Wild indigenous vegetables in global ethnobotanical studies: geographic patterns, biocultural sustainability, and food-system resilience

Muhammad Faried

doi:10.24057/2071-9388-2026-4765

Wild indigenous vegetables in global ethnobotanical studies: geographic patterns, biocultural sustainability, and food-system resilience

Muhammad Faried

https://doi.org/10.24057/2071-9388-2026-4765

Full Text:

PDF (Eng)

Generate QR code

Abstract

Wild indigenous vegetables are underrecognized components of traditional food systems that may contribute to agrobiodiversity, dietary diversification, and food-system resilience. This study synthesized global ethnobotanical evidence on wild indigenous vegetables, focusing on diversity, geographic distribution, edible plant parts, preparation methods, and medicinal relevance. A systematic search of Scopus was conducted for English-language peer-reviewed articles published from 2006 to 2026. Following PRISMA-based screening, 90 studies were included, and extracted data were standardized taxonomically and analytically. The final dataset comprised 1,878 unique species. The highest documented richness occurred in China, India, Turkey, Pakistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia. Asteraceae was the dominant family, followed by Fabaceae, Brassicaceae, Lamiaceae, Apiaceae, Polygonaceae, Poaceae, and Amaranthaceae. Wild vegetable use was dominated by multiple plant parts, leaves, and shoots/stems, while cooking as vegetables was the most common preparation method, followed by raw/fresh consumption, soups/stew, and stir-frying/frying. Food-only use accounted for 77.6% of species, whereas 22.4% had both food and medicinal uses. Gastrointestinal applications were the most frequently specified medicinal category. These findings show that wild indigenous vegetables represent a diverse, multifunctional, and culturally important pool of underutilized food resources requiring further nutritional, phytochemical, ecological, and conservation-based research.

Keywords

wild plant, vegetable, agrobiodiversity, sustainable food

About the Author

Muhammad Faried

Hasanuddin University, Agriculture Faculty, Agronomy Department; Tropical Orchid and Horticulture Research Group, Agriculture Faculty, Hasanuddin University
Indonesia

Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan KM.10, 90245, Makassar

References

1. Aboukhalaf A., Tbatou M., Kalili A., Naciri K., Moujabbir S., Sahel K., Rocha J.M. and Belahsen R. (2022). Traditional knowledge and use of wild edible plants in Sidi Bennour region (Central Morocco). Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 23, 1-18.

2. Aishwarya and Kumar P. (2024). Environmental Crisis: Nourishment at Risk. In: Kumar P. and Aishwarya, eds., Technological Approaches for Climate Smart Agriculture. Cham: Springer, DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-52708-1_1.

3. Akinola R., Pereira L.M., Mabhaudhi T., de Bruin F.M. and Rusch L. (2020). A review of indigenous food crops in Africa and the implications for more sustainable and healthy food systems. Sustainability, 12(8), 3493, DOI: 10.3390/su12083493.

4. Alaca K., Okumuş E., Bakkalbaşi E. and Javidipour I. (2022). Phytochemicals and antioxidant activities of twelve edible wild plants from Eastern Anatolia, Turkey. Food Science and Technology, 42, e18021, DOI: 10.1590/fst.18021.

5. Alemayehu G., Awoke A. and Kassa Z. (2025). Wild edible plant species and their role in nutrition and health in Korahe Zone, Eastern Ethiopia. Tropical Medicine and Health, 53, 182, DOI: 10.1186/s41182-025-00867-6.

6. Ali S., Din S., Shah S.A., Hussain W. and Bussmann R.W. (2026). Traditional knowledge and utilization of wild edible plants in Swat district, Pakistan: Implications for nutrition and food security. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 22, 9, DOI: 10.1186/s13002-026-00850-3.

7. Altuntaş C., Gümrükçüoğlu A., Kalmuk N.A. and İmamoğlu K.V. (2025). The bioactive potential of three different Rumex species: Antioxidant capacity, mineral composition and elemental status. South African Journal of Botany, 180, 107-120, DOI: 10.1016/j.sajb.2025.03.003.

