TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE TO WILD PLANTS USED IN FOOD AND FOOD ADDITIVES BY IRULA TRIBES IN SIRUVANI HILLS, COIMBATORE DISTRICT OF TAMIL NADU, INDIA
ABSTRACT:The present study was carried out during 2012 - 2013 in the study area Siruvani hills rich in biodiversity and ethnic community. The Irula tribes are the main dwellers of these forests. The Irula tribal hamlets are located in the region of Siruvani hills such as Seengapathi, Sarkarborathi and Jagirborathi. During this study the plant species used by irula tribes for all kinds of food and food additives were documented. The different types of wild plants and plant parts are mostly used in food preparations for day-to-day life. They traditionally used 94 edible plants belonging to 77 genera and 48 families. The botanical name, family, vernacular name, habit and mode of preparation were given.