eChapters

1. Botanical Name : Leptadenia pyrotechnica Forssk. Decne

2. Family : Apocynaceae

3. Common Name : Kheep, Broom bush

4. Name in Indian languages

Kheep (Hindi), Khip(Punjabi), Jivanti (Sanskrit).

5. Description

It is a much branched often leafless erect shrub. The edible part is tender fruit. It can grow up to 3 metres height. A desert plant, it is often utilized by local people within its native range, particularly as a fibre plant and for fuel. It is also planted in soil stabilization in arid areas.

6. Origin and distribution

It is originated from North Africa to desert areas to Western India. It is distributed throughout the arid zone of Rajasthan particularly in Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaiselmer districts of Rajasthan. Kheep is also found gorwing in Pakistan, Iran, Arabia, Egypt, Sudan, Somalia, Chad, Libya and Algeria.

1. Botanical name :Machilus edulis King ex Hook.

2. Family : Lauraceae

3. Common Name: Pumsi, wild avocado

4. Name in Indian languages : Pumsi, Phumkung (Lepcha), Lachyphal, Kawala (Nepali).

5. Description

Pumsi is an evergreen species grow up to a height of about 15-20 m, with spreading branches. It grows from Nepal to Sikkim, Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh and the whole north-eastern region. Pumsi is considered as one of the forms of Avocado (Percea americana) in its native region.

6. Origin and distribution

It is native of India,Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and the whole north-eastern region. The plants growwell incool humid regions in hills.The species is found in low density in forests at 1200 - 2400 metres height.The species is hermaphrodite, suitable for light sandy to loamy and clay soils. It can grow in semi-shade. It prefers moist soil.

1. Botanical Name : Madhuca longifolia var. latifolia (Rox.) A. Chev.

2. Family : Sapotaceae

3. Common Name : Indian Butter Tree

4. Name in Indian languages

Mahua, Mohwa (Hindi), Maul (Bengali), Kat-Illipi (Marathi), Illupa Malayalam), Ippa (Telugu), Mahudo (Gujarati), Hippe Mara (Kannada).

5. Description

Indian Butter tree (mahua) is one of the most important trees of Indian forest. It produces delicious and nutritive flowers, fruits, seeds and valuable timber. It is a deciduous tree with a large, spreading, rounded crown that can grow 16 metres or more tall. The short main trunk can be up to 80 cm in diameter. Mahua is an indigenous tree of high economic value. A characteristic tree of the dry region, it is found in north and central India. The tree is very well known to rural folk since ages in India. Its flowers, fruits, and oil obtained from seeds are eaten in various ways. Mahua flowers are a rich source of sugar containing appreciable amount of vitamins and minerals. Fruit is eaten as raw or cooked. Pulp is a good source of sugar, whereas dry husk makes a good source of absolute alcohol. Seed is a good source of oil.

1. Botanical Name : Meyna laxiflora Robyns

2. Family : Rubiaceae

3. Common Name : Moina, Aliv

4. Name in Indian languages

Kutkura, Moin (Assamese), Mainphal, Muduna, Muyna, Muyuna (Bengal), Alu, Atu (Gujrati), Moina, Muduna, Muyuna (Hindi), Mullakare, Gundkare, gobergally (Kannada), Alu, Huloo, Halawni (Marathi), Pindi, Pinditaka, Pindituka, Pindu (Sanskirit), Manakkarai (Tamil), Segagadda, Veliki, Visikilamu (Telgu), Monono, Montaphoo (Odiya).

5. Description

It is a large common shrub or a small tree and commonly found in evergreen forests. Meyna is a genus of shrub and small trees distributed in tropical and subtropical region. The fruits are used for preparation of pickle.

1. Botanical Name : Mimosops elengi L.

2. Family : Sapotaceae

3. Common Name : Spanish cherry, Molshri, Bullet wood tree

4. Name in Indian languages

Maulsri (Hindi), Magizhamboo (Tamil), Ilanni (Malayalam), Bakul (Bengali), Bakuli (Marathi), Ranjal (Kannada), Barsoli (Gujarati), Maulsari (Nepali).

5. Description

Maulshri is a evergreen small tree of the Indian subcontinent. It provides a dense shade. The main stem is often short and divided into several large main branches. The tree provides food, medicine and a range of commodities for the local people. It is often cultivated in the tropics and subtropics, as an ornamental avenue tree and in gardens.

1. Botanical Name : Morinda pubescens

2. Family : Rubiaceae

3. Common Name : Indian Mulberry, Morinda tree

4. Name in Indian languages

Aal (Hindi), Dhaula, Aseti (Marathi), Mannanunai, Mannanatti, Nonu, Nuna (Tamil), Mannappavitta (Malayalam), Maddi (Telugu), Haladipavette, Maddi (Kannada), Achu, Pindra (Oriya) , Paphanah (Sanskrit).

5. Description

Aall or Indian mulberry (Morinda pubescens) is a species of flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae, It is an evergreen shrub or small tree growing . The fruits are small and edible. A scarlet colouring matter is procured from the roots and bark, and used for dying hand kerchiefs, turbans, etc. It is also used to assist more expensive dyes in giving a red colour to yarnand cloth. The red threrads used in carpet-making used entirely to be dyed with it. The tree formerly used to be much more commonly cultivated than it is now. Since the introduction of the cheap aniline dyes’s its cultivation decreased.

1. Botanical Name : Myrica esculenta Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don

2. Family : Myricaceae

3. Common Name : Box myrtle

4. Name in Indian languages: Kainaryamy (Telugu), Nagatenga (Assami), Satsarila (Bengali), Kariphal (Gujarati), Kaiphal (Hindi), Kirishivani (Kannada), Maruta (Malayalam), Soh-phi (Khasi), Kaphal (Kumaoni), Kayaphala (Marathi), Krishnagarbha (Sanskrit), Masudam (Tamil).

