Biodiversity Potentials of the Himalaya

Edited by : Lalit M. Tewari, Y.P.S. Pangtey, Geeta Tewari pp 157 - 196, 2010
Gyanodaya Prakashan, Nainital
9
Diversity and Distribution of Wild Edible Fruit
Plants of Uttarakhand
Kanchan Upreti, Lalit M. Tewari, Y.P.S. Pangtey and Jeewan S. Jalal
Department of Botany, D.S.B.Campus, Kumaun Univrsity, Nainital-263 001, Uttarakhand

Abstract
The present inventory of wild edible fruit plants of Uttarakhand indicates a varied and
diverse flora which has been used variously by different ethnic groups in different altitudes. In all,
112 genera and 184 species belonging to 56 families of angiosperms and gymnosperms. As many as
26 families are represented by one genus and one species each, 5 families by one genus and 2
species each and one family by one genus and three species and 6 families by 2 genera and 2
species each. Rest of the families are represented by 2-12 genera and 2-35 species, suggesting a
very high diversity of wild edible fruit plants. Besides, correct botanical name with original citation,
respective family, followed by local name, if any, in italics, together with a brief description, flowering
and fruiting period and abundance along with their range of distribution in Uttarakhand are appended
under each species.This has been done to facilitate their proper identification in the field and plants
are arranged in alphabetical order. However, some commonly cultivated fruit yielding species have
also been included as they are often found growing near abandoned fields. An analysis of these
plants further indicates that Rosaceae (12/35), Moraceae (4/15), Anacardiaceae (6/8), Vitaceae (5/8),
and Rutaceae (7/7) are among the most dominant families in terms of genera and species. Two families
of gymnosperms (i.e. Ephedraceae and Taxaceae) and one family of monocotyledons (Arecaceae)
are recorded and rest of the families belonged to dicotyledons. Over all, trees exhibited maximum
dominance, followed by shrubs, climbers and herbs.

Keywords: Diversity, Distribution Status, Wild fruits, Uttarakhand

Introduction
Uttarakhand Himalaya which is located in the easternmost part of the west
Himalaya of India and is very rich in flora and fauna and stretches from 300-4500m
altitudes. This segment of Himalaya occupies an intermediae position between Himachal
Pradesh in the west and Nepal in the east, supporting both west and east Himalayan floral
elements.Entire portion is mountainous except Haridwar and Udhan Singh Nagar districts
and southern parts of Chapawat and Nainital districts, thus exhibiting the greater admixture
of both Himalayan flora as well as the flora of upper Gangetic plain. It is well known fact
158 Biodiversity Potentials of the Himalaya

that the Himalayan region is reservoir of plant resources.The flora of Uttarakhand has
been explored and worked out by several workers (Duthie,1906 and 1903-1929; Osmaston,
1927; Kanjilal,1928; Gupta, 1968; Rau, 1975; Raizada 1976; Raizada and Saxena, 1978;
Naithani, 1984 &1985; Pant, 1986; Pangtey et al., 1991;Gaur, 1999; Singh and Pakash,
2002; Rana et al., 2003 and Uniyal et al., 2007 and several others), but their work is of
mainly taxonomic and phytogeographical interest only. However, a few works have appeared
time to time related to the ethnobonical studies, which included the enumeration of wild
edible plants as well and they have not provided description as well as distribution of these
plants in Uttarakhand (Singh and Arora, 1978; Pangtey, 1980; Rawat and Pangtey, 1987;
Kalakoti and Pangtey, 1988; Paliwal and Badoni, 1988; Pangtey et al., 1989; Badoni,
1990; Negi and Gaur, 1991; 1994, Badoni and Rao, 1998; Badoni and Badoni, 2001; Gaur,
1977; 1999 and others). Therefore in the present paper taxonomic description of all wild
edible fruit yielding plants along with their distribution in Uttarakhand have been provided
which will help in their easy identification in the field.
Diversity and Distribution of Wild Edible Fruit Plants of Uttarakhand 159

The wild edible plants including fruits satisfy substantially the food requirements
of the economically poor population in rural areas. Many of the wild fruits which are
gathered by local people are attaining market value in recent years and there are others
which are gathered but not sold. The information on such plants may helping adding variety
to the monotonous diet so that requirements of minerals and vitamins etc. are easily met
and help inpublicizing the hitherto less known resources of wild fruits to many naturalists,
visitors, tourists, mountaineers, researchers and local population etc. (Pangtey, 1980).Besides
these wild fruits can be usded as food in times of scarcity. They maintain the diversity in
the food system which has sustained the hill people for generations from calamities such
as crop failure etc.
We are accustomed to develop orchards of cultivated fruit yielding plants only but
practically nothing has been done to develop orchards for wild fruit yielding plants so far.
It will be worth while to cultivate some common, local, wild edible fruit plants, after properly
assessing their productivity, food and market values in different agro- climatic zones. This
will help in improving the socio-economic conditions of the people of this region. Besides
this will help in their proper conservation as well. The species which are in rare in
occurrence at present need immediate attention towards their conservation before their
being disappeared in near future.In the present paper, all known wild edible fruit yielding
of Uttarakhand have been described, giving botanical name, respective family, local name,
if any, in italics together with a brief description of plants, flowering and fruiting period,
brief note on their altitudinal distribution, ecology and their abundance etc. This has been
done in order to provide taxonomic information about these plants dealt herein to help in
their proper identification in the field. Though whole fruits of many plants are eaten but in
some cases, part of fruits like cotyledons, pericarp, endocarps, seeds or pickled etc. are
also eaten. All such wild plants, which include trees, shrubs, climbers and herbs have
been described and arranged in alphabetical order.The plants included in this paper are not
only used for edible fruits but they are also used commonly as medicine, food, fodder,
fibre, fuel and timber etc.
An analysis of wild edible fruit plants of Uttarakhand indicates that 112 genera
and 184 species belonging to 56families of angiosperms and gymnosperms. As many as
26 families are represented by one genus and one species each, 5 families by one genus
and 2 species each and one family by one genus and three species and 6 families by 2
genera and 2 species each. Rest of the families are represented by 2-12 genera and 2-35
species, suggesting a very high diversity of wild edible fruits. Besides, correct botanical
name with original citation, respective family, followed by local name, if any, in italics,
together with a brief description, flowering and fruiting period and abundance along with
their range of distribution in Uttarakhand are appended under each species.This has been
done to facilitate their proper identification in the field and plants are arranged in alphabetical
160 Biodiversity Potentials of the Himalaya

order. Howver, some commonly cultivated fruit yielding species have also been included
as they are often found growing near abandoned fields. An analysis of these plants further
indicates that Rosaceae (12/35), Moraceae (4/15), Anacardiaceae (6/8), Vitaceae (5/8),
and Rutaceae (7/7) are among the most dominant families in terms of genera and species.
Two families of gymnosperms (i.e. Ephedraceae and Taxaceae) and one family of
monocotyledons (Arecaceae) were recorded and rest of the families belonged to
dicotyledons. The maximum dominance was exhibited by trees, followed by shrubs, climbers
and herbs.
Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa, Trans. Linn. Soc.Lond. 5: 222 (1800)-Rutaceae Bel
Small deciduous trees, with sharp, straight, axillary spines. Leaves trifoliate, ovate-lanceolate,
crenate, membranous. Flowers greenish-white, in short lateral panicles. Fruits large, globose,
grey or yellowish with woody rind.
Fl. : February-March & Fr.: May-August. Common in dry miscellaneous forests up
to 1200 m.
Aesandra butyracea (Roxb.)Baehni, Boissiera 11: 29(1965)-Sapotaceae Chiura
Medium-sized, deciduous trees. Leaves crowded towards the end of branches, ovate to
obovate-oblong, entire, coriaceous, glossy green above, pubescent beneath. Flowers white,
crowded near the end of branches on tomentose, drooping peduncles. Fruits ellipsoid,
green, smooth, shining.
Fl.: January-March & Fr.: June-July. Common in the eastern parts of Kumaun and
scattered elsewhere up to 1500m.
Aesculus indica (Colebr. ex Camb.) Hook.in Curtis Bot. Mag.: 85, t.5117 (1859)-
Hippocastanaceae Pangar
Large deciduous trees. Leaves digitate; leaflets oblong or oblanceolate, glabrous, serrulate.
Flowers in numerous, pinkish-white in terminal, erect panicles. Fruits rough, ovoid, dark
brown, smooth, shining seed.
Fl.: May-June & Fr.: September-October. Common to abundant, often planted
throughout the area, usually along the perennial streams from 1500-2900m.
Ampelocissus divaricata (Wall. ex Lawson) Planch. in A.DC., Monogr. Phan.
5:378(1887)-Vitaceae
Annual climbers with woody stocks. Leaves trifoliate or simple or 3-lobed; leaflets elliptic-
lanceolate, lateral ones smaller with very oblique base, both surfaces cottony-tomentose.
Flowers small, red or brown, in dense dichotomous, divaricate, tomentose cymes. Fruits
globose, black.
Diversity and Distribution of Wild Edible Fruit Plants of Uttarakhand 161

Fl.: April-June & Fr.: September-October. Common in grassy and rocky slopes up
to 1800m.
Ampelocissus latifolia (Roxb.) Planch., J. Vigne Amer. 8:374 (1884)-Vitaceae Bhimana
or Bhimra
Large, glabrous climbers. Leaves simple, 3-7 angled or lobed. dentate, glabrescent when
mature. Flowers small, dark red in pyramidal panicled pubescent cymes. Fruits globose,
black.
Fl.: July-August & Fr.: September-October.Very common in the subhimalayan tracts
throughout the area up to 1400m.
Ampelocissus rugosa (Wall.) Planch., J. Vigne Amer. 8:374(1884)-Vitaceae Chhipdri
Deciduous climbers.Leaves simple, often obscurey 3-5 lobed or angular, pubescent above,
dense tomentose beneath. Flowers minute, greenish-red, in dense tomentose, long peduncled,
branched corymbose cymes. Fruits globose, black.
Fl.: April-June & Fr.: September-October. Common in miscellaneous and oak-
rhododendron forests up to 2000m.
Annona squamosa L., Sp. Pl. : 537 (1753)-Annonaceae Sharifa
Evergreen shrubs or small trees. Leaves elliptic or oblong-lanceolate, pubescent on nerves.
Flowers yellowish-green, axillary, solitary or a few together, leaf-opposed. Fruits ovoid-
globose, tuberculate with rounded tips.
Fl.: March-May & Fr.: July-September. Cultivated and has become naturalized in
abandoned fields and near habitation up to 1200m.
Anthocephalus chinensis (Lam.)A. Richard ex Walpers, Repert. Bot. 2: 491 (1843)-
Rubiaceae Kadamb
Glabrous trees, with spreading branches. Leaves elliptic-oblong or ovate, coriaceous,
pubescent beneath; stipules interpetiolar. Flowers orange or yellow, in solitary, globose,
terminal heads. Fruits globose, yellowish.
Fl.: March-May & Fr.: July-September. Usually grows near moist-shaded slopes
up to 600m and often cultivated gardens.
Antidesma acidum Retz., Obs. Bot. 5:30 (1789)-Euphorbiaceae Imli
Deciduous shrubs or trees. Leaves ovate-oblong or ovate-lanceolate, entire, glabrous above,
glabrescent or sparsely pubescent beneath.Flowers minute, pale green to purplish-red, in
slender, terminal racemes. Fruits ovoid, succulent, red first and finally black.
Fl.: May-June & Fr.: December-January. Common in dry miscellaneous forests throughout
the area up to 1500m.
162 Biodiversity Potentials of the Himalaya

Antidesma ghaesembilla Gaert., Fruct. Sem. 1:189(1788)-Euphorbiaceae Umtao

Deciduous shrubs or small trees. Leaves obovate or orbicular-oblong, entire, glabrous
above, pubescent beneath. Flowers small, greenish-yellow, arranged in dense tomentose,
paniculate racemes. Fruits subglobose, blackish-red when ripe.
Fl.: May-June & Fr.: August-september. Rather rare in miscellaneous forests up to
600 m.
Artocarpus lacucha Buch.-Ham.,Mem. Wern.Nat. Hist. Soc. 5:333(1826)-Moraceae.
Dhaun
Deciduous trees. Leaves elliptic or obovate or oblong, scabrid, entire or denticulate, glabrous,
hairy beneath. Flowers in axillary, glabrous, short-stalked heads; male receptacle orange-
yellow; female receptacle globose on different branches. Fruits lobulate, nearly smooth,
yellow when ripe.
Fl.: March-April & Fr.: May-August. Infrequent in open ravines and moist-shaded
places in the subhimalayan tracts up to 1200m.
Berberis aristata DC., Syst. Nat. 2: 8 (1821)-Berberidaceae Darul haldi
Large, deciduous shrubs. Leaves obovate or elliptic, entire or spinous toothed, prominently
veined. Flowers bright yellow, arranged in drooping racemes. Fruits ovoid to oblong-ovoid,
blue -black.
Fl.: April-June & Fr.: June-July. Common in forested areas and often forming
gregarious patches from 1800-3000m.
Berberis asiatica Roxb. ex DC., Syst. Nat. 2:13 (1821)-Berberidaceae Kilmora
Evergreen shrubs. Leaves oblong, elliptic or broadly obovate-elliptic, entire or distantly
spinose. Flowers yellow, racemose or fascicled. Fruits oblong-ellipsoid, ovoid, blue-black.
Fl.: March-April & Fr.: May-June. Common in open banj-oak and chir-pine forests
and scrub jungles forming gregarious patches from 600-2500m.
Berberis chitria Edwards, Bot. Reg. 9: t. 729 (1823)-Berberidaceae Chetar
Subdeciduous shrubs. Leaves 4 in each whorl, obovate, entire or spinose, serrate along
margin, finely reticulate on both sides, dull green above, pale yellow-green beneath. Flowers
yellow in corymbose racemes. Fruits oblong, dark reddish-brown without bloom.
Fl.: May-May & Fr.:June-July. Common in scrub jungles and banj-oak forest from 1500-
2800m.
Berberis lycium Royle, Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. 17: 94 (1834)-Berberidaceae Rasaut
Evergreen shrubs. Leaves lanceolate or narrowly obovate-oblong, entire or spinose. Flowers
yellow, racemose or subfascicled. Fruits ellipsoid to ovoid, blue or black or purple.
Diversity and Distribution of Wild Edible Fruit Plants of Uttarakhand 163