8. Anju T. and Kumar A. (2024). Traditional ecological knowledge and medicinal plant diversity usage among the Mullu Kuruman tribes of Wayanad district of Kerala, India and its implications for biodiversity conservation in the face of climate change. Trees, Forests and People, 16, 100595, DOI: 10.1016/j.tfp.2024.100595.

9. Bayen P., Bognounou F., Ganamé M., Balma E.N., Lykke A.M. and Thiombiano A. (2024). Enhancing tree species conservation in Burkina Faso through indigenous knowledge. Journal for Nature Conservation, 79, 126626, DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2024.126626.

10. Ben Hassen T., Allahyari M.S., El Bilali H. and Berjan S. (2025). Transforming food systems: Vulnerabilities and resilience in the face of climate change. In: Alexander P., ed., Encyclopedia of Agriculture and Food Systems, 3rd ed. Academic Press, 445-458, DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-443-15976-3.00033-7.

11. Benteima H., Ezzaitouni M., Chileh-Chelh T., Galindo C. and Guil-Guerrero J.L. (2026). Wild edible plants as overlooked models for plant stress tolerance: Physiological, metabolic and applied perspectives. Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, 95(3), 6, DOI: 10.32604/phyton.2026.079255.

12. Biri S., Ayenew B., Dida G., Sebsibe A., Gurmessa F., Woldeab B., Awlachew G., Kassa Z. and Megersa M. (2024). Ethnobotanical study of wild edible plants in Arsi Robe district of East Arsi Zone, Ethiopia. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 20(1), 70, DOI: 10.1186/s13002-024-00703-x.

13. Borelli T., Hunter D., Padulosi S., Amaya N., Meldrum G., Beltrame D.M.O., Samarasinghe G., Wasike V.W., Güner B., Tan A., Dembélé Y.K., Lochetti G., Sidibé A. and Tartanac F. (2020). Local solutions for sustainable food systems: The contribution of orphan crops and wild edible species. Agronomy, 10(2), 231, DOI: 10.3390/agronomy10020231.

14. Borelli T., Hunter D., Powell B., Ulian T., Mattana E., Termote C., Pawera L., Beltrame D., Penafiel D., Tan A., Taylor M. and Engels J. (2020). Born to eat wild: An integrated conservation approach to secure wild food plants for food security and nutrition. Plants, 9(10), 1299, DOI: 10.3390/plants9101299.

15. Bvenura C. and Afolayan A.J. (2015). The role of wild vegetables in household food security in South Africa: A review. Food Research International, 76(Part 4), 1001-1011, DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2015.06.013.

16. Cámara M., Fernández-Ruiz V. and Ruiz-Rodríguez B. (2016). Wild Edible Plants as Sources of Carotenoids, Fibre, Phenolics and Other Non-Nutrient Bioactive Compounds. In: Sánchez-Mata M. and Tardío J., eds., Mediterranean Wild Edible Plants. New York: Springer, DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3329-7_9.

17. Chanda H., Mohareb E., Peters M. and Harty C. (2025). Nexus between solar-PV adoption and wild food sustainability: Case of income from honey, fruits, traditional-beer, and vegetables in rural Zambia. Energy for Sustainable Development, 85, 101694.

18. Della A., Paraskeva-Hadjichambi D. and Hadjichambis A.C. (2006). An ethnobotanical survey of wild edible plants of Paphos and Larnaca countryside of Cyprus. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 2, 34, DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-2-34.

19. Ding X.Y., Zhang Y., Wang L., Zhuang H.F., Chen W.Y. and Wang Y.H. (2021). Collection calendar: The diversity and local knowledge of wild edible plants used by Chenthang Sherpa people to treat seasonal food shortages in Tibet, China. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 17(1), 40, DOI: 10.1186/s13002-021-00464-x.

20. Duguma H.T. (2020). Wild edible plant nutritional contribution and consumer perception in Ethiopia. International Journal of Food Science, 2020, 2958623, DOI: 10.1155/2020/2958623.