5. Description

Myrica esculenta is grow extensively in hilly regions of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh , Nepal and Bhutan at elevations of 1000-2300 m. It is small to medium size evergreen tree. The stem bark is grayish dark in colour and rough. The fruits of this species are edible and used by the local population. The stem bark and wood is very good for fuel wood purpose.

1. Botanical Name : Phoenix sylvestris Roxb.

2. Family : Palmae

3. Common Name : Wild Date Palm, Indian wild date, Sugar date palm

4. Name in Indian languages

Khajur (Hindi), Thangtup (Manipuri), Kharik, Kharjuri (Marathi), Inthupaanai (Tamil),: Niilanthent (Malayalam), Ita (Telugu), Ichalu, Kharjura (Kannada), Khejura (Bengali), Khorjurri (Oriya), Khaajuri (Assamese), Khajuri (Gujarati), Kharjuri (Sanskrit), Kandela, Taadii (Nepali).

5. Description

Wild date palm is native to India and southern portions of Pakistan. It is closely related Phoenix dactylifera (Date palm). It grows naturally and is cultivated around homesteads, farmland periphery and in marginal lands along the roadside and canals, even on fallow land. It can survive in disturbed areas, such as wastelands or seasonally inundated areas. It is a medium height tree of 9–10 m. The single-seeded fruit ripens to a purple-red colour, and is eaten fresh or processed. The leaf sap also used in various preparations. Fruits are rich source of carbohydrate, phenols, amino acids, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids, dietary fibers, vitamins and minerals. Different parts of the plant have diverse medicinal properties such as antipyretic, cardiotonic, laxative, diuretic and antioxidant.

1. Botanical Name : Phyllanthus acidus (L) skeels.

2. Family : Phyllanthaceae

3. Common Name : Star Gooseberry

4. Name in Indian languages : Jangli Aonla (Hindi), Aria Nellikai (Tamil), Narakli (Oriya), Nora (Bengali), Kiru nelli(Kannada).

5. Description

Star gooseberry is a small tree of 4 to 8m height. The tree’s dense and bushy crown is composed of thickish, tough main branches. It tree grows well in the tropics up to an altitude of 1500 - 1800 metres. It prefers hot, humid tropical conditions with a short dry season. The fruits are yellow and used as fresh or processed. The plants grow well in dry areas but require moist site for initial establishment otherwise, plants are drought tolerant.

1. Botanical Name : Physalis minima Linn.

2. Family : Solanaceae

3. Common Name : Ground Cherry, Sun berry

4. Name in Indian languages

Rasbhari, Chirpati (Hindi), Chirboti, Ran-popti (Marathi), Kupanti (Tamil), Notinotta (Malayalam), Kupanti (Telugu), Gadde hannu (Kannada), Bantepariya (Bengali), Popti (Gujarati).

5. Description

Sunberry is an erect, much-branched, annual plant growing around 50cm tall. The edible fruit is sometimes gathered from the wild and used locally. This is a popular wild fruit to pick and eat. The taste of the ripe berry is sweet and distinctive. The berries are ripe when the husk turns brown and the berry inside takes on a yellowish cast. The plant also has a range of medicinal uses. Physalis minima is commonly found on the bunds of the fields, wastelands, around the houses, on roadsides, etc. where the soil is porous and rich in organic matter. It is an annual herbaceous plant having a very delicate stem and leaves.

1. Botanical Name : Prunus armeniaca Linn.

2. Family : Roasaceae

3. Common Name : Wild apricot

4. Name in Indian languages

Zardalu, Sarha, Chulli (Himachali), Chuari, Zardalu (Hindi), Gurdalu, Cherkush (Kashmiri), Chuaru, Chola, Kushmaru (Kumaoni); Chul (Laddakhi), Zardalu (Punjabi).

5. Description

Wild apricot is a common fruit of the hills in northern India, comprising the major parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The fruits are small but tasty.

6. Origin and distribution

This tree is indigenous to the Central Asia. It is widely distributed and is found in Europe, Western and Central Asia, Baluchistan, the north-west Himalayas and Western Tibet upto 2500 meters msl. It is found in the in mild-hills, ranging from 1,100 to 1,700 meters above the mean sea-level in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu Kashmir. Most of the plants are seedlings, with varying flesh and kernel characters.

1. Botanical Name : Prunus nepalensis (Ser). Steud.

2. Family : Rosaceae

3. Common Name : Wild peach, Sohiong

4. Name in Indian languages

Jangaliaru, Arupate (Nepali), Arupaty (Bengali), Sohiong (Khasi), Sajong (Assamese).

1. Botanical Name : Prunus persica Batsch

2. Family : Rosaeceae

3. Common Name : Wild peach

4. Name in Indian languages

Kateru, Katakiaru (Himachali), Kathu aru (Kumaoni).

5. Description

The wild peach is closely related to cultivated peach. Many wild forms of peach are found in Himalayan hills. The most distinguishing feature of this form is the very late ripening of its fruits. The fruits of this wild plant ripen at some places as late as October. The fruits are smaller than cultivated varieties and bitter and acidic in taste.

6. Origin and distribution

The peach is native to himalayan region. These wild peaches are found in plenty in the Solan, Sirmur and Simla Districts of Himachal Pradesh. The plants are also found Kumaon and Garhwal divisions of Uttarakhand.

1. Botanical Name : Prunus undulata Buch.-Ham.

2. Family : Rosaceae

3. Common Name : Dieng tyrkhung

4. Name in Indian languages

Dieng tyrkhung (Khasi).

5. Description

It is locally known as Dieng tyrkhung in Meghalaya and belongs to Rosaceae family. It is a rare species growing wild in Khasi and Jaintia Hills occurring in mountainous or hilly forests or river valleys. It is a small deciduous tree, upright and moderately branched. It can grow 5 - 16 metres tall. The fruits are harvested from the wild for local used as a food and source of materials. It thrives in a well-drained moisture-retentive loamy soil.

