”.
f. Valeriana wallichii ; Valerianaceae ; Indian Valerian
 Roots of this species are used as stimulant, antispasmodic and in nervous and hysterical
symptoms.
h. Abroma angusta ;
 The root bark is an uterine tonic and is used in dysmenorrhoea
i. Berberis aristata (Indian Barberry), B. lycium, B. Asiatica ; Berberidaceae
 Root and lower stem wood of this plant a brown extract is prepared which is known as
“Rasaunt”.
 The active principle is “Berberine”; it is used in the treatment of opthalmia, for piles and as
tonic and a laxative.
j. Dioscorea deltoidea ; Dioscoreaceae
 This is an extensive climber, distributed in North Western Himalayas from Kashmir to
Nepal.
 The tubers yield diosgenin used in synthesis of sex hormones and cortisone, used
extensively in rheumatism and allergic conditions.
k. Rauwolfia serpentina ; Apocynaceae ; Sarpagandha
 It occurs practically throughout India form Kerala to the Himalyan foot hills except Rajsthan
 Roots of the plant contain an alkaloid “Resperine”. Alkaloid content in the roots is varies
from 0.8 to 1.3%.
 It is used for lowering the blood pressure, hypertension.
 It is also used as a cure for snake bites, insanity and even blindness.
l. Hemidesmus indicus ; Asclepiadaceae ; Indian sarasaparilla
 It is a lactiferous, twining shrub; dried roots are medicinal and constitute the Hemidesmus
or Anantamul. The drug is a tonic, demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic, and blood purifier.
m. Asparagus adscendens ; Asparagaceae ;Safed musli
 The root is used as a demulcent, in diarrhoea and dysentery. It is also used as an aphrodisiac.
n. A. racemosus ; Asparagaceae ; Satavari
 It is a small spiny climbing perennial herb with needle like leaves. Roots are used as nervine
tonic and aphrodisiac.
The other root drugs of importance are
Cephaelis ipecacuanha, Colchicum luteum, Glycyrrhiza glabra
Nardostachys jatamansi, Rheum emodi, Urginea indica
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 By Hanumantha. M., Assistant Professor, Dept. of FPU, COF, Sirsi 2020

2. Drugs obtained from barks

a. Alstonia scholaris ; Apocynaceae ; Devils tree, Maddale, Saptaparni
 It yields the dita bark of commerce; it is bitter tonic and febrifuge and is popularly used in
the treatment of malaria.
 It is also useful in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery.

b. Cassia fistula ; Caesalpiniaceae ; Indian Laburnum, Kakke

 Root bark extract is used in the treatment of black water fever (as a substitute for Cassia
Beareana Liquidum).

c. Cinchona ledgeriana and C. hybrida ; Rubiaceae

 It is most important of all Indian vegetable drugs.
 C. ledgeriana (Quinine content 14%) is cultivated in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu and
forms about 72% of the total cinchona crop in India.
 C. hybrid (C. ledgeriana x C. R succirubra) is cultivated in Tamil Nadu and forms 22% of
the Indian crop. (Quinine content 22%)
 The active principle is the alkaloid, quinine that resides in the bark, used to treat malaria.

d. Holarrhnea antidysenterica ; Apocynaceae ; Kurchi, Kuda

 The bark has astringent, antidysentric, and tonic properties; used in fevers and as a tonic.

e. Soymida febrifuga ; Meliaceae ; Swamygida

 The bark is used to treat fevers

3. Drugs obtained from woods

a. Ephedra spp.
Four important species are E. foliate, E. gerardiana, E. Intermedia, E. major
 E. major occurs in Baluchistan and Lahaul. It has the highest alkaloid content among
Indian Ephedras.
 The alkaloid, Ephedrine, possesses important properties in the treatment of bronchial
diseases and hay fever, and is used generally as a substitute for adrenaline. It is usually
employed as hydrochloride or as sulphate

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 By Hanumantha. M., Assistant Professor, Dept. of FPU, COF, Sirsi 2020

4. Drugs obtained from leaves

a. Ephedra gerardiana
 The alkaloid, Ephedrine, possesses important properties in the treatment of bronchial
diseases and hay fever, and is used generally as a substitute for adrenaline.
b. Vitex peduncularis ; drug obtained from leaves used to cure black water fever
c. Gaultheria fragrantissima ; Ericaceae ; Wintergreen
 Leaves yield Winter green oil used in flavouring medicine, aerated waters and for rubbing
on body in cases of rheumatism. Salicylic acid is obtained from oil and Aspirin of
commerce is made from it.
d. Mentha arvensis and M. piperita
 Peppermint oil and Menthol is obtained; both are medicinally valuable
e. Hyoscyamus niger
 Leaves contain an alkaloid Hyoscyamine and Hysconine; used to counter-act the gripping
action of purgatives and for relieve spasm in the urinary tract.

f. Ocimum kallimandscharicum
 Leaves yield a volatile oil which contains a high percentage of Camphor
g. Azadirachta indica
 Leaves contain Onion smelling compound which is resistant to insects and extensively used
to preserve books, paper and clothes from the ravages of moths and termites.
h. Cannabis sativa (Hemp)
 The plant is the source of Ganja, Charas and Bhang, the well known narcotics which is
widely used by the people addicted to these.
i. Atropa acuminata
 It is found in Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh at 1800 to 3600 m.
 It contains Hyoscyamine and Atropine; it has narcotic, sedative and diuretic properties.
 A. belladonaa is cultivated plant in Himalayas
j. Datura metal, D. Innoxia and D. Stramonium
 Important drug yielding plants, used for treating Asthma
k. Swertia chirata
 It is herb of temperate Himalayas; stem, leaves and flowers are used as tonic, febrifuge,
laxative and anthelmintic.

