Lesser Known Plants (LKP)

Lesser Known PlantsThere are large number of species, which have traditionally been used for food and nutritional supplements and are consumed at local levels only.
Species like Ficus, Averrhoa carambola and Cordia myxa etc.
are gradually disappearing from the forests although they have a good potential for commercial exploitation.
These species are rarely planted in afforestation and agroforestry programmes, as a result of which these are disappearing from the natural habitat.
Many of these species are widely used in Ayurvedic preparations.
These species are very valuable to the local communities for meeting their day-to-day requirements for food, fodder, fuel, medicines, tans, dyes etc., and can provide cash returns to the villagers.
Such many species useful for contributing to food security, health (nutritional / medicinal), income generation, and environmental services.
In past, these species were cultivated and their used were harvested up to their potential.
And they were well known among the people.
But with time, due to lack of awareness and research in field of their biology, silviculture, management, utilization and marketing aspects, these species have become vulnerable and less common to common man.Being less known these rarely planted in afforestation and agroforestry programmes, as a result of which they started disappearing from natural habitat and included into the category of plants which are less known to common man and hence the term lesser known originate.
Though it is difficult to define just what qualifies as an lesser known.
Terms such as underutilized, neglected, orphan, minor, promising, niche and traditional are often used interchangeable in different countries of the world.
“Lesser Known Tree Species those which are little known or known only locally, their existence is ignored because better known or more commercial important tree species predominate in the forest.
LKTS though more viable and potential, drawn less attention in past, now needs recognition, awareness and focus.The lesser known tree species represent an enormous wealth of agro biodiversity and have great potential for contributing to improved incomes, food security and nutrition and for combating the ‘hidden hunger’ caused by micronutrient (vitamin and mineral) deficiencies.
They are strongly linked to the cultural heritage of their place of origin.
Also many are mainly local and traditional crops or wild species whose distribution, biology, cultivation and uses are poorly documented.
These species have weak or no formal seed supply system.
They are collected from wild or produced in traditional production systems with little or no external inputs.
Also these species receive little attention from research, extension services, farmers, policy and decision makers, donors, technology providers and consumers.
They may be highly nutritious and/ or have medicinal properties or multiple uses.In particular those currently identified as ‘lesser known’, can contribute significantly to improved health and nutrition, livelihood, household food security and ecological sustainability, these tree species offer enormous potential for contributing in combating hidden hunger and offering medicinal and income generation options.
They are also closely tied to cultural traditions, and therefore have an important role in supporting social diversity.In recent years, LKTS have come out of the shadows and are moving fast into the limelight of rural development.
Several national research systems are supporting work on these plant species, though not to the same extent as research on other timber species like Teak, Poplar, Eucalptus, Sisoo, etc.
Policy makers and funding agencies are now recognising the value of LKTS for diversification of biodiversity, which will in turn help to buffer the risks of environmental and economic disasters.
However, these efforts need direction and focus.