1. Botanical Name : Pyrus pashia L.

2. Family : Rosaceae

3. Common Name : Himalayan pear, Indian wild pear, Wild pear

4. Name in Indian languages

Kainth, Chotia, Kaimh, Shegal (Himachali), Mehal, mol (Hindi), Mehal, mol (Kumaoni), Mayal, Passi (Nepali), Kainth, Shegal (Punjabi), Sohshur (Khasi), Soh ait-syiar (Pnar), Tangi (Kashmiri).

5. Description

Himalayan pear is a small, deciduous tree of rosaceae family. It is common in open field borders and forest margins from 1000-2400m. The tree reaches up to a height of 5-8 m. The stem is greyish brown and rough. The flowering takes place in the month of February-March and the fruits mature in month of October to November. Fruits are globose, brown ultimately becoming black and rough. The fruits are astringent in taste when immature. The ripe fruits are sour -sweet with some astringency. This is widely used as rootstock for pear.

1. Botanical Name : Pyrus serotina Rehd.

2. Family : Pomaceae

3. Common Name : Wild pear (large-fruited type)

4. Name in Indian languages

Bada kainth, Shiara, Zarenth (Himachali), Shiara, Garmehal (Kumaoni).

5. Description

The trees of Pyrus serotina is found throughout the mid-hill region of Himalaya. The population of this species is very less as compare to Pyrus pashia. The fruits of this species are larger and less gritty. It is cold-hardy, tolerate low temperatures when dormant. It also has lower chilling requirements than most other.

6. Origin and distribution

It is native of central and East Asia form . It found in North Western Himalayan region.

1. Botanical Name : Rhus semialata Murr

2. Family : Anacardiaceae

3. Common Name : Chinese Sumac, Chinese gall, Nutgall tree

4. Name in Indian languages

Tatri (Hindi), Heimaang (Manipuri), Bhaki amilo, Chuk Amilo, Dudhe Bhalaayo, Bhangil (Nepali), Sohmad/ Sohmluh (Khasi), Sohsama (Pnar).

5. Description

It is a deciduous shrub or small tree with an open, spreading crown. It usually grows up to 12 metres tall. The trunk can be 6-18cm in diameter. The plant has an extensive root system and spreads by means of suckers, often forming thickets. The tree has edible fruits. It has several having medicinal properties. It is good source of tannins and dye. Fruits are gathered from the wild and mainly used locally. Galls produced as a result of insect activity on the plant are widely used medicinally in East Asia.

1. Botanical Name : Rourea minor (Gaertn.) Alston

2. Family : Connaraceae

3. Common Name : Cow Vine, Big-leaved Rourea

4. Name in Indian languages

Cheriyamarikunni, Kuriel (Malayalam), Puli pan (Kodwa), Hulimajge hannu (Kannada).

5. Description

It is a large woody climbing shrubs of family Connaraceae. Stem is black. Leaves are compound with 3-7 leaflets. Flowers in axillary panicled cymes.The fruits ripe in June –August. Whole fruit expect the rind and seed is consumed at ripe stage. It is rarely found. Rourea minor is a vigorous climbing shrub producing stems up to 25 metres long that climb into the surrounding vegetation.Although poisonous, the plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use in traditional medicine.

1. Botanical Name : Rubus ellipticus Smith

2. Family : Rosaceae

3. Common Name : Himalayan Yellow Raspberry

4. Name in Indian languages

Jotelupoka (Assameese), Ache, Akki, Anchhu, Hinure (Himachali), Hinsalu, Anchhu (Hindi), Gouriphal, Hisara (Kashmiri), Esar, Hishalu, Jogiya hisalu (Kumaoni), Ainselu (Nepali), Akhi (Punjabi).

5. Description

It is one of the tastiest wild fruits of Himalayan hills. This plant grows in abundance throughout the mid hill region of Himalaya. The fruits are relished by all and are also offered for sale at many places. Rubus ellipticus is an evergreen shrub producing a cluster of stout, heavily armed, upright, biennial stems from a woody rootstock. It usually grows 100 - 300 cm tall, occasionally up to 450 cm. The stems only produce leaves, and do not flower, in their first year of growth, forming flowering branches in their second year and then dying after fruiting. The plant can rapidly form tall, dense thickets. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. The fruit is sold in local markets in the Himalayan states.

1. Botanical Name : Rubus niveus Thunb.

2. Family : Rosaceae

3. Common Name : Mysore raspberry, Hill raspberry

4. Name in Indian languages

Huftoo, Kale hinure (Himachali), Kala hinsalu, Kali anchhi (Hindi), Kandiari, Kharmuch, Surgaqnch, Oche (Kashmiri), Kalawar, Kalahisalu (Kumaoni), Kaloaselu (Nepali), Gunacha, Kandiara (Punjabi), Gomulli, Mulli (Kannada), Dieng soh khawiong (Khasi), Heijampet (Manipuri), Gowriphal (Marathi).

5. Description

Mysore raspberry is a shrub growing to 1-2.5 m tall. The stems are whitish velvety at first, becoming smooth green to purple later. Leaves are compound with 5-11 leaflets. The leaflets are dark green above, densely pale grey to white velvety beneath. The flowers are five dark pink to red petals. The fruit is densely grey velvety, dark red at first, ripening to black. The fruits are commonly harvested from forest for local use as a food and is also used as a medicine. Mysore raspberry is grows wild throughout the temperate Himalayan region. This species is successfully introduced North America. It resembles the raspberry.

1. Botanical Name : Rubus paniculatus Smith

2. Family : Rosaceae

3. Common Name : Heart-Leaf Raspberry

4. Name in Indian languages: Kothalu, Kala hinsar (Hindi/Garhwali)

5. Description

Heart-leaf raspberry is a rambling climber, distinguished by its large ovate-heart-shaped, finely toothed leaves. It is a deciduous shrub, producing each year a cluster of scrambling, minutely-prickly, biennial stems up to 300 cm tall. The stems only produce leaves, and do not flower, in their first year of growth; forming flowering branches in their second year and then dying after fruiting. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, and sometimes also as a medicine.

