Wild food plants and fungi sold in the markets of Luang Prabang, Lao PDR

Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine

Kosonh Xayphakatsa¹  Somphavanh Radavanh¹  Vichith Lamxay²  Villapone Kanyasone³  Kongchay Phimmakong⁴  Małgorzata Karbarz⁵  Łukasz Łuczaj⁵  Marcin Pietras⁶  Khamphart Tongchan⁷ 

[1] Biotechnology and Ecology Institute, Ministry of Science and Technology;Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, National University of Laos;Department of Science and Technology;Department of Science, Ministry of Science and Technology;Institute of Biology and Biotechnology;Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences;Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden;

关键词: Wild edible plants;    Wild vegetables;    Edible mushrooms;    Mekong region;    Ethnobotany;    Ethnomycology;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13002-020-00423-y

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background Open air markets hold an important position for ethnobiologists. In Southeast Asia, they are seriously understudied, in spite of their incredible biocultural diversity. In order to fill this gap we recorded plants and fungi sold in the open air markets of Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. Methods The markets were visited 38 times in four seasons: the dry season, early monsoon, mid-monsoon, and end-of-monsoon, at least 8 times per season. All items were photographed and voucher specimens were collected. Fungi were identified using DNA barcoding techniques. Results We recorded 110 species of wild edible plants and 54 species of fungi, including 49 wild-collected species. The sold plants included 86 species of green vegetables, 18 species of fruits and 3 species of flowers. Products from woody species constitute around half of all taxa sold. These include the young shoots of tree leaves, which are used for salads—an interesting feature of Lao cuisine. A large number of extremely rare Russula, with no reference sequences represented in databases or even species unknown to science is present on sale in the markets. Conclusions Luang Prabang markets are some of the richest in species of wild edible plants and fungi in Asia, and indeed in the whole world. It is worth pointing out the exceptionally long list of wild edible mushrooms which are sold in Luang Prabang (and probably elsewhere in Laos). We view the Morning Market of Luang Prabang as a cultural treasure that unites the traditions of eating a large number of living species with very diverse flora and fauna. Measures should be taken to strike a balance between local foraging traditions and nature conservation priorities.

【 授权许可】

Unknown