Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE)

is a research institute working in the areas of biodiversity

conservation and sustainable development. ATREEs research team
at Malai Mahadeshwara Hills, Karnataka first-time documented
a range of wild leafy vegetables, fruits and tubers that Soliga and
Lingayat communities collect and use through the year. These wild
plants provide a source of nutrition and calories to supplement
their diet. The use of a diversity of wild plants has evolved over
generations as a survival strategy. Unique recipes incorporating
these wild plants are a tradition among these families. In the course
of their interactions, ATREE found that the local communities perceive
a decline in the availability of the wild edible plant species - due to
various reasons.
The communities relate usage of wild plants to seasonal plant
availability and the plants phenological status. They can predict the
availability of vegetables with respect to micro-climatic changes,
indicating long-term intimate knowledge of their surroundings.

Indigenous knowledge and

its application on
Wild leafy vegetables
Soliga voice
We eat soppusaru
(sambar) made
out of Kadisoppu,
Kalluhannesoppu and
Mustesoppu thrice a
week. We have never
gone to big hospitals
because we include
soppu largely in our
diet.

ATREE identified 92 edible plant species, spread across 38 families of

plants, and belonging to 68 genera. Most species belonging to the
Amaranthaceae, Solanaceae and Dioscoreaceae families, are used as leafy
vegetables, fruits and tubers respectively. In particular, 92 edible plants
include 37 leafy vegetables which are used commonly in their diet.

Chikkamadaiah from Kombudukki, 60 years

Important green leafy vegetables used by local communities at MM hills

Sl.No Local Name
1

Botanical Name

Anagonesoppu Alternanthera sissilis L.

Mullukeere

Amaranthus spinosus L.

Kattesoppu

Boerhaavia repense L.

Sasivesoppu

Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.

Karesoppu

Canthium parviflorum Lam.

Thagasesoppu

Cassia tora L.

Annesoppu

Celosia argentea L.

Javanesoppu

Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Diels.

Kannesoppu

Commelina benghalensis Burm.

10

Sollesoppu

Cordia oblique Willd.

11

Gorjisoppu

Digera arvensis Forssk.

12

Gonisoppu

Portulaca oleracea L.

Ashoka Trust for Research in

Ecology and the Environment

Despite changing
lifestyles, most of the
households in MM Hills
use wild vegetables
throughout the year.
These plant resources
not only provide
additional supplements
to daily consumption
but occasionally are the
primary source of food.
These findings will be
useful for further studies
on the nutritional values
and conservation of
these plants.

Recipe of Ullisoppusaru
Ingredients:

Annesoppu

Cleaned fresh leaves of

Annesoppu
(Celosia argentea L.): 2 bowls
Fresh or dried field beans or
greendhal: Half bowl

Chilly powder: one

tea spoon
Jeera: Half tea spoon

Pepper: 2 seeds
Tamarind: Small
Lemon size

Ullisoppusaru
Onion: one
Garlic: 3 cloves
Salt: As per need
Water: 2 bowls.

(Measurements are given for 2 people only)

Method:
Heat 2 cups of water in a pan for three minutes and add field beans and boil them for five minutes. Then
add annesoppu and boil again for 3 minutes. Grind jeera, pepper, chilly powder, onion, garlic like paste.
Mix the paste with boiled soppu then add tamarind juice and salt as per taste and boil again for 3 minutes.
Ullisoppusaru is ready. Serve hot. It is a good combination for ragi mudde (ball), rice, or roti.
Note: Instead of tamarind you can add cow milk if you are using katte or seege or mustesoopu for making
sambar and should not boil after adding milk.

Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the

Environment (ATREE)

Karnataka Biodiversity Board

Royal Enclave, Srirampura, Jakkur Post, Bangalore - 560064. INDIA

Malleshwaram, Bangalore - 560 003. INDIA

Ph.: +91 80 23635555 Fax: +91 80 23530070

Ph.: +91 80 23448783 Fax: +91 80 23440535

Email: kannan@atree.org / hari@atree.org Website: www.atree.org

E-mail: kbb.kar@gmail.com Website: www.kbb.kar.nic.in

Ground Floor, VANAVIKAS, 18thCross,

Acknowledgements: Soligas of MM Hills for their support and consent to document their indigineous knowledge and Jamshedji Tata Trust, Mumbai, funded this research activity at MM hills, Karnataka.