IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2014) 5-1

Research article
erd

Investigation Species of Edible Tree and Medicinal Plants
in Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University
NARUEMOL KAEWJAMPA*
Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Email: knarue@kku.ac.th

TIPA JANDAKORN
Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

JARUNYA RATTANAWAN
Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Received 12 October 2013

Accepted 1 March 2014(*Corresponding author)

Abstract The objective of this study was conducted in Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen
University to investigate species, distribution and the usage of edible trees and medicinal
plants and finding some guideline to conservation. The Check-List Survey was used andonly more than 1.30 m. of height and more than 4.5 cm. of diameter at breast height(DBH) in both of edible trees and medicinal trees were identified and documented. Theresults showed that the overall of tree species in Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen
University are 57 species and 28 families which divided to edible trees 37 species, 12families and medicinal trees are 55 species, 26 families. In addition to edible part are fruit,leaf, flower, inside-outside seed, bark and root. While, whole plant part including bark,leaf, root, stem, fruit, flower, seed, resin, petiole and polen was used as medicinal trees
useful in the treatment of illness and any diseases. The distribution of edible trees andmedicinal trees in this area varied primary forest (dry dipterocarp forest and dry evergreenforest) which no reforestration and conservation. This study indicated that edible trees andmedicinal trees are valuable resources for improving not only food and nutritional securityof households living but also ecological system. Therefore, more concern and should beenhanced the In-situ conservation of edible trees and medicinal trees through theparticipation of both faculty members and university members.
Keywords species and distribution, edible tree, medicinal tree

INTRODUCTION
Forest is an important productive sector effects on the natural balance of the remaining ecosystems
and improvement of rural livelihoods (Sarma et. al., 2010; Mbuvi and Boon, 2009). Many plant
species in the forest provide an adequate level of nutrition, food security, medicine and also incomegeneration. In recently, the natural resources of Thailand are decreasing in every year, especiallyforest areas. Rapid environment changes typically cause extinctions, the species diversity ofThailand forest ecosystems. The forest ecosystems should be maintained by managing thesustainable management strategies to protect forest biodiversity which understood on the structure,ecology, behavior and reproduction of dominant tree species (Lamotte et al., 1998).
In the university area; Khon Kaen University, Thailand, the trend of the forest land wasdecreased causes of university development strategies with lack of good maintain and management,
which affect to change of forest structure and endanger plant species in primary forest; drydiperocarpt forest and dry evergreen forest. Biodiversity survey in many natural locations such as
national park, conservation forest and community forest area were done by many researchers but
biodiversity or species inventory of university area is still neglected.
Therefore, the aim of the present study was to surveying the plant diversity, distribution andvaluable of plant in Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen Universtiy, Thailand, used the forestⒸ ISERD

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inventory technique to highlights the edible and medicinal tree resource and finding someconservation guideline would be help to maintain ecosystem, food security and also reduced globalwarming.
METHODOLOGY
Study area: The study site is located in Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon kaenprovince Thailand at zone 48N with UTM coordinate 18 22 78.4 N and 26 75 04 E, 224
meters above sea level. The area encompasses 0.08 km2 with two dominant forest type which are
dry dipterocarp forest (DDF) and dryevergreen forest (Fig. 1).
Tree measurements: Trees with a diameter –dbh-at breast height more than 4.5 cm. and morethan 1.3 m of height were numbered, recorded its name and measured or estimated its height. Thediameter at breast height (DBH) was measured using a girth measurement. Height was measured
using a hypsometer when necessary. Photographs of trees habitat were taken and geographic
coordinates of each tree was also recorded using global positioning system (GPS; Garmin 60 CX).
The identification of trees was done through various available resources including World Wide
Web and expertise available in the department of national parks, wildlife and plant conservation.

Study area: Faculty of Agriculture
Khon Kaen University

Fig. 1 Study area of faculty of agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Thailand
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The Forest inventory at Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Thailand indicated that, twotypes of forest; dry dipterocarp forest (DDF) and dry evergreen forest (DEF) was found. In over all,57 species belonging to 28 families were observed and arranged according to their forest typeconsisting of 51 species were found in DDF, whereas DEF has only six specific species (Table 1).
The value products that are used from these tree species include fruits, seeds, leaf, bark, flower,root, stem, petiole, pollen and resins. Of these, 37 species belong to 12 families of edible trees werereported to be used as vegetables, food and fruits. Fruits and leaves are the most dominant parts asfound from 23 and 12 species, respectively (Fig. 2). While, the medicinal trees were found 55
species belong to 26 families which have potential value for traditional medicine of northeast
region of Thailand. Bark is the most dominant part use as a medicine source which found in 34
species. Leaves placed in the second positions next to the bark that have been reduced by 25
species (Fig. 2).
Besides, the distribution of all trees both edible and medicinal tree on study area varied
primary forest (dry diperocarp forest). South area of Faculty of Agriculture is rich in medicinal
trees such as Shorea obtuse, Xylia xylocarpa, Morinda coreia and Pterocarpus indicus. While, treewhich identified as both edible and medicine tree was found around Faculty of Agriculture (Fig. 3).

