INDIGENOUS EDIBLE PLANTS OF SABAH

INDIGENOUS EDIBLE PLANTS OF SABAH

by Lee Ying Fah and Aban Gibot

Forest Research Centre
P. O. Box 1407
Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia

INTRODUCTION

Recently a project was undertaken to collect herbarium specimens to keep a permanent record of the fruit trees, which were planted under the fruit tree breeding programs of the Agriculture Department. The findings of the project are incorporated in this paper, the scope of which includes all indigenous edible flowering plants, ferns and gymnosperms.

Information on the palatability of many plants in Sabah has been recorded in Burkill’s (1935) monumental work. Many species of fruit trees listed in the following tables have already been recorded by Meijer (1969), while the distribution and abundance of some wild fruit trees in the forest at Ulu Dusun and Sungai Milian have been studied by Tiong (1979) and Phillipps (1983) respectively.

Edibility of plants is only one of the many economic attributes of the diverse flora of Sabah. Other uses of plants such as in pharmaceutics are not described here, as these entail more detailed investigations. Nevertheless, it is envisaged that this report will be of interest to those involved in cultivation of indigenous food crops. It is also hoped that this study will contribute towards better management and utilization of the plant resources in the State.

METHOD AND LIMITATION

Most of the plants mentioned in the following tables have been tried by the authors, while other information was compiled from the literature. As all tropical botanists are aware, some plants in the tropics are very rare; even if they are common, some seldom bear flowers or fruits. Hence the authors have not had the chance to taste some of them. The readers are cautioned that some of these plants may be toxic if consumed in large quantities; thus investigation into the nutritional value of these plants is much needed.

The following list is by no means exhaustive, but it represents, the current status of our knowledge. Algae, fungi and bryophytes have not been included as they have not been well studied in the State.

The result of this study are shown in Tables 1-4. In Table 5, the number of indigenous edible plants is compared with that of all other native plants in the State.

TABLE 5 :

NO. OF NATIVE PLANTS VS. INDIGENOUS EDIBLE PLANTS IN SABAH

Group of plants	Number of families		Number of genera		Species
Group of plants	Total*	Containing edible plants	Total*	Containing edible plants	Total*	Containing % number edible edible plants
Dicotyledons	170	53	1200	110	4500	150	3.3%
Monocotyledons	35	8	300	31	900	40	4.4%
Gymnosperms	5	2	15	2	50	3	6.0%
Ferns	35	8	180	10	450	10	2.2%
Grand total	245	71	1695	153	5900	203	3.4%

*Figures estimated from records in the Forest Research Centre Herbarium.

TABLE 1 :

NATIVE EDIBLE PLANTS OF SABAH- DICOTYLEDON

FAMILY	BOTANICAL NAME	VERNACULAR NAME	PART (S) EATEN	TASTE	TREATMENT BEFORE EATING
ALANGIACEAE	ALANGIUM EBENACEUM	KONDOLON	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
AMARANTHACEAE	AMARANTHUS SPINOSUS	SURINDI	YOUNG LEAVES	DELICIOUS	COOKED
ANARCADIACEAE	BOUEA OPPOSITIFOLIA	REMBAN NIAH	FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
ANARCADIACEAE	BUCHANANIA SSP	KEPALA TUNDANG	SEEDS	ALMOND LIKE	BOILED
ANARCADIACEAE	DRACONTOM-LUM DAO	SOROSOP	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
ANARCADIACEAE	GLUTA RENGHAS	RENGAS	MATURE SEEDS	BEAN - LIKE	ROASTED
ANARCADIACEAE	GLUTA VELUTINA	RENGAS	MATURE SEEDS	BEAN – LIKE	ROASTED
ANARCADIACEAE	MANGIFERA CAESIA	BELUNG	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
ANARCADIACEAE	MANGIFERA DECANDRA	BAMBANGAN	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
ANARCADIACEAE	MANGIFERA FOETIDA	BACANG	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ FRUIT	RAW
ANARCADIACEAE	MANGIFERA INDICA	MANGGA HUTAN	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
ANARCADIACEAE	MANGIFERA QUADRIFIDA	RANCAH-RANCAH	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
ANARCADIACEAE	MANGIFERA SPP	ASAM	RIPE FRUIT	SOUR	RAW
ANARCADIACEAE	PENTASPODON MOTLEYI	PELAJAU	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET	RAW
ANARCADIACEAE	SEMECARPUS SPP	RENGAS	PEDICEL OF FRUIT	TASTY	FRIED
APOCYNACEAE	LEUCONOTIS EUGENIIFOLIUS	CERET MURAI	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET	RAW
APOCYNACEAE	MELODINUS SPP	BUNGUG	SEEDS & PULP	SWEET	RAW
APOCYNACEAE	WILLUGHBEIA SPP	SURAPIT	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET	RAW
AQUIFOLIACEAE	ILEX SPP	MOROGIS	LEAVES	TEA- LIKE	BOILED, DECOCTION DRUNK
BALSAMINACEAE	IMPATIENS BALSAMINA	INAI	YOUNG LEAVES	DELICIOUS	FRIED
BEGONIACEAE	BEGONIA SPP	TONSOM-MONSOM	YOUNG LEAVES	SOUR	FRIED
BIGNONIACEAE	OROXYLUM INDICUM	BUNGALIU	YOUNG SHOOT	DELICIOUS	COOKED
BISCHOFIACEAE	BISCHOFIA JAVANICA	TUNGOU	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET	RAW
BOMBACACEAE	DURIO SPP	DURIAN HUTAN	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET	RAW
BURSERACEAE	CANARIUM DECUMANUM	POMOTODON	MATURE SEEDS	BEAN-LIKE	RAW