21. Edo G.I., Samuel P.O., Jikah A.N., Onoharigho F.O., Idu L.I., Obasohan P., Opiti A.R., Electric J., Ikpekoro V.O., Otunuya C.F., Ugbuwe E., Ongulu J., Ijide M., Nwaose I.D., Ajakaye S.R. and Owigho J.E. (2023). Biological and bioactive components of bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina leaf ): Insight on health and nutritional benefits. A review. Food Chemistry Advances, 3, 100488, DOI: 10.1016/j.focha.2023.100488.

22. Elbouny H., Ouahzizi B., El-guourrami O., Drioua S., Nait Mbarek A., Sellam K. and Alem C. (2022). Chemical profile and biological properties of the essential oil of Thymus atlanticus (Ball) Roussine. South African Journal of Botany, 151(A), 475-480.

23. Enri R.S., Falla N.M., Demasi S., Bianchi D.M., Squadrone S., Lombardi G. and Scariot V. (2024). Exploring the potential of wild leafy vegetables widespread in European Alps as functional food. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 18, 101368, DOI: 10.1016/j.jafr.2024.101368.

24. García-Herrera P., Sánchez-Mata M.C., Cámara M., Fernández-Ruiz V., Díez-Marqués C., Molina M. and Tardío J. (2014). Nutrient composition of six wild edible Mediterranean Asteraceae plants of dietary interest. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 34(2), 163-170, DOI: 10.1016/j.jfca.2014.02.009.

25. Ghosh S., Sarkar T. and Chakraborty R. (2023). Underutilized plant sources: A hidden treasure of natural colors. Food Bioscience, 52, 102361, DOI: 10.1016/j.fbio.2023.102361.

26. Gorman J., Ennis G., Wurm P., Bentivoglio M. and Brady C. (2023). Aboriginal community views about a native plant-based enterprise development in Northern Australia. Land, 12(5), 1096, DOI: 10.3390/land12051096.

27. Guarrera P.M. and Savo V. (2016). Wild food plants used in traditional vegetable mixtures in Italy. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 185, 202-234, DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.02.050.

28. Guo C.A., Ding X.Y., Addi Y.W., Zhang Y., Zhang X.Q., Zhuang H.F. and Wang Y.H. (2022). An ethnobotany survey of wild plants used by the Tibetan people of the Yadong River Valley, Tibet, China. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 18(1), 28, DOI: 10.1186/s13002-022-00518-8.

29. Guyu D.F. and Muluneh W.T. (2015). Wild foods (plants and animals) in the green famine belt of Ethiopia: Do they contribute to household resilience to seasonal food insecurity? Forest Ecosystems, 2, 34, DOI: 10.1186/s40663-015-0058-z.

30. Hankiso M., Warkineh B., Asfaw Z. and Debella A. (2023). Ethnobotany of wild edible plants in Soro District of Hadiya Zone, southern Ethiopia. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 19(1), 21, DOI: 10.1186/s13002-023-00588-2.

31. Haq A., Gul H., Asad A., Tabasum H., Ullah I., Haq M.A. and Ahmad R. (2025). Ethnobotanical insights into the use of wild vegetables and food plants as medicinal resources among the indigenous communities in District Bajaur, Pakistan. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 31, 1-15.

32. Haq S.M., Khoja A.A., Waheed M., Siddiqui M.H., Alamri S., Alfagham A.T., AL-Humaid L.A. and Bussmann R.W. (2024). Food ethnobotany of forest resource in the high-altitude Himalaya Mountains: Enhancing the food sovereignty of ethnic groups. Forest Policy and Economics, 164, 103247, DOI: 10.1016/j.forpol.2024.103247.

33. Hussain S.T., Muhammad S., Khan S., Hussain W. and Pieroni A. (2023). Ethnobotany for food security and ecological transition: Wild food plant gathering and consumption among four cultural groups in Kurram District, NW Pakistan. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 19, 35, DOI: 10.1186/s13002-023-00607-2.