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Table 1 Valuable tree species at the Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, ThailandSpecies
DDF
Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.)
Merr.
Mangifere indica L.
Buchanania latifolia Roxb.
Melodorum fruticosum Lour.
Canaga odorata Hook. f & Th
Polylthia longifolia (Benth.) Hook.f.
Wrightia arborea (Dennst.) Mabb.
Alstonia scholaris (L.) R.Br.
Millingtonia hortensis L.f.
Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz
Crescentia cujete L.
Bombax anceps Pierre varspecna .
Canarium subulatum Guillaumin
Terminalia cacappa L.
Shorea obtusa Wall.ex Blume
Dipterocarpus intricatus Dyer
Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels
Calophyllum inophyllun L.
Mammea harmandii Kosterm.
Tectona grandis L.f.
Caesalpinia coriaria Willd.
Albisia lebbeck (L.) Benth.
Senna siamea (Lam.) Irwin &Barneby
Tamarindus indica L.
Sindora siamensis Teijsm. & Miq.
Afzelia xylocarpa (Kurz) Craib
Bauhinia purpurea L.
Cassia bakeriana Craib
Cassia spectabilis DC.
Cassia fistula L.
Phyllocarpus septentrionalis
Donn.SmErythrina variegate L.
Pterocarpus indicus Willd.
Pterocarpus macrocarpus Kurz
Lagerstroemia floribunda Jack
Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers.
Lagerstrooemia loudonii Teijsm. &Binn
Michelia champaca L.
Swietenia macrophylla King

FamilyLocal uses*Edible

Medicinal

ANACARDIACEAE

Lf, Br, Rt

Yes

Yes

ANACARDIACEAEANACARDIACEAE
ANNONACEAE
ANNONACEAE
ANNONACEAE
APOCYNACEAE
APOCYNACEAEBIGNONIACEAEBIGNONIACEAEBIGNONIACEAE
BOMBACACEAE
BURSERACEAECOMBRETACEAEDIPTEROCAPACEAEDIPTEROCAPACEAEEUPHORBIACEAE
GUTTIFCEAE
GUTTIFERAELABIATAE
LEGUMINOSAEELSONIMUGEL–NINUGUIOLELLEGUMINOSAE-CAESALPINIOIDEAE

Lf, Fl, Fr
Fr, Sd, Rt, La
Lf, Sd, Rt, Po
Lf, Fl, S
Lf
Lf, Br, Fl, Rt, La, S
Lf, Br, Rt,Lf, Fl, Rt
Lf, Br, Fl, Fr, Rt, Sd
Br, FrBr, FlFr, S
Lf, Br, Fr, Sd
Br, FlBr, Fl, La
Lf, Fr, Rt
Fl, Sd, La
Fl, FrLf, S
FrLf, Br, Sd
Lf, Br, Fl, Rt

Yes
Yes
No
No
NoYes
No
YesYes
NoYesYes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
NoYes
NoNoYesYes

YesYesYes
YesYesYesYes
Yes
Yes
Yes
NoYesYes
YesYesYesYesYesYes
Yes
YesYesLEGUMINOSAE-CAESALPINIOIDEAE
LEGUMINOSAE-CAESALPINIOIDEAE
LEGUMINOSAE-CAESALPINIOIDEAE
LEGUMINOSAE-CAESALPINIOIDEAE
LEGUMINOSAE-CAESALPINIOIDEAE
LEGUMINOSAE-CAESALPINIOIDEAE
LEGUMINOSAE-CAESALPINIOIDEAE
LEGUMINOSAE-CAESALPINIOIDEAE

Lf, Br, Fl, Fr
Br, SdBr, Sd, S
Lf, Br, Fl, Rt, Sd
Br, Fr, Sd
Rt
Lf, Br, Fl, Fr, Rt, SdLf, Br, Rt

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
NoNoYes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

LEGUMINOSAE-PAPILIONOIDEAE
LEGUMINOSAE-PAPILIONOIDEAE
LEGUMINOSAE-PAPILIONOIDEAE
LYTHRACEAE
LYTHRACEAE
LYTHRACEAE

Lf, Br, Rt
Lf, Br, Sd, S, La
Lf, Br, S
Br, RtLf, Br
Br

Yes
No
No
No
No
No

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

MAGNOLIACAEMELIACEAE

Lf, Br, Fl, Rt, S
Lf, Br, Fl

No
Yes

Yes
Yes

atscarseazsindica A.Juss. var.
siamensis Valeton
Xylia xylocarpa (Roxb.) Taub. Var.
Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.
.bxoR arzuesrnoa rseoeas
Averrhoa carambola L.
Morinda coreia Ham.
Haldina cordifolai (Roxb.) Ridsdale
Schleichere oleosa (Lour.) Oken
Lepisanthes rubiginosa (Roxb.)
Leenh.
Litchi chinensin Somn
Mimusops elengi L.
Strychnos nux-vomica L.
DEF
Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.)
Backer ex K.Heyne
Dipterocarpus alatus Roxb.
Dipterocarpus tuberculatus Roxb.
Sandoricum koetjape (Burm.f.)
Merr.
Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels
Grewia eriocarpa Juss.

