Biodiversity and utilization potential of indigenous vegetables for food in Kong Ra district, Phatthalung Province, Thailand

The purpose of this research was to explore the diversity and utilization potential of indigenous vegetables and to investigate the factors that influence the situation of the indigenous vegetables at Kong Ra district, Phatthalung province. This research, performed in conjunction with Participatory Action Research (PAR), during a 6 months study (between June - November 2009), found that there are 50 families, 85 genera and 123 species of local edible plants. The parts most often eaten are buds, leaves, fruits, flowers, sprouts, stems, tubers and vines. Observation of the distribution and diversity of indigenous vegetables demonstrated that the several species can be found in all seasons. The most abundant species found in 6 months of exploration were Leucaena leucocphala followed by Alocarsia indica, Barringtonia acutangula Gaertn. subsp. spicata, Garcinia cowa, Litsea petiolata and Polygonum odoratum. Utilization study of the edible plants revealed that indigenous vegetables can be processed several ways, including eating raw or by cooking. Diversity and distribution of the indigenous vegetables may be associated with physical characteristics of the area in Kong Ra district. Our observations indicated that several species of indigenous vegetables were found in different areas. In addition, this work revealed several factors that have affected local interest in indigenous vegetables such as changes in cultivation behavior of the farmer, changes in consumption behavior and ignorance from the new generation was the most important factor affecting indigenous vegetables.