BURSERACEAE	CANARIUM ODONTO-PHYLLUM	KEMBAYAU	MATURE SEEDS	BEAN- LIKE	RAW
CAPPARIDACEAE	CAPPARIS MICRACANTHA	KEMBIRI	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET	RAW
CELASTRACEAE	BHESA PANICULATA	BIKU-BIKU	FRUIT		RAW
COMPOSITAE	CRASSOCE-PHALUM CREPIDIOIDES	GIPUN	YOUNG LEAVES	DELICIOUS	FRIED
CONVOLVULACEAE	MERREMIA BORNEENSIS	BILARAN	YOUNG LEAVES	DELICIOUS	FRIED
CONVOLVULACEAE	MERREMIA SPP	BILARAN	YOUNG LEAVES	DELICIOUS	FRIED
CUCURBITACEAE	TRICHO-SANTHES CELEBICA	AKAR TIGA CABANG	YOUNG LEAVES	DELICIOUS	FRIED
DILLENIACEAE	DILLENIA INDICA	SIMPOH	SEPALS OF FRUIT	SOUR	COOKED WITH CURRY
DIPTEROCARPACEAE	SHOREA SECT. PACHYCARPAE	KAWANG	ILLIPE NUT	FRAGRANT	FRUIT SQUEEZED
ELAEAGNACEAE	ELAEAGNUS FERRUGINEUS	GALAK NGASU	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
ELADOCARPACEAE	ELADOCARPUS SPP	KUNGKURAD	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET	RAW
ERICACEAE	VACCINIUM SPP	INAI BATU	RIPE FRUIT	?	RAW
EUPHORBIACEAE	ALEURITES MOLUCCANA	KAMIRI	RIPE FRUIT	BEAN- LIKE	RAW/ ROASTED
EUPHORBIACEAE	ANTIDESMA GHAESEM-BILLA	TONDORUPIS	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
EUPHORBIACEAE	ANTIDESMA SPP	MEMPUNEI	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
EUPHORBIACEAE	APORUSA MAINGAYI	BERAS BERAS	YOUNG LEAVES	DELICIOUS	FRIED
EUPHORBIACEAE	BACCAUREA ANGULATA	BELIMBING HUTAN	RIPE FRUIT	SOUR	RAW
EUPHORBIACEAE	BACCAUREA LANCEOLATA	LIPOSU	RIPE FRUIT	SOUR	RAW
EUPHORBIACEAE	BACCAUREA MACROCARPA	TAMPOI	RIPE FRUIT	SOUR	RAW
EUPHORBIACEAE	BACCAUREA SPP	RAMBAI	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
EUPHORBIACEAE	BACCAUREA STIPULATA	KUNAU-KUNAU	RIPE FRUIT	SOUR	RAW
EUPHORBIACEAE	BLUMEODEN-DRON SPP	KEBAL BERUANG	FRUITS	?	?
EUPHORBIACEAE	BRIDELIA STIPULARIS	DUMADARUN	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET	RAW
EUPHORBIACEAE	CLAOXYLON SPP	RAMBAI	YOUNG TWIGS	DELICIOUS	FRIED
EUPHORBIACEAE	DRYPETES LONGIFOLIA	OPODON PUTIH	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET	RAW
EUPHORBIACEAE	ELATERIOSPERMUM TAPOS	PERAH IKAN	MATURE SEEDS	BEAN- LIKE	RAW
EUPHORBIACEAE	GLOCHIDION RUBRUM	TANDARUPIS	YOUNG LEAVES	DELICIOUS	FRIED