MELIACEAE

Lf, Br, Fl, Fr, Rt, Pt,Yes

Yes

MIMOSACEAE
MORACEAE
MORACEAEOXALIDACEAE
bOEIEILELbOEIEILELSAPINDACEAE
SAPINDACEAEBr, Fl, Sd
Lf, Fr, Sd, S, La
Br, Rt, S
Lf, Br, Fr, Rt,
Lf, Fr, S
Lf, RtBr, FrFr, Rt, Sd

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
NoYes
Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

SAPINDACEAESAPOTACEAESTRYCHNACEAE

Fr, SdLf, Br, Fl, Fr, Rt
Br, Fr, Sd

Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes

CAESALPINIACEAE

Lf, BrYes

Yes

DIPTEROCAPACEAEDIPTEROCAPACEAEMELIACEAE

Lf
Lf, Rt, S
Lf, Br, Fr, Rt

NoNoYes

Yes
Yes
Yes

MYRTACEAE
TILIACEAE

Br, FrFr

Yes
Yes

Yes
No

* Br: Bark, Fl: Flower, Fr: Fruit, La: Latex, Lf: Leaf, Po: Pollen, Pt: Petiole, Rt: Root and tuber, S: Stem, Sd: SeedⒸ ISERD

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40Species (No.)

35
Medicinal tree
Edible tree

302520151050Br

LfRt

StFrFlSdLaPe

Po

Tree part used

Fig. 2 Different usable parts of trees of Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University,ThailandEdible tree
Edible/Medicinal tree
Medicinal tree

Fig. 3 The distribution of edible and medicinal tree in Faculty of Agriculture,
Khon Kaen University, Thailand
In northeast region, the DDF and the DEF are two important of the forest dynamics in dry
forests of Thailand with very different ecosystems while existing in similar climatic regions(Lamotte et. al., 1998). Chantaranothai and Sanoamuang (2002) found that the most of forest type
in Khon Kaen Univesity area is DDF which fertile and high biodiversity and more than 80% of
DDF tree species was found in this area. However, deforestation for various reasons was occurred
during the university development system. Therefore, many valuable trees were extinct from thisarea. Similar to this study which forest inventory and identify trees in Faculty of Agriculture, Khon
Kaen Universtiy was divided into DDF and DEF. The DDF species was higher than DEF speciesⒸ ISERD

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because the DDF as being strongly adapted phonologically, physiologically and physiologically, tothe dry season burns which so characterize their environment (Stoott, 1988).
This study revealed also a need for controlling forest conservation in the university
area in term of plant biodiversity. Planting of edible and medicinal tree should bepromoted, strongly encouraged and supported from the university and faculty board andalso all of university and faculty members.
CONCLUSION
The natural ecosystems hold important plant genetic resources of edible and medicinal tree inFaculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, which if good management can serve a sustainable
resources include food security, good environmental would be reduced as climate change. An
urgent need, for conservation of both edible and medicinal tree species in two forest types, theirhabitats, indigenous knowledge and member’s participatory, is required.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author would like to thank Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen Univeristy, Assistant Prof. Dr.
Chuleemas Boothai Iwai (Khon Kaen Uinversity) and forest scientist from the department ofnational parks, wildlife and plant conservation who kind shared their knowledge and identified
plant species. Special thanks to integrated water resource management research and development
center in northeast, Tailand, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University (IWRM-KKU) for
scholarship supporting.
REFERENCES
Chantaranothai P. and Sanoamuang N. 2002. Plant species in Khon Kaen University. Khon Kaen University,Thailand.
Lamotte, S., Gajaseni, J. and Malaisse, F. 1998. Structure diversity in three forest types of north-eastern
Thailand (Sakaerat reserve, Pak Tong Chai). Biotechnol Agron. Soc. Environ., 2(3), 192-202.
Mbuvi, D. and Boon, E. 2009. The livelihood potential of non-wood forest products: The case of Mbooni
division in Makueni District, Kenya. Environ. Dev. Sustainability, 11, 989-1004.
Sarma, H., Tripathi A. K., Borah S. and Kumar D. 2010. Updated estimates of wild edible and threatened
plants of Assam: A meta-analysis. Int. J. Bot, 6(4), 414-423.
Stott, P. 1988. The forest as a phoenix: towards a biogeography of fire in mainland Southeast Asia. Geogr. J.,
154(3), 337–350.

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