Ethno-botanical studies of wild edible plants used as vegetables by tribal and rural communities of seloo tehsil in the district of Wardha, (Maharashtra) India

The present study was conducted to document and evaluate edible wild plant species in Seloo Tehsil, Wardha District, Maharashtra, India. Indigenous communities in India possess extensive traditional knowledge regarding the utilization of wild plant resources. Numerous plant species play vital roles in sustaining human life by serving as sources of food, medicine, shelter, fibre, oil, and other essential products. However, knowledge of edible wild plants is now largely confined to elderly members of tribal communities. Field investigations revealed that several wild plant species are used as food by tribal and rural populations living in and around forested areas. These species contribute significantly to their nutrition and healthcare. The study area, Seloo Tehsil in Wardha District, is ecologically sensitive and biologically diverse, encompassing the Bor Wildlife Sanctuary and the Bor Dam. A total of 46 wild edible plant species were documented as being used for food and medicinal purposes by tribal and rural communities. These plants are traditionally employed in the treatment of various ailments, including dysentery, cough, cold, skin diseases, abdominal pain, sore throat, constipation, jaundice, piles, and rheumatic pain, and are also used as tonics, laxatives, astringents, stomachics, and appetite stimulants. The study highlights the importance of documenting traditional ethnobotanical knowledge and emphasizes the need for conservation and sustainable utilization of wild edible plant resources in the region.