Ethno-traditional importance of wild legumes in Nagaland, India

The state of Nagaland is blessed with rich culture, unique communities, and traditional knowledge and is a part Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspots region in India.Wild legumes have an integral role in different aspects of livelihood of Nagas as medicines, agro-forestry, customs and traditions and food.This paper performed a literature survey on different ethno-traditional knowledge (ETK) of wild legumes and their uses by the Naga ethnic communities.A total of 31 wild legumes were recorded along with their corresponding references, out of which 30 had medicinal values and six are consumed as vegetables.This study is an attempt to make a comprehensive ethnobotanical report on valuable wild legumes which can be contributed in developing potential drugs in the future.