Fl.: May-May & Fr.: August-September. Occasional in forest margins, scrub jungles
and waste lands 600-2200m.
Berberis petiolaris Wall. ex G.Don, Gen. Hist. 1:116 (1831)-Berberidaceae Chotar,
Kilmora
Large, deciduous shrubs. Leaves obovate or oblong-lanceolate, entire or spinulose or
irregularly toothed, green on both surfaces. Flowers yellow in racemes or umbels. Fruits
ellipsoid or oblong, red-purple.
Fl.: March-June & Fr.: September-October. Rather uncommon in open slopes and
edges of forests 2000-3300m.
Bischofia javanica Blume, Bijdr. :1168 (1827)-Euphorbiaceae Kaen
Deciduous trees. Leaves trifoliate; leaflets elliptic-oblong to obovate, crenate, glabrous.
Flowers greenish-yellow, in much branched axillary or terminal peduncled racemes. Fruits
globose, fleshy, yellowish-brown.
Fl.: March-May & Fr.:December-January. Frequent in moist-shaded ravines and
swamps up to 900m.
Bridelia retusa (L.)Spreng., Syst. Veg, ed. 16, 3:48(1829)-Euphorbiaceae Goli
Deciduous trees. Leaves elliptic-oblong, entire or slightly crenulate, bright green, glabrous
above, finely tomentose beneath. Flowers greenish-yellow, in axillary clusters. Fruits globose,
greenish-purple.
Fl.: April-July & Fr.:January-February.Occasional in sal forests in the subhimalayan
tracts up to 700m.
Buchanania lanzan Spreng., J. Bot. 2:234(1801)-Anacardiaceae Kath-Bhilawa
Subdeciduous trees. Leaves oblong or elliptic-oblong, entire, coriaceous, glabrescent above,
pubescent beneath. Flowers greenish-white in terminal or axillary, densely rusty-haired
panicles. Fruits globose, ovoid-oblong, black.
Fl.: March-April & Fr.: May-June.Common in sal and miscellaneous forests up to
1300m.
Calamus tenuis Roxb., Fl.Indica 2,3:780 (1832)-Arecaceae Bent
Climbing palm. Leaves pinnate; leaflets many, lower ones broader and longer, margin
minutely setose or spinulose. Flowers small, in decompound spadix. Fruits subglobose,
mucronate with pale scales.
Fl. & Fr.: July-November. Common in swampy localities throughout the subhimalayan
tracts up to 400m.
164 Biodiversity Potentials of the Himalaya

Callicarpa macrophylla Vahl, Symb. Bot. 3: 13, t. 53 (1794)-Verbenaceae Daia

Evergreen or subdeciduous shrubs. Leaves elliptic-oblong or ovate-lanceolate, closely
crenate, tomentose when young, glabrescent when mature, densely woolly beneath. Flowers
pink inaxillary dichotomous cymes. Fruits white, succulent.
Fl.: June-August & Fr.: December-February. Common in miscellaneous forests and
scrub jungles up to 1500m.
Capparis sepiaria L., Syst. Nat. ed.10, 2:1071(1759)-Capparaceae Karva
Evergreen scandent shrubs or climbers and thorny. Leaves ovate, elliptic-lanceolate or
oblong-lanceolate. Flowers white, in sessile or shortly peduncled umbels. Fruits globose,
smooth, yellow to black.
Fl.: April-May & Fr.:July-September. Infrequent in dry miscellaneous forests and
scrub jungles up to 1000m.
Capparis zeylanica L., Sp. Pl. ed. 2:720 (1762)-Capparaceae Bauri or Ardanda
Climbing or straggling shrubs with stipular thorns. Leaves oblong, obovate, or lanceolate,
coriaceous, entire. Flowers white tinged with pink, axillary, solitary. Fruits subglobose,
reddish-brown or orange.
Fl.: March-May & Fr.: August-September. Common in miscellaneous forests and
scrub jungles up to 1000m.
Careya arborea Roxb., Pl. Corom. 3:14, t. 214 (1811)-Barringtoniaceae Kumbhi
Small or medium-sized, deciduous trees. Leaves broadly obovate or obovate-oblong, crenate-
denticulate, glabrous. Flowers pale greenish tinged with pink, few together in spikes, at the
ends of branches. Fruits globose, green, glabrous.
Fl.: March-April & Fr.: June-July. Common in sal forest in the subhimalayan tracts
and outer hill ranges up to 800m.
Carica papaya L., Sp. Pl.:1036 (1753)-Caricaceae Papita
Soft trees with milky juice. Leaves large, orbicular, palmatifid. Female flowers solitary or
clusters of few flowers, light yellow; male flowers light yellow, many, in long droopig
panicles. Fruits pulpy, fleshy, ovoid or oblong, with a large hollow cavity, many-seeded.
Fl. & Fr.: Throughout the year. Widely cultivated throughout and often grows in abandoned
fields up to 1400m.
Carissa congesta Wight, Icon. Pl. Inadiae Or. 4, 2:1, t.1289(1848)-Apocynaceae
Karaunda
Evergreen, erect or suberect, diffused shrubs; spines paired at the base of young branches.
Leaves elliptic-lanceolate or obovate, coriaceous, dark green, shining above. Flowers white
Diversity and Distribution of Wild Edible Fruit Plants of Uttarakhand 165

or pink, fragrant, arranged in pubescent, corymbose cymes. Fruits ellipsoid, smooth, purplish
when ripe.
Fl.: Januray-March & Fr.: March-May. Planted in the outer hill ranges up to 600m.
Carissa opaca Stapf ex Haines, Indian For. 47:378. 1921-Apocynaceae Karaunda
Evergren, bushy-diffused shrubs with straight or forked spines. Leaves elliptic or ovate to
sub- orbicular, glabrate or pubescent beneath. Flowers white, fragrant, in few-flowered
corymbose cymes. Fruits subglobose or elliptic, purplish black when ripe.
Fl.: April-June & Fr.: January-March. Occasional in open exposed places, grassy
slopes and secondary scrub jungles up to 1200m.
Castanea sativa Mill., Gard. Dic. Abr. ed. 4:278(1754)- Fagaceae Khan Pangar
Deciduous trees. Leaves crowded towards the ends, elliptic-lanceolate, irregularly and
sharply serrate, teeth bristle-tipped, glabrous above, pale pubescent beneath. Flowers
yellowish; male flowers catkins erect; female catkins 1-3 together. Fruits with 3-nuts,
smooth, shining, brown.
Fl.: March-April & Fr.:August-September. This species has naturalized in temperate
region from 1500-2700m.
Castanopsis tribuloides (J.E.Smith) A.DC., J. Bot. 1:182 (1863)-Fagaceae. Katonj
Small or medium-sized evergreen trees. Leaves lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, entire,
undulate, globose both surfaces. Flowers cream-coloured, arranged in catkins, densely
clustered, long, tomentose, interrupted on leafless shoots. Fruits solitary nut.
Fl.: July-November & Fr.: August-October. Occasional and scattered throughout
the area in banj-oak and miscellaneous forests from 1200-2000m.
Catunaregam spinosa (Thunb.) Tirvengadum, Taxon 27:515(1978)-Rubiaceae Ghara
or Gheri
Large, deciduous shrubs or small trees with long, stout axillary spines. Leaves obovate or
elliptic, pubescent or glabrous, obtuse or acute. Flowers white or orange- in axillary clusters
at the end of arrested branches. Fruits globose or broadly ovoid, yellow.
Fl.: April-July & Fr.: November-February. Common throughout the area in dry
miscellaneous forests up to 1200m.
Celtis australis L., Sp. Pl.: 1043 (1753)-Ulmaceae. Kharik
Large deciduous trees. Leaves ovate or elliptic, coarsely serrate, coriaceous. Flowers
small, greenish, polygamous, male flowers in clusters towards the base; female flowers in
the axils of leaves. Fruits ellipsoid, glabrous, purplish-black.
166 Biodiversity Potentials of the Himalaya

Fl.: March-April & Fr.: September-October. Common in mixed deciduous forests

and crop fields from 1500-2700m.
Celtis eriocarpa Decne. In Jacquem., Voy 4 (Bot.):150, t.152(1836)-Ulmaceae Kharik
Small or medium-sized deciduous tree. Leaves ovate or lanceolate, subentire or serrate in
the upper half. Flowers small, greenish in axils of leaves. Fruits yellowish, densely tomentose.
Fl.: March- April & Fr.: September-November. Infrequent and mostly confined to
crop field borders from 800-1600m.
Celtis tetrandra Roxb., Hort. Beng. : 21(1824)-Ulmaceae Kharik
Deciduous trees. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, serrate in the upper half. Flowers pale yellowish-
greenish in axillary cymes. Fruits globose, orange-red when ripe.
Fl.: February-March & Fr.: September-October. Common in the hills and
subhimalayan tracts up to 1400m.
Cissus repanda Vahl, Symb. Bot. 3:18 (1794)-Vitaceae Pan-lagula
Large, deciduous climbers. Leaves simple, ovate, suborbicular, broader than long, toothed,
dull green above, rusty tomentose beneath. Flowers dull red, in branched peduncled, leaf-
opposed umbel-like cymes. Fruits pyriform, black.
Fl.: June-July & Fr.: July-August. Common in sal and miscellaneous forests in the
subhimalayan tracts up to 1400m.
Cleistocalyx operculatus (Roxb.) Merrill & Perry, J. Arnold Arb. 18: 337, t. 215, f. 41-
48. (1937)-Myrtaceae Rai-jamun
Evergreen trees. Leaves elliptic-oblong or broadly elliptic-ovate, entire. Flowers creamy-
white in 3-flowered cymes, arranged in spreading trichotomous lateral panicles. Fruits
drupe-like berry, globose or ellipsoid, purple.
Fl.: April-May; Fr.: June- July. Common in open sal and miscellaneous forests up to 500m
Cordia dichotoma Forst.f., Prodr.:18 (1786)-Ehrentiaceae Lisora or Lisara
Deciduous trees. Leaves broadly ovate or obovate oblong or suborbicular, sinuate-dentate.
Flowers white in terminal or axillary, pedunculate cymes. Fruits yellowish or orange, globose
or ovoid, apiculate.
Fl.: March-April & Fr.: May-July. Common in moist-shaded places in all forests up
to 1200m.
Cordia vestita Hook. f. & Thoms., J. Linn. Soc. 2:128 (1858)-Ehrentiaceae Bariul
Deciduous trees. Leaves broadly elliptic or orbicular, undulate, scabrous above, tomentose
beneath when mature. Flowers yellowish-white, polygamous in compact, compound cymes.
Fruits ellipsoid, yellow.
Diversity and Distribution of Wild Edible Fruit Plants of Uttarakhand 167