6. Origin and distribution

It is native of Himalayas and found in the higher hills in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. It is also found in Nepal, Bhutan and China. The plants are at elevations from 1,500 - 2,900 metres msl. It is found in damp shady ravines to 1800 metres in Jaunsar and Tehri-Garhwal of Uttarakhand.

1. Botanical Name : Salacia chinensis L.

2. Family : Celastraceae

3. Common Name : Chinese salacia

4. Name in Indian languages

Chourondi (Malayalam), Saptachakra (Sanskrit), Chuntan, Karukkuvai (Tamil).

5. Description

It is a usually climbing plant, though is sometimes a scrambling shrub and occasionally becomes more tree-like. It can grow from 3 - 10 metres tall with a stem up to 16cm in diameter. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine.

6. Origin and distribution

It is originated in coastal India, China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines. It is distributed in the Indian subcontinent, including the semi-evergreen forests of the Coastal Karnataka, Kerala and Tamilnadu.

1. Botanical Name : Salvadora oleoides Decne

2. Family : Salvadoraceae

3. Common Name: Pilu

4. Name in Indian languages

Pilava pilu, Mityar, Mitijal, Mithivan, Pilu, Chootapilu, Bahapilu, Diar, Jhal, Godpilu (Hindi), Khakan, Pilava, Pilu, Mityal (Gujarati), Kalawa, Kohu, Karkol (Tamil).

5. Description

Peelu (Salvadora oleoides) is an evergreen shrub or tree with a dense crown of numerous, drooping branches. It is small to medium sized evergreen tree with dense foliage. It can grow 6 - 9 metres tall. The main trunk is quite often twisted or bent. It can be up to 2 metres in diameter. The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials. Apart from edible fruits, other parts of the tree also have economic value. Leaves are very good feed for animals especially goats and camels while the twigs are used for cleaning the teeth. The other plant parts such as root bark and leaves etc have value in folk medicine. It is highly resistant against abiotic stresses such as drought and salinity.

1. Botanical Name : Securina leucopyrus syn. Flueggea leucopyrus

2. Family : Euphorbiaceae.

3. Common Name : Bushweed, Indian snow berry, White honey shrub

4. Name in Indian languages

Katupila, Shinar (Hindi), Pandharphali (Marathi), Mulluppulatti (Tamil), Cerimklaav (Malayalam), Pulugudu (Telugu), Bilchuli (Kannada), Parpo (Konkani), Humri (Gujarati), Shwetakambuja(Sanskrit), More pan (Kodwa).

5. Description

Bush weed is an erect shrub of family Euphorbiaceae. The plant grows up to 4 m tall with branches cylindrical or obtusely angular. Leaf is elliptic, obovate, or round papery to thinly leathery. Flower cymes arise in leaf axils or at leafless nodes. Flowers are tiny and yellowish. Fruit is a nearly spherical berry, about 4 mm in diameter, whitish when ripe.

1. Botanical Name : Semecarpus anacadium L.f.

2. Family : Anacardiaceae

3. Common Name : Marking Nut

4. Name in Indian languages

Bhilawan (Hindi), Bhillava (Marathi), Kavaka (Tamil), Ceenkkuru (Malayalam), Bhallatamu (Telugu), Gerannina mara (Kannada), Bhallataka (Bengali), Bonebhalia (Oriya), Amberi (Konkani), Bhala (Assamese), Bhilamu (Gujarati), Bhallatakah (Sanskrit), Bhalaayo (Nepali).

5. Description

Marking nut tree is a small to medium-sized tree that can reach a height of 25 metres, but is usually smaller. Possibly best known for its use in making a permanent marking ink. This multi-purpose tree also provides food, medicines, oil etc. It has high priority and applicability in indigenous system of medicine. It is often cultivated as an ornamental plant in the tropic.

1. Botanical Name : Tamilnadia uliginosa (Retz.) Tirveng. & Sastre

2. Family : Rubiaceae

3. Common Name : Divine Jasmine, Tamilnadia

4. Name in Indian languages

Kalaphendra (Marathi), Wagatta, Kalikarai (Tamil), Pindichakka (Malayalam), Kuka-elka (Telugu), Pidaar(Nepali).

5. Description

Divine jasmine is a very rigid, ramous, small tree, armed with numerous strong thorns. This found in bogs, swamps, banks of rivers and other moist places. It flowers in the beginning of the hot season. The flowers of this species, are known for beauty. It is good shrub for flower garden. It is an important medicinal plant because each and every part of it can be used for medicinal purposes. Sometimes leaves of the plant are used to make chutney.

6. Origin and distribution

It is native of India. It is distributed in India, Bangladesh, Srilanka, Thailand, Vietnam. In India, this species is found in moist deciduous forests.

1. Botanical Name : Vitis himalayana Br.

2. Family : Vitaceae

3. Common Name : Wild grape, Himalayan Woodbine

4. Name in Indian languages: Bhambti, phlankur (Himachali), Chappar tang, Bara churcheri (Kumaoni).

5. Description

This climbing shrub is commonly found in the forests. One of the important characteristics of this wild grape is that they ripen very late i.e., in October. The plant has tuberous roots.

6. Origin and distribution

Himalayan Woodbine is found in the Himalayas, from Pakistan to Sikkim, South West China and Myanmar at altitudes of 1800-3300 m. In India, it is found in Himachal and Uttarakhand.

7. Morphology

Himalayan Woodbine is a very large climber, growing to 18 m long. It has trifoliate leaves with 3 ovate long-pointed, sharply toothed, stalked leaflets. Leaves are shining green above and pale on the underside, about 10 cm long. The lateral leaflets have asymmetrical bases. Flowers are tiny, yellow-green, in spreading flat-topped clusters. Flowers have petals about 5 mm long, with 4-5 stamens. Fruit is a black berry.

1. Botanical Name : Vitis lanata Roxb.

2. Family : Vitaceae

3. Common Nam : Wild grape

4. Name in Indian languages

Bhambay (Himachali), Asajiya, Asoja, Paharphuta, Purain (Kumaoni), Kolo, Kolo nari (Santali).

5. Description

Vitis lanata grow naturally throughout the sub-Himalayan tract, ascending up to 1,500 metres in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. It is woody climber.

6. Origin and distribution

It is native of East Asia from Himalaya to China. It grow wild in the northwestern Himalayan foothills. It is found in hills upto 1500 metres in the Himalayas particular on moist open rocky places.

1. Botanical Name : Xeromphis spinosa (Thumb.) Keay

2. Family : Rubiaceae

3. Common Name : Thorny Bone-apple, Common emetic nut

4. Name in Indian languages

Mainphal (Hindi), Ghela, Khajkanda(Marathi), Madkarai (Tamil), Karacchulli (Malayalam), Marrga (Telugu), Kaarekaayi-gida (Kannada), Patova (Oriya), Madanah (Sanskrit), Kare pan (Kodwa).

5. Description

Xeromphis spinosa is a plant of family Rubiaceae. It is a spiny, deciduous shrub or small tree growing up to 7 metres tall. The plant sometimes adopts a climbing habit. The fruits matures in the month of June-July. The whole fruit expect the seed is consumed at ripe stage.

6. Origin and distribution

It is native of East Asia, Southern China, Indian subcontinent, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia. It is found all over India except higher hills. It is also found in the Himalayas, up to an altitude of 1600 m. It is common in hilly area of Rajasthan.

1. Botanical Name : Zizyphus nummularia Burm. f.

2. Family : Rhamnaceae

3. Common Name : Jhar Ber

4. Name in Indian languages

Jhar ber, Bordi, Jharberi (Hindi), Bhubadari (Bengali), Mulluhannu (Kannada), Junglebor (Marathi), Bhu-kartaka (Sanskrit), Narielandai (Tamil), Nelaregu, (Telugu), Poast jharberi (Urdu).

5. Description

Jhar ber (Ziziphus nummularia) is a most commonly occurring branched thorny shrub species in the Indian desert with a height of 1-2 m. It occupies almost all the habitats including crop lands and grazing lands. It is found growing naturally on farm lands and spreads through root suckers and also by seeds. It forms an integral part of rain fed farming system in arid zones of Rajasthan. Underground suckers of jhar ber remain dormant during summer season but they sprout with monsoon rain and complete the life cycle including vegetative growth, flowering and fruiting by November-December. The bushes are headed back at ground level after the kharif cropping season is over.

1. Botanical Name : Zizyphus rugosa Lamk

2. Family : Rhamnaceae.

3. Common Name : Wild Jujube, wrinkled jujube

4. Name in Indian languages

Churna, Suran (Hindi), Toran, Turan (Marathi), Totari (Tamil), Thodali, Tutari (Malayalam), Gottichettu (Telugu), Belahadu, Mulluhannu (Kannada), Kotte pan (Kodwa).

5. Description

Zizyphus rugosa is a large armed, spiny, evergreen tree growing around 5 - 9 metres tall with large elliptic usually subcordate leaves, paniculate flowers and wood is reddish, moderately. This plant is found chiefly in deciduous and semi-evergreen forest, hills and mountains below 1200 m altitude. The leaves are simple, and are broadly elliptic and short tips. Fruits are globose or pyriform, white when ripe. Whole fruit expect the seed is consumed at ripe stage. It is found in degraded forest areas of entire of Western Ghats. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine.

Tomato is relatively recent addition to the world’s vegetable crops. Now became one of the most important vegetable crops and is popular & widely consumed. It is being grown extensively in USA, China, India, France, Israel and Netherland.
 
It is used in fresh and processed form. Among the vegetables maximum attempts have been made to improve this crop because of its short duration, easy cultivation and large number of seeds per fruit and this has made it an ideal crop for many research works. An exclusive Tomato Genetics Co-operative located in University of California, USA, published genetic information on the crop and maintains a large number of     collections which have already been thoroughly catalogued.
 
Origin and Distribution: Native of Peru in South America and spread to North America by migrating birds. Largest number of wild tomato forms is present in Mexico. Spanish Priests introduced it to Europe in around 1550. In Europe it is known as Poma amoris = Amorous apple (Love apple). Wild relatives found in narrow elongated mountainous regions of Andes in Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia and Galapagos islands. Domestication and cultivation of tomato appears to have first occurred outside its centre or origin. Domestication of tomato was first done by Mexican people i.e. Red Indians, which is considered as secondary center of origin. Now cultivated tomato is common in Peru but recently added to their diet.

India is the primary centre of origin of brinjal. Decandolle (1904) reported it as native of Asia. In Europe it is not known earlier (before 17th early). According to N.I Vavilov, the egg plant originated in Indo–Burma region and china and spread to South Europe, china and Japan. Vavilov (1951) suggested China a centre of origin of brinjal. Crop is restricted mainly to South and South-East Asia, Southern Europe, China and Japan. Wild brinjal types are available in Southern Coastal area of Africa.

Botany

Solanum melongena’ L. var. esculentum - round or egg shape 
var. serpentinum – long, slender type 
var. depressum – dwarf brinjal plant 
It is often cross pollinated crop due to heteromorphic flower structure (heterostyle)

‘Chili’ (European literature) word derived from ‘Chile’ which means any pepper in Mexico and Central America. Peppers are an important constituent of many foods adding flavor, colour, vit.C and pungency and therefore indispensable to the world food industries. China, Mexico, Japan, Turkey, Indonesia, Pakistan and India are major producers.
 
Origin:  The cultivated chilli is of South American origin. Authorities generally agreed that capsicum originated in the new world (America) tropics and sub tropics. Pepper pods are there from 2000 year old burials in Peru. Decandolle concluded no capsicum was indigenous to the old world (Europe), peppers unknown in Europe until 16th century. Chilli was introduced into Spain by Columbus on his return trip in 1493 and cultivation spread from Mediterranean region to England by 1548 and to central Europe by close of 16th century. Portuguese carried capsicum from Brazil to India prior to 1885 and cultivation was reported in china during late 1700’s.

All capsicum species have 2n = 24. Polyploids with 2n = 36, 48 and  aneuploid 2n = 25 reported

If there is scarcity of food, potato can come to the rescue because of its virtue of high yielding (40-50 t/ha) and is a staple food. It produces more calories per unit area and per unit time than any other major food crops. Potato which is the staple food of Europeans and Americans belong to the highlands of Andean mountainous regions of Peru and Bolivia where it has been cultivated since 6000 years.
 
Origin: Peru, Bolivia. Many wild species occur at Mexico and Central America. Potato was introduced to Europe in 16th century by Spaniards (Salaman, 1966) and in early 17th century to India most probably by Portuguese. There are some suggestions based on linguistic and botanical evidences that potato might have been introduced in India directly from South America across the Pacific Ocean. Earlier potatoes were grown in hilly areas of North and South since British settlers brought the varieties continuously from UK and these were bred for long day temperate conditions of Europe. But in India potatoes are grown in short day-subtropical plains. The seed stocks used to degenerate due to accumulation of viruses and loose their yield potentiality. Seed potatoes were mainly imported from Europe i.e. U.K., Italy and Netherlands and Burma till the beginning of Second World War and the imports gradually reduced.

Okra has higher average nutritive value (ANV) of 3.21 which is higher than tomato, egg plant and most of the cucurbits except bitter gourd (Grubban, 1977). Its roasted seeds are substitute for coffee. It is one of the export potential crop where it accounts to 60 per cent of fresh vegetables (excluding potato, onion and garlic) exported from India. Importing countries are Middle East, Western Europe and USA.

Origin and Distribution : It belongs to the genus Abelmoschus established by Medikus, 1787, however de Candolle (1824), treated it as section of Hibiscus.   In 1924 Hochreuntiner reinstated the genus Abelmoschus of Medikus stating that calyx, corolla and stamen fused together at the base and fall as one piece after anthesis (deciduous) where as in case of hibiscus these are persistent. Though the genus is of Asiatic origin, the origin of cultigen Abelmoschus  esculentus is variable like India (Master, 1875) Ethiopia {de Candolle (1883) and Vavilov (1957)}, Western Africa (Chevalier, 1940 and Mardorct, 1947) and Tropical Asia (Grubban, 1997) and probably its might have entered India at the end of 19th century. Cultivated okra is of old world origin. It arose as a cultigen in the Abyssinian region (Ethiopia). Wild species are indigenous to Africa.  Three wild species Abelmoschus tuberculatus, A. moschatus and A. ficulneus are native to India. Introduced to Mediterranean region to Europe and Asia. But during Columbian period it was introduced to America.  It still turnout to be polyphyletic (many places) in origin. A. tuberculatus (Indian origin) and an unknown species cross resulted into A. esculentus.

Cucumber

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is a warm season vegetable used as salad and for pickling purpose has little or no frost tolerance.  Growth and development favoured  by temperature above 200C.  Cucumber cultivars generally classified as pickling or slicing types. In India often cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) are confused with melons (Cucumis melo ) as morphologically some variants of these species overlap, but they are not cross compatible. Kakri of North India are different from kakri of South India and Maharashtra. In Maharastra and South India cucumbers are referred as kakri but, in North India Kakri means Long melon i.e. Cucumis melo Var. utilissima.

Melons (Cucumis melo) are annuals with climbing, creeping or trailing vines of length up to three meters. The desert types quench thirst and add to the nutrient content of main diet. The non-desert types are used as vegetables. Muskmelon (Cucumis melo., 2n=2x=24) encompasses the netted, salmon -flesh cantaloupe, the smooth – skinned green fleshed ‘Honey Dew’, the wrinkled, white – fleshed, ‘Golden Beauty’ and several other dessert melons in USA.

Origin: Not known with certainty but, 40 or more wild species of Cucumis are found to occur in the tropics and subtropics of Africa. Wild species of Cucumis occur in Africa and it is likely that it originated in African continent. It does not appear to have been known to the ancient Egyptians, not to the Greeks and seemed to have reached Europe towards the decline of Roman Empire. Although melon was introduced into Asia at a comparatively later date there are undoubtedly well developed secondary centers of origin of C. melo in India, China and then Southern USSR. In India Oriental pickling melon (C. melo var conomon) and snap melon (C. melo var momordica) are unique and have considerable variability in Western Ghats of India. They are popular desert and preserving melons cultivated in Warm humid tropical condition of South India. It is also considered that China as primary center of origin and Indo-Burma as secondary center of origin. It has been introduced to Europe and from Europe to the USA by the early travelers. At present muskmelon is being cultivated throughout the world under tropical and subtropical climatic conditions. Polymorphism in leaf, flower, fruit shape and colour (Kirkbride, 1993), allowed the classification of horticulturally important melons into seven groups.

Water melon is tender to frost and most of cultivars require relatively long growing season. Plant growth and fruit development are fallowed by higher temperature and abundant sunlight. Atmospheric humidity greatly regulates fruit and foliage diseases.

Taxonomy and Origin: Ealier it was classified as Citrullus Vulgaris Schrod. But in 1963 Thieret called attention to the correct name, C. lanatus (Thumb) Mansf. Africa is centre of origin of the genus. In 1857 David Living Stone, the famous missionary explorer found both bitter and sweet melons grown together in Africa and native people used them as source of water. Cultivation is prehistoric as there are pictures made in ancient Egypt. Early cultivation occurred in Mediterranean area and as far as India also and It was brought to USA by European colonist as early as 1629.

Ridge gourd or Ribbed gourd (Luffa acutangula Rox b. L) and Sponge gourd or Smooth gourd (Luffa cylindrica) have diploid chromosome number  2n=2x=26. Luffa has old world origin in Subtropical Asian region including India (Kalloo, 1993). These two species are inter-crossable. F1 plants generally, intermediate between the parents and showed various irregularities like, univalants, rings and chains of 4 chromosomes, chromatids bridges and fragments at metaphase and thus the species are not easily crossable and the F1 plants appear to be of not much practical value. The genus is monoecious annual vine, tendrils are branched, flowers are yellow, anthers are free and pistil has three placentas with many ovules and stigma are three and bilobate. Fruits oblong or cylindrical and rind becomes dry on maturity.

