Utilization Of Wild Edible Plants By Paliyar’s Tribe Of Sadhuragiri Hills, Tamil Nadu, India

An survey was carried out among the Paliyar tribals in Sadhuragiri hills in Western Ghats. The purpose of the study was to document the traditional wild edible plants used by Paliyar tribals. Tribals mostly eat fresh fruits and vegetables of leafy varieties, which grow in wild and depend on such natural products in addition to their food. The study identifies 110 wild edible plant species under 80 genera and 47 families. Edible fruits are 66 species in identified, leaves eaten raw, cooked vegetables and curries. Tubers of certain species are eaten curries. These wild edible plants are free from artificial chemicals and enriched with high nutrition.