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 By Hanumantha. M., Assistant Professor, Dept. of FPU, COF, Sirsi 2020

5. Drugs obtained from flowers

a. Artemisia brevifolia and A. maritime are highly aromatic, gregarious shrubs found in Kashmir
and Himachal Pradesh. The flowers, buds and young shoots contain Santonin (2.0 to 2.5%), which
is a vermifuge and a remedy for intestinal worms. It is also used as a tonic in case of dyspepsia.
Other species occurring in India are A. absinthium and A. vulgaris
b. Cannabis sativa; Hemp: This plant grows wild throughout the Himalayan foot-hills from
Kashmir to Assam. It is also cultivated. It is a source of well known narcotics Ganja, Charas and
Bhang; all are used as narcotics and sedatives.
Ganja is produced from the flowering tops of the plant and is used for smoking and for
taking internally.
Charas is resinous exudation from the flowering tops and leaves. It contains active principle
Cannbinol, which is the basis of the narcotic, Hashish.
Bhang is the name given to a drink made out of pounded ganja.
c. Pyrethrum sp.; flower heads contain pyrethrine, which is used as contact poisons to insects.

6. Drugs obtained from fruits and seeds

a. Strychnos nux-vomica ; Kasaraka ; Logonaceae (other species S. Ignatii ; Philippines)
 Seeds contain powerful poison Strychnine and the less poisonous Brucine
 Strychnine is used as stimulant in the tonics, treating nervous disorders and paralysis.
b. Aegle marmelos ; Rutaceae ; Bael
 Unripe fruit is regarded as an astringent, digestive and stomachic; it is also beneficial in
cases of Diarrhoea and Dysentery.
c. Cassia fistula ; Ceasalpiniaceae ; Amaltas, Indian laburnum, Kakke
 It is well known in the trade as Purging Cassia; because the pulp of the pods is used as
purgative.
d. Ricinus communis ; Euphorbiaceae ; Castor
 The castor oil obtained from the seeds is used in medicine, burning and as a lubricant.
e. Emblica officinalis
 Dried fruit is useful in haemorrhage, diuretic, and dysentery
f. Hydnocarpus kurzii
 Seed oil is used in treatment of leprosy and other skin diseases
g. Plantago ovata
 Seed coat contains mucilage; it is used in chronic dysentery, diarrhoea and constipation.
h. Tamarindus indica ; yields the laxative drug which is commonly used.

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 By Hanumantha. M., Assistant Professor, Dept. of FPU, COF, Sirsi 2020

Grasses, Bamboos and Canes

I. GRASSES
Grasses are used for variety of purposes in India other than grazing. There are no grasses in
India that supply really fine textile fibres, but there are several grass fibres which are very suitable
for paper,-pulp, cordage and matting. The most important among these is Bhabar or baib grass
(Eulaliopsis binnata), which supplies vital raw material for the paper industry.

A. Grasses for paper making

1. Bhabar or baib grass (Eulaliopsis binnata)
 Perennial grass, found in bare slopes and forest blanks of the Sub Himalayan tracts and
Bihar, WB, MP, Orissa and eastern parts of Punjab.
 Chief source of paper making/industry; it holds a place second only to that of Bamboo
 Main suppliers are UP, Bihar, Orissa and MP
 Chief areas of consumption are UP and Punjab, where adequate supply of bamboo are not
available
 Imperata cylindrica and Desmostachya bipinnata can be used in admixture with this grass to
produce a satisfactory paper
2. Other suitable grasses for papermaking: FRI, Dehra Dun reported the following grass species
that yields a first class material for paper-pulp. saccharum spontaneum, S. bengalense (S. munja),
Narenga porphyrocoma, Arundo donax, Phragmites karka, Themeda arundinacea and T. villosa.

II. Fodder grasses

During scarcity of fodder, cattle can eat any grass with showing its marked preferences or
rejections. Even chrysopogan aciculatus (have sharp callus) and Heteropogan contortus
(dangerous awns and callus) are not avoided. Many cultivated, wild and even exotic grasses are
used for fodder purpose. Exotic grasses cultivated are Panicum maximum, Pennisetum
cladestinum and Brachiaria brizantha.
Some of the exotic grasses are also mentioned below having regard to the possibility of
their introduction in forest pastures.

1. Andropogaon:
 Important genus of perennial grasses of the dry regions; principal constituent of wild forage
 Andropogon pumilis gregarious annual grass; found in drier parts of India

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 By Hanumantha. M., Assistant Professor, Dept. of FPU, COF, Sirsi 2020

 Considered to be a good fodder grass and is relished by cattle, either in green or when made
into hay
 Five cuttings can be made/year from September to January; produced 6.0 tonnes/ha
 Andropogon lividus known as purple grass from the colour of the inflorescence, valuable
fodder grass in Tamil Nadu
 Andropogon ascinodis gregarious in the hills of Assam

2. Apluda mutica: common grass in forests, hedges and in open country; considered as good fodder
when young.
3. Bothriochloa ischacmum: yield 20 tonnes fodder per ha
4. B. intermedia and B. pertusa: perinneal grasses found throughout India
 B. intermedia raised from cuttings and yields 5.0 tonnes fodder/ha
 B.pertusa produces purplish inflorescence and emit aromatic odour and it yields good hay
5. Brachiaria brizantha: largely cultivated in Ceylon; very nutritious, palatable grass, excellent for
hay and silage, resistant to drought and used for soil conservation
6. Bromus inermis (Brome grass): forage grass of dry areas, drought resistant, most palatable
pasture grass and yields 8.25 tonnes/ha
7. Cenchrus ciliaris (Kolukattai)
 Perennial tufted grass and erect; common in plains; cultivated in Punjab and south India as
fodder.
 Resistant to drought and stands cutting well
 Yields 34-56 tonnes per ha in 3-4 cuttings
 Most nutritious among fodder grasses
 It can be fed green or converted into hay or silage
 Other species of Cenchrus isuitable for fodder are C. setigerus and C. biflorus (C.
barbatus). C. setigerus suitable for driest regions of North-West India. C. pennisetiformis is
hybrid of C. ciliaris and C. setigerus; it is an extremely fodder graas during dry season.
8. Chloris gayana (Rhodes grass)
 Exotic grass, suitable for hot and moist climates and for low lying heavy soils.
 Yields 37.5 tonnes of green fodder per ha in 2-8 cuttings
9. Chrysopogon aciculatus
 Common grass in village pastures, in the plains and lower hills
 It can resist overgrazing and trampling
 C. aucheri is desert grass found in rocky slopes
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 By Hanumantha. M., Assistant Professor, Dept. of FPU, COF, Sirsi 2020