EUPHORBIACEAE	PTYCHOPYXIS SPP	KERESAK	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
FAGACEAE	CASTANOPSIS BORNEENSIS	BERANGAN	RIPE FRUIT	BEAN- LIKE	BOILED
FAGACEAE	CASTANOPSIS SPP	BERANGAN	RIPE FRUIT	BEAN- LIKE	BOILED
FAGACEAE	LITHOCARPUS SPP	MEMPENING	RIPE FRUIT	BEAN- LIKE	BOILED
FAGACEAE	QUERCUS SPP	MEMPENING	RIPE FRUIT	BEAN- LIKE	BOILED
FLACOURTIACEAE	FLACOURTIA RUKAM	RUKAM	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
FLACOURTIACEAE	FLACOURTUA SPP	RUKAM	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
FLACOURTIACEAE	HYDNOCARPUS SPP	KARPUS	PULP OF RIPE FRUIT	TASTELESS	FRIED
FLACOURTIACEAE	PANGIUM EDULE	PANGGI	MATURE SEEDS	BEAN- LIKE	BOILED
FLACOURTIACEAE	RYPAROSA	GIEWEI	FRUIT	SOUR	RAW
GRAMINAE	THYSANO-LAENA MAXIMA	TOGIUNG	YOUNG SHOOTS	DELICIOUS	RAW
GUTTIFERAE	CALOPHYLLUM INOPHYLLUM	PENAGA LAUT	YOUNG FRUIT	SOUR	PICKLED WITH SUGAR
GUTTIFERAE	GARCINIA MANGOSTANA	MANGGIS HUTAN	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
GUTTIFERAE	GARCINIA SPP	KANDIS	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
LABIATAE	OCIMUM BASILICUM	SELASI	YOUNG LEAVES	SLIGHTY HOT	BOILED
LABIATAE	OCIMUM SANCTUM	SELASI	YOUNG LEAVES	SLIGHTY HOT	BOILED
LEGUMINOSAE	ARCHI-DENDRON JIRINGA	JERING	MATURE SEEDS	BEAN- LIKE	FRIED/ BOILED
LEGUMINOSAE	CASSIA SPP	KACANG SULUK	YOUNG LEAVES	DELICIOUS	FRIED
LEGUMINOSAE	CYNOMETRA CAULIFLORA	KATONG-KATONG	YOUNG FRUITS	SWEET/ SOUR	STEWED/ RAW
LEGUMINOSAE	DIALIUM SPP	KERANJI	RIPE FRUIT	?	RAW
LEGUMINOSAE	ENTADA SPP	AKAR BELURU	YOUNG LEAVES	DELICIOUS	FRIED
LEGUMINOSAE	ERYTHRINA VARIEGATA	DEDAP	YOUNG LEAVES	DELICIOUS	FRIED
LEGUMINOSAE	KOOMPASSIA EXCELSA	MENGGARIS	MATURE SEEDS	BEAN- LIKE	RAW
LEGUMINOSAE	PARKIA JAVANICA	PETAI	MATURE SEEDS	BEAN- LIKE	BOILED
LEGUMINOSAE	PARKIA SINGULARIS	PETAI	MATURE SEEDS	BEAN- LIKE	BOILED
LEGUMINOSAE	SAMANEA SAMAN	RAIN TREE	YOUNG PODS	DELICIOUS	FRIED
LEGUMINOSAE	SESBANIA GRANDIFOLIA	KEMBANG TULI	FLOWERS	DELICIOUS	FRIED
LEGUMINOSAE	WHITFORDIODENDRON SPP	BINGOL	FRUIT	?	RAW

