Wild edible aquatic and marshland angiosperms of Baksa district, BTC area, Assam, India

Transcription

1 Available online at Asian Journal of Plant Science and Research, 2015, 5(1):32-48 ISSN : CODEN (USA): AJPSKY Wild edible aquatic and marshland angiosperms of Baksa district, BTC area, Assam, India 1 Namita Deka and 2 Nilakshee Devi 1 Department of Botany, Nalbari College, Nalbari, Assam, India 2 Department of Botany, Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam, India ABSTRACT The aquatic and marshland vegetation of Baksa district is quite rich due to presence of a large number of water bodies. The study reveals that various parts of 41 species are edible and consumed by the tribal and non-tribal communities inhabiting there in. These plants belong to 33 genera and 24 families. Among these plants, 27 species belong to dicot and 14 to monocot. The medicinal and other uses of plants are also reported. Key words: Aquatic, marshland, Baksa district, Bodo INTRODUCTION Baksa is one of the four districts of BTC area. It is located in the north bank of river Brahmaputra in Assam. The district is bounded by Bhutan in the north, Udalguri district in the east, Barpeta, Nalbari and Kamrup districts in the South and Chirang district in the west. The total area of the district is 2400 sq Km and population density is 475/sq Km. Geographically Baksa district is located between 26 o 30 / to 26 o 45 / N latitude and 91 o 10 / to 91 o 45 / E longitude. Many perennial water reservoirs such as rivers, beels, jheels and swamps are observed here. Again monsoonal rains make temporary marshy depressions in and around paddy fields and forest area. All these provide an ideal luxuriant growth of aquatic and marshland angiosperm. Aquatic plants are those plants whose seeds germinate in either the water phase or the substrate of a body of water and which must spend part of their life cycle in water [1]. The aquatic plants, according to habitat category, may be rooted floating, free floating, submerged, rooted emergent and wetland hydrophytes [2, 3]. Some of the wetlands in this district are Barkharua, Roumari, Charan Beel, Potapather Beel, Dangapather Beel etc. The population of Baksa district is (census report, 2011). The communities inhabiting there in are Bodo, Assamese, Adivasis and Rabha [4]. The region is inhabited predominantly by Bodo speaking ethnic group. The aquatic plants constitute a significant components of diet among the Bodo people of Baksa district. The tribe Bodo has been selecting wild aquatic plants as a suitable source of food since ancient times. The Bodo community of Baksa district has vast knowledge on ethnobotany [4, 5]. MATERIALS AND METHODS The specimens have been collected at their flowering and fruiting stages at regular intervals covering all the seasons of the year (during ). Herbarium sheets (42cm X 28cm) have been prepared following procedures of [6]. 32