10. Cynodon dactylon (Dub grass/Bermuda grass)

 Found throughout India growing in all kinds of soils
 It can stand close grazing and grows and spreads rapidly in hot climates
 Propagated by stem and root cuttings and seeds
 Valuable pasture grass, is the only one grass that keeps green during hot weather and
provides more and better grazing than any other grass.
 It can be fed green or converted into hay or silage
 Yields 2.2 to 3.0 tonnes per ha per annum in 4 cuttings
11. Dichanthium annulatum
 Perennial densely tufted grass with erect clumps
 Common throughout the hills and plains of India upto 1500 m
 It is an excellent fodder grass sought out by cattle
 Yields 9.0 tonnes/ha; suitable for silage and makes good hay if cut before flowering
12. Eragrostis
 It is large genus of annual or perennial grasses; of which 25 species found in India
 Important species are Eragrostis tenella (E. plumosa), E. tremula and E. cilianensis
 Eragrostis curvula (Weeping Love grass) has proved very useful grass for soil
conservation
13. Heteropogon contortus: distributed in Himalayas up to 2000 m; good fodder when it is young.
14. Iseilema laxum: best fodder grass in Central India
15. Panicum antidotale: found in Tamil Nadu and North-West India; excellent sand binder
16. Panicum maximum (Guinea grass): good fodder grass, largely cultivated in India and yields
58 tonnes/ha
17. Paspalum dilatatum: Valuable grass introduced from South America; found in almost hill
stations. It is highly esteemed for dairy cattle and yields 35 tonnes of green grass/ha.
18. Pennisetum clandestinum (Kikuya grass): exotic grass introduced from South Africa and
grows in moist climates. It is most successful in many parts of India, especially in Sikkim and
Nilgiris
19. Pennisetum purpureum (Elephant grass or Napier grass): rapidly growing grass and yields
upto 150 tonnes/ha. Hay is very good if cut before seeding. When full grown, the stems are reed
like and can be used for fences and walls of huts.
20. Sehima nervosum: An excellent fodder, wide spread in India, South-east Asia, Africa and
Australia.

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 By Hanumantha. M., Assistant Professor, Dept. of FPU, COF, Sirsi 2020

The following are also found to be satisfactory pasture grasses in the plains of India:
Digitaria spp. Selaria spp., Sporobolus diander and Themeda spp.

III. Grasses for matting

 Phragmites spp. and Arundo spp.
 Saccharum bengalense (S. munja): Munj grass, well known for Delhi matting; it is strong
and has a wonderful power of enduring moisture without decaying and it is fairly proof
against white ants.
 Typha elephantina and the sedge Cyperus corymbosus (C. tegetum) (Korai) used for
matting. Typha elephantian is cultivated in parts of Tamil Nadu and West Bangal and can be
used for producing finer and coloured mats.

IV. Grasses for ropes

 Eulaliopsis binnata and Desmostachya bipinnata used for making rough ropes for use in
country cots and also used for large fishing nets.
 Leaf sheath of Sacharum bengalense is used for manufacture of cordage and ropes
 Themeda arundinacea (large grass of the savannahs of Northern India) and Saccharum
spontaneum (Kans) used for making cordages

V. Thatching grasses
 Thatching grasses are used in India for roofing Katcha buildings in rural areas. The grass for
this purpose should be cut soon as it is mature; if left uncut starts deterioration and rot.
 Commonest grass used for thatching is Imperata cylindrica, which covers enormous areas
in India. Saccharum spontaneum is another valuable species used for thatching grass
 Other species used are Heteropogon contortus, Saccharum bengalense and Erianthus
ravennae
VI. Grasses for miscellaneous use
 Saccharum munja used for manufacture of chairs, stools, tables, baskets and screens
 Vetiver zizanoides (Khus-Khus) used for making wll known Khus-Khus tatties or
aromatic scented mats, which are hung over doorways and kept wet to cool the air in
houses and offices in the hot weather. Khus Khus is also used for manufacture of fans,
baskets and roots are used for extraction of essential oil.
 Panicles of Thysano maxima, Aristida satacea, A. hystrix and A. adscensionis are used for
houses brooms.
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 By Hanumantha. M., Assistant Professor, Dept. of FPU, COF, Sirsi 2020

II. BAMBOOS
 Bamboos are tall, perennial, arborescent grasses, belongs to family Bambusae (Graminae)
 There are 60 genera and 600-700 species found in the humid tropical and extra tropical
regions (1999 data: 87 genera; 1500 species)
 About 130 species are found in India
 In India, there are 136 indigenous as well as exotic species of bamboos belonging to 23
genera. Bamboo forests occupy an area of 10.03 million ha, roughly 12.8% of the total
forest area in the country. The total bamboo bearing area of the country is estimated to be
15.7 million hectares. India’s total bamboo growing stock in 2015 was estimated at around
80 million tones. About 1,500 traditional bamboo applications have been documented in
India.
 The more important genera are Arundinaria, Bambusa, Cephalostachyum, Dendrocalamus,
Gigantochloa, Melocanna and Ochlandra
 Bamboos may be deciduous (dry areas) or evergreen (damp or shady areas)
 The most common, most valuable and most universally used of all Indian bamboos is
Dendrocalamus strictus, “male bamboo” of commerce; found in deciduous forest
throughout India.
 Bambusa arundinacea takes the next place in occurrence and utility and found mainly in
Orisaa, Assam and Southern and Western India.

