Abstract
Background: Aroids are a diverse group of plants under the Araceae family with ecological and ethnobotanical significance. Their potential for addressing food security and sustainable development remains underutilized due to the presence of antinutritional factors and limited public awareness. This study aims to document the distribution, traditional uses, and ecological roles of Aroids found in Upper Assam. Methods: Field surveys were conducted from January 2022 to April 2024 across seven districts of Upper Assam. Data on local names, plant parts used, and ethnomedicinal applications were collected. Plant species were photographed, voucher specimens were collected, identified by experts and submitted to the herbarium at Dibrugarh University for future reference. Results: The study identified 46 species of aroid belonging to 19 genera, which is categorized into cultivated, wild, and ornamental types. Ethnobotanical data showed diverse uses, including treatments of ailments and applications as famine food during environmental challenges like floods. Morphological variations in leaf structure and corm shapes provided an understanding of species diversity. Colocasia sp. and Xanthosoma sp. were found to be represented by highest number of species. Despite their significant nutritional and medicinal value, antinutritional factors remain a challenge, limiting broader acceptance. Conclusion: Aroids play a crucial role in supporting biodiversity, cultural heritage, food and nutritional security in Upper Assam, offering a resilient solution to food security challenges. This study highlights the need for conservation, public awareness, and sustainable utilization to unlock their full potential for addressing global challenges and contribute to the growing understanding of aroids' role in traditional knowledge systems, highlighting their potential for sustainable food and medicinal resource development. Keywords: Aroids, Araceae, Ethnobotanical, Ecological Distribution, Food Security, Ethnomedicine
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Claims 8
Claim · model-written summary
The survey identified 46 aroid species categorized as cultivated, wild and ornamental types.
Verbatim
e0“Aroids are a diverse group of plants under the Araceae family”
e1“The study identified 46 species of aroid belonging to 19 genera, which is categorized into cultivated, wild, and ornamental types”
Claim · model-written summary
The aroid species belong to 19 genera.
Verbatim
e1“The study identified 46 species of aroid belonging to 19 genera, which is categorized into cultivated, wild, and ornamental types”
Claim · model-written summary
Colocasia sp. was represented by the highest number of aroid species.
ColocasiaOrganisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e2“Colocasia sp. and Xanthosoma sp. were found to be represented by highest number of species”
Claim · model-written summary
Xanthosoma sp. was represented by the highest number of aroid species.
- Taxon
- Xanthosoma sp.
Xanthosomae2 - Outcome
- number of speciese2
- Direction
- higheste2
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e2“Colocasia sp. and Xanthosoma sp. were found to be represented by highest number of species”
Claim · model-written summary
Aroids showed diverse uses, including ailment treatment and famine food during floods.
Verbatim
e0“Aroids are a diverse group of plants under the Araceae family”
e3“Ethnobotanical data showed diverse uses, including treatments of ailments and applications as famine food during environmental challenges like floods”
Claim · model-written summary
Morphological variation in leaf structure and corm shape provided an understanding of aroid species diversity.
Verbatim
e0“Aroids are a diverse group of plants under the Araceae family”
e4“Morphological variations in leaf structure and corm shapes provided an understanding of species diversity”
Claim · model-written summary
Antinutritional factors remain a challenge for aroids, limiting broader acceptance.
Verbatim
e0“Aroids are a diverse group of plants under the Araceae family”
e5“antinutritional factors remain a challenge, limiting broader acceptance”
Claim · model-written summary
The study highlights the need for conservation, public awareness and sustainable utilization of aroids.
Verbatim
e0“Aroids are a diverse group of plants under the Araceae family”
e6“This study highlights the need for conservation, public awareness, and sustainable utilization”