34. Jalali M., Abedi M., Memariani F. and Ghorbani A. (2024). Ethnobotanical study of wild edible plants in the mountainous regions of Semnan Province, Iran. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 20(1), 93, DOI: 10.1186/s13002-024-00732-6.

35. Jaouani M., Boubekraoui H., Ait Alla K., Ghallab A., Saidi R. and Maouni A. (2026). Medicinal and aromatic Lamiaceae in the TangierTetouan-Al Hoceima region: Research gaps, diversity, distribution, and conservation implications. Kuwait Journal of Science, 53(3), 100602, DOI: 10.1016/j.kjs.2026.100602.

36. Kamande E.M., Mutie F.M., Muchuku J.K., Wei N., Mbuni Y.M., Gituru R.W., Gichua M.K., Hu G.W. and Wang Q.F. (2025). An ethnobotany and socio-demographic analysis of plant resources of Kieni forest block, Kikuyu Escarpment, Kenya. Scientific African, 29, e02830, DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e02830.

37. Kebede S.W. and Bokelmann W. (2016). Sustainable production of indigenous vegetables for food security: Evidence from HORTINLEA survey in Kenya. Acta Horticulturae, 1132, 121-126, DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2016.1132.16.

38. Kewlani P., Singh L., Belwal T. and Bhatt I.D. (2022). Optimization of ultrasonic-assisted extraction for bioactive compounds in Rubus ellipticus fruits: An important source for nutraceutical and functional foods. Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy, 25, 100603, DOI: 10.1016/j.scp.2022.100603.

39. Khakurel D., Uprety Y., Łuczaj Ł. and Rajbhandary S. (2021). Foods from the wild: Local knowledge, use pattern and distribution in Western Nepal. PLOS ONE, 16(10), e0258905, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258905.

40. Khan S., Hussain W., Sulaiman, Shah S., Hussain H., Altyar A.E., Ashour M.L. and Pieroni A. (2021). Overcoming tribal boundaries: The biocultural heritage of foraging and cooking wild vegetables among four Pathan groups in the Gadoon Valley, NW Pakistan. Biology, 10(6), 537, DOI: 10.3390/biology10060537.

41. Khan S., Masoodi T.H., Pala N.A., Islam M.A., Raja A. and Rizvi S.Z. (2024). Cultural significance of Western Himalayan wild food plants. Ecological Frontiers, 44(3), 500-506, DOI: 10.1016/j.chnaes.2023.07.011.

42. Kokou B.K., Tembo M., Biaou S., Msiska U., Atakpama W., Nababi J., Teteli S.C., Mukotanyi S.M., Kimwanga P.S., Alunga G.L. and Munyenyembe P. (2025). Local ecological knowledge and conservation strategies of Uapaca kirkiana Müll. Arg. in Malawi (Southern Africa): Toward sustainable ecosystem management. South African Journal of Botany, 186, 357-370.

43. Kühn N., Rusch L., Delport M., Storey F., van der Meulen E. and Pereira L. (2026). Harnessing the nutritional potential of Cape wild edible plants: Insights, gaps and priorities. Plants, People, Planet, Advance online publication, DOI: 10.1002/ppp3.70188.

44. Letsyo E., Madilo F.K., Effah-Manu L. and Gobe V.A.D. (2026). Traditional flavour-enhancing and preservation practices in Ghana’s indigenous food preparations: A step toward preservation of traditional culinary knowledge. International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science, 44, 101468, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgfs.2026.101468.

45. Li X., Yadav R. and Siddique K.H.M. (2020). Neglected and underutilized crop species: The key to improving dietary diversity and fighting hunger and malnutrition in Asia and the Pacific. Frontiers in Nutrition, 7, 593711, DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2020.593711.

46. Liberalesso A.M. and Oliveira L. (2020). Non-conventional food plants (PANC): A systematic review. Revista Brasileira De Plantas Medicinais, 22(3), 122-136, DOI: 10.70151/0mt07276.

47. Liu S., Huang X., Bin Z., Yu B., Lu Z., Hu R. and Long C. (2023). Wild edible plants and their cultural significance among the Zhuang ethnic group in Fangchenggang, Guangxi, China. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 19(1), 52, DOI: 10.1186/s13002-023-00623-2.