Morphological characteristics
 Bamboos are characterized by woody stems, commonly called culms (group of culms is
called clump), which arise from rhizomes
 Number of culms is variable; about 10-20 culms in a year 9in shrubby species as many as
50-100 or more)
 There is also variation in length of culm; in high altitudinal species such as Arundinaria are
0.5 m in height; in Dendrocalamus giganteus up to 36 m in height and 22.5 cm thick.
 The culms of bamboos are generally round and smooth and in most species “hallow” (the
female bamboos).
 Culms in Dendrocalamus strictus, Arundinaria prainii and Oxytenanthera stocksii are
solid (Male bamboos)
 When fully mature they attain a girth of 30 cm or more.
 Growth of the bamboos is very rapid; 0.9 m in one day has been recorded but 0.3 to 0.6 m
in a single day is common.
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 By Hanumantha. M., Assistant Professor, Dept. of FPU, COF, Sirsi 2020

USES OF BAMBOOS
The strength of culms, their straightness, smoothness and lightness, combined with hardness
their hollowness, the facility with which they can be split, and the range in size make bamboos
suitable for variety of purposes, for which other materials would require much labour and
preparation. Even their abundance, easy method for propagation and cut and the short period in
which they attain maturity is also an added advantage.
 Bamboo is used for scaffolding, ladders, bridges, fences, tool handles, beds, sticks, tent-
poles, brushes, pipes, fans, umbrellas, toys, musical instruments. Bamboo is the chief raw
material for making baskets and wickerwork and bamboo mats which are exported for
dunnage in ships.
 Its versatility has led to the coinage of such terms as “bamboo culture”, “green gold”,
“poor man’s timber”, “friend of the people” and “cradle to coffin timber”.
 Selected sticks of thin varieties of bamboos (Oxytenanthera ritcheyi syn: O.
monostigma), Pseudostachyum polymorphum) ietc are converted in to umbrella handles.
 Bamboo leaves used for fodder during scarcity of fodder. Bamboo foliage is favorite fodder
for elephants
 Bamboo seeds are eaten by poor people; rhizomes and young shoots of some bamboo are
pickled and eaten.
 Containers, drinking vessels and fishing rods and fishing ropes are made from some
bamboos
 Bamboo is important raw material for paper-pulp industry; air dry bamboos yield 40% pulp
and hence about 2.4 tonnes of bamboo is required for manufacture of 1.0 tonne of pulp. It
has several advanatages over Sabai pulp; Sulphite process is employed to manufacture
pulp and now used for rayon pulp also.
 Commonly used bamboo species for pulp-paper are Bambusa arundinacea, B. balcooa, B.
nutans, B. tulda, b. vulgaris, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, D. longspathus, D. strictus,
Melocanna bambusoides, Ochlandra scriploria (O. rheedii), O. travancorica,
Oxytenanthera nigrociliata.

Bamboo species and their uses

1. Arundinaria falcata: grows gregariously and found in oak and deodar forests at 1200 to 2100 m
elevations. forms more than 100 culms/clump; used for fishing rods, baskets, hookah-tubes.

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 By Hanumantha. M., Assistant Professor, Dept. of FPU, COF, Sirsi 2020

2. Arundinaria spathiflora: Small bamboo, 3.6 to 6.0 m high, growing gregariously in fir, spruce
and deodar forests of Western Himalayas up to 2100 to 2700 m elevation. It is used for pipe stems,
pea sticks, baskets, mat and basket making.
3. Bambusa arundinacea (Thorny bamboo): bear bright green shining culms, 24-30 m height and
15-18 cm in diameter. Flowers gregariously once in 30 years. Plants die after producing abundant
seed; occurs in greater part of India, hill forests of Western and Sothern India, ascending up to 900
m. It is used for rafters, house posts, ladders, tentpoles, shafts of tongas and basket making. Leaves
are used as fodder; it is also used for pulp.
4. Bambusa balcooa: tall bamboo grows up to 15-21 m height; occurs in Bihar, West Bengal and
Assam. It is durable and insect resistant after seasoning and also used for pulping.
5. Bambusa tulda: Thick walled bamboo, produce grayish green culms, 6-21 m high and 5-11 cm
diameter, found in Assam and Northern Circars. Most useful, insect resistant bamboo after
seasoning. Used for general purpose, mat making, basket work. Young shoots are pickled and eaten.
It is also suitable for good quality paper and rayon.
6. Cephalostachyum pergracile: Arborescent, tufted bamboo, occurs in Chhota Nagpur and Assam;
it is thin walled about 1.2 cm thick and used for building and mat making.
7. Dendrocalamus giganteus: Biggest of the Indian Bamboos; indigenous to Burma and Malay
peninsula and cultivated in parts of West Bangal, Assam and Malbar. Grows 24-30 m height and
20-25 cm diameter. Culms are used for water buckets and boxes, buildings, mats and boats.
8. Dendrocalamus hamiltonii: Occurs in Sub-Himalayan tract up to 900 m elevation and cultivated
in Dehra Dun and protects tea plantations against wind. Culms are 25 m long and 10-18 cm
diameter and thick walled. It is used in paper manufacture.
9. Dendrocalamus longispathus: occurs in West Bengal and Assam up to 1200 m elevation and
mainly used for manufacture of Kraft paper.
10. Dendrocalamus strictus: occurs throughout India, except in Assam; occurs in dry deciduous
forest and hill slopes up to 1000 m elevation; the culms have larger and distinct central cavity,
culms attain height of 6-15 m and a diameter of 2.5 to 7.5 cm.
It is most universally used of all the Indian bamboos; used for variety of purposes such as
rafters, scaffolding, roofing, walling, flooring, matting, spear and lance shafts, lathis, masts, tent
poles and basket making; widely used as raw material for paper and rayon manufacture in India.
11. Gigantochloa macrostachya: evergreen bamboo with dark green culms with longitudinal strips;
grows upto 15 m height and native of Assam.
12. Melocanna bambusoides: found in Garo, Khasi and Lushai hills in Assam. The culms are 21 m
height and 9.5 cm diameter. It is gregarious and spread by its long, vigorous rhizomes. It is
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 By Hanumantha. M., Assistant Professor, Dept. of FPU, COF, Sirsi 2020

specially used for house building, scaffolding, boat making, pulping. Activated charcoal of high
absorption power has been prepared from this bamboo. A siliceous secretion, commonly known as
Tabasheer and used in medicine, is found in abundance in the culms.
13. Ochlandra scriptoria: shrubby bamboo with culms up to 5 m height and found in lower
elevations of Kerala; also cultivated along the margins of ponds and paddy fields as soil binder.
This is used for making mats and basktes and for paper pulp.
14. Ochlandra scriptoria: shrubby bamboo with culms up to 5 m height and 2.5 cm diameter;
found gregariously at lower elevations of Kerala and cultivated along the margins of ponds and
paddy fields as soil binder. This is used for making mats and baskets and for paper pulp.
15. Ochlandra travancorica: found in mountains of Kerala, Mysore and Tamil Nadu; it is erect
reed like, gregarious bamboo; suitable for paper making.
16. Oxytenanthera nigrociliata: This is a tufted bamboo, with culms 9-15 m high and 1.3 – 10 cm
in diameter, found in Assam, Orissa and Andaman islands. It is gregarious and used for buildings,
huts and basket work and also for paper making.
17. O. ritcheyi (syn: O. monostigma): it is an erect, thick walled bamboo occurring from Konkan to
Annamalai hills on the Western Ghats; it is often cultivated. Culms are strong and used for punt
poles, walking sticks, baskets and umbrella handles.
18. Pseudostachyum polymorphum: thin walled shrubby bamboo of river banks and valleys in
Sikkim and Assam. Growing in tea plantations and best raw material for baskets, estate work,
umbrella handles and walking sticks.

III. CANES
Canes (Rattans of Commerce) are the stems of climbing palms of the genus Calamus
principally and of a few other related genera like Daemonorops, Ceratolobus, Plectocomia and
Korthalsia, which yield canes of lesser importance.
Calamus genus consists of about 390 species; found in the evergreen forest of the tropical and
subtropical regions
 Thirty species of calamus genus are found in India, mainy distributed in the Himalayas,
Assam, Kerala, Mysore, Tamil Nadu and Andamans.
 The climbing species are long (100 m), cylindrical, uniform thickness, solid, straw yellow
in colour
 Canes are extremely strong, tough and elastic; outer surface is hard, smooth and shining
(due to deposition of silica); the core is spongy

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 By Hanumantha. M., Assistant Professor, Dept. of FPU, COF, Sirsi 2020

 The modified hooked leaflets are 5-10 cm long, woody, viciously sharp, bent acutely
backwards, enabling the plant to climb long distances over other tropical vegetation by hook
like spines in the petioles of the pinnate leaves.
 The canes are said to approach maturity in about five years and felling cycle is 6 years.

New data (2012)

Of the approximately 556 species (13 genera) of rattans in the world, 117 are recorded as
being threatened to some degree. Of these, 21 are endangered, 38 regarded as vulnerable, 28 as
being rare and 30 as indeterminate (IUCN Red List Categories). In India, of the 60 species
reported, 6 are critically endangered; 13, endangered and 27 are vulnerable. Hence conservation
measures need to be mobilized for this valuable group of palms.
In India rattans are represented by Four genera Calamus, Daemonorops, Korthalisa and
Plectocomia with 60 species of which 32 species are endemic. In India rattans are distributed in 3
major regions, the Western Ghats of Peninsular India, eastern and Northern India and Andaman and
Nicobar Islands. The largest number of genera and species of rattans are found in South East Asia.

Harvesting and Processing of Canes

 Mature culms are cut at the base and hand pulled from their lofty perches on the crowns of
supporting trees and soft terminal portions are discarded
 The sheaths are removed with a chopper or by dragging them against the trunks of trees with
rough bark Canes are dried in the sun or over a fire immediately after cutting to overcome
the deterioration of canes. If the weather is wet, they should be seasoned near a fire.
Processing of Canes
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 By Hanumantha. M., Assistant Professor, Dept. of FPU, COF, Sirsi 2020

Proper processing of canes after harvesting is essential if good quality is to be secured

The imported canes are often superior to the Indian Canes on account of their good colour,
smoothness, flexibility and durability
This superiority is due to correct methods of harvesting and processing. These includes as
follows;
1. Collection
 Canes are considered ripe when the leaf sheath starts loosening and the lowest part of the
stem is exposed.
 After discarding the top tender portion, the remaining portion is cut in to pieces 4.8 m long,
bent, dried and treated in various ways
2. Desilication
 Silica layer is removed by rubbing the freshly harvested cane over a knife or a sharp piece of
bamboo set in an upright position.
 Another method is steeping the cane in water and rubbing it with sand before final drying
3. Bleaching
 In order to get the fine creamy colour to the cane bleaching is essential after desilication
 It is generally done in the forest by fumigation with burning sulphur (1 kg of Sulphur is
required for 500 kg of canes)
 Fumigation helps in making it more immune to insect attack.
4. Polishing
 After desilication and bleaching the natural luster of the cane is lost, and in order to restore
it the cane requires to be polished.
 Polishing is done with a woolen rag which have been placed some siliceous hairs from the
leaf sheaths of bamboos or with a soap-stone.
5. Smoking treatment
 To obtain fine reddish-brwon colour canes are treated by smoking them over a fire and
polishing them with coconut oil (e.g. Malacca canes)

6. Grading
 After processing, canes are stored in different grades according to colour and thickness, and
tied in bundles of a hundred and stored for marketing.
 It is contended that the quality of Indian canes can be considerably improved if the same
care in processing is taken in India.

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 By Hanumantha. M., Assistant Professor, Dept. of FPU, COF, Sirsi 2020

Uses of Canes
Canes are used for variety of uses due to their pliability, strength and long lengths in which
they are usually obtained.
 Canes used as substitute for rope and cables in suspension bridges
 They are used (thick canes) for making furniture frames, walking sticks, polo sticks and
umbrella handles
 Thinner canes used for making baskets, in tea gardens, in collieries and in the railways
 Canes split and strips from the outside with the smooth outer surface are largely used for
making seats and backs of chairs and sofas
 Lustreless strips from the inside of the canes used for making furniture, baskets, sieves,
mats, etc.
 Canes are also used in wickerwork and in manufacture of sports goods
 Refuses of split cane is useful for stuffing and packing and making rough cordage, matting
and a variety of articles.