Fl.: March-May & Fr.: September-November. Common in miscellaneous forests

up to 1000m.
Coriaria nepalensis Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3:289 (1832)-Coriariaceae Makol or Makab
Large deciduous or subdeciduous shrubs with spreading branches. Leaves ovate or elliptic,
obscurely serrulate or entire, 3-5-nerved at base. Flowers greenish-yellow in axillary, solitary
or clustered racemes. Fruits red at first, finally blue-black when ripe.
Fl.: March-April & Fr.: May-August. Fairly common in open southern slopes and
ravines, often on barren slopes and scrub jungles from 1200-2500m.
Cornus capitata Wall. in Roxb. Fl. Indica 1:434 (1820)-Cornaceae Bhamor
Small, evergreen or subdeciduous trees. Leaves oblong or elliptic-lanceolate, entire,
coriaceous above, glabrescent beneath. Flowers greenish-yellow, densely packed in
hemispheric heads, subtended by 4-5 bracts. Fruits pinkish-yellow in globose heads.
Fl.: May-July & Fr.: October-November. Common in secondary forests especially
baj-oak-rhododendron forests from 1500-2400m.
Cornus macrophylla Wall. in Roxb. Fl. Indica 1:433 (1820)-Cornaceae Khagsa or Kais
Medium-sized, deciduous trees with horizontal branches. Leaves broadly ovate or elliptic-
ovate, coriaceous, dark green above, glaucous beneath. Flowers creamy-white, arranged
in terminal, branched, ebracteate cymes. Fruits globose, black when ripe.
Fl.: April-June & Fr.: July-October. Common in banj-oak and rhododendron forests
throughout the area from 1500-2500m.
Corylus jacquemontii Decne. in Jacquem., Voy. Inde 4 (Bot.) :160, t. 160(1835)-
Corylaceae Kabasi
Small or medium-sized deciduous trees. Leaves ovate or obovate, irregularly lobed or
toothed, silky pubescent on nerves beneath. Flowers appearing before the leaves; male
flowers arranged in drooping spikes; female flowers cone-like, small, ovoid, in pairs. Fruits
compressed, globose, hard.
Fl.: April-May & Fr.: June-August. Common along the main Himalayan ranges
from 2200-3000m.
Cotoneaster lindleyi Steud., Nom.Bot. ed.2,1:426 (1840)-Rosaceae Dhuis
Deciduous or subdeciduous, straggling or prostrate shrubs. Leaves broadly ovate or orbicular,
glabrescent above when mature, more or less tomentose beneath, entire. Flowers white, in
few-flowered branched cymes. Fruits small, obovoid, globose, black.
Fl.: May-June & Fr.:September-October. Infrequent in inner Himalayan ranges from
2400-3000m.
168 Biodiversity Potentials of the Himalaya

Cotoneaster microphyllus Wall. ex Lindl., Bot. Reg. 13: t. 1114 (1827)-Rosaceae Gheri
Semi-evergreen or evergreen, dwarf, prostrate shrubs. Leaves elliptic-oblong or obovate,
spirally arranged, coriaceous, entire, shining, glabrous above, pale or hairy beneath. Flowers
white or pink in bud, solitary or 2-3 together. Fruits globose, crimson or deep red when
ripe.
Fl.: May-June & Fr.: August-October. Common to abundant throughout the area in
open grassy and rocky slopes from 1800-3500m.
Cotoneaster rotundifolius Wall. ex Lindl., Bot. Reg. 15: in nota,1229(1829)-Rosaceae
Rainshi
Evergreen, prostate, rigidly branched shrubs. Leaves elliptic-obovate, entire with reflexed
margin, sparsely hairy above, more hairy beneath. Flowers white, usually solitary. Fruits
globose, red when ripe.
Fl.: March-April & Fr.: August-September. Common in forest margins, rocky,
exposed slopes from 2000-3000m.
Crataeva andansonii DC. subsp. odora (Buch.-Ham.) Jacobs, Blumea 12:198 (1964)-
Capparaceae Barua
Deciduous trees. Leaves trifoliate; leaflets obovate or lanceolate, central leaflet larger,
lateral ones oblique and smaller. Flowers whitish-yellow, arranged I 10-25-flowered corymbs.
Fruits globose, orange-yellow or reddish-brown.
Fl.: March May & Fr.:July-October. Occasional in the subhimalayan miscellaneous
forests of the subhimalayan tracts up to 600m.
Debregeasia longifolia (Burm.f.) Wedd. in DC., Prodr. 16,1:235(1869)-Urticaceae
Tusarra or Tushiari
Shrubs or small trees. Leaves narrowly obong-lanceolate, serrulate, upper surface dull
green, glabrous when mature, white-tomentose on lower surface. Flowers arranged in
axillary dichotomously branched, compact heads. Fruits orange-yellow when ripe.
Fl.: February-March & Fr.: April-July.Common in moist-shaded ravines from 600-
2200m.
Debregeasia salicifolia (D.Don) Rendle in Prain, Fl. Trop. Afr. 6,2:295(1917)-Urticaceae.
Tusarra or Tushiari
Subdeciduous shrubs or small trees. Leaves oblong, lanceolate, serrulate, scabrous above,
white-tomentose beneath. Flowers in compact, globose, sessile heads, arranged in axillary
clusters. Fruits globose, yellowish.
Diversity and Distribution of Wild Edible Fruit Plants of Uttarakhand 169

Fl. & Fr.: February-August. Common in moist-shaded ravines from 600-2000m.

Diospyros exsculpta Buch.-Ham., Trans. Linn. Soc. 15:110 (1827)-Ebenaceae Tendu
Medium-sized deciduous trees. Leaves broadly ovate, elliptic or oblong. Flowers unisexual;
male flowers in tomentose shortly-peduncled, simple or branched cymes; female flowers
solitary. Fruit globose or ovoid, smooth or yellowish when ripe.
Fl.: April-May & Fr.: August-October. Common in the subhimalayan tracts in sal
forests up to 700m.
Duchesnea indica (Anderws) Focke in Engler, Pflanzen. 3,3:339 (1888)-Rosaceae Bhi-
kafal
Prostrate, creeping, perennial herbs. Leaves mostly radical, trifoliate leaflets ovate-oblong,
silky-pubescent, toothed in upper half. Flowers yellow, solitary or a few in axillary or
terminal cymes. Fruits red.
Fl.: March-July & Fr.: October-April. Common in moist-shaded places throughout
the hills up to 2000m.
Ehretia acuminata R.Br. var. serrata (Roxb.) I.M. Johnston, J. Arnold Arb. 32:23 (1951)-
Ehrentiaceae Pudila
Deiduous trees. Leaves, elliptic-oblong, sharply serrate, glabrescent. Flowers numerous,
white, fragrant, arranged in pubescent, terminal panicles. Fruits globose or ellipsoid, orange,
turning to black.
Fl.: March-April & Fr.: June-August. Common in miscellaneous forests especially
bordering streams and grassy slopes up to 1500m.
Ehretia laevis Roxb., Pl. Corom. 1:42.t.55 (1795)-Ehrentiaceae Khoda or Chamror
Deciduous trees with spreading branches. Leaves elliptic-obovate, often unequal sided,
entire, dark green above, paler beneath. Flowers white, fragrant, in axillary or terminal
dichotomous scopioid cymes. Fruits globose, yellow or orange.
Fl.: February-April & Fr.: April-August. Common in moist-shaded places in dry
miscellaneous and sal forests throughout the area up to 1200m.
Elaeagnus conferta Roxb., Fl. Indica 1:460(1820)-Elaeagnaceae Gwai
Subdeciduous shrubs with sandent or subscandent stems. Leaves elliptic, undulate, densely
clothed on both surfaces with silvery scales when oug. Flowers yellow, in axillary usually
many flowered clusters. Fruit oblong, succulent, red or orange, with scattered silvery scales.
Fl.: September & Fr.: March.uncommon in moist-shaded places in the subhimalayan
tracts and outer hill ranges from 450-1200m.
170 Biodiversity Potentials of the Himalaya

Elaeagnus parvifolia Wall. ex Royle, Ill. Bot. Him.:323, t.81,f.1(1836)-Elaeagnaceae

Giwain
Deciduous thorny shrubs. Leaves elliptic-oblong, coriaceous, sparsely pubescent above,
clothed with bright silvery scales beneath. Flowers silvery-white, arranged in axillary clusters
on short arrested branches. Fruits ovoid,
Fl.: March-April & Fr.:June-September. Occasional in open scrub jungles from 1500-
2500m.
Ephedra gerardiana Wall. ex Stapf, Akad. Wiss.-Wien. Math. Naturwiss. KI. Denskschr.
56, 2:75, t.3 (1933)-Ephedraceae Somlata
Dense tufted shrubs. Leaves reduced to sheaths at the nodes of the branches, yellow or
brownish. Male flowers in bracteate spikes which are solitary; female flowers usually
solitary. Fruit ovoid, red, succulent containing a sticky juice.
Fl.: May-July & Fr.: July-September. Common in main inner dry Himalayan ranges
from 2000-4200m.
Eriobotya Lindl., Trans. Linn. Soc. 13:102(1821)-Rosaceae Loquat
Evergreen trees or shrubs. Leaves narrowly oblanceolate, distantly serrate, hard, coriaceous,
prominently nerved and tomentose beneath. Flowers dull white, in terminal panicles. Fruits
pyriform or globose, yellow.
Fl.: August-December & Fr.: March-April. Commonly cultivated but often found
near abandoned villages from 400-2000m.
Fagara oxyphylla (Edgew.) Engler, Pflanzen. 3,4:118B (1896)-Rutaceae Ban-Timur
Evergreen prickly shrubs with rambling branches. Leaves imparipinnate; leaflets 11-27,
ovate or oblong-ovate, glandular, serrulate. Flowers dark purplish-red, in terminal pubescent
panicles. Fruits globose, dull red, glabrous.
Fl.: April-May & Fr.: November-December. Frequent in banj-oak forest in moist-
shaded places on north aspects, also in scrub jungles from 1800-2700m.
Ficus auriculata Lour., Fl. Cochinch.:666 (1790)-Moraceae Timla
Small, evergreen or subdeciduous, spreading trees. Leaves boadly orbicular elliptic or
oblong, subcoriaceous, glabrous above, pubescent beneath. Figs clusters on short, thick
leafless branches, pubescent when young, pink or reddish with pale tubercular spots
when ripe.
Fl.: March-April & Fr.: June-July. Common in ravines and river banks up to 1800m.
Diversity and Distribution of Wild Edible Fruit Plants of Uttarakhand 171

Ficus benghalensis L., Sp. Pl.:1059 (1753)-Moraceae Bargad

Large evergreen trees, with numerous aerial roots. Leaves ovate, elliptic, obtuse, entire,
coriaceous. Figs supported by 3 rounded bracts, sessile in axillary pairs, globose, puberulous,
red when ripe.
Fl. & Fr.: March-October. Very common in the subhimalayan tracts throughout the area
up to 1400m.
Ficus hispida L.f., Suppl. Pl.: 442 (1781)-Moracaeae Gular or Totmila
Small evergreen trees with hollow twigs. Leaves broadly ovate or obovate-oblong, usually
toothed, entire or dentate, scabrid, hairy on both surfaces. Figs clustered on stout leafless
branches or on the tubercles of stems, pale yellow when ripe.
Fl.: March-April & Fr.:May-June. Common throughout the area in moist-shaded
ravines up to 1300m.
Ficus neriifolia J.E.Smith in Rees, Cylop.14:Ficus n.21(1810).var. nemoralis (Wall. ex
Miq.) Corner, Gard. Bull. Singapore 17:426(1961)-Moraceae Dadul
Subdeciduous trees. Leaves elliptic or lanceolate, entire, glabrous, membranous. Figs
subglobose or ovoid, glabrous, solitary or in pairs, orange-red when ripe.
Fl.: March-April & Fr.: August-September. Frequent in banj-oak forests and
cultivated near villages and religious places from 1500-2200m.
Ficus palmata Forsk., Fl. Aegypt.-Arab. : 179 (1775)-Moraceae. Bedu
Small deciduous or subdeciduous trees. Leaves orbicular or broadly ovate, entire, sometimes
palmately lobed, dentate or serrate, scabrid above, tomentose beneath. Figs usually solitary,
axillary, solitary or in pairs, subglobose or pyriform, dark purple or pink when ripe.
Fl.: May-June & Fr.:June-August.. Common in open places particularly along the
banks of streams and rivers and also cultivated up to 1800m.
Ficus racemosa L., Sp.Pl.:1060(1753).-Moraceae Gular
Deciduous trees. Leaves elliptic-lanceolate or ovate, entire, glabrous. Figs usually on warty
short leafless branches or main stem, globose or pyriform, orange-red when ripe.
Fl.: March-April & Fr.: June-August. Common in open moist-shaded places, way-
sides and crop field borders up to 1200m.
Ficus sarmentosa Buch.-Ham. ex J.E.Smith in Rees, Cyclop. 14:Ficus n.45(1810).-
Moraceae Beduli
Evergreen, scandent shrubs, adhering closely with adventitious roots. Leaves ovate-elliptic
to oblong, glabrous above, pubescent beneath. Figs solitary, axillary, globose, sparsely rusty
hairy, purple when ripe.
172 Biodiversity Potentials of the Himalaya

