FLORAL DIVERSITY, ETHNOBOTANICAL AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF MEDICINALLY IMPORTANT WILD EDIBLE FRUITS IN NORTHERN PAKISTAN

Abstract

The current exploration provides an important ethnobotanical data about the usage of Wild Edible Fruit species from Northern Pakistan. It is the first study on the ethnobotanical uses of WEFs, quantitatively assessed using several indices. A novelty of use reports, part use and mode of utilization is derived from comparison with previous published research works. The major focus of this investigation is to document the traditional information, usage and to assess conservation status of WEFs. Ethnobotanical information is recorded through semi-structured and open-ended interviews using questionnaire and group discussions from 538 local informers of varied ages, gender, education levels, and experience. The ethnobotanical information was quantitatively analyzed using indices like FIV, RFC, FIC, RI, UV, JI, FI, CI and PR. The study reported 95 WEF species and their traditional uses, belonging to 38 families, 58 genera with 47.4 % trees, 36.8 % shrubs and 15.8 % herbs. Family Rosaceae dominate the list of families by 23 species, followed by Rhamnaceae 9 species and Moraceae 7 species. Family Berberidaceae represents highest values for FIV (47.7 %). The maximum utilized plant part(s) is fruit used in raw form (47 %), 53 species are categorized for food and medicinal purpose, 33 species for Join/Body aches, 53 species for digestive disorders and 39 species of WEFs are specifically used in respiratory complaints. Mean FIC was (0.25) indicates low agreement of respondents for disease categories, FIC for Joint/body aches was highest (0.72), digestive disorders (0.5) and Respiratory complaints (0.4). Use value suggests high relative importance for Punica granatum (0.6), followed by Juglans regia (0.05). The average mean percentages on use reports was (18 %) for each species. Traditional knowledge is prevailing in the region, found more in people of old ages as compared to young ones. Many of the WEFs documented have multiple uses, and a single fruit species for many tenacities. The study encompasses the need to conserve the traditional knowledge and carry out future phytochemical investigations to appraise important minerals, nutrients, antioxidant potential and toxic effects of WEFs. The study will serve as a reference data for nutritionists, particularly in food chemistry, health and industry. In addition, ways and means are needed to preserve and use natural reserve in a maintainable way.