48. Łuczaj Ł., Jug-Dujaković M., Dolina K., Jeričević M. and Vitasović-Kosić I. (2019). The ethnobotany and biogeography of wild vegetables in the Adriatic islands. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 15(1), 18, DOI: 10.1186/s13002-019-0297-0.

49. Luţă G., Gherghina E., Balan D. and Israel-Roming F. (2020). Bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties of some wild plants with potential culinary uses. Revista de Chimie, 71(2), 179-184, DOI: 10.37358/RC.20.2.7913.

50. Gutgesell M.K., Bellmore J.R., Sill L.A., Cunningham R., Harley J.R. and Huntington H.P. (2025). Wild food portfolios: Access to diverse foods stabilizes harvest in wild food systems. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 122(52), e2525571122, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2525571122.

51. Mafe A.N., Edo G.I., Makia R.S., Joshua O.A., Akpoghelie P.O., Gaaz T.S., Jikah A.N., Yousif E., Isoje E.F., Igbuku U.A., Ahmed D.S., Essaghah A.E.A. and Umar H. (2024). A review on food spoilage mechanisms, food borne diseases and commercial aspects of food preservation and processing. Food Chemistry Advances, 5, 100852, DOI: 10.1016/j.focha.2024.100852.

52. Mahklouf M. (2019). Ethnobotanical study of edible wild plants in Libya. European Journal of Ecology, 5(2), 30-40, DOI: 10.2478/eje-2019-0011.

53. Masresha G., Melkamu Y. and Walle G.C. (2023). Ethnobotanical study on wild edible plants in Metema District, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. International Journal of Forestry Research, 2023(1), 9243343, DOI: 10.1155/2023/9243343.

54. McGuigan A., Novotny R., Tikonavuli V., Vuli U., Marrero A. and Ticktin T. (2025). Ecological functional diversity predicts nutritional functional diversity in complex agroforests. Global Food Security, 46, 100870, DOI: 10.1016/j.gfs.2025.100870.

55. Medeiros P.M. de, Figueiredo K.F., Gonçalves P.H.S., Caetano R. de A., Santos É.M. da C., Santos G.M.C. dos, Barbosa D.M., Paula M. de and Mapeli A.M. (2021). Wild plants and the food-medicine continuum—An ethnobotanical survey in Chapada Diamantina (Northeastern Brazil). Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 17(1), 37, DOI: 10.1186/s13002-021-00463-y.

56. Misci C., Taskin E., Vaccari F., Dall’Asta M., Vezzulli F., Fontanella M.C., Bandini F., Imathiu S., Sila D., Bertuzzi T., Cocconcelli P.S. and Puglisi E. (2022). Evolution of microbial communities and nutritional content of fermented Amaranthus sp. leaves. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 362, 109445, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2021.109445.

57. Mishra A., Swamy S.L., Thakur T.K., Bhat R., Bijalwan A. and Kumar A. (2021). Use of wild edible plants: Can they meet the dietary and nutritional needs of indigenous communities in Central India? Foods, 10(7), 1453, DOI: 10.3390/foods10071453.

58. Mncwango N.C., Mavengahama S., Ntuli N.R. and Van Jaarsveld C.M. (2020). Diversity, consumption dynamics and ethnomedical claims of traditional leafy vegetables consumed by a rural community in the KwaMbonambi area, northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity, 21(3), 1196-1202, DOI: 10.13057/biodiv/d210347.

59. Mokganya M.G. and Tshisikhawe M.P. (2019). Medicinal uses of selected wild edible vegetables consumed by Vhavenda of the Vhembe District Municipality, South Africa. South African Journal of Botany, 122, 184-188, DOI: 10.1016/j.sajb.2017.12.021.

60. Mouillac C., Besnard A. and Papuga G. (2025). Are commercial wild-harvested plants just ordinary? Traits, harvesting patterns and conservation implications in France. Biological Conservation, 312, 111480, DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111480.

61. Mukhtar K., Nabi B.G., Ahmed W., Suleman R. and Aadil R.M. (2023). Effect of thermal processing on the digestion of plant proteins. In: Bhat Z.F., Morton J.D., Bekhit A.E.D.A. and Suleria H.A.R., eds., Processing Technologies and Food Protein Digestion. Academic Press, 407-428, DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-323-95052-7.00010-8.

62. Nigesh S., Vijayakumar K.K. and Mahendran S. (2025). Ethnomedicinal plants used by the Malayali tribes of Bodamalai Hills, Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India. Journal of Phytology, 17, 11-18, DOI: 10.25081/jp.2025.v17.9518.

63. Nko K.I., Mpolokeng T.G., Mokgau K., Asong J.A., Omotayo A.O. and Aremu A.O. (2024). Ethnobotanical, biological, and phytochemical qualities of locally sourced leafy vegetables for food security, good health and general well-being in South Africa: A review. South African Journal of Botany, 172, 52-68, DOI: 10.1016/j.sajb.2024.06.048.

64. Nyakoojo C. and Tugume P. (2020). Traditional use of wild edible plants in the communities adjacent Mabira Central Forest Reserve, Uganda. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 20, 1-14. Oduor F., Kaindi D.M., Abong G., Thuita F. and Termote C. (2025). Community-based conservation strategies for wild edible plants in Turkana County, Kenya. Conservation, 5(1), 1, DOI: 10.3390/conservation5010001.

65. Oluoch W.A., Whitney C., Termote C., Borgemeister C. and Schmitt C.B. (2023). Indigenous communities’ perceptions reveal threats and management options of wild edible plants in semiarid lands of northwestern Kenya. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 19(1), 13, DOI: 10.1186/s13002-023-00584-6.

66. Owade J.O., Abong’ G.O., Okoth M.W. and Mwang’ombe A.W. (2021). Trends and constraints of utilization of preserved cowpea leaves among households in arid and semi-arid lands in Kenya: A convergent mixed method study. CABI Agriculture and Bioscience, 2(1), 44, DOI: 10.1186/s43170-021-00064-5.

67. Özden E., Aydin A., Hürkan K., Atalar M.N. and Türkhan A. (2025). Bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of wild edible asparagus in the Iğdır Plain. Food Science & Nutrition, 13(9), e70849, DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.70849.

68. Parida S. and Mahalik G. (2020). Green leafy vegetables used by seven tribes of Odisha, India. Plant Archives, 20(Suppl. 2), 1866-1871.

69. Parmar S., HR I., Kumar R., Singh A., Yesayan A., Rajput V., Minkina T., Ghazaryan K. and El-Ramady H. (2024). Eco-Friendly Solutions: Integrating wild vegetables for sustainable agriculture food security and human health. Egyptian Journal of Soil Science, 64(3), 739-756, DOI: 10.21608/ejss.2024.271639.1728.

70. Poli E.F. (2025). Indigenous peoples’ food systems: Biocultural heritage, sustainability, and contemporary challenges. In: Alexander P., ed., Encyclopedia of Agriculture and Food Systems, 3rd ed. Academic Press, 84-104, DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-443-15976-3.00095-7.

71. Porcher V. (2025). The Role and Diversity of Wild Edible Plants in Betsileo Diet (Madagascar). In: Dhyani S. and Katz E., eds., Wild Edibles and Sustainable Development Goals. Singapore: Springer, DOI: 10.1007/978-981-95-3624-5_5.

72. Priyadarshini S., Tudu S., Dash S.S., Biswal A.K. and Sahu S.C. (2024). Wild edible plants: Diversity, use pattern and livelihood linkage in Eastern India. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 71(6), 3111-3133, DOI: 10.1007/s10722-023-01833-z.

73. Punchay K., Inta A., Tiansawat P., Balslev H. and Wangpakapattanawong P. (2020). Nutrient and mineral compositions of wild leafy vegetables of the Karen and Lawa communities in Thailand. Foods, 9(12), 1748, DOI: 10.3390/foods9121748.