Fl.: February-March & Fr.:April-May. Common in moist-shaded ravines on trees

and rocks up to 2000m.
Ficus semicordata Buch.-Ham. ex J. E. Smith in Rees, Cyclop. 14: Ficus n. 71 (1810)-
Moraceae Khaina or Khunia
Small or medium-sized evergreen or subdeciduous trees. Leaves elliptic or oblong-lanceolate,
entire or serrate, pubescent beneath. Figs in pairs or small clusters on leafless scaly shoots,
shortly pedunculate, globose or pyriform, pinkish or greenish yellow when ripe.
Fl.: May-June & Fr.:June-October. Common throughout the area on the streams
banks or on steep rocky ground up to 1400m.
Ficus subincisa Buch.-Ham. ex J.E.Smith in Rees, Cyclop. 14:Ficus n.91(1810).-
Moraceae Chanchari
Evergreen trees or shrubs. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, coarsely toothed, coriaceous. Figs
axillary, solitary or rarely in pairs, ovoid or globose, rough, pale yellow when ripe.
Fr.&Fr.: March-June. Common in moist-shaded ravines and also cultivated from 600-
1500m.
Flacourtia indica (Burm.f.) Merrill, Interpr. Rumph. Herb. Amb.:377 (1917)-Flacourtiaceae
Kanel or Bilangara
Subdeciduous shrubs or small trees, often with branched thorns Leaves ovate, broadly
elliptic, orbicular, toothed or crenate, glabrous. Flowers yellowish-green, unisexual, in few-
flowered leafless racemes. Fruits ellipsoid to subglobose, dark purple when ripe.
Fl.: February-March & Fr.: April-June. Common in scrub jungles and chir-pine forests
up to 1400m.
Flacourtia jangomas (Lour.)Raeusch., Nom. Bot. ed. 3:290(1797)-Flacourtiaceae Jamuna
or Paniala
Evergreen shrubs or trees, with simple or branched thorns. Leaves oblong-ovate,, serrate,
glabrous, minutely glabrescent along midrib.Flowers greenish-white, few, in bracteated
racemes or corymbs. Fruits subglobose, obovoid, dark purple when ripe.
Fl.: March-May & Fr.: October-November. Common mixed deciduous forests up
to 1200m.
Fragaria nubicola Lindl. ex Lacaita, J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 43: 467 (1916)-Rosaceae Bhi-
kafal
Silky, pubescent, prostrate herbs. Leaves mostly radical, trifoliate leaflets obovate or ovate-
spathulate, sharply toothed, sparsely hairy above, silky pubescent beneath. Flowers white,
solitary or a few in terminal cymes. Fruits globose, red.
Diversity and Distribution of Wild Edible Fruit Plants of Uttarakhand 173

Fl.: March-April & Fr.: June-July. Common in moist-shaded places throughout the
hills from 1500-3000m.
Gaultheria nummularioides D.Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal.:150 (1825)-Ericaceae Bantimala
Undershrubs with prostrate or creeping densely hirsute stems. Leaves broadly ovate or
suborbicular, glabrous above, setulose beneath. Flowers pink or white, solitary, axillary;
calyx succulent and enlarged in fruit to form a dark blue truncated berry-like fruit.
Fl.: July-September & Fr.: January-February. Common in open banj-oak forests
from 2100-3200m.
Gaultheria trichophylla Royle, Ill. Bot. Him.: t. 63 a-c, f.3 (1835)-Ericaceae Tunglu
Undershrubs with erect or prostrate, more or less hirsute stems. Leaves oblong, subacute
or rounded, glabrous on both sides, glossy green. Flowers pink or nearly white, solitary,
glabrous; calyx succulent and enlarged in fruit to form a dark blue truncated berry-like
fruit.
Fl. & Fr.: July-October. Common along the slopes in the main Himalayan ranges from
3000-3600m.
Glycosmis arborea (Roxb.) DC., Prodr. 1:538 (1824)-Rutaceae Ban-nimboo
Evergreen, glabrous shrubs. Leaves alternate or subopposite; leaflets opposite or alternate,
variable in size and shape. Flowers whitish or yellowish in pubescent or puberulous axillary
and terminal panicles. Fruits depressed, globose, dirty-yellowish or pinkish.
Fl. & Fr.: Almost throughout the year. Abundant in sal and miscellaneous forest throughout
the subhimalayan tract up to 600m.
Grewia asiatica L., Mant. Pl.:122 (1767)-Tiliaceae Pharsalu or Dhaman
Large shrubs or small trees. Leaves broadly ovate or suborbicular, base obliquely cordate,
serrate, tomentose on both surfaces, 5-nerved. Flowers yellow, in axillary umbellate clusters
Fruits globose, obscurely lobed.
Fl.: April-May & Fr.:June-August. Common in miscellaneous forests in the
subhimalayan tracts up to 1000m.
Grewia optiva J. R.Drumm. ex Burret, Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dhlem. 9:692 (1926)-
Tiliaceae Bhimal
Small, medium-sized, deciduous trees. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, serrate, stellately hairy on
both surfaces. Flowers white or pale yellow, in axillary or leaf-opposed cymes. Fruits,
blue-black when ripe, glabrous, 2-4 lobed.
Fl.: April-June & Fr.: August-November. Very commonly planted and cultivated
throughout the area from 300-1400m.
174 Biodiversity Potentials of the Himalaya

Grewia scelerophylla Roxb. ex G.Don, Gen. Syst. 1:550(1831)-Tiliaceae Phalsa

Pubescent shrubs. Leaves broadly elliptic to suborbicular, serrate, villose beneath. Flowers
white, 2-3 together in axillary cymes. Fruits not lobed, purple, hairy.
Fl.: July-August & Fr.:November-December. Common in miscellaneour forests
especially in sal forests in the subhimalayan tracts up to 600m.
G. serrulata DC., Prodr. 1:510(1824)-Tiliaceae Gar-bhimli
Small trees. Leaves elliptic-ovate or lanceolate, serrate, thin, 3-nerved. Flowers greenish-
white, in axillary umbellate cymes. Fruits smooth, 1-4 lobed, black when ripe.
Fl.: June-September & Fr.:December-March. Common in miscellaneous forests of
sunhimalayan tracts and commonly planted up to 1200m.
Hippophae rhamnoides Serv. subsp. salicifolia (D.Don) Serv.in Beih., Bot. Centrabl.
25:18 (1909)-Elaegnaceae Dhur-chuk
Small deciduous trees. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, stellately pubescent above when young,
dense short stellate tomentum beneath. Flowers dioecious. Fruits ovoid, yellow when ripe.
Fl.: April-May & Fr.: October-March. Fairly common on slopes on the inner hill
ranges from 1600-3300m.
Hippophae tibetana Schlecht., Linnaea 32:296(1863)-Elaeagnaceae Taruwa Chuck
Densely branched, deciduous shrubs. Leaves densely clothed on both surfaces with silvery-
brown scales. Flowers dioecious. Fruits globose, reddish,
Fl.: May-June & Fr.:September. Common in the inner Himalayan ranges from 3600-
4300m.
Holboellia latifolia Wall., Tent. Fl. Nepal. :24, t.16(1824)-Lardzabalaceae Ghomphala
Subdeciduous or evergreen rambling climbers. Leaves digitately 3-9-foliate; leaflets variable
in size and shape, oblong-ovate to narrowly lanceolate, entire, glabrous, pale beneath.
Flowers unisexual, in drooping, axillary fascicles. Fruits oblong, curved, fleshy.
Fl.: March-April & Fr.: September-November. Common in banj-oak forests
throughout the area from 1500-2100m.
Juglans regia L., Sp. Pl. : 997(1753)-Juglandaceae Okhar or Akhrot
Large deciduous trees. Leaves imparipinnate; leaflets elliptic or oblong-lanceolate, entire
or coarsely dentate-crenate, scabrid above, softly glabrescent beneath. Flowers green,
unisexual, on different branches; male flowers arranged in stalked lateral catkins on shoot
of the previous year; female flowers clustered opposite to terminal leaf. Fruits globose or
ovoid, pubescent, green, often tinged with pink.
Diversity and Distribution of Wild Edible Fruit Plants of Uttarakhand 175

Fl.: February-April & Fr.: August-October. Common throughout the area in moist-
shaded oak forests from 1500-2800m and also commonly cultivated.
Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Merr., J. Arnold Arb. 19:353 (1938)-Anacardiaceae
Jhinganl
Small or medum-sized deciduous trees. Leaves imparipinnate, crowded towards the ends
of branches; leaflets ovate or ovate-oblong, entire, membranous. Flowers unisexual,
greenish-yellow, appearing before the leaves; male flowers in dense cymose-panicles or
compound drooping racemes; female flowers in simple racemes, crowded towards the
end of branches. Fruits ovoid, compressed, smooth, dull red or pink.
Fl.: March-April & Fr.: June-August. Very common in open miscellaneous forests
throughout the area up to 1400m.
Leea asiatica (L.) Ridsdale in Manilal, Bot. Hist. Malabar:189(1980)-Leeaceae Kumani
or Kunwai
Perennial, deciduous herbs or shrubs. Leaves imparipinnate, lowers ones often bipinnate;
leaflets lanceolate-oblong to obovate, dentate-serrate, hairy especially on nerves beneath.
Flowers greenish-white, in leaf-opposed corymbose cymes. Fruits depressed globose, slaty
green, blue-black when mature.
Fl.: June-July & October-November. Common along the subhimalayan tracts in
moist-shaded places up to 1400m.
Litchi chinensis Sonner., Voy. Inde Orient. 3: 255 (1782)-Sapindaceae Litchi
Evergreen trees. Leaves alternate, paripinnate; leaflets oblong-lanceolate or ovate, glabrous,
entire. Flowers minute, greenish-white or yellowish, in terminal panicles. Fruits globose or
ovoid, red-pink or yellowish-green, whitish.
Fl. & Fr.: March-July. Extensively cultivated in warmer valleys and often found as an
escape in abandoned fields throughout the area up to 1000m.
Lonicera angustifolia Wall. ex DC., Prodr. 4:337 (1830)-Caprifoliaceae Kirkuli
Deciduous shrubs. Leaves narrowly lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, dark green above,
pale pubescent or glabrescent beneath. Flowers white tinged with pink, paired, borne on a
slender stalk from the leaf axils. Fruits ovoid, glabrous, shining red.
Fl.: April-June & Fr.: July-October. Common in the inner dry Himalayan ranges
from 2400-3000m.
Lonicera quinquelocularis Hardw., Asiat. Res.6:351(1788)-Caprifoliaceae Badru or
Badkukra
Deciduous shrubs. Leaves obovate or ovate-lanceolate, entire, dark green, glabrous above,
176 Biodiversity Potentials of the Himalaya

pubescent beneath. Flowers pale yellow, often in pairs, rarely in clusters.Fruits ovoid.,
brownish -black.
F.: March-June & Fr.: June-July. Common throughout the area in moist-shaded
places from 2000-3000m.
Lonicea webbiana Wall. ex DC., Prodr. 4:336 (1830)-Caprifoliaceae Badkukra
Deciduoud shrubs. Leaves ovate or ovate-lanceolte, glabrousor hairy above, pale pubescent
beneath. Flowers pale yellow, tinged pinkish, axillary. Fruits red or purplish-black.
Fl.: May-June & Fr.:June-August. Common in the inner Himalayan ranges from
2100-3900 m.
Madhuca longifolia (Koenig) MacBride, Contrib. Gray Herb. Harv. Univ.(NS) 53:17
(1918)-Sapotaceae Mahuwa or Mahwa
Medium-sized, deciduous trees. Leaves elliptic or elliptic-oblong, coriaceous, glabrous above,
densely woolly beneath when young. Flowers cream-coloured in dense fascicles, on
drooping, woolly pedicels. Fruits ovoid, green, fleshy, pale brown, shining.
Fl.: March-April & Fr.: June-July. Common in the subhimalayan tracts and often
cultivated up to 600m.
Maesa montana A.DC. in DC. Prodr. 8:79 (1844)-Myrsinaceae Jhiundali
Evergreen shrubs. Leaves lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, acuminate. Flowers white, erect,
axillary. Fruits globose, pinkish, succulent.
Fl.: February-March & Fr.: December-February. Common in ravines especially in
chir-pine forests throughout the area from 600-1800m.
Mahonia borealis Takeda, Notes Royal Bot. Gard. Edinb. 6: 221, t.1-2, f.1-5 (1917)-
Berberidaceae Binshi kilmora or Gurm
Evergreen shrubs. Leaves imparipinnate, crowded towards the end of branches; leaflets
5-17, usually long, oblong-lanceolate, oblique, spinose-dentate, smooth above, dull beneath.
Flowers yellow, sweet-scented, in dense erect racemes. Fruits subglobose, ovoid, blue-
black.
Fl.: March-April & Fr.: May-June. Common in moist-shaded banj-oak forests from
1800-2500m.
Malus baccata (L.) Borkh., Theor-Prakt. Handb. Forest Bot. 2:1280(1803)-Rosaceae
Gar-melo
Deciduous trees. Leaves ovate-elliptic, sharply toothed, glabrous above, pubescent on nerves
beneath. Flowers white, in peduncled umbels, on short lateral branches. Fruits globose,
bright red, glabrous.
Diversity and Distribution of Wild Edible Fruit Plants of Uttarakhand 177

