LALDINFELI RALTE, VANLALHRUAIA, R.C. LAHA AND Y. TUNGINBA SINGH
Abstract
Solanaceae comprises of a large number of economically important herbs, shrubs and trees. The family is characteristically ethnobotanical which is extensively used by human and is an important source of food, spice, and medicine. The present study reports and examines 18 plants species of Solanaceae family from Mizoram, India for their ethnobotanical uses. The study focuses on understanding indigenous knowledge of Solanaceae plant species which are both edible and medicinally important. The current study was based on field survey and interaction with the local traditional healer as well as the local people. Among the documented plant species, shrubs (50%) were dominating, followed by herbs (33.33%) and woody shrub (17%). The present study also revealed that fruits (55.56%) were commonly used part for ethnobotanical uses followed by leaves (44.44%). The present study will enrich the documentation on the traditional knowledge of Solanaceae plants, provide the ethnobotanical and medicinal uses of these plants to other communities, and will be useful for the conservation of the plant resources for further uses.