Production and Trade of Canes

 Rattan is an important commercial product.
 Indonesia is the chief producing country in the world (30,000 tonnes: old data)
 Average India’s annual export is 6,00,000 kg valued at Rs. 6,00,000 (Old data)
 India imports annually from Malaya, Indonesia and Burma a small quantity of canes
(called generally Malayan and Singapore canes) which are considered to be superior to
Indian canes.

Important Indian Canes

A. Imported species
1. Calamus caesius: thin cane 0.6 to 1.2 cm in diameter; used for furniture trade, rattan chairs. It is
indigenous to Malaysia and Indonesia
2. Calamus scipionum: known as “Malacca cane”, it is thick cane with 1.2 to 2.5 cm diameter;
used for high grade walking sticks; found in Malaysia and Sumatra.
3. C. ornatus and C. manan: thick canes used for furniture frames, basket ribs, walking and polo
sticks. Found in Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines.

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 By Hanumantha. M., Assistant Professor, Dept. of FPU, COF, Sirsi 2020

B. Important Indian Canes

1. Calamus acanthospathus: common cane found in Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan and Assam. It yields
strong canes, used as substitute for ropes and suspension bridge cables, wicker works, baskets
and containers, walking and polo sticks and umbrella handles.
2. C. andamanicus: occurs in Andaman and used for furniture frames, polo sticks, etc.

3. C. flagellum: robust cane, occurs in N-E India and West coast evergreen forests
4. C. brandisii: (Thinnevelly cane), found in Tirunelvelli and Travancore

5. C. gamblei: medium thickness cane found in Nilgiri Hills at 1500 m

6. C. gracilis: thin cane found in Assam; suitable for ballast baskets and for chair backs and seats

7. C. guruba: slender cane, found in West Bengal and Assam and used for making ballast baskets
8. C. huegeliamus: moderate sized cane found in Niligiri hills 1500 m to 1800 m

9. C. latifolius: found from Sikkim Himalaya to Assam. It is regarded as True Rattan or East
India Cane; highly used for walking sticks, umbrella handles and rattaning chairs.
10. C. nicobaricum: slender cane of Nicobar islands and used locally and sent out to Malaya.

11. C. palustris: stout climbing cane with long internodes found in West Bengal and Andaman
islands and used for making walking sticks and furniture frames.
12. C. pseudo-tenuis: extensively used climbing cane for furniture, sieves, mats, stuffing and
packing, cordage and matting; found in Western Ghats.

13. C. rheedei: (Malbar Cane) medium sized cane found in Kerala and used for walking sticks,
furniture frames and sports goods
14. C. rotang: slender and strong cane found in Central and Southern India and used for furniture,
basket work, mats and blinds.

15. C. tenuis: common cane of North India and called as “ Bareilly or Assam cane” and used for
mats, baskets, screens, furniture and chair seats.
16. C. thwaitesii: medium sized cane, thick found in evergreen forest of West Coast.

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 By Hanumantha. M., Assistant Professor, Dept. of FPU, COF, Sirsi 2020

17. C. travancoricus: slender cane found on the West Coast from Malabar southwards and used for
rattaning chairs and fancy articles.
18. C. viminalis var fascicularis: thin strong cane found in West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh
and the Andamans. It is used for walking sticks, furniture frames, polo sticks and umbrella
handles.

19. Daemonorops jenkinsianus: stout cane, found in Assam and Darjeeling and used for basket
work and making crooks of umbrella handles.
20. D. kurzianus: stout and useful cane of Andamans. It is the only Indian species yielding “East
Indian Dragon Blood”
Dragon’s blood includes various deep red substances of a resinous nature, used chiefly in the
manufacture of red spirit varnishes for metals and various dyes and stains.

21. D. draco: is a climbing rattan of East Africa, “Sumatra Dragon’s blood” is obtained from this
species. The dark resin occurs as small globules on the scaly fruits. Socotra dragon’s blood is
obtained from Dracaena cinnabari of Western Asia.
22. Plectocomia himalayana: soft cane, found in Sikkim Himalayas at 12000-2100 m elevation and
round Darjeeling, used for basket work and making crooks of umbrella handles.

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 By Hanumantha. M., Assistant Professor, Dept. of FPU, COF, Sirsi 2020

WILD EDIBLE PLANTS

India is richly endowed with about 21,000 species of flowering plants. About 20 per cent of
the total plants found in the forests are having direct utility to mankind. About 600 species in Indian
forests are enumerated to have food value for human beings. Several forest trees and shrubs
contribute substantially towards food. Several tubers and rhizomes provide starchy food material,
carbohydrates and minerals fit for human consumption. It is estimated that there are over 80 species
of plant yielding edible tubers found under different climatic conditions. Some of the plants are
valued as a luxury food item. Several herbs contribute substantially towards leafy vegetable. About
1650 leafy plants occurring in tropical areas are known to contain as much protein as legumes and
5-10 times more calcium than legumes.
Forests provide subsistence to a large tribal and rural population particularly during famine
period when the supply of regular food items fall short of the requirement. A large variety of seeds,
leaves, fruits, flowers, nuts, etc., are used by the people. Most of the tribal population particularly
those living inside the forest and the primitive tribes in India still draw a substantial quantity of food
material from the forest areas. It is estimated that nearly 80 per cent of forest dwellers living in
Bihar, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh depend on forest for 20-50 per cent of the total annual food
requirement. Most of the food materials obtained from the forest possess high nutritional values.
Some of the species are excellent sources of Vitamin A (Moringa oliefera), Vitamin C (Sauropus
androgynous) and calcium (Balanites aegyptica, Urtica hyperborea). Seed kernels of Balanites
aegyptica, Sterculia urens, Terminalia catappa contain high protein content. Tubers of Dioscorea
spp., seeds of Holoptelia integrifolia, Tamarindus indica, Carissa carandus are rich in carbohydrate
content.
On the basis of edible parts, plants found in forests are classified as follows;
1. Plants yielding edible fruits
2. Plants yielding edible stems and tubers
3. Plants yielding edible leaves
4. Plants yielding edible seeds
5. Plants yielding edible flowers
6. Plants yielding edible underground roots and rhizomes