Fl.: March-May & Fr.: August-September. Occasional in open scrub jungles from
1800-2600m.
Mangifera indica L., Sp. Pl.:200 (1753)-Anacardiaceae Am
Large evergreen trees. Leaves crowded at the ends of branches, oblong or oblong-
lanceolate, coriaceous, shining. Flowers yellowish-green, arrangd in terminal panicles. Fruits
ovoid, laterally compressed, 1-seeded.
Fl.: March-April & Fr.: June-July. Extensively cultivated and also occurs wild in
moist-shaded ravines up to 1300 m.
Manilkara hexandra (Roxb.) Dubard, Ann. Mus. Bot.-Geol. Col. Marseille ser. 2, 23 :
10, t.2 (1915)-Sapotaceae Khirni
Evergreen trees. Leaves elliptic-obovate or oblong, entire, shining above, paler beneath.
Flowers cream-white, solitary, axillary or in fascicles. Fruits ellipsoid.
Fl.: March-April & Fr.:June-July. Rather rare and occurs in the subhimalayan tracts
and often cultivated up to 600m.
Morus alba L., Sp. Pl.: 986 (1753)-Moraceae Sahtoot
Small deciduous trees or large shrubs. Leaves ovate, acute, dentate or lobed, glabrous
above. Flowers in short ovoid spikes, male and female flowers on different branches.
Fruiting spikes white or red-purple.
Fl.: & Fr.: February-June. Cultivated in the outer hill ranges up to 1400m.
Morus australis Poir. in Lam., Encycl. 4:380(1797)-Moraceae-Kaimu
Deciduous trees or shrubs. Leaves variable, usually ovate, sometimes lobed, serrate or
crenate-serrate, scabrous above, pubescent beneath. Male flowers short pedicellate, spikes;
females spikes ovoid. Fruiting spikes slightly enlarged, dark purple when ripe.
Fl.&Fr.: February-May. Rather infrequent in open scrub jungles in the subhimalayan
tracts and hills up to 2000m.
Morus macroura Miq., Pl. Jungh.:42(1851)-Moraceae Kaimu
Deciduous trees. Leaves ovate-cordate, finely crenate-serrate, usually unlobed. Flowers
in long drooping, short pedunculate spikes; male and female flowers, arranged in spikes.
Fruits in long, cylindrical, yellowish-white to purple spikes.
Fl.&Fr.: February-May. Common along moist-shaded ravines and also cultivated up
to1500m.
Morus serrata Roxb., Fl. Indica 2,3:596 (1832)-Moraceae Kaimu
Medium-sized deciduous trees. Leaves variable broadly ovate, often lobed, margins deeply
cut, glabrescent above, pubescent below. Flowers in short pedunculate, cylindrical spikes;
178 Biodiversity Potentials of the Himalaya

male and female flowers arranged in spikes. Fruits greenish. Fruiting spikes white, pink or
purplish.
Fl.: April-May &Fr.:May-June. Uncommon in moist-shaded slopes throughout the
area from 1600-2700m.
Murraya paniculata (L.)Jack., Malayan Misc. 1(5):31 (1820)-Rutaceae Marchula or
Marchia
Evergreen shrubs or small trees. Leaves imparipinnate; leafletsl 3-7(-9), ovate-lanceolate,
oblique at base, entire, glabrous onboth surfaces. Flowers white, in terminal or axillary
corymbs. Fruits oblong or ovoid, smooth, red when ripe.
Fl.: March-July & Fr.: November-February. Occasional in moist-shaded forests
throughout the area from 500-1600m.
Myrica esculenta Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal.:56 (1825)-Myricaceae. Kafal
Small evergreen trees. Leaves crowded in the end of branches, glossy above, glaucous
beneath, entire. Flowers minute, unisexual; male flowers, pale brown reddish catkins, in
branched axillary cluster; female flowers in short axillary spikes. Fruits ovoid or ellipsoid,
dark red or purplish when ripe.
Fl.: August-October & Fr.: April-June. Common thoughout the area in oak and
chir-pine forests from 1800-2200m.
Naringi crenulata (Roxb.) Nicolson in Fl. Hassan Dist. 387. 1976-Rutaceae. Kath-bel
Shrubs or trees. Leaves imparipinnate; leaflets, often winged; leaflets 3-9, ovate or
lanceolate, crenulate, glabrous, notched at apex. Flowers white or pale yellow, numerous,
in short, lateral or terminal panicles. Fruits globose, smooth when ripe.
Fl.: March-May & Fr.: November-December. Common in dry miscellaneous forests
of sub- himalayan tracts up to 900m
Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn., Fruct. Sem. Pl. 1:73. t. 19. f. 2 (1788)-Nelumbonaceae Kamal
Perennial, aquatic herbs. Leaves flat, suborbicular, large, glaucous on both sides. Flowers
solitary, rose-pink or white. Fruits nut-like, smooth with a bony pericarp.
Fl. & Fr.: March-December. Rather rare in wild, but cultivated in ponds and pools up to
1300m.
Olea ferruginea Royle, Ill. Bot. Him.: 267, t. 65, f.1 (1835)-Oleaceae Kaphlainj
Evergreen shrubs or small trees. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, entire, cuspidate, densely scaly
beneath. Flowers whitish in axillary, trichotomous panicles. Fruits ellipsoid, black when
ripe.
Diversity and Distribution of Wild Edible Fruit Plants of Uttarakhand 179

Fl.: May-June or Fr.: October. Scarce in the main Himalayan ranges from 800-
1800m.
Opuntia elatior Mill., Gard. Dict. ed. 8.n.4 (1768)-Cactaceae Nagphani
Sout, succulent, branched shrubs with flattened, obovate joints; spines 3-7, from an areole,
yellowish, transluscent. Flowers solitary, large, yellow. Fruits globose, fleshy and
glochidiate.
Fl.&Fr.: June-September. Cccasional near habitations and along road-sides up to 2000m.
Oreocnide frutescens (Thunb.)Miq., Ann. Mus. Lugd.-Bat. 3:131 (1867)-Urticaceae
Sianru
Evergreen shrubs. Leaves ovate or elliptic, serrate, scabrid above, grey-tomentose beneath.
Flowers small, subsessile, dioecious in paired clusters. male flowers pinkish; female ones
green. Fruits crustaceous achenes, brown with fleshy perianth and bracteoles.
Fl.: February-June & Fr.: September-December. Common in moist-shaded ravines
forming dense and gregarious patches from 500-1500m.
Osmanthus fragrans Lour., Fl. Cochinch. 1:29 (1790)-Oleaceae Silang or Shiling
Medium-sized, evergreen trees. Leaves oblong or lanceolate, entire, coriaceous, dull dark
green above. Flowers yellow, very fragrant in dense axillary fascicles. Fruits oblong, dark
purple when ripe, 1-seeded.
Fl.: October-November & Fr.: March-April. Frequent in moist-shady ravines in banj-
oak forests and often cultivated near temples from 1000-2000m.
Parthenocissus semicordata (Wall.)Planch. in A.DC., Monogr, Phan. 5:451(1887)-
Vitaceae Laderi or Ladula
Large, semi-deciduous climbers. Leaves trifoliate; leaflets ovate or obvate, coarsely serrate,
lateral ones oblique to one side, dull green above, pale or purplish beneath. Flowers small,
greenish-yellow, in dichotomously branched cymes. Fruits globose, black.
Fl.: May-June & Fr.:July-September. Common in moist-shaded oak-rhododendron
forests from 2000-2800m.
Phoenix acaulis Roxb. ex Buch.-Ham., Trans. Linn. Soc.15:87 (1826)-Arecaceae Khajuri
Dwarf palm with globose bulb-like stem. Leaves pinnate; leaflets stiff, arranged irregularly
along the rachis or subopposite. Male flowers pale yellow. Fruiting spadix pale yellow with
compressed peduncle. Fruits oblong, blue-black when ripe.
Fl.: November-January & Fr.: April-May. Common throughout the subhimalayan
tracts in open grassy localities up to 900m.
180 Biodiversity Potentials of the Himalaya

Phoenix humilis Royle, Ill. Bot. Him.:394(1835)-Arecaceae Khajoor

Medium-sized palm, up to 6m tall. Leaves pinnate; leaflets fascicled, opposite, folded,
linear-lanceolat. Male flowers creamy-white; female flowers yellowish-green. Fruits oblong,
dull red.
Fl.: March-April & Fr.: May-June. Common in dry miscellaneous sal and chir-pine
forests throughout the hills from 500-1800m.
Phoenix sylvestris (L.) Roxb., Fl. Indica 2,3:787 (1832)-Arecaceae Khajoor
Tall elegant palm. Leaves long with compressed rachis. Male flowers white, scented;
female flowers distant, terminating the branches in large bunches. Fruits oblong-ellipsoid,
orange-yellow.
Fl.: April-May & Fr.: September-October. Frequent in open rocky areas up to 1200m
and also cultivated in the subhimalayan tracts.
Phyllanthus emblica L., Sp. Pl.: 982 (1753). Aonla
Deciduous trees. Leaves subsessile, linear-oblong, entire, glabrous, obtuse, arranged
distichously on deciduous branches appearing like pinnate leaves. Flowers minute, greenish-
yellow in axillary clusters; both male and female flowers on the same branch, solitary.
Fruits subglobose, 3-valved, yellow, smooth.
Fl.: March-May & Fr.: September-November. Common in miscellaneous and scrub
jungles from 1000-2000m.
Podophyllum hexandrum Royle, Ill. Bot. Him.: 64 (1834)-Podophyllaceae Gheechupru
Erect, glabrous, succulent herbs. Leaves often purple-spotted, alternate, peltate, orbicular.
Flowers solitary, rarely two, white to pink. Fruits scarlet, many-seeded.
Fl.: May-June & Fr.: July-September. Frequent in inner Himalayan ranges from
2800-4000m.
Prunus armeniaca L., Sp. Pl.:474 (1753)-Rosaceae Khumani
Deciduous trees. Leaves broadly ovate or elliptic, acute, glabrous, glandular. Flowers white
tinged with pink in centre, solitary or fascicled, appearing before leaves. Fruits pale yellow,
ovoid, glabrous, fleshy.
Fl.: March-April & Fr.: April-June. Commonly cultivated and also grows wild near
habitations from 1000-2000m.
Prunus cerasoides D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal.:239 (1825)-Rosaceae Payya
Deciduous trees. Leaves ovate-lanceolate to ovate-elliptic, caudate-acuminate, both surfaces
glabrous, glossy above, 1-2-serrate. Flowers pink fading to white, appearing before leaves
in umbellate fascicles. Fruits ellipsoid, yellow, often tinged with red, glabrous, shining.
Diversity and Distribution of Wild Edible Fruit Plants of Uttarakhand 181

Fl.: November-January & Fr.: April-May. Common throughout the area near crop
fields and forested areas from 600-2300m.
Prunus cornuta (Wall. ex Royle) Steud., Nom. Bat. ed. 2, 2:403 (1841)-Rosaceae Jamun
Small, deciduous trees. Leaves oblong-lanceolate or oblong-ovate, acuminate, margin sharply
serrate, glabrous above, glaucous beneath. Flowers white in axillary, many-flowered drooping
racemes. Fruits globose, black when ripe.
Fl.: April-May & Fr.: June-September. Common in oak forests in moist-shaded
places from 2000-3200m.
Prunus nepalensis (Ser.) Steud., Nom. Bot. ed.2, 2:403 (1841)-Rosaceae Bhambhalu
Small deciduous trees. Leaves lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, finely crenate-serrate,
glabrous. Flowers white in terminal racemes. Fruits red becoming purplish-black when
ripe.
Fl.: April-May & Fr.: October-November. Rather rare but locally common near
water courses and moist-shaded oak forests from 1500-2400m.
Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, Beytr. Entw.Pragm. Gesch. Nat.-Reiche 1:30 (1801)-
Rosaceae Aru
Small, deciduous trees. Leaves simple, lanceolate, ovate-lanceolate or lanceolate-oblong,
closely serrate, glabrous Flowers pinkish-white, sessile or pedicelled, solitary. Fruits downy,
succulent.
Fl..: March-April & Fr.: May-September. Commonly cultivated and often grows
wild in waste abandoned places from 600-2800m.
Prunus venosa Koehne in Sarg. Pl. Wison.1: 60 (1911)-Rosaceae Gadh-aru
Medium-sized deciduous trees. Leaves oblong or elliptic, base rounded, glabrous, shining
above, glabrescent pale beneath. Flowers cream in long, erect racemes. Fruits ovoid, red
becoming black when ripe.
Fl.: April-May & Fr.: July-September. Frequent throughout the area near moist-
shaded banks of streams from 1200-2700m.
Psidium guajava L., Sp. Pl.:470 (1753)-Myrtaceae Amrood
Subdeciduous trees. Leaves oblong or elliptic, entire, glabrous above, pubescent beneath.
Flowers white, axillary, peduncled, with exserted stamens. Fruits globose, ovoid or pyriform,
yellow with pale white or dark pink pulp.
Fl. & Fr.: April-November. Extensively cultivated but grows well in abandoned places up
to 1400m.
182 Biodiversity Potentials of the Himalaya

