ABSTRACT
A survey was carried out for a period of 24 months to assess the richness of wild edible plants consumed by the Palliyars/Kanikkars/Valliyans and Pulayans in the Southeastern Slopes of Western Ghats. Information regarding the wild edible plants was gathered by meeting the tribals during explorative field trips and by gaining a good rapport and winning over their confidence. After eliciting detailed information regarding the wild edible food plants and their useful parts, the collected specimens were brought to the laboratory for identification and chemical analyses. The nitrogen content in the powdered plant samples was estimated by the micro-Kjeldahl method. A blank containing all the reagents minus plant extract was used to adjust the absorbance to zero. Average value of triplicate estimations was expressed as g/100 g of the seed flour on a dry weight basis.