2 Namita Deka and Nilakshee Devi Asian J. Plant Sci. Res., 2015, 5(1):32-48 All the information regarding vernacular names, edible plant parts, other plant parts used, mode of utilization were collected from different persons of different villages of the district. The recorded information are verified and compared with other informers and also with literature of [7]. The local uses of plant resources of the district have been analyzed as per the process suggested by [8, 9]. Plants have been identified by comparing herbarium sheets with those of Gauhati University, Kanjilal Herbarium, Shillong and also by using different monographs and floras of [10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and16]. The scientific names of the plants are arranged in alphabetic order in enumeration. Other information like name of family to which the plant belongs, vernacular names in Assamese (Ass) and in Bodo, a brief taxonomic description, habitat category, flowering and fruiting (Fl. & fr.) periods, association, name of edible plant parts, mode of utilization, medicinal use, other uses of plants if any are also reported. Enumeration of species: 1. Acoras calamus Linn. Family: Araceae ; Bos (Ass.) ; Bas (Bodo) An erect aromatic herb with a thick creeping rootstock Fl.& fr. Period: December-February; Habitat category: Wetland hydrophytes. Association: The plant is associated with Hedychium coronarium Koen ex Retz, Canna flava Roxb. Plant parts used and mode of utilization: leaf & rhizome are dried and used as condiment. Other uses: rhizome used in snake bite Place: Barama, Masalpur, Nagrijuli, Roumari 2. Alpinia galanga (L.) Sw Family: Zingiberaceae; Tara (Ass.); Tharai (Bodo) Perennial herb with a fleshy rhizome and white pinkish inflorescence Fl. & fr. period: March-August; Habitat category: wetland hydrophytes. Association: The plant is associated with Canna flava Roxb., Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott. Plant parts used and mode of utilization: dried seed used as spice. Other uses: ropes made with leaf sheath. Place: Belguri, Dumni, Gerua 3. Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart). Griselo Family: Amaranthaceae; Nolduba(Ass.) Doigaldeb (Bodo); An erect herb with fistular stem and white head inflorescence Fl.& fr. period :June-october ;Habitat category: Rooted emergent ; Association: The plant is associated with Lemna minor L., Enhydra fluctuans Lour. Plant parts used and mode of utilization: tender shoot as leafy vegetable Place: Barama, Masalpur, Patkijuli 4. A.sessilis(L.)R. Br. Ex DC Family: Amaranthaceae ; Matikaduri(Ass), Mathi galdeb (Bodo); A Prostrate, profusely branched herb with solid stem and white sessile inflorescence. Fl. & fr. Season : April-October ; Habitat category: Wetland hydrophytes. Association: The plant is associated with centella asiatica (L.) Urban, Eclipta prostrata L. Plant parts used and mode of utilization: tender shoot as leafy vegetable Place: Masalpur, Kharua, Tamulpur 5. Amorphophalus campanulatus Blume Family: Araceae ; Ohl kasu (Ass), Olodot (Bodo); A marshy herb with a roundish warty thick corm and variegated stem. Fl. & fr. period : July-December ; Habitat category: Wetland hydrophytes. Association: The plant is associated with Lasia spinosa (L.) Thw., Houttaynia cordata Thunb. Plant parts used and mode of utilization: corm dried, boiled and cooked. Place: Nabasti, Barama, Lechera 6. Bacopa monnieri(l.) Pennell Family: Scrophulariaceae; Brahmi(Ass), Bd. Name: Thiphu maigong(bodo); A profusely branched prostrate herb with white flower. Fl.& fr. period : April-June ; Habitat category: rooted emergent. Association: The plant is associated with Rotala rotundifolia L., Phyla nodiflora (L.) Greene Plant parts used and mode of utilization: tender shoot as leafy vegetable. Medicinal value: leaf extract eaten as brain tonic. 33

3 Namita Deka and Nilakshee Devi Asian J. Plant Sci. Res., 2015, 5(1):32-48 Place:Tamulpur, Kharua, Barama 7. Calamas tenuis Roxb. Family: Arecaceae; Jatibet(Ass.), Raidang(Bodo) A Climbing plant with slender stem and spiny leaf. Fl.& fr. period : April-June ; Habitat category: Wetland hydrophytes. Association: The plant is associated with Bambusa sps, Mikania micrantha Kunth Plant parts used and mode of utilization: mature fruit eaten as raw and tender shoot as leafy vegetable. Other uses: stem used for making furniture Place: Barama, Tamulpur, Masalpur 8. Centella asiatica(l.) Urban Family: Apiaceae; Bor manimuni(ass.), Manimuni gader(bodo) ; A profusely branched prostrate herb with pink inflorescence Fl.& fr. period :March-July ; Habitat category: Wetland hydrophytes. Association: The plant is associated with Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lamk., Oxalis corniculata Plant parts used and mode of utilization: the juice of shoot are boiled and used as curry. Medicinal value: juice of shoot eaten to treat dysentery. Place: Barama, Tamulpur, Masalpur 9. Colocasia esculenta(l.) Schott. Family: Araceae; Kalakasu(Ass), Gusum thaso (Bodo); An erect herb with black stem and petiole and yellow spathe. Fl. & fr. period : Any season ; Habitat category: Wetland hydrophytes. Association: The plant is associated with Polygonum hydropiper (L.) Spach., Monochoria hastata (L.) Solms Plant parts used and mode of utilization: leaf, petiole & rhizome as vegetable. Medicinal value: petiole used externally in ear problem. Place: Tamulpur, Barama, Masalpur 10. Drymaria cordata Willd Family:Caryophyllaceae; Laijabri(Ass.), Jabshri(Bodo): A branched herb with cordate leaf and white minute flower. Fl.& fr. period : July-October ; Habitat category: wetland hydrophytes Association: The plant is associated with Commelina benghalensis Linn., Murdannia nudiflora (L.) Brenan Plant parts used and mode of utilization: tender shoot mixed with other vegetables and cooked. Medicinal value: leaves used to treat insect bite. Place: Nabasti, Uttarkusi, Barama 11. Enhydra fluctuans Lour. Family: Asteraceae; Helasi(Ass), Alasi maigong(bodo); A branched aquatic herb with fistular stem and white minute flower. Fl.& fr. period : April-September ; Habitat category: rooted floating. Association: The plant is associated with Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griselo, Ipomoea aquatica Forsk. Plant parts used and mode of utilization: tender shoot cooked as vegetable Place: Barama, Kharua, Masalpur, Dhulabari 12. Euryale ferox Salisbury Family: Nymphaeaceae; Nikhori(Ass), Makhana(Bodo), A prickly herb with red flower Fl.& fr. period :August-December ; Habitat category: rooted floating. Association: The plant is associated with Nymphaea rubra Roxb. ex Andrews, Utricularia aurea Lour. Plant parts used and mode of utilization: fruit eaten as raw. Place: Kharuajan, Masalpur, Koklabari 13. Fragaria indica Andr. Family: Rosaceae; Garukhis(Ass), Bunmala(Bodo) A prostrate herb with yellow flower and red fruit Fl.&fr. period : January-May ; Habitat category: Wetland hydrophytes. Association: The plant is associated with Hydrolea zeylanica (L.) Vahl, Lindernia ruellioides (Colsm.) Pennell Plant parts used and mode of utilization: fruit eaten as raw. Place: Masalpur, Kharua, Ramchatary 14. Hydrocera triflora(l.) Wt. & Arn Family: Balsaminaceae; Pani junka phul (Ass) A tall erect herb with white pinkish flower and pentangular spongy stem. 34