74. Rahman S., Jan G., Jan F.G., Hashmi S.J. and Rahim H.U. (2024). Exploration of ethnomedicinal plants, diversity and their practices in human healthcare in Tehsil Mandan, District Buner, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Ecological Frontiers, 44(1), 143-154, DOI: 10.1016/j.chnaes.2023.08.003.

75. Ramdé S.J.C., Ganamé M., Bayen P., Lykke A.M. and Thiombiano A. (2025). Impact of urbanization on uses and conservation of indigenous leafy vegetable species in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 23, 102246, DOI: 10.1016/j.jafr.2025.102246.

76. Ranfa A. and Bodesmo M. (2017). An ethnobotanical investigation of traditional knowledge and uses of edible wild plants in the Umbria Region, Central Italy. Journal of Applied Botany and Food Quality, 90, 246-258, DOI: 10.5073/JABFQ.2017.090.031.

77. Ray D.K., West P.C., Clark M., Gerber J.S., Prishchepov A.V. and Chatterjee S. (2019). Climate change has likely already affected global food production. PLOS ONE, 14(5), e0217148, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217148.

78. Rezaei E.E., Webber H., Asseng S., Boote K., Durand J.L., Ewert F., Marte P. and MacCarthy D.S. (2023). Climate change impacts on crop yields. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 4, 831-846, DOI: 10.1038/s43017-023-00491-0.

79. Rumicha T.D., Belew S., Hasen G., Teka T.A. and Forsido S.F. (2025). Food, feed, and phytochemical uses of wild edible plants: A systematic review. Food Science & Nutrition, 13(6), e70454, DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.70454.

80. R Core Team. (2025) R: A Language and Environment for Statistical Computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing. https://www.rproject.org/

81. Sabitha M., Pragada P.M., Sridevi M. and Salugu B.P. (2026). Wild edible plant resources utilized by tribal communities of the Rampachodavaram forest division and their medicinal relevance. International Journal of Drug Delivery Technology, 16(8s), 530-540, DOI: 10.25258/IJDDT.16.8s.65.

82. Salehzadeh H., Maleki A., Rezaee R., Shahmoradi B. and Ponnet K. (2020). The nitrate content of fresh and cooked vegetables and their health-related risks. PLOS ONE, 15(1), e0227551, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227551.

83. Schunko C., Li X., Klappoth B., Lesi F., Porcher V., Porcuna-Ferrer A. and Reyes-García V. (2022). Local communities’ perceptions of wild edible plant and mushroom change: A systematic review. Global Food Security, 32, 100601, DOI: 10.1016/j.gfs.2021.100601.

84. Shamshad J., Nawaz A.F., Khan M.B. and Arif M. (2024). Climate change and food security. In: Fahad S., Saud S., Nawaz T., Gu L., Ahmad M. and Zhou R., eds., Environment, Climate, Plant and Vegetation Growth. Cham: Springer, DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-69417-2_9.

85. Shao H., Hill R., Xue D. and Yang J. (2021). In situ conservation of traditional vegetable diversity in Wa homegardens in southwestern Yunnan, China. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 17(1), 54, DOI: 10.1186/s13002-021-00479-4.

86. Sinasson S.G.K. and Shackleton C.M. (2023). The concurrent impacts of drought and leaf harvesting on two traditional African vegetable non-timber forest product species. PLOS ONE, 18(4), e0283900, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283900.

87. Singh R.K., Singh A., Singh A. and Dwivedi B.S. (2021). Sustainable management of natural resources and biocultural diversity for subsistence livelihoods: A cross cultural study. In: Singh R.K., Turner N.J., Reyes-García V. and Pretty J., eds., Social-Ecological Diversity and Traditional Food Systems. CRC Press, DOI: 10.1201/9781003246220.

88. Singha W.R., Kurmi B., Sahoo U.K., Sileshi G.W., Nath A.J. and Das A.K. (2021). Parkia roxburghii, an underutilized tree bean for food, nutritional and regional climate security. Trees, Forests and People, 4, 100065, DOI: 10.1016/j.tfp.2021.100065.