MALVACEAE	HIBISCUS TILIACEUS	BARU	YOUNG LEAVES	DELICIOUS	FRIED
MELASTOMATACEAE	MELASTOMA MALA-BATHRICUM	SENDUDUK	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET	RAW
MELIACEAE	AGLAIA MEGISTO-CARPA	LANTUPAK	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
MELIACEAE	AGLAIA OLIGONEURA	LANTUPAK	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
MELIACEAE	AGLAIA POLYANTHA	LANGSAT-LANGSAT	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
MELIACEAE	LANSIUM AQUAM	LANGSAT HUTAN	RIPE FRUIT	SOUR	RAW
MELIACEAE	SANDORICUM EMARGINATUM	SENTUL	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
MELIACEAE	WALSURA VILLIAMILII	LANTUPAK	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET	RAW
MORACEAE	ARTOCARPUS DADAH	BURUNI	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET	RAW
MORACEAE	ACTOCARPUS INTEGER	PULUTAN	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET	RAW
MORACEAE	ARTOCARPUS ODORA-TISSIMUS	TERAP	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET	RAW
MORACEAE	ARTOCARPUS SPP	CEMPEDAK/ TERAP	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET	RAW
MORACEAE	FICUS SPP	ARA	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW

MYRISTICACEAE	HORSFIELDIA SYLVESTRIS	DARAH-DARAH	RIPE FRUIT	SPICY	RAW
MYRISTICACEAE	KNEMA LAURINA	DARAH-DARAH	RIPE FRUIT	?	RAW
MYRSINACEAE	AEGICERAS CORNICU-LATUM	TERUNTUM	YOUNG LEAVES	DELICIOUS	RAW/ FRIED
MYRTACEAE	BAECKEA FRUTESCENS	BERUNGIS	LEAVES	TEA - LIKE	BOILED, DECOCTION
MYRTACEAE	DECASPERMUM FRUTICOSUM	BADOK-BADOK	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET	RAW
MYRTACEAE	EUGENIA SPP	JAMBU HUTAN	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
MYRTACEAE	RHODO-MYRTUS TOMENTOSUS	KARA-MUNTING	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET	RAW
OLACACEAE	OCHANO-STACHYS AMENTACEA	PETALING	FRUIT	?	RAW
OLACACEAE	SCORODO-CARPUS BORNEENSIS	BAWANG HUTAN	MATURE SEEDS	GARLIC LIKE	FRIED
OLACACEAE	STROMBOSIA SPP	BAYAM BADAK	LEAVES	BEAN- LIKE	RAW/ COOKED
OLACACEAE	XIMENIA SPP	RUKAM LAUT	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
OPILIACEAE	CHAMPEREIA SPP	KIAMIS	YOUNG LEAVES & FRUIT	DELICIOUS	BOILED/ FRIED

OXALIDACEAE	SARCOTHECA DIVERSIFOLIA	TABARUS	FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
PASSIFLORACEAE	PASSIFLORA FOETIDA	BIBIT	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET	RAW
PASSIFLORACEAE	PASSIFLORA SPP	LAPAK-LAPAK	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET	RAW
PIPERACEEA	HECKERIA UMBELLATA	KUYOH	YOUNG LEAVES	DELICIOUS	FRIED
POLYGALACEAE	XANTHO-PHYLLUM SPITITATUM	TAMPASAK	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET	RAW
RHAMNACEAE	ZIZYPHUS SPP	MONSIT	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET	RAW
RHIZOPHORACEAE	BRUGUIERA PARVIFLORA	LENGGADAI	GERMI-NATING EMBRYO	DELICIOUS	FRIED
ROSACEAE	PARINARI SPP	MEMBATU	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET	RAW
ROSACEAE	RUBUS SPP	LINTAGU	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET	RAW
RUBIACEAE	ANTHO-CEPHALUS CHINENSIS	LARAN	FRUIT	?	RAW
RUBIACEAE	MORINDA CITRIFOLIA	BINGKUDU	YOUNG LEAVES	DELICIOUS	FRIED
RUBIACEAE	NAUCLEA SPP	BANGKAL	FRUIT	DELICIOUS	FRIED
RUBIACEAE	PAVETTA INDICA	BALITONG-TONG	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET	RAW
SAPINDACEAE	DIMOCARPUS SPP	MATA KUCING	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET	RAW
SAPINDACEAE	GUIOA SPP	TANGIR MANUK	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
SAPINDACEAE	NEPHELIUM HUTAN	RAMBUTAN HUTAN	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
SAPINDACEAE	NEPHELIUM MAINGAYI	KELAMONDOI	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
SAPINDACEAE	NEPHELIUM MELANO-MISCUM	KOLOMONGIS	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
SAPINDACEAE	NEPHELIUM MUTABILIS	MERITAM	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
SAPINDACEAE	POMETIA PINNATA	KASAI	RIPE FRUIT/ SEEDS	SWEET/ BEAN-LIKE	RAW/ ROASTED
SAPOTACEAE	GANUA MOTLEYANA	KETIAU	OIL FROM SEEDS	ALMOND-LIKE	EXTRACTED BY SQUEEZING
SAPOTACEAE	PAYENA LEERII	NYATOH	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET	RAW
SOLANACEAE	SOLANUM SPP	TUTAN	YOUNG LEAVES	DELICIOUS	FRIED
SOLANACEAE	SOLANUM TORVUM	TERUNG PIPIT	FRUIT	DELICIOUS	FRIED/ STEAMED
SONNERATIACEAE	SONNERATIA SPP	PEREPAT/ PEDADA	FRUIT	?	RAW
STERCULIACEAE	KLEINHOVIA HOSPITA	TIMAHAR	YOUNG LEAVES	DELICIOUS	FRIED
STERCULIACEAE	MELOCHIA CORCHORI-FOLIA	LEMAK KETAM	YOUNG LEAVES	DELICIOUS	FRIED
STERCULIACEAE	SCAPHIUM MACROPODUM	KEMBANG SEMANGKUK	FRUIT	TASTELESS	MADE INTO JELLY
STERCULIACEAE	STERCULIA FOETIDA	KELUMPANG	SEEDS	BEAN-LIKE	RAW
SYMPLOCACEAE	SYMPLOCOS ODORATISSIMA	LOBOH	YOUNG LEAVES	DELICIOUS	FRIED
TILIACEAE	GREWIA SPP	PITUDONG	RIPE FRUIT	SOUR	RAW
TILIACEAE	MICROCOS SPP	KERODONG	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
VITIDACEAE	VITIS SPP	LAKUM	RIPE FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW

TABLE 2 :

NATIVE EDIBLE PLANTS OF SABAH – MONOCOTS

FAMILY	BOTANICAL NAME	VERNACULAR NAME	PART (S) EATEN	TASTE	TREATMENT BEFORE EATING
ARACEAE	ACOCASIA INDICA	KELADI	STEM	DELICIOUS	COOKED
ARACEAE	ALOCASIA MACRORRHIZA	KELADI	STEM	DELICIOUS	COOKED
ARACEAE	SCHISMA-TOGLOTITIS SPP	DUKARUK	YOUNG LEAVES	DELICIOUS	COOKED
COMMELINACEAE	FORRESTIA SPP	DALAK TALUN	YOUNG SHOOT	DELICIOUS	COOKED
DIOSCOREACEAE	DIOSCOREA SPP	YAM	TUBER	STARCHY	BOILED

GRAMINAE	BAMBUSA VULGARIS	BAMBU	SUCKER	DELICIOUS	COOKED
GRAMINAE	COIX LACHRYMA-JOBI	DALAI	RIPE FRUITS	STARCHY, CEREAL	BOILED
GRAMINAE	DENDRO-CALAMUS SPP	BAMBU BERDURI	SHOOT	DELICIOUS	BOILED
GRAMINAE	ELEUSINE INDICA	SALINATAD	YOUNG GRASS	DELICIOUS	COOKED
GRAMINAE	GIGANTO-CHLOA SCORTECHINII	BAMBU PORING	SUCKER	DELICIOUS	COOKED
GRAMINAE	GIGANTO-CHLOA SPP	BAMBU	SUCKER	DELICIOUS	COOKED
GRAMINAE	PHRAGMITES KARKA	PAROPOK	YOUNG BUDS	DELICIOUS	RAW
GRAMINAE	SCHIZOS-TACHYUM SPP	BULUH	SUCKER	DELICIOUS	COOKED
GRAMINAE	THEMEDA VILLOSA	RUMPUT RIONG	YOUNG SHOOT	SWEET	RAW
GRAMINAE	THYSANO-LAENA MAXIMA	TOGIUNG	SUCKER	DELICIOUS	RAW
MUSACEAE	MUSA SPP	BANANA/ PISANG	YOUNG SHOOT	DELICIOUS	COOKED
PALMAE	ARECA SPP	PINANG HUTAN	ENDO-SPERM OF RIPE FRUIT	BITTER	RAW

PALMAE	ARENGA ANDULATI-FOLIA	POLOD	YOUNG SHOOT	DELICIOUS	RAW
PALMAE	CALAMUS SCIPIONUM	ROTAN SEMAMBU	YOUNG BUDS	DELICIOUS	COOKED
PALMAE	CARYOTA SPP	GABANG	YOUNG SHOOT/ SAGO	DELICIOUS/ STARCHY	COOKED
PