Ethnobotanical Investigation On The Honghortal Township,Naiman Banner,Inner Mongolia

In order to understand the traditional knowledge of the inhabitants of Honghortal township in Naiman Banner on the use of wild plants a survey study was conducted on the inhabitants of the study area using ethnobotanical research methods,and the research work yielded the following results:1.A total of 229 species,2 subspecies,7 varieties and 1 variant of wild plants,belonging to 55 families and 158 genera,have been recorded for traditional use by the residents of Huanghuatara Sumu.2.A total of 150 folk names of locally useful plants were recorded,corresponding to 188 species,2 subspecies,5 varieties and 1 variant of wild plants,belonging to 128 genera in 49 families.3.Based on the composition of the plant resources and the local folk use,the collected wild plants are classified into four main categories: dietary,medicinal,forage and other daily use.There are 67 species,1 subspecies and1 variant of wild plants for food use,belonging to 27 families and 48 genera.There are 11 species and 1 variant of wild plants for food,37 species and 1subspecies of wild plants for vegetables,10 species of wild plants for fruits and nuts,11 species of wild plants for tea,3 species of wild plants for oil,5species of wild plants for snacks and 2 species of wild plants for flavouring.There are 72 species of wild plants for Mongolian medicine,belonging to 33 families and 58 genera,and 99 species of wild plants for Chinese medicine,belonging to 43 families and 81 genera.There are 11 types of Mongolian medicinal parts,including whole herbs,above-ground parts,roots,stems,branches,leaves,bark,wood,fruits,flowers and seeds,and 13 types of Chinese medicinal parts,including whole herbs,above-ground parts,roots,stems,leaves,branches,bark,wood,vines,flowers,fruits,seeds and latex,The wild forage plants have 191 species,1 subspecies and 7 varieties,belonging to 43 families and 127 genera.According to the classification of wild forage plants for forage value,the wild forage plants used by the residents of Huanghuatara Sumu are classified into five classes: excellent,good,medium,low and poor,among which the medium wild forage plants have the most species;other wild plants used daily have a total of 46 species,3 varieties and 1 variant,belonging to 29 families and 41 genera.There are 15 species and 1 variety of wild plants for firewood,8 species of wild plants for construction,12 species and 1 variety of wild plants for crafts,17 species and2 varieties and 1 variant of wild plants for commercial use,2 species of wild plants for cultural use,2 species and 1 variety and 1 variant of plants for fibre,18 species and 1 variant of plants for ornamental use,and 14 species and 2varieties of plants for wind and sand control.4.An analysis of the relative importance values(RI)of wild plants traditionally utilised by the inhabitants of Huanghuatal Township revealed that elm(Ulmus pumila L.)is the most utilised wild plant in the area.The residents of Huanghuatal Township have a high degree of use of local wild plants,a richer species composition,a high degree of traditional knowledge,a variety of methods of use,a certain degree of science in the use of medicinal and edible wild plants,and regional characteristics,and the traditional use of some plants can be further explored to provide a theoretical basis for building a beautiful homeland,new ideas for local economic development,to promote economic development while passing on traditional knowledge,to integrate the wisdom of our ancestors with modern development,to provide strong support for the current rural revitalisation strategy initiatives,and to provide a new development direction for building a beautiful hometown in the region.