Wild edible plants collected by Hani from terraced rice paddy agroecosystem in Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan, China

A comprehensive ethnobotanical study identifies 224 wild edible plant (WEP) species used by the Hani people in Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan, China, highlighting their cultural and economic significance. These plants, belonging to 90 families and 170 genera, are integral to local cuisine and traditional practices, with fruits, stems, and leaves being the most commonly utilized parts. The research, conducted through interviews with 186 Hani individuals across four counties from 2014 to 2019, also documents unique preparation methods for certain species like Phyllanthus emblica and Dioscorea subcalva. Analysis of use-value (UV) and frequency of utilization index (FUI) revealed that 20 WEP species are particularly important in daily life. While these plants hold economic potential, the study warns of threats from biodiversity loss and pollution, emphasizing the need to preserve traditional knowledge and agroecosystem health for sustainable development.

Luo, B., Liu, B., Zhang, H., Zhang, H., Li, X., Ma, L., Wang, Y., Bai, Y., Zhang, X., Li, J., Yang, J., & Long, C. (2019). Wild edible plants collected by Hani from terraced rice paddy agroecosystem in Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan, China. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-019-0336-x