Punica granatum L., Sp. Pl.: 472 (1753)-Punicaceae Anar

Deciduous shrubs or small trees. Leaves oblong, obovate or elliptic-lanceolate, glabrous,
shining above, paler beneath. Flowers scarlet-red or orange, mostly solitary or 2-3 together.
Fruits globose with coriaceous woody epicarp.
Fl.: April-June & Fr.: July-December. Commonly cultivated in the hills up to 2000m
but fairly wild in the subhimalayan tract as well as in abandoned fields in the
hills.
Pygmaeopremna herbacea (Roxb.) Moldenke, Phytologia 2:54 (1942)-Verbenaceae
Bharangi
Acaulescent undershrubs. Leaves in rosettes or 2-3 pairs, obovate or elliptic, coarsely
serrate, upper surface minutely gland-dotted; lower thinly pubescent. Flowers yellowish-
green, in peduncled corymbose panicles. Fruits globose, black.
Fl. & Fr.: April-June. Frequent in grassy slopes and forest margins up to 1200m.
Pyracantha crenulata (D.Don) M. Roem., Fam. Nat. Syn. Monogr. 3: 220 (1847)-
Rosaceae Ghingaru
Evergreen, spinescent shrubs. Leaves crowded at the ends of short lateral branches, simple,
linear-oblong or oblong-lanceolate, crenate, coriaceous, shining, green above, glaucous
beneath. Flowers white in many flowered, terminal corymbs. Fruits orbicular to ovoid,
smooth, glabrous, scarlet.
Fl.: April-May & Fr.: July-October. Common to abundant throughout the area both
in forests and open places from 600-2600m.
Pyrus communis L., Sp. Pl.: 479 (1753)-Rosaceae Naspati
Medium-sized deciduous trees. Leaves elliptic-ovate or oblong, entire or slightly crenate,
pubescent and lobed, glabrous when mature. Flowers white in short, lateral corymbs.
Fruits pyriform or subpyriform without white dots on the surface, rough.
Fl.: March-April & Fr.: July-August. Commonly cultivated but often grows in
abandoned places from 1000-2000m.
Pyrus malus L., Sp. Pl.: 479 (1753)-Rosaceae Seb
Deciduous shrubs or small trees. Leaves ovate or elliptic, crenate, glabrous above, pubescent
beneath. Flowers pinkish-white in short umbels in lateral shoots. Fruits globose or subglobose,
paler or red when ripe.
Fl.: March-April & Fr.: June-September. Commonly cultivated, but often grows in
abandoned places from 1000-2400m.
Diversity and Distribution of Wild Edible Fruit Plants of Uttarakhand 183

Pyrus pashia Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal.: 236 (1825)-Rosaceae Mahal
Small, deciduous trees. Leaves lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, crenate, upper surface
glabrous, shining, lower paler, glaucous. Flowers white, large in corymbose cymes. Fruits
globose, brown ultimately becoming black, rough with pale raised specks.
Fl.: February-Mach & Fr.: May-December. Common in open field borders and
forest margins from 1000-2400m.
Rhamnus persica Boiss., Fl. Or. 2:17 (1871)-Rhamnaceae
Deciduous shrubs or small trees, usually with stout spines Leaves clustered on arrested
branches, ovate or elliptic-lanceolate, serrate or entire, subcoriaceous. Flowers small,
dioecious, in axillary clusters. Fruits ovoid-globose.
Fl.: February-March & Fr.: March-June. Uncommon in the subhimalayan tracts up
to 1000m.
Rhus javanica L., Sp. Pl.: 265 (1753)-Anacardiaceae Dharmil, Deshmeel
Deciduous shrubs or small trees. Leaves imparipinnate; leaflets 7-13, ovate-lanceolate,
crenate or dentate, pubescent on nerves above, pubescent beneath. Flowers pale green,
large, terminal, pubescent panicles. Fruits compressed, rough, leathery, globose, greenish-
yellow or orange-red when ripe.
Fl.: July-September & Fr.: November-December. Common in blue pines, banj-oak
and chir-pine forests from 1000-2000m.
Rhus parviflora Roxb., Fl. Indica 2, 2: 100 (1832)-Anacardiaceae Tungla or Tanga
Evergreen or subdeciduous shrubs or small trees. Leaves trifoliate; leaflets obovate, entire,
upper coarsely or irregularly toothed. Flowers yellowish-green in lax, terminal, rusty panicles.
Fruits ovoid, glabrous, shining, pale red to brown when ripe.
Fl.: May-June & Fr.: October-November. Common to abundant in open chir-pine
forests and scrub jungles throughout the area from 800-2000m.
Rhus succedanea L., Mant. Pl. 2:221(1767)-Anacradiacaeae Arkhol
Deciduous shrubs or small trees. Leaves imparipinnate, crowded near the ends of branches;
leaflets oblong-lanceolate, entire, thinly coriaceous. Flowers greenish-yellow, in branched,
drooping panicles. Fruits compressed, oblique-rhomboid, glabrous, shining.
Fl.: May-June & Fr.July-October. Infrequent in miscellaneous and chir-pine forests
from 1200-2000m.
Ribes alpestre Wall. ex Decne. in Jacquem. Voy. Inde 4:64.t.75 (1835)-Glossularaiaceae
Sirkutti
184 Biodiversity Potentials of the Himalaya

Erect, stiff, deciduous shrubs. Leaves crowded on dwarf shoots, orbicular, obtusely 3-5
lobed, lobes inciso-crenate, slightly hairy on both sides. Flowers greenish-white tinged with
pink, usually solitary. Fruits ovoid, glandular-hairy, red.
Fl.: May-June & Fr.: August-September. Common in open places in inner Himalayan
ranges from 2700-3500m.
Ribes glaciale Wall. in Roxb., Fl.Indica 2:513(1824)-Glossulariaceae Dabia
Deciduous shrubs. Leaves cordate-ovate, usually 3-5 lobed, sharply inciso-crenate, sparsely
hairy above, glabrous beneath. Flowers greenish-white or pinkish-brown, in erect, pubescent
racemes. Fruits globose, succulent, purple-red.
Fl.&Fr.: July-September. Occasional in moist-shaded ravines in oak and fir forests from
2200-3200m.
Ribes orientale Desf., Hist. Arb. 2:88 (1809)-Glossulariaceae Darbag
Deciduous shrubs. Leaves orbicular or reniform, obscurely 3-5 lobed; lobes inciso-crenate,
clothed with minute pubescence on both surfaces, glandular. Flowers greenish-brown,
polygamous, in erect racemes. Fruits globose, oange-red, sparsely hairy and glandular.
Fl.: March-June & Fr.: July-August. Occasional throughout in inner dry Himalayan
ranges in rocky places above 2600m.
Rosa macrophylla Lindl., Ros. Monogr.: 35, t.6 (1820)-Rosaceae Ghor-sepala or Dhur-
kunj
Erect, deciduous, prickly shrubs. Leaves imparipinnate; leaflets 3-11, ovate-lanceolate,
serrate, glabrous above, pubescent on nerves beneath. Flowers pink or pinkish-white, solitary
or in pairs Fruits irregularly oblong or pyriform, glandular-hairy, fleshy, red.
Fl.: July-August & Fr.: September-November. Fairly common throughout the area
both in forests and open stony grounds from 2000-3600m.
Rosa osmastonii Rawat & Pangtey, Indian For.113:823(1987)-Rosaceae Sepala
Erect, deciduous shrubs. Leaves imparipinnate; leaflets 7-11, usually oblong, toothed towards
the apex, pubescent or tomentose above, more or less densely hairy, with numerous minute
yellowish glands beneath. Flowers white, in terminal compound corymbs. Fruits globose or
ovoid, orange-red or dull red.
Fl.: May-July & Fr.: July-September. Occasional in open places in alpine zone from
2700-3800m.
Rosa sericea Lindl., Ros. Monogr. :105, t. 12 (1820)-Rosaceae Sepala
Erect, deciduous, prickly shrubs. Leaves imparipinnate; leaflets 5-9, ovater oblong-ovate.
Flowers pale yellow or white, usually solitary. Fruits ovoid, subglobose, bright red.
Diversity and Distribution of Wild Edible Fruit Plants of Uttarakhand 185

Fl.: May-July & Fr.: July-September. Common both in forest and open places
throughout the area from 2400-4000m.
Rosa webbiana Wall. ex Royle, Ill. Bot. Him.:208, t.52,f. 2(1834)-Rosaceae Shedum
Erect, deciduous shrubs. Leaves imparipinnate; leaflets 5-9, suborbicular or obovate, glabrous
or pubescent beneath, coarsely serrate except towards the base. Flowers pink or deep
red, usually solitary. Fruits ovoid or globose, red.
Fl.: June-July &Fr.: August-October. Fairly common in open places from 2800-
4200m.
Rubus acuminatus Smith in Rees, Cyclop. 30 : Rubus 43 (1815)-Rosaceae-Hissalu
Semi-deciduous, sparsely armed with recurved prickles, arching shrubs. Leaves simple,
ovate or ovate-oblong, finely 1 to 2-serrate, base 5-nerved, glabrous beneath. Flowers
white, in few-flowered corymbs, either axillary or terminal panicles. Fruits ovoid, scarlet.
Fl.: August-September & Fr.: October-December. Rather rare and confined to the
eastern parts of Kumaun in oak mixed forests from 1600-2100m.
Rubus biflorus Buch. Ham. ex Smith in Rees, Cyclop. 30:n.9 (1819)-Rosaceae Kala
Hissalu
Spreading deciduous shrubs with sharp, strong prickles. Leaves (3) 5-7-foliate; leaflets
ovate or cordate, glabrous above, white-tomentose beneath. Flowers white, axillary, solitary
or in few flowered umbelliform cymes. Fruit globose, orange or yellow.
Fl.: April-June & Fr.: June-July.Commonin moist-shaded forests in the hills from
2000-2800m.
Rubus ellipticus Smith in Rees Cyclop. 30:n.16 (1819)-Rosaceae Hissalu
Evergreen, arched or straggling shrubs with short, conical prickles. Leaves trifoliate; leaflets
elliptic-obovate or ovate, green, glabrescent above, hoary-tomentose or bristly . Flowers
white in dense axillary fascicles or short terminal panicles. Fruits yellow or golden yellow.
Fl.: January-April & Fr.: May-June. Abundant throughout the hills in open slopes
and scrub florests from 700-2200m.
Rubus fasciculatus Duthie, Ann. Bot. Gard. Calc. 9:39, t.48(1901)-Rosaceae Hissalu
Evergreen, sarmentose, prickly shrubs clothed with rusty brown, spreading bristles and
short, straight prickles. Leaves pinnately trifoliate; leaflets boadly elliptic or obovate. Flowers
white in dense axillary and terminal clusters. Fruits yellow turning to black.
Fl. &Fr. : April-June. Locally common in moist-shaded places along the ravines in the
hills from 2000-2600m.
186 Biodiversity Potentials of the Himalaya

Rubus foliolosus D.Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal.: 256(1825)-Rosaceae Hissalu

Deciduous, suberect or rambling shrubs, with curved or slightly straight prickles. Leaves
3-5- foliate; leaflets ovate-lanceolate, sharply serrate, hairy above, white-deciduous, suberect
or rambling, glabrous shrubs with curved or tomentose beneath. Flowers pink, solitary or
in short terminal racemes. Fruits pink turning black when ripe.
Fl.: April-May & Fr.: June-September.Common to gregarious in oak-rhododendron
forests from 1800-2700m.
Rubus macilenthus Camb. in Jacqum, Voy. 4(Bot.): 49, t. 60(1835).-Rosaceae Insalu
Evergreen, suberect or rambling shrubs with shining curved or straight prickles. Leaves
trifoliate; leaflets ovate-lanceolate, serrate, both surfaces glabrous. Flowers white, soitary
axillary or in clusters. Fruits yellow or orange.
Fl.: May-June & Fr.:June-September. Common in moist-shaded open places in banj-
oak forests from 2000-2800m.
Rubus nepalensis (Hook.f.)Kuntze, Meth. Sp. Rubus:125(1878).-Rosaceae Gangoor
Prostarte, creeping, slender, unarmed herbs or undershrubs, rooting at lower nodes. Leaves
pinnately trifoliate; leaflets broadly ovate or suborbicular, sparsely hairy on upper surface,
bristly and hairy on lower surface. Flowers large, white usually solitary or in pairs. Fruits
globose, red.
Fl.: May-June & Fr.:August-September. Common as undergrowth in moist-shaded
places in oak forests from 1900-3000m.
Rubus niveus Thunb., Diss. Rubo 7 & 9, f. 3 (1813), non Wall. (1829)-Rosaceae Kala-
hissalu
Large, rambling, prickly shrubs. Leaves pinnately 5-7-foliate; leaflets ovate-lanceolte, upper
surface green, glabrous, lower surface white-tomentose. Flowers pink or pinkish-white in
axillary or terminal peduncled corymbs. Fruits globose, hairy-tomentose.
Fl.: March-June & Fr.: June-July. Common in moist-shaded oak forests and open
scrub jungles from 1000-2500m.
Rubus paniculatus Smith in Rees, Cyclop. 30:n.41(1819)-Rosaceae Kathula
Evergreen, rambling climbers with small, curved prickles; branches clothed with white
tomentum. Leaves simple, broadly ovate, cordate, more or less lobed, serrate, coriaceous,
upper surface green, lower surface densely white-tomentose. Flowers white in loose,
tomentose, terminal panicles. Fruits dark purple.
Fl.: March-June & Fr.:May-July. Common throughout the hills in well forested
localities from 1600-2500m.
Diversity and Distribution of Wild Edible Fruit Plants of Uttarakhand 187