It is rich in iron and Vit –C and native of tropical Asia particularly eastern India and Southern China (Sheshadri 1986 Mini Raja et al., 1993).
 
Botany: Monoecious annual, staminate flowers small, yellow and borne on slender pedicel. Pistillate flowers solitary have small pedicel, flowers are yellow, leaves segmented pentamerous. Filaments 3, two are bilocular and one is unilocular. There are three short styles ended with three bilobed or divided stigmas.

Chromosome 2n=22: 6-centromere in middle, 3-submedian, 2-subterminal  (Vargheuse, 1973) 

Momordica dioica: 2n=28

Momordica cochincniensis: Sweet gourd of Assam

Germplasm

KAU-Vellanikara, IIHR-Bangalore, NDUAT-Faizabad, CSAUAT-VRS, Kalyanpur, BPUA&T-Pantnagar and IARI- New Delhi are the major sources of bitter gourd germplasm.

Bottle gourd (Lageneria siceraria) 2n=2x=22 is also known as white flowered gourd. Most important vegetable of ancient China.
 
Origin : According to De Candolle (1882) Bottle gourd has been found in wild form in South Africa and India. However, Cutler and Whitaker (1962) are of the view that probably it is indigenous to Tropical Africa on the basis of variability in seeds and fruits. This species appear to have been domesticated independently in Asia, Africa and the New world (Heiser, 1973).
 
Botany: It is monoecious, annual vine with soft pubescence. Leaves are cordate ovate to reniform-ovate, Flowers are white, solitary, open at night and has hairy ovary. Fruit shape is cylindrical, oval egg shaped, club shaped, round and other shapes also appeared.

Genetics of Important Traits

Bitterness: Single dominant gene (Path and Singh, 1950)

Fruit colour: Monogenically controlled (Kalloo, 1993)

Two major genes are involved for fruit shape (Path and Singh, 1950). Single gene for fruit colour involved (patchy v/s white) and reported by Path and Singh (1950). Monogenic recessive inheritance for andromonoecious sex form is reported by Singh et al. (1996). Hermaphrodite sex form is characterized by long corolla (3.5-4.5cm instead of 2.5-3.5cm in normal). In hermaphrodite condition fruits bears prominent blossom scar.  Long fruit conditioned by AA genotype and Round fruit is due to aa genotype where Partial dominance is reported (Kushwaha, 1996).

Squashes and Pumpkin (Cucurbita, spp, 2n = 2x = 40) are the words quite often used interchangeably. However, the term squash is more commonly used for C. pepo which is consumed as an immature fruit. The term pumpkin is normally applied to the edible fruit of any species of Cucurbita utilized when ripe as a table vegetable or in pies.
 
Origin:  The genus Cucurbita is native to America.  The center of diversity is the tropics near the Mexico- Gauatamla border. The archaeology evidences indicate that these were widely cultivated in South Western United States, Mexico, and northern South America in Pre-Colombian times i.e. prior to 1492 A.D.

C. pepo : Summer squash : Some varieties belong to winter squash, pumpkin and marrows. It has bushy habit, peduncle hard, sharply angular, grooved, leaves broad, triangular in outline, usually with deep lobes little or no expansion of peduncle at fruit attachment. In North America it is commonly found.

C. mixta : Squash, cymlins, cushaws: It is used as summer and winter squash, leaves shallowly lobed, hard corky peduncle. This is also commonly found in North America.

Keys to Genera
Flowers zygomorphic, stamens definite, corolla papillonacious, petals imbricate: 1I, 1O, 3 IO
Group I:    Herbs or shrubs, leaves imparipinnate, leaf lets entire, pods usually dehiscent, or if indehiscent usually small, a few seeded. Cyamopsis
Group II:    Herbs low or climbing, leaves paripinnate, leaflets ending in a tendril or bristle, style bearded, pods dehiscent.
Sub group 1: Staminal tube oblique at mouth, pod compressed. Vicia
Sub group 2: Staminal tube truncate (cutting off) at mouth, pods torpid.  Pisum
Group III:     Climbing or prostrate and rarely erect
Sub group 1: style bearded, stamen diadelphous
Sub-sub group: stigma terminal: Dolichos
Sub-sub group: Stigma oblique: Keel spiral : Phaseolus
Keel not spiral: Vigna
Sub group 2: Style not bearded, stamen monodelphous: Canavalia
Group IV:    Trees or shrubs, some times climbing, pods indehiscent: Psophocarpus

Garden Pea
It is cool season crop cultivated throughout the world. It is extensively grown in temperate zone and is restricted to cooler altitudes in tropics and winter season in sub tropics. It is rich source of proteins (25.6%), amino acids and sugars. It goes well with other vegetables in vegetable dish.

Among beans, the most popular bean is French bean and it has wider distribution and larger gene pool. Various names are associated with cultivars viz., Snap bean, salad bean and green bean and all these names associated are with beans of vegetable types. The names haricot bean, dry bean and navy bean are applicable to pulse types. String bean, dwarf bean and pole bean applicable to growth forms. It is known as Rajmah in Hindi, Tingalawari in Kannada and Fras bean in Punjabi. Cultivars preferred for Canning, frozen and freeze-dried are having round pods. Fresh market cultivars are flat or oval shaped. Yellow pod cultivars are also grown. Generally fresh market cultivar yields higher in temperate region than in tropical region. Beans are said to be antidiabetic and good for bladder burns, cardiac, carminative, diuretic.