1. Plants yielding edible fruits

Large number of forest plants (trees, shrubs, herbs and climbers) which yield edible fruits. Theses
fruits are eaten in variety of forms. Some are either eaten riped or unripe, while other are consumed

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 By Hanumantha. M., Assistant Professor, Dept. of FPU, COF, Sirsi 2020

after cooking as curries. Some fruits are pickled and some are made into jams and other products.
Different parts of fruits are edible may be the pulp, integument, etc.
Important plants yielding edible fruits along with their part of fruit eaten are given in the
following table;

Sl. Botanical Name Common Family Edible Part Distribution

No. Name
1 Aegle marmelos Bael Rutaceae Fruit pulp Throughout India
(DDF)
2 Aglaia edulis Chu Lan tree Meliaceae Integument NE India (SEG)
of seed
3 Anacardium Cashew Anacardiaceae Hypocarp Coastal areas of
accidentalis South India
4 Annona reticulata Ramphal Annonaceae White pulp Peninsular and
Eastern Parts
5 Annona squamosa Seetaphal Annonaceae White pulp Cultivated (DDF)
6 Artocarpus Jack Moraceae Unripe - WG of Tropical
heterophyllus vegetable, India
ripe eaten
raw
7 A. lakoocha Monkey Jack Moraceae Unripe- as Tropical &
spice; ripe Subtropical
fruit pickled Himalayas
8 Baccaurea Koli Kukke Phyllanthaceae Fruit EGF of WG
courtallensis
9 Balanites aegyptiaca Desert Date, Zygophyllaceae Pulp WG and Central
Ingalike India, arid areas
10 Bridelia retusa Spnous Kino Phyllanthaceae Pulp of fruit Deciduous forests
Mullu Honne
11 Capparis decidua Caper berry Capparaceae Unripe fruits Arid areas;
Kariuppi gida – pickled and Rajasthan
as vegetable
12 Carallia brachiata Andi Rhizophoraceae Fruit is eaten E Himalaya and

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 By Hanumantha. M., Assistant Professor, Dept. of FPU, COF, Sirsi 2020

Muragalu Andamans
13 Carrissa carandus Karaunda Apocynaceae Ripe fruit DDF and also
eaten 7 Half cultivated
ripe fruit
pickled
14 Chrysophyllum Paale hanuu Sapotaceae Ripe fruits EGF of Western
lanceolatum are edible Ghats

15 Ficus racemosa/ Cluster Fig Moraceae Edible, Throughout India

F. glomerata dehydrated
made into
flour and
taken with
milk
16 Flacourtia montana Hennu Salicaceae Fruits are Western Ghats of
sampige edible/cooked India
17 Garcinia indica Kokum Clusiaceae Riped fruits Western Ghats of
are edible India
18 Grewia asiatica Phalsa Tiliaceae Fruit pulp Throughout India
edible; used
for liquor
19 Ixora arborea Torch wood Rubiaceae Fruits are Throughout India
Goravi edible
20 Leea indica Bandicoot Vitaceae Fruits are Outer Himalayas
berry eaten
21 Mangifera indica Anacardiaceae Mango Ripe and Throughout India
Unripe fruits & cultivated
are eaten
22 Mimusops elengi Spanish Sapotaceae Ripe fruits Western Ghats
cherry, are eaten
Ranjala
23 Pithecellobium dulce Manila Mimosaceae Pulpy aril of Planted in many
tamarind seed is edible parts of India

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 By Hanumantha. M., Assistant Professor, Dept. of FPU, COF, Sirsi 2020

24 Syzygium cumini Nerale Myrtaceae Riped fruits Throughout India

eaten and
used for juice
25 Ziziphus mauritiana Ber, Rhamnaceae Fruit pulp is Throughout India
Chinese date edible

2. Plants yielding edible stems and tubers

Stems and tubers of several plants are edible; e.g., Bamboo culms used for curries and
pickles, Tubers of Alocasia eaten as curries. Important species yielding edible stems and tubers are
given in the following table;

Sl. Botanical Name Family Edible Part Distribution

No.
1 Alocasia macrorhiza Aracaceae Stem eaten in curries NE India
after cooking
2 Arundinaria Graminae Young shoots used as Kerala and hills in
wightiana vegetable India
3 Bambusa balcooa Graminae Tender shoots used as Throughout India
vegetable, pickled, curry
4 Bambusa bambos Graminae Tender shoots used as Throughout India
vegetable, pickled, curry
5 Bauhinia malabarica Caesalpinaceae Tender shoots used as Sub Himalayan upto
vegetable 600 m tract
6 Centella asiatica Apiaceae Tender shoots used as Throughout India
vegetable
7 Cissus Vitaceae Tender shoots used in Hotter parts of India
quadrangularis curries
8 Dendrocalamus Graminae Tender shoots used as Throughout India
strictus vegetable and pickled
9 Prosopis cineraria Mimosaceae Shoots used as vegetable In dry plains of India
10 Sauropus Euphorbiaceae Tender shoots eaten raw Western Ghats and
androgynous or boiled Eastern Himalaya

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 By Hanumantha. M., Assistant Professor, Dept. of FPU, COF, Sirsi 2020

3. Plants yielding edible leaves

Several plants produce leaves which can be consumed either raw or cooked. Several leaves
are a good substitute for green vegetable. Some leaves such as leaves of Murraya koenigii are used
as flavouring agent very commonly in preparing sambhar (a prepapration like dal). some leaves
make a good soup. Important plants yielding edible leaves, along with their natural distribution are
given below;
Sl. Botanical Name Family Edible Part Distribution
No.
1 Basella alba Basellaceae Leaves used as vegetable Almost throughout
India
2 Bauhinia purpurea Caesalpiniaceae Leaves used as vegetable Almost throughout
India upto 1600m
3 Cassia tora Caesalpiniaceae Leaves cooked and eaten Almost throughout
as vegetable India
4 Centella asiatica Apiaceae Leaves used as vegetable Almost throughout
India upto 2000m
5 Garcinia lancefolia Clusiaceae Leaves cooked as Common in
vegetable evergreen forests
6 Moringa oleifera Moringaceae Leaves eaten as vegetable Almost throughout
India
7 Sauropus Euphorbiaceae Leaves eaten either raw Eastern Himalayas
androgynous or boiled and throughout India
8 Tamarindus indica Caesalpinaceae Leaves used as vegetable Almost throughout
India
9 Thespesia populnea Malvaceae Leaves eaten raw or fried Coastal regions of
in butter India
10 Zanthoxylum rhetsa Rutaceae Leaves used as vegetable Western Ghats,
Meghalaya & Assam
4. Plants yielding edible seeds
Seeds of large number of species are edible. Some of them have high market value. Seeds of
Chilgoza pine (Pinus gerardiana) are one of the best dry fruits and are marketed at high rates. Seeds
of Chiraunji (Buchanania lanzan) and Cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale) also highly prized and
are considered very nutritive. Similarly, there are other seeds from forest origin which form a part

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of the human diet in one or the other. The Important plants yielding edible seeds, along with their
natural distribution are given below;
Sl. Botanical Name Family Edible Part Distribution
No.
1 Anacardium Anacardiaceae Nuts are edible Coastal areas of
occidentale South India
2 Artocarpus hirsuta Moraceae Eaten as vegetable after Western Ghats
boiling or roasting
3 Bambusa bambos Poaceae Seeds are used as Common throughout
substitute for rice India up to an altitude
of 1000 m
4 Buchanania lanzan Anacardiaceae Seeds yield an edible oil Sub Himalayan tracts
used as substitute for up to 900 m altitude
almond
5 Castanopsis indica Fagaceae Nuts are edible N-E India
6 Madhuca longifolia Sapotaceae Ghee is prepared from Common in Sub
seeds Himalyan tract and
cultivated in most
parts of the country
7 Mimusops elengi Sapotaceae Seeds yield oil, used for Deccan plateau and
cooking Andaman islands
8 Pinus gerardiana Pinaceae Eaten raw or arrested North India up to
1800-3500 m altitude
9 Sterculia urens Sterculiaceae Eaten like cereals after Dry deciduous forest
roasting and rocky areas of the
country
10 Tamarindus indica Caesalpinaceae Kernels are boiled or Throughout the hotter
fried before eating tract except in
Western Rajasthan
11 Terminalia catappa Combretaceae Eaten raw or roasted Andamans and
cultivated throughout
India

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 By Hanumantha. M., Assistant Professor, Dept. of FPU, COF, Sirsi 2020

5. Plants yielding edible flowers

Flowers of several species from a part of human diet. Some flowers are used for marking
vegetables such as Moringa oliefera. Flowers of Rhododendron are made into jam. Some flowers
are used for making Pakoras. Famous mahua tree produces fleshy thalamus which is sweet and used
for various purposes and eaten in various forms. The Important plants yielding edible flowers
along with their natural distribution are given below;
Sl. Botanical Name Family Edible Part Distribution
No.
1 Bauhinia variegata Caesalpinaceae Buds eaten as vegetable, Himalayas upto 1800
pickled and eaten with m altitude
curd
2 Bombax ceiba Bombacaceae Calyx of flowers is eaten Throughout India
as vegetable after frying
3 Dillenia pentagyna Dilleniaceae Buds are eaten raw or Sub Himalayan
cooked forests, North east
India
4 Holarrhena Apocynaceae Flowers edible Sub Himalayan tract
antidysenterica and in deciduous
forests
5 Madhuca longifolia Sapotaceae Corolla is eaten raw or Sub Himalayan tract
cooked and also in south
India
6 Moringa oleifera Moringaceae Flowers used as Throughout India
vegetables
7 Oroxylum indicum Bignonaceae Flowers used as Ravine and moist
vegetables places up to 1200 m
altitude
8 Rhododendron Ericaceae Eaten and made into Himalayas up to
arboreum preserves 3500 m altitude
9 Sponida pinnata Anacardiaceae Used in curry Common almost
throughout India
10 Zanthoxylum rhetsa Rutaceae Cooked as vegetable Eastern and Western
Ghats and Andamans

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 By Hanumantha. M., Assistant Professor, Dept. of FPU, COF, Sirsi 2020

6. Plants yielding edible underground parts

Underground parts such as roots, rhizomes, tubers, etc of several species are eaten and are
nutritious. Kand and Mool 9rhizomes and roots) were traditional source of food for rishis. Even
thses days, tribals dig the roots of several species and eat them either raw or after boiling. Some of
them prickled also. The Important plants yielding edible underground parts along with their natural
distribution are given below;
Sl. Botanical Name Family Edible Part Distribution
No.
1 Alpinia galanga Zingiberaceae Rhizome Eastern Himalayas and
South West India
2 Asparagus Liliaceae Tubers N-W Himalays up to 1600
abscendens m altitude
3 A. racemosus Liliaceae tubers Tropical and Sub tropical
parts of India
4 Colocasia esculenta Araceae Tubers Moist and shady places in
forest
5 Curcuma angustifolia Zingiberaceae Rhizome Up, Bihar and South India
6 Cyperus rotundus Cyperaceae Tubers Almost throughout India
upto 2000 m elevation
7 Dioscorea alata Dioscoreaceae Assam and Assam and Meghalaya
Meghalaya
8 Nelumbo nucifera Nymphaeaceae rhizome Throughout India
9 Sterculia villosa Sterculiaceae Root Deciduous forest of the
country
10 Zingiber officinalis Zingiberaceae Rhizome Almost throughout India
upto 2000 m altitude

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