89. Singh R. and Khanna V. (2021). Climate change and food systems: Implications on food security. In: Hebsale Mallappa V.K. and Shirur M., eds., Climate Change and Resilient Food Systems. Singapore: Springer, DOI: 10.1007/978-981-33-4538-6_3.

90. Singh S. and Singh D.R. (2023). Andaman’s indigenous and exotic vegetables for nutrition and entrepreneurship. In: Singh B. and Kalia P., eds., Vegetables for Nutrition and Entrepreneurship. Singapore: Springer, DOI: 10.1007/978-981-19-9016-8_12.

91. Souza P.G. de, Azeredo D.R.P., da Silva T.T.C., Carneiro C. da S., Teodoro A.J. and Ayres E.M.M. (2023). Food neophobia, risk perception and attitudes associations of Brazilian consumers towards non-conventional edible plants and research on sale promotional strategies. Food Research International, 167, 112628, DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.112628.

92. Tadesse A.Y., Mohammed H.H. and Andersa K.N. (2023). Proximate composition and selected phytochemical component of Dawrach (Raphanus raphanistrum L.) as affected by blanching temperature. Heliyon, 9(8), e19240, DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19240.

93. Tafere Y., Guyassa E. and Zeweld W. (2026). From wilderness to food security: Exploring diversity, contributions and conservation challenges of wild edible plants in mountain-dominated landscapes of Ethiopia. Journal of Sustainable Forestry, 1-27, DOI: 10.1080/10549811.2026.2660112.

94. Trudinger H., Crimp S. and Friedman R.S. (2023). Food systems in the face of climate change: Reviewing the state of research in South Pacific Islands. Regional Environmental Change, 23, 45, DOI: 10.1007/s10113-023-02040-3.

95. Ulian T., Diazgranados M., Pironon S., Padulosi S., Liu U., Davies L., Howes M.J.R., Borrell J.S., Ondo I., Pérez-Escobar O.A., Sharrock S., Ryan P., Hunter D., Lee M.A., Barstow C., Łuczaj Ł., Pieroni A., Cámara-Leret R., Noorani A., Mba C., Nono Womdim R., Muminjanov H., Antonelli A., Pritchard H.W. and Mattana E. (2020). Unlocking plant resources to support food security and promote sustainable agriculture. Plants, People, Planet, 2(5), 421-445, DOI: 10.1002/ppp3.10145.

96. Unbushe D. and Getaneh S. (2023). Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants of Lake Abaya basin, southern Ethiopia. Journal of Herbal Medicine, 42, 100760.

97. Valerozo J.A., Rice D., Bucao D.S., Ramil R.J.D., Agrupis S.C. and Anal A.K. (2025). Integrative approaches in microbial fermentation of underutilized crops for enhanced nutritional and bioactive functionalities. Food Bioscience, 69, 106941, DOI: 10.1016/j.fbio.2025.106941.

98. Volpato G. and Ellena R. (2023). The relational and dynamic nature of biocultural diversity. Foods and gastronomic knowledge in multiethnic migrants’ settlements in Naivasha, Kenya. Food, Culture & Society, 26(3), 643-665, DOI: 10.1080/15528014.2022.2037331.

99. Yeşil Y., Çelik M. and Yılmaz B. (2019). Wild edible plants in Yeşilli (Mardin-Turkey), a multicultural area. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 15, 52, DOI: 10.1186/s13002-019-0327-y.

100. Zhang Y., Li J.W., San M.M., Whitney C.W., San T.T., Yang X.F., Mon A.M. and Hein P.P. (2020). The secret of health in daily cuisine: Typical healthy vegetables in local markets in central Myanmar. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 16, 73, DOI: 10.1186/s13002-020-00425-w.

Review

For citations:

Faried M. Wild indigenous vegetables in global ethnobotanical studies: geographic patterns, biocultural sustainability, and food-system resilience. GEOGRAPHY, ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY. 2026;19(3):218-230. https://doi.org/10.24057/2071-9388-2026-4765

JATS XML