4 Namita Deka and Nilakshee Devi Asian J. Plant Sci. Res., 2015, 5(1):32-48 Fl.& fr. period : April-August ; Habitat category: rooted emergent. Association: The plant is associated with Monochoria vaginalis (Burm.f.) Presler ex Kunth, Ludwigia adscendens (L.) Hara Plant parts used and mode of utilization: tender shoot mixed with other leafy vegetables and cooked. Medicinal value: juice of shoot eaten in dysentery. Place: Kharuajan, Jalah, Barikadanga 15. Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lamk. Family: Apiaceae; Saru manimuni(ass), Manimuni undai(bodo) ; A prostrate branched herb with shiny leaf and reddish flower. Fl.& fr. period : March-July ; Habitat category: Wetland hydrophytes. Association: The plant is associated with Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, Oldenlandia corymbosa L. Plant parts used and mode of utilization: juice of shoot are boiled and used as curry. Medicinal value: juice of shoot eaten in dysentery Place: Barama, Masalpur, Jalah 16. Hygroryza aristata Nees. Family: Poaceae; Bahpatia(Ass), Uri dhan(bodo); A floating herb with inflated leaf sheaths serving as floats. Fl.& fr. period : July-October ; Habitat category: Rooted floating. Association: The plant is associated with Hymenanche assamica (Hooker) Hiteh., Lemna minor L. Plant parts used and mode of utilization: seed cooked as rice. Place: Kharua, Tamulpur, Gerua 17. Hypericum boreale Fassett Family: Hypericaceae; Asay ban(ass), Sonaphuli( Bodo); A small herb with 3-nerved leaf and yellow flower Fl. & fr. period : September-February; Habitat category: wetland hydrophytes. Association: The plant is associated with Hydrolea zeylanica (L.) Vahl, Lindernia pusilla (Willd.) Boldingh Plant parts used and mode of utilization: tender shoot mixed with other leafy vegetables and cooked. Medicinal value: leafs paste used to reduce bleeding and for early clotting. Place: Uttarkusi, Nabasti, Roumari 18.Ipomoea aquatica Forsk. Family: Convolvulaceae; Kalmou(Ass), Monde moigong (Bodo); A prostrate herb with fistular stem and pink flower. Fl. & fr. period :August-December ; Habitat category: rooted floating ; Association: The plant is associated with Lindernia rotundifolia L,, Ludwigia adscendens (L.) Hara Plant parts used and mode of utilization: tender shoot as leafy vegetables. Place: Barama, kharua, Lechera 19. Lasia spinosa(l.) Thw. Family: Araceae; Sengmora(Ass.), Sibru(Bodo); An erect spiny herb showing heterophylly. Fl.& fr. period : January-March ; Habitat category: Wetland hydrophytes Association: The plant is associated with Fragaria indica Andr., Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott. Plant parts used and mode of utilization: tender shoot and leaf as leafy vegetables. Medicinal value: leaf extract in maternity related problem. Place: Barama, Tamulpur, Masalpur 20. Ludwigia adscandens (L.) Hara Family: Onagraceae; Panikhutura (Ass), Thalijuria (Bodo); A profusely branched herb with spongy white root and white flower. Fl.& fr. period : May-October ; Habitat category: rooted floating ; Association: The plant is associated with Ipomoea aquatic Forsk, Monochoria hastata (L.) Solms Plant parts used and mode of utilization: tender shoot mixed with other leafy vegetables and cooked. Medicinal value: leaf with milk eaten to control jaundice. Place: Kharua, Chowki, Masalpur 21. Monochoria hastata (L.) Solms Family: Pontederiaceae; Pani kasu (Ass), Ajnai (Bodo); An erect herb with hastate leaf and blue flower. Fl.&fr. period : May-November; Habitat category: rooted emergent. 35

5 Namita Deka and Nilakshee Devi Asian J. Plant Sci. Res., 2015, 5(1):32-48 Association: The plant is associated with Ludwigia octavalvis (Mich.) Raven, M. vaginalis (Burm.f.) Presler ex Kunth Plant parts used and mode of utilization: flower cooked with small fish. Place: Kharua, Nabasti, Odalbari 22. M. vaginalis (Burm.f.) presler ex Kunth Family: Pontederiaceae; Panikasu (Ass), Ajnai(Bodo); An erect herb with blue flower and narrowly ovate leaf. Fl.& fr. period : May- November; Habitat category: rooted emergent. Association: The plant is associated with Ludwigia octavalvis (Mich.) Raven, M. hastata(l.) Solms Plant parts used and mode of utilization: flower cooked with small fish. Place: Tamulpur, Barama, Odalbari 23. Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner Family: Nelumbonaceae; Padum (Ass), Padda bihar (Bodo); A herb with perennial rhizome, emerging leaf and white flower Fl.& fr. period : June-October ; Habitat category: rooted floating. Association: The plant is associated with Nymphaea rubra Roxb. ex Andrews, Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms (Buch-Ham. Ex Meisn) Sojak Plant parts used and mode of utilization: seed eaten as raw, petiole cooked and thalamus used in preparation of pickles. Medicinal value: root, leaf, flower, seed used in fever, skin diseases. Other uses: flowers used in ritual purpose. Place: Kharua, Chowki, Ramchatary 24. Nymphaea nouchali Burm. f. Family: Nymphaeaceae; Kath mouka (Ass.), Thoblo (Bodo); A herb with perennial rhizome, white flower, and serrated leaf. Fl.& fr. period : May-October ; Habitat category: rooted floating. Association: The plant is associated with Nymphaea rubra Roxb. ex Andrews, Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms (Buch-Ham. Ex Meisn) Sojak Plant parts used and mode of utilization: fruit and seed eaten as raw and cooked with fish. Place: Kharua, Nabasti, Dhulabari 25. N. rubra Roxb. Ex Andrews Family: Nymphaeaceae; Ranga vet (Ass), Thoblo (Bodo); A herb with perennial rhizome, red flower, and serrated leaf. Fl.& fr. period: May-October; Habitat category: rooted floating. Association: The plant is associated with Nymphaea stellata Willd.,Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms (Buch- Ham. Ex Meisn) Sojak Plant parts used and mode of utilization: fruit and seed eaten as raw and cooked with fish Place: Barama, Uttarkusi, Odalbari 26. N. stellata Willd Family: Nymphaeaceae; Sindhi mouka(ass), Thoblo (Bodo); A herb with perennial rhizome, white flower, and entire leaf. Fl.& fr. period: May-October; Habitat category: rooted floating. Association: The plant is associated with Nymphaea rubra Roxb. ex Andrews, Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms (Buch-Ham. Ex Meisn) Sojak Plant parts used and mode of utilization: fruit and seed eaten as raw and cooked with fish. Medicinal value: root extract eaten in dysentery. Place: Barama, Masalpur, Dumni 27. Oenanthe fistulosa Flaming Family: Apiaceae; pani dhania(ass); An erect herb with white inflorescence and fistular stem. Fl.& fr. period : February-April ; Habitat category: rooted emergent. Association: The plant is associated with Aeschynomene aspera Linn., Ludwigia perennis L. Plant parts used and mode of utilization: tender shoot as leafy vegetable. Place: Nabasti, Uttarkusi, Roumari 36

6 Namita Deka and Nilakshee Devi Asian J. Plant Sci. Res., 2015, 5(1): Oldenlandia corymbosa Linn. Family: Rubiaceae; Sarpajiva (Ass), Mandaoli (Bodo); A branched herb with minute white flower. Fl.& fr. period : June-August ; Habitat category: Wetland hydrophytes. Association: The plant is associated with Drymaria cordata Willd, Spilanthes paniculata Wall. ex DC Plant parts used and mode of utilization: tender shoot mixed with other leafy vegetables Medicinal value: plant extract used in stomach problem. Place: Barama, Uttarkusi, Lechera 29. Ottelia alismoides (L.) Perso Family: Hydrocharitaceae; Senguntepa (Ass); A submerged herb with white flowers and ovoid fruits enclosed in a six-winged spathe. Fl. & fr. period : July-September ; Habitat category: rooted submerged Association: The plant is associated with Sagittaria guayanensis Humb.,Bonp. & Kunth, Ceratophyllum demersum Linn. Plant parts used and mode of utilization: fruit eaten as raw Place: Nabasti, Chapaguri 30. Oxalis corniculata Linn. Family: Oxalidaceae; Sengeri tenga (Ass), Singri gakhwi (Bodo); Profusely branched prostrate herb with yellow flower and sour leaf. Fl.& fr. period : November- March ; Habitat category: Wetland hydrophytes. Association: The plant is associated with Stellaria media (L.) Vill, Centella asiatica (L.) Urban Plant parts used and mode of utilization: shoots are boiled and cooked with fish. Medicinal value: tender shoots eaten to control dysentery. Other uses: leaf used for cleaning metallic utensils. Place: Barama, Tamulpur, masalpur 31. Persicaria chinense Linn. Family: Polygonaceae; Madhu soleng (Ass), Besongali (Bodo); A branched herb with white flower and sour tasted leaf. Fl.& fr. period : June-August ; Habitat category: Wetland hydrophytes. Association: The plant is associated with Houttaynia cordata Thunb, Commelina diffusa Burm.f. Plant parts used and mode of utilization: tender shoot as leafy vegetables. place: Barama, Tamulpur, Ramchatary 32. Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Spach. Family: Polygonaceae; Behu (Ass), Bislangi (Bodo); An erect herb with swollen node, loose inflorescence and pinkish flower. Fl.& fr. period :March-May ; Habitat category: Wetland helophytes Association: The plant is associated with Cyperus difformis Linn., C.iria Linn. Plant parts used and mode of utilization: young shoot mixed with other leafy vegetables and then cooked. Other uses: leaves burnt to control mosquito. Place: Barama, Tamulpur, Kharuajan 33. P. microcephalum G. Don. Family: Polygonaceae; Madhu soling (Ass), A branched herb with white flower and sour tasted leaf. Fl.& fr. period : June-August ; Habitat category: Wetland hydrophytes Association: The plant is associated with Commelina oblique Buch. Ham, Spillanthes acmella L. Plant parts used and mode of utilization: tender shoot Cooked as leafy vegetable. Place: Chowki 34. P. perfoliata (L.) H Family: Polygonaceae; Bagh asora(ass), Moitha sikhla(bodo); A spiny climber with perfoliate leaf, white, minute flower and fleshy, black coloured fruit Fl.& fr. period : March-May ; Habitat category: Wetland hydrophytes. Association: The plant is associated with Mikania micrantha Kunth, Alpinia galanga (L.) Sw. Plant parts used and mode of utilization: tender shoot cooked with other leafy vegetable. Place: Kumrikata, Dumni, Uttarkusi 37

7 Namita Deka and Nilakshee Devi Asian J. Plant Sci. Res., 2015, 5(1): Rumex maritimus Linn. Family: Polygonaceae; Talbarua (Ass), Maitha Sikhia (Bodo); An annual tall herb with ribed and redish stem Fl. & fr. period: March-December; Habitat category: Wetland hydrophytes Association: The plant is associated with Gnaphalium indicum L., Grangea maderaspatana (L.) Poir Plant parts used and mode of utilization: tender shoot cooked as leafy vegetable. Place: Subankhata, Tamulpur, Masalpur 36. Setaria italica Beauv Family: Poaceae; Kanidhan(Ass), An annual tall grass with fox-tail like inflorescence. Fl. & fr. period: July-October; Habitat category: rooted emergent. Association: The plant is associated with Aeschynomene aspera Linn., Hymenanche assamica (Hooker) Hitehc Plant parts used and mode of utilization: grain cooked as rice. Place: Tamulpur, Nabasti, Barama 37. Sphenoclea zeylanica Gaertn Family: Campanulaceae; Lehati bon(ass), Khamna bon(bodo); A fleshy annual herb with bracteate spikes and white flowers. Fl.& fr. period :March-June ; Habitat category: Rooted emergent. Association: The plant is associated with Vandellia erecta, Lindernia crustacea (L.) F. Muel Plant parts used and mode of utilization: tender shoot mixed with other leafy vegetables and cooked. Place: Dumni, Barama, Kharuajan 38. Stellaria media (L.) Vill Family: Caryophyllaceae; Maralia(Ass), Thatheni(Bodo) ; An annual branched glabrous herb with white flowers. Fl.& fr. period :February-May ; Habitat category: Wetland hydrophytes. Association: The plant is associated with Cardamine hirsuta Hook. & T, Fragaria indica Andr.; Plant parts used and mode of utilization: tender shoot as leafy vegetables, also dried and grinded for cooking. Place: Nagrijuli, Barama, Odalbari 39. Trapa natans var. incisa Makino Family: Trapaceae; Pani singari (Ass), Singra kaita(bodo); A herb with the floating leaves rhomboidal and submerged leaves pinnatipartite as well as root like, white flowers and spiny triangular fruit. Fl. period: September-December; Habitat category: rooted floating Association: The plant is associated with Nymphoides indica(l.) Kuntz, N. cristata Roxb Plant parts used and mode of utilization: fruit edible as raw. Place: Kharuajan, Patkijuli 40. Trapa natans var. bispinosa (Roxb.) Makino Family: Trapaceae; Pani singari(ass), Singra kaita(bodo); A herb with the floating leaves rhomboidal and submerged leaves pinnatipartite as well as root like, white flowers and bi-spinious triangular fruit. Fl. period: September-December; Habitat category: rooted floating. Association: The plant is associated with Nymphoides indica (L.) Kuntz, N. cristata Roxb Plant parts used and mode of utilization: fruit eaten as raw. Place: Lechera, Chamuagati 41. Typhonium trilobatum (L.) Schott Family: Araceae; Ghiu kasu(ass), samah(bodo); A herb with trilobed leaf and red spadix Fl. &fr. period: April-June ; Habitat category: Wetland hydrophytes. Association: The plant is associated with Houttaynia cordata Thunb, Amorphophalus campanulatus Blume Plant parts used and mode of utilization: Lamina and petiole are cooked directly but rhizomes are dried first, then cooked. Place: Barimakha, Odalbari, Nagrijuli RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The study reveals that 41 wild, aquatic and marshland angiospermic species belonging to 33 genera and 24 families are used as food by the people of the district. Regarding habitat category, 20 species belong to wetland hydrophytes, 9 species rooted emergent, 1 species rooted submerged and 11 species rooted floating. Among these plants, 13 38

8 Namita Deka and Nilakshee Devi Asian J. Plant Sci. Res., 2015, 5(1):32-48 species are used medicinally. 3 species are used for other purposes like for making furniture and rope, for controlling mosquito etc. The number of edible species is more in the families Araceae and Polygonaceae. The leafy part is used frequently. Some species used frequently are Enhydra fluctuants Lour., Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott, Stellaria media (L.) Vill., Ipomoea aquatica Forsk, Trapa natans Makino, Euryale ferox Salisbury, Nymphaea sps, Persicaria sinense Linn. etc. These species are sold in local market. Some species like Centella asiatica (L.)Urban, Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lamk., Oldenlandia corymbosa Linn., are used to control many diseases. The seeds of Setaria italica Beauv and Hygroryza aristata Nees. are cooked as rice during starvation. Some of the new species reported for edible value in the district are Hypericum boreale Fassett, Hydrocera triflora (L.)Wt. & Arn., Ottelia alismoides (L.) Perso., Persicaria perfoliata (L.), Fragaria indica Andr. etc. 39

9 Namita Deka and Nilakshee Devi Asian J. Plant Sci. Res., 2015, 5(1):

10 Namita Deka and Nilakshee Devi Asian J. Plant Sci. Res., 2015, 5(1):

11 Namita Deka and Nilakshee Devi Asian J. Plant Sci. Res., 2015, 5(1):

12 Namita Deka and Nilakshee Devi Asian J. Plant Sci. Res., 2015, 5(1):

13 Namita Deka and Nilakshee Devi Asian J. Plant Sci. Res., 2015, 5(1):

14 Namita Deka and Nilakshee Devi Asian J. Plant Sci. Res., 2015, 5(1):

15 Namita Deka and Nilakshee Devi Asian J. Plant Sci. Res., 2015, 5(1):

16 Namita Deka and Nilakshee Devi Asian J. Plant Sci. Res., 2015, 5(1):32-48 CONCLUSION The present study reports that there are so many edible plants available in the wetlands, paddy fields and other swampy areas of Baksa district. The Bodo and other communities of the district have been utilizing these plants as food in daily diet routine. Also some of these plants are used for medicinal and other purposes. Thus they have traditionally acquired knowledge on these plants. But research in this field, specially in this area is not satisfactory. Vigorous studies in this field will open a new door on ethno pharmacology and will develop an ethno food hub in near future. Again it will reduce the unemployment problems and will glorify the economy of the state. Acknowledgement Authors are thankful to the Bodo and other communities of Baksa district, BTC area, Assam for giving valuable information about the use pattern of the plants. REFERENCES [1] Reid, G.K. Ecology of Inland waters and Estuaries. Reinfold Publication Corporation, New York, [2] Malakar, N.C. The systematic studies on the Aquatic Angiosperm of Cachar District of Assam. Ph.D. Thesis, Gauhati University, [3] Pathak, K.C. A detailed study on the Hydrophytic Flora of Guwahati and its Vicinity,Ph.D. Thesis, Gauhati University, [4] Brahma, B.K. A study on the ethnobotany of the Bodos of Kokrajhar district, Assam, Ph.D.Thesis, Gauhati University, [5] Jain, S.K. & Dam, N. Eco.Bot. 1979, 33 (1): New York Bot. Gard. [6] Jain, S.K. & Rao, R.R. A handbook of Field and Herbarium methods. Today & Tomorrow s Printers & Publishers, New Delhi, [7] Sarkar, S. Deka, D. & Devi, N. Pleione, 2008, 2 (1): [8] Cotton, C.M. Ethnobotany- Principles and Application. John Wiley and Son, New York, [9] Jain, S.K. A manual of Ethnobotany. Scientific publishers, Jodhpur, [10] Bentham, G. & Hooker, J.D. Genera Plantarum vols. I-III, Reeve & Co., Williams & Norgate, London [11] Kanjilal, et.al. Flora of Assam. vols. I-IV,

17 Namita Deka and Nilakshee Devi Asian J. Plant Sci. Res., 2015, 5(1):32-48 [12] Bor, N.L. Flora of Assam Vol-V (Gramineae), Calcutta, [13] Subramanyam, K. Aquatic Angiosperms. Botanical Monograph (3) CSIR, New Delhi, [14] Hooker, J.D. Flora of British India Vol. I-VII London, [15] Gupta, O.P. Weedy Aquatic Plants: Their utility, Menace and Management, Agrobios, (India), Jodhpur, [16] Biswas, K.&. Calder, C.C. Hand book of Common Water & Marsh plants of India and Burma. Bishen Singh & Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehra Dun,