Origin and Distribution: Phaseolus vulgaris was domesticated in Central America about 7000 years ago and it is also thought to be domesticated in Brazil and Northern Islands and was introduced to Europe in 16th century. Vavilov (1951) reported that Phaseolus vulgaris originated in South Mexico and Central American centre of origin. The first cultivar has been selected in Peru. From Peru it spread to Europe and to Asia. Wild species P. aboriginus in North West Argentina is considered as the wild progenitor of French bean. Based on growth habit, crop can be classified into pole type, semi pole type and bush type. Former varieties are more string types. American origin of P. vulgaris is questioned by De Candolle (1584). Southern part of Mexico and Central America are considered to be primary centre of origin. While secondary centre lies in Peru-Bolivian-Ecuador of South American continent. In Europe, French bean spread rapidly in 16th and 17th centuries and reached England by 1594. From Europe, it was introduced to India during 17th century (Simmonds, 1976).

Southern pea / black eyed pea are the other names associate with cowpea. It is grown for vegetable and also as pulse crop and varieties are specific for use.

Classification of Cowpea
1.    Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. Cv. Sesquipedalis: yard long bean or asparagus bean: Possess long pods and used as vegetable. 
2.    Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. Cv. Cylindrica: dual purpose, i.e. vegetable and pulse 
3.    Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp cv. Radiata: Pulse type.
 
More emphasis is given for pulse types for crop improvement. Less attention is given to vegetable types. Pole and bush types are available in vegetable type. Cowpea improvement is from vine to bushy habit with low fiber content and low glucosides and increased protein content.
Origin and Distribution: Cowpea is in cultivation from ancient times in the tropics of old world. Country of origin is uncertain. In India, it has been known from the vedic times. Vavilov (1939) considered India as the primary centre of origin. But it is now generally agreed that Africa is centre of origin since wild forms are found in Africa and in Asia wild forms are absent (Smartt, 1990). Faris (1965) concluded that, cowpea arose from domestication of wild form Vigna unguiculata ssp dekindtiana in West Africa. But domestication is actually happened in Ethiopia and dissemination was West wards Africa, East ward across the Indian Ocean. It has spread from Africa to Asia and Europe through Egypt. Introduced to West Indies in 16th century by Spaniards and was taken to USA around 1700. Now cowpea is widely distributed throughout the tropics and subtropics.

Dolichos bean is known as Lablab bean, hyacinth bean or sem. Grown as field crop in MP, Maharashtra, AP and TN. Genus Dolichus is renamed as Lablab (Syn. D. lablab, D. purpureus, Lablab niger, L. bvulgaris) and Lablab purpureus name is widely accepted. Dolichos lablab L. (synonyms Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet.) is leguminous pod vegetable grown in tropics and few temperate countries. Lablab niger var. lablab is synonym to Dolichos lablab var. typicus where long axis of seed is parallel to suture and is vegetable type. Lablab niger var. lignosus synonym to Dolichos lablab var. lignosus where long axis of seed is perpendicular to suture and is pulse type.

Onion

Onion is very popular vegetable crop grown worldwide. Consumption is in the form of fresh, frozen, and dehydrated bulbs and green bunching onion. Origin of Allium cepa is still somewhat mystery. Vavilov (1951) suggested that the onion originated in the area of Pakistan. Others have suggested Pakistan, Iran & the mountain areas to the north (Jone& Mann, 1963). One fact is certain that the onion has been around in its present edible form for thousands of years. Onion recorded in tombs as early as 3200 B.C. It was mentioned as a food in the bible and in the Koran with reference thought to be around 1500 B.C. In addition to being a food considered by people, plant is having certain healing power. Some early drawing indicates that onions were used in spiritual offerings.

Cabbage

Cabbage is an important crop in USA, Northern European countries, Russia, Japan & Australia and its breeding occurs here, but Holland and Japan are the major breeding countries. It is also being cultivated in India and crop improvement work is taken up in India also.

Origin and General Botany: Historical evidence indicates that modern hard head cabbage cultivars descended from wild non headed Brassica originated in the Eastern Mediterranean and in Asia Minor. The Celts and Late Romans are responsible for spread cabbage throughout Europe. Latin name Brassica derived from Celtic word “bresic” meaning cabbage. Over a period hard headed evolved in Northern Europe and loose headed and heat resistant types evolved in South Europe. Cabbage was first introduced to America in 1541 by French explorer Jacques Cartier (planted seeds in Canada) and earlier colonist introduced the crop in to India also. Round headed types-are evolved earlier than flat (evolved in 17th or 18th century).  Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprout, Collards, Kale, and Kohlrabi are all readily intercrossed members of this species.

Cauliflower follows cabbage in importance with regard to area and production in the world. However in India Cauliflower is more widely grown than cabbage. This crop grows at a latitude 11°N to 60°N with average temperature ranging from 5- 8°C to 25-28°C. It can stand to the temperature as low as -10°C and as high as 40°C for a few days. Italy and India are the major countries growing CF on large scale. Important cauliflower growing states in India are UP, Karnataka, West Bengal, Punjab and Bihar. It is commonly grown in Northern Himalayas and Niligiri hills in south.

Origin and Distribution: Cauliflower is thought to have been domesticated in the Mediterranean region since, the greater range of variability in the wild types of B.oleracea is found there (Nieuwhof, 1969). Wild Cole warts are still found in wild state in sea cost of England and Denmark and in the North West France and various localities from Greece to Great Britain. The Cole crops, including cauliflower and cabbage have descended from a common Kale like ancestor, the wild cabbage (B.olearcea var. sylvestris L.) which is still found in western and southern Europe and North Africa (i.e, sea coasts of England and Denmark and in North West France and various localities from Greece to Great Britain). Cyprus and area around Mediterranean courts are considered to be the primary centers of origin for Cauliflower. It is also reported that cauliflower is originated from a related species. B.cretica. As per Bosewell (1949), it originated in the islands of Cyprus from where it moved to other areas like Syria, Turkey, Egypt, Italy, Spain and North Western Europe. Cornish types originated in England fallowed by temperate types originated in Germany and Netherlands in 18th century. The present Indian tropical cauliflowers developed as a result of intercrossing between European and Cornish type. In India tropical types with resistance to high temp and high rainfall conditions have been developed. Tropical types are grown in Indian plains from May to September, followed by temperate types known as snowball cauliflower.