Rubus pentagonus Wall. ex Focke, Bibl. Bot.17, Ht. 72:145(1910)-Rosaceae Hissalu

Deciduous, glabrous, rambling shrubs with short, straight prickles. Leaves palmately 3-5-
foliate; leaflets ovate-lanceolate, hairy on both surfaces, pale green above and white-
tomentose beneath. Flowers whitish-green in axiilary, short peduncled racemes. Fruits red
when ripe.
Fl.: June-July & Fr.: July-September. Fequent in kharsu-oak forests in moist-shaded
ravines from 2400-3000m.
Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn., Fruct. Sem. 1:342, t. 70, f. 3 (1788)-Sapindacese Reetha
Small or medium-sized deciduous trees. Leaves paripinnate; leaflets 5-8 pairs, lanceolate,
glabrous, often slightly falcate or oblique.Flowers white orpurple, numerous, in large terminal
pubescent pyramidal panicles. Fruits globose, pale brown.
Fl.: May-June & Fr.: October-February. Commonly cultivated near villages and
road-sides and often met with as an escape up to 1500m.
Saurauia nepalensis DC., Mem. Ternstr.: 29 (1822)-Saurauiaceae Gogna or Gogin
Shrubs or small, evergreen trees. Leaves crowded towards the ends of the branches,
oblong or oblanceolate, irregularly serrate, rusty pubescent beneath. Flowers pink in lax,
axillary, drooping, panicles. Fruits depressed-globose, green, fleshy.
Fl.: February-June & Fr.: May-July. Rather rare in moist-shaded valleys throughout
the hills and subhimalayan tracts from 600-1800m.
Schisandra grandiflora Hook. f.& Thom.in Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 1:44(1872)-
Schisandraceae Ageli
Deciduous climbers. Leaves elliptic-ovate to oblong-lanceolate, entire or with small distant
glandular teeth, pale beneath. Flowers solitary, white or tinged with pink, unisexual. Fruits
in a drooping spike, bearing 3-80 ovoid-ellipsoid, red fruitlets.
Fl.: April-June & Fr.:August-November.Infrequent and scattered throughout the
temperate forests from 200-3000m.
Schleichera oleosa (Lour.) Oken, Allg. Naturagesch 3.2 : 1341 (1841)-Sapindaceae
Kusum
Small or medium-sized deciduous or subdeciduous trees. Leaves paripinnate; leaflets 2-
4 pairs, oblong, ovate or obovate, entire, glabrous. Flowers greenish-yellow, polygamous,
fascicled in spike-like lateral, drooping racemes. Fruits globose, coriaceous, indehiscent.
Fl.: March-April & Fr.: July-August. Common in the subhimalayan tracts in
miscellaneous forests up to 1200m.
188 Biodiversity Potentials of the Himalaya

Securinega virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Baill., Adansonia 6:334 (1866)-Euphorbiaceae

Athaina
Evergreen shrubs with spreading branches. Leaves suborbicular, obovate or elliptic, glabrous,
somewhat glaucous beneath. Flowers dioecious, yellowish-green; male flowers in dense
clusters on filiform pedicels; female flowers in lax fascicles on somewhat shorter pedicels
than the male. Fruits white, succulent.
Fl.: May-June & Fr.: September-October. Fairly common in secondary miscellaneous
forests from 900-1400m
Semecarpus anacardium L. f., Suppl. Pl. :182 (1781)-Anacardiaceae Bhilawa,Bhilao
Deciduous trees. Leaves crowded at the ends of branches, ovate-oblong, entire, coriaceous,
more or less hispidly pubescent, pale beneath. Flowers greenish yellow, polygamous or
unisexual in fascicles, arranged on large, terminal panicles. Fruits obliquely ovoid,
compressed, black when ripe.
Fl.: June-September & Fr.: February-March. Very common in sal forests throughout
the subhimalayan tracts and outer hills up to 1200m.
Sloanea tomentosa (Benth.) Rehder & Wilson in Sargent, Pl. Wilson. 2:362(1916)-
Tiliaceae
Evergreen trees. Leaves broadly elliptic or obovate, coarsely toothed, coriaceous, tomentose.
Flowers solitary, axillary, pale white, subtended by bract-like leaves. Fruits ovoid-blobose,
woody, valved.
Fl.: March-April & Fr.: September-October. Rather scarce in moist-shaded places
in the hills up to 1000m.
Solanum nigrum L., Sp. Pl.:186 (1753)-Solanaceae Makoi
Erect or rambling, glabrous, annual-perennial herbs. Leaves ovate, ovate-lanceolate, entire
or toothed. Flowers white or with dark blue center, nodding in subumbellate, extra-axillary
peduncled cymes. Fruits globose, bright red, orange or black when mature.
Fl. & Fr.: Almost throughout the year. Common in waste places, crop fields, way-sides
and road-sides up to 2600m.
Solena amplexicaulis (Lam.) Gandhi in Saldhana & Nicolson, Fl. Hassan Dist. :179
(1776)-Cucurbitaceae Ban-kakri
Perennial, scandent or climbing herbs. Leaves more or less 3-lobed or deeply 5-lobed,
ovate-triangular to sagittate. Flowers pale white; male flowers in subumbellate racemes;
female ones solitary or in pair, axillary. Fruits ovoid, green or bright red on ripening.
Fl.: July-August & Fr.: August-October. Common on bushes, forest margins, scrub
jungles and crop fields up to 2000m.
Diversity and Distribution of Wild Edible Fruit Plants of Uttarakhand 189

Sorbus aucuparia L., Sp. Pl.: 477 (1753)-Rosaceae Battal

Deciduous shrubs or small trees. Leaves imparipinnate; leaflets lateral ones oblong-
lanceolate, sharply serrate; terminal leaflet ovate-lanceolate, green, glabrous above, pale
and hairy on midrib beneatjh brown-tomentose. Flowers pinkish-white in large terminal
corymbs. Fruits globose, red.
Fl.: June-July & Fr.: August-October. Infrequent in open and exposed places from
2000-3000m.
Sorbus cuspidata (Spach) Hedlund in Kongl., Svenesk. Vetensk. Akad. Handl.
35:89(1901)-Rosaceae Moli
Deciduous trees. Leaves ovate or elliptic, serrate, glabrous, green above, densely white-
tomentose beneath. Flowers white, in terminal woolly corymbs. Fruits globose, greenish-
yellow, tinged red.
Fl.: May-June & Fr.: September-October. Occasional in oak-silver fir mixed forests
in ravines from 2400-3000m.
Sorbus lanata (D.Don) S. Schauer, Uebers. Arb. Schles. Ges. Vaterl. Kult. 1847: 292
(1848)-Rosaceae Galao or Maul
Small deciduous tree. Leaves simple, broadly ovate or elliptic, lobulate and serrate, nearly
glabrous above, white-woolly beneath. Flowers white in terminal or subterminal woolly
corymbs. Fruit globose or pyriform, orange-yellow usually tinged with red and speckled
with small dots.
Fl.: April- May Fr.: October-November. Common throughout the hills from 2400-
3200m
Spondias pinnata (L.f.) Kurz, Prelim. Rep. For. & Veg. Pegu. Append. A 44 & B42
(1875)-Anacardiaceae Amara or Amraor Amyan
Small or medium-sized deciduous trees. Leaves imparipinnate; leaflets 7-11, elliptic or
elliptic-oblong, entire, glabrous. Flowers greenish-yellow, bisexual or unisexual, clustered
on the stout branched panicles, appearing before leaves. Fruits ovoid or oblong, smooth,
greenish-yellow when ripe.
Fl.: March-May & Fr.: December-February. Common in the open miscellaneous
forests of sub-himalayan tracts up to 1200m.
Shorea robusta Roxb. ex Gaert.f., Suppl. Carp. 3: 48, t.186(1805)-Dipterocarpaceae Sal
Subdeciduous trees. Leaves broadly ovate-oblong, rounded or cordate at base, glabrous
and shining when mature. Flowers creamy-yellow on the racemose branches of axillary
panicles; branches grey-tomentose. Fruits ovoid, acuminate with 3 large and 2 small wings.
190 Biodiversity Potentials of the Himalaya

Fl.: February-May & Fr.:May-August. Common to abundant in the subhimalayan

tracts and hills up to 1000 m.
Stranvaesia nussia (Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don)Decne., Nouv. Arch. Mus. Paris 10:178
(1874)-Rosaceae Gadh-Mehal or Garmal
Subdeciduous trees. Leaves oblanceolate or oblong-obovate, finely and doubly serrate,
entire at base, glabrous. Flowers white in axillary or terminal compound corymbs. Fruits
ovoid, orange-yellow.
Fl.: April-June & Fr.: August-September. Fairly common along ravines in baj-oak
and chir-pine forests from 1500-2200m.
Streblus asper Lour., Fl. Cochinch. 2:615 (1790)-Moraceae Siora
Small, unarmed, much branched evergreen trees or shrubs. Leaves rhomboid-elliptic, obovate
or elliptic-oblong, more or less dentate, scabrid. Male flowers in shortly stalked globose
heads; female flowers solitary on slender fascicled long pedicels. Fruits globose, yellow
when ripe, loosely enclosed by the enlarged perianth.
Fl. & Fr.: March-July. Frequent in open dry miscellaneous forests along banks of rivers
and streams up to 500m.
Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels, U.S.Dept. Agric. Industr. Bull. 248:25 (1912)-Myrtaceae
Jamun or Phalenda
Large, evergreen, glabrous trees. Leaves, lanceolate, elliptic-oblong or broadly ovate-elliptic,
entire. Flowers greenish-white in 3-flowered trichotomous cymes, fragrant. Fruits oblong
or ovoid-oblong, dark purple.
Fl.: March-May & Fr.: June-July. Very common in the subhimalayan ranges in
most forest types up to 1200m.
Syzygium venosum DC., Prodr. 3:260(1828)-Myrtaceae Dubka
Deciduous trees. Leaves elliptic or elliptic-oblong, coriaceous, dark glossy green above,
pale beneath. Flowers white arranged in trichotomous, terminal corymbose cymes. Fruits
oblong, purplish-black.
Fl.: Novemebr-December & Fr.: April-May. Rather infreqent in tarai and bhabar
belts up to1000m.
Tamarindus indica L., Sp. Pl.:34 (1753)-Caesalpiniaceae Imli
Medium-sized, evergreen trees. Leaves pinnate; leaflets 10-12 pairs, oblong-lanceolate,
obtuse, entire, glabrous. Flowers yellowish-orange in terminal racemes. Fruits oblong, usually
falcate, subcompressed.
Diversity and Distribution of Wild Edible Fruit Plants of Uttarakhand 191

Fl. & Fr.: January-December. Planted but occasionally found along road-sides and waste
places up to 600m.
Taxillus vestitus (Wall.)Danser, Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenz. Ser.3, 10:355(1929)-
Loranthaceae Bana
Much-branched, bushy, semi-stem parasite shrubs. Leaves ovate-lanceolate or oblong,
margins recurved, glabrous, green and shining above, densely tomentose beneath. Flowers
in axillary, sessile, 3-6-flowered racemes. Fruits ellipsoid, bright orange.
Fl. & Fr.: April-November. Common parasite on banj-oak forests from 1200-2800m.
Taxus baccata L. subsp. wallichiana (Zucc.) Pilger in Engler, Pfreich. IV-5.Ht. 18:112
(1903)-Taxaceae Thune or Lawaita
Small evergreen trees. Leaves linear, flattened, acute. Flowers usually dioecious rarely
monoecious. Fruit composed of the enlarged cup-shaped disk becoming finally succulent
and bright red and surrounds olive-green seed.
Fl.&Fr.: April-November. Common in moist-shaded place in association with kharshu-
oak, spruce and silver fir from 2000-3400m. However, it is scarce in the central
and outer hill ranges, where it is mostly cultivated.
Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb., Fl. Corom. 2:54, t. 198 (1805)-Combretaceae
Bahera
Large, deciduous trees. Leaves crowded towards the ends of the branches, elliptic or
elliptic-obovate, coriaceous, entire. Flowers pale greenish-yellow, in solitary or extra-axillary
spikes. Fruits obovoid, grey-velvety.
Fl.: April-June & Fr.: June-July. Common throughout the subhimalayan tracts and
outer hills up to 1200m.
Terminalia chebula Retz., Obs. Bot. 5:31 (1789)-Combretaceae Harar
Small or medium-sized deciduous trees. Leaves oblong-ovate or elliptic-ovate, glabrous
when mature. Flowers pale on terminal, pubescent, panicled spikes. Fruits obovoid, yellowish-
green, smooth, glabrous.
Fl.: April-June & Fr.: January-March. Common in sal and dry miscellaneous forests
up to 1400m.
Tetrastigma serrulatum (Roxb.) Planch. in A.& C.DC., Monogr. Phan. 5:432 (1887)-
Vitaceae
Evergreen glabrous climbers. Leaves pedately 5-foliate; leaflets obovate or ovate-lanceolate,
cuspidately serrate, paler above, reddish beneath. Flowers small, pale green, umbellate
cymes. Fruits globose, black.
192 Biodiversity Potentials of the Himalaya

Fl.: June-September & Fr.: September-November. Common in moist-shaded banj-

oak forests and moist ravines from 1800-2600m.
Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam., Encycl. 2:116 (1797)-Rutaceae Chingatti
Evergreen rambling shrubs, with small, hooked prickles. Leaves trifoliate; leaflets ovate-
oblong, crenulate, glabrous. Flowers pale or greenish-yellow, in axillary or terminal, pubescent
panicles. Fruits globose, yellow-orange.
Fl.: February-March & Fr.:June-September. Infrequent in moist-shaded ravines in
the subhimalayan tracts up to 600m.
Trapa natans L. var. bispinosa (Roxb.) Makino in Iinuma, Somoku-Dzusetsu ed. 3.1:137
(1907) f. quadrispinosa (Roxb.) Makino, Bot. Mag. Tokyo 22: 172 (1908)-
Trapaceae Singhara
Floating aquatic herbs. Leaves dimorphic; floating leaves arranged in rosette, rhomboidal;
submerged leaves dissected; petiole spongy near the top. Flowers white, pedunculate.
Fruits one-seeded drupes ripening under the water; angled, beaked at the apex and with
sharp spiny horns on either sides.
Fl. & Fr.: September-December. Wild or cultivated in the plain areas.
Trema orientalis (L.) Blume, Mus. Bot. 2:62 (1856)-Ulmaceae Jhau
Shrubs or small evergreen trees. Leaves obliquely ovate or ovate-lanceolate, crenate-
serrate, more or less scabrid above, silky pubescent beneath. Flowers small in axillary
cymes, cymes lax, spreading, pubescent. Fruits ovoid, glabrous, black when ripe.
Fl.: March-April & Fr.: May-June. Rather rare in open dry slopes from 600-1200
m.
Trema politoria (Planch.)Blume, Ann. Mus. Bot. Ludg.-Bot. 2:58(1856)-Ulmaceae Jivan
Shrubs or small evergreen Trees. Leaves ovate-lanceolate or oblong, serrulate, scabrid on
both surfaces, dark green, paler beneath. Flowers small, greenish in dense axillary clusters.
Fruits globose, black.
Fl.: July-September & Fr:November-December. Common in open and exposed
places, often on road cuttings from 600-1400m.
Viburnum cotinifolium D.Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal.:141 (1825)-Caprifoliaceae Gabian or
Gwia
Deciduous shrubs. Leaves ovate, elliptic or suborbicular, base cordate or rounded, entire
or or slightly crenulate, dark green above, densly white-tomentose beneath. Flowers white
tinged with pink, stellately tomentose in dense terminal corymbs. Fruits oblong, first red
then black, shining, glabrous, 1-seeded.
Diversity and Distribution of Wild Edible Fruit Plants of Uttarakhand 193

Fl.: April-June & Fr.: August-September.Very common in forested areas, often

gregarious from 1800-3300m.
Viburnum grandiflorum Wall. ex DC., Prodr.329(1830)-Caprifoliaceae Telana or Thelka
Decidous shrubs. Leaves ovate or oblong-lanceolate, sharply toothed, glabrous above,
pubescent beneath on nerves. Flowers pinkish-white, usually appear before or with leaves,
arranged in compact clustered panicles. Fruits ellipsoid, obong, red and finally black when
ripe.
Fl.: March-May & Fr.: August-December. Common between 2000 and 3000m in
association of oaks and silver fir.
Viburnum mullaha Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal.:141(1825)-Caprifoliaceae
Maleo
Deciduous shrubs. Leaves ovate or ovate-lanceolate, sharply toothed, dark green, coriaceous,
glabrous above, with or withour hairs beneath. Flowers white in dense terminal, pubescent,
pedunculate, compound corymbs. Fruits oblong-globose, shining red.
Fl.: May-July & Fr.: September-October. Quite common in oak-rhododendron forests
from 1800-3000m.
Viburnum nervosum D.Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal.: 141(1825)-Caprifoliaceae Dhur-ganni
Deciduous shrubs or small trees. Leaves ovate or elliptic, shortly acuminate, base cordate
or rounded, serrulate. Flowers white tinged with pink in stellate-hairy, terminal, umbellate
cymes. Fruits oblong, glabrous, red.
Fl.: May-June & Fr.: July-September. Common in the inner Himalayan ranges in
kharshu-oak and rhododendron forests from 2500-3500m.
Viscum album L., Sp. Pl. :1023 (1753)-Loranthaceae Banda
Evergreen, much branched, tufted shrubs; branches jointed, dichotomous. Leaves variable,
oblong, broad or narrow, thick, fleshy, bright green or yellowish-green, faintly 3 or 5 nerved.
Flowers dioecious, sessile in clusters of 3 or 5 in the fork of branches, supported by cup-
shaped slightly ciliate bracts, terminal flower solitary, lateral ones opposite or decussate
pairs. Fruits subglobose, white, translucent.
Fl.: March-May & Fr.: November-January. Common parasite on several hosts from
600-2000m.
Vitis flexuosa Thunb., Trans. Linn. Soc. 2:332(1794)-Vitaceae Pan-laguli
Trailing, glabrous climbers. Leaves simple, ovate, sharply serrate, often 3-lobed, glabrous
on both surfaces. Flowers green, in leaf-opposed, bifurcated panicles. Fruits globose, black.
194 Biodiversity Potentials of the Himalaya

Fl.: April-May & Fr.: July- August. Common in moist-shaded places in miscellaneous
and oak-rhododendron forests up to 2000.
Vitis vinifera L., Sp. Pl. :202 (1753)-Vitaceae Angoor
Large, woody climbers. Leaves simple, suborbicular, more or less 5-lobed, glabrous above,
grey-green tomentose beneath. Flowers minute, green, in umbel-like cymes. Fruits ovoid,
greenish-yellow.
Fl.: April-June & Fr.: July-September. Commonly cultivated and often grows near
abandoned houses up to 1400m.
Wrightia arborea (Dennst.) Mebberley, Taxon 26:533 (1977)-Apocynaceae. Darula or
Dudhi
Deciduous trees or shrubs. Leaves elliptic, shortly caudate-acuminate, membranous. Flowers
pale yellow to white. Fruits connate, straight, rough with white specks.
Fl.: May-June & Fr.: March-April. Common in open and dry miscellaneous forests
up to 1300m.
Zanthoxylum armatum DC., Prodr. 1:727 (1824)-Rutaceae Timru or Timur
Evergreen or subdeciduous, aromatic shrubs. Leaves imparipinnate; leaflets lanceolate.
more Flowers polygamous, yellow in dense pubscent lateral panicles. Fruits globose, red,
glabrous.
Fl.: April-June & Fr.: August-November. Common in open scrub jungles and grazing
places throughout the area from 900-2200m.
Ziziphus glabrerrima (Sedgwick) Santapau, J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 51: 803 (1953)
Rhamnaceae Kath-ber
Deciduous shrubs or small trees. Leaves broadly elliptic, ovate and crenate-serrate. Flowers
yellowish- green, in dense axillary pubescent cymes. Fruits greenish-yellow, dry.
Fl.: September-October & Fr.: February-March. Common in open dry miscellaneous
and scrub jungles up to 800m.
Ziziphus mauritiana Lam., Encycl. 3:319(1789)-Rhamnaceae Ber
Subdeciduous, spinous trees or shrubs. Leaves variable, elliptic-oblong, serrulate, base
subcordate, dark green, glabrous above, pale tomentose beneath. Flowers greenish-yellow,
in short axillary, subsessile cymes. Fruits globose, yellow or reddish, fleshy.
Fl.: June-August & Fr.: December-February. Common throughout the subhimalayan
tracts up to 1200m
Diversity and Distribution of Wild Edible Fruit Plants of Uttarakhand 195

Ziziphus nummularia (Burm.f.) Wight & Arn., Prodr. Fl. Indicae Or.: 162(1834)-
Rhamnaceae Jharberi
Thorny, stragling shrubs. Leaves ovate to orbicular, serrate, dark green above, pale green
tomentose beneath. Flowers in axillary, sessile, short compact cymes. Fruits globose, shining,
red or black when ripe.
Fl. & Fr.: September -February. Common along the subhimalayan tracts of tarai and bhabar
regions up to 1200m.
Ziziphus oxyphylla Edgew., Trans. Linn. Soc. 20:43(1846) -Rhamnaceae Kath-ber
Shrubs often with paired prickles. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, serrate, base somewhat oblique.
Flowers in axillary clusters. Fruits ovoid, fleshy, 2-seeded.
Fl.: May-July & Fr. October-December. Common in miscellaneous forests up to
1400m.

Acknowledgement
We thank to the Head, Department of Botany, D. S. B.Campus, Kumaun
University, Nainital for facilities and encouragement.

References
Badoni, A. K. (1990). An ethnobotanical study of Pinswari community: A preliminary survey. Bull.
Bot. Surv. India 32: 103-115.
Badoni, A. K. and Badoni, K. (2001). Ethnobotanical heritage. In: Garhwal Himalaya : Nature,
Culture and Society, eds., Kandari, O.P. and Gusain, O.P., Srinagar,(Garhwal).127-147.
Balodi, B. and Rao, B. R. (1998). Some wild edible medicinal plants used by the adivasis of Garhwal
and Kumaun Himalaya. Annals Forestry 6:18-30.
Duthie, J. F. (1906). Catalogue of plants of Kumaun and of the adjacent portions of Garhwal and
Tibet based on the collections of Strachey and Winterbottom during the year 1846-1849, on
the catalogue originally prepared in 1852 by Sir Richrad Strachey, Lovell Reeve & Co.,
Limited, London.
Duthie, J.F. (1903-1929). Flora of the Upper Gangetic Plain and of the Adjacent Siwalik and Sub-
Himalayan Tracts, Vols. 1-3. The Superintendant of Government Printers, India. Calcutta.
Gaur, R. D. (1977). Wild edible fruits of Garhwal hills. The Himalaya 1: 66-70.
Gaur, R. D. (1999). Flora of the District Garhwal, North West Himalaya (with ethnobotanical notes),
Trans Media, Srinagar (Garhwal).
Gupta, R. K. (1968). Flora Nainitalensis, Navyug Publication, New Delhi.
Kalakoti, B. S. and Pangtey, Y. P. S. (1988). Ethno-medicine of Bhotia tribes of Kumaun Himalaya,
(U. P.). Bull. Medico-Ethnobot. Res. 9: 11-20.
196 Biodiversity Potentials of the Himalaya

Kanjilal, U.(1928). Forest For a of the Chakrata, Dedradun and Saharanpur Forest Divisions, United
Provinces (Revised edition by B.L.Gupta). Manager of Publications, Delhi.
Naithani, B.D. (1984 & 1985). Flora of Chamoli, Vol.I & II, Botanical Survey of India, Howrah.
Negi, K. S. and Gaur, R. D. (1991). A contribution to the edible wild fruits of Uttar Pradesh hills.
Bull. Bot. Surv. India 33: 233-266.
Negi, K.S. and Gaur, R.D. (1994). Principal wild food plants of Western Himalaya, Uttar Pradesh,
India. Higher Pl. Indian Subcont. 3:1-147.
Osmaston, A. E. (1927). A Forest Flora for Kumaun, Govt. Press, Allahabad.
Paliwal, G. S. and Badoni, A. K. (1988). Ethnobotany of hill tribes of Uttarkashi -II : Wild Edible.
Bull. Bot. Surv. India 30:111-119.
Pangtey, Y. P. S. (1980). Some wild edible fruits of Kumaun Hills. In: Science and Rural Development
in Mountains, eds., Singh, J. S., Singh, S. P. and Shastri, C., Gyanodaya Prakashan, Nainital.
350-363.
Pangtey, Y.P.S., Samant, S.S. and Rawat, G. S. (1989). Ethnobotanical notes on Bhotia tribe of Kumaun
Himalaya. Indian J. Forestry 12:191-196.
Pangtey, Y.P.S., Samant, S.S. and Rawat, G.S. (1991). Orchids of Kumaun Himalaya, Bishen Singh
Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun
Pant, P.C. (1986). Flora of Corbett National Park, Uttar Pradesh, Botanical Survey of India, Howrah.
Raizada, M.B. (1976). Supplement to the Duthie’s Flora of the Upper Gangetic Plain and of the
Adjacent Siwalik and Sub-Himalayan Tracts, Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun.
Raizada, M.B. and Saxena, O.P. (1 978). Flora of Mussoorie, Vol. I. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal
Singh, Dehradun
Rana, T.S., Bhaskar Datt and Rao, R.R.(2003). Flora of Tons Valley, Garhwal Himalaya (Uttaranchal),
Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun
Rau, M.A. (1975). High Altitude Flowering Plants of W.Himalaya, Botanical Survey of India, Calcatta.
Rawat, G. S. and Pangtey, Y. P. S. (1987). A contribution to the ethnobotany of alpine regions of
Kumaun Himalaya. J. Econ.Taxon. Bot. 11:139-148.
Singh, H. B. and Arora, R. K. (1978). Wild Edible Plants of India, ICAR., New Delhi.
Singh, K.K. and Prakash, A. (2002). Flora Rajaji National Park, Uttaranchal, Bishen Singh
Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun
Tewari, L.M., Singh, N., Upreti, K. Pangtey, Y.P.S. (2008). Medicinal Plants of Ranikhet, Consul Book
Depot., Nainital.
Uniyal, B.P., Sharma, J.R., Choudhary, U. and Singh, D.K. (2007). Flowering Plants of Uttarakhand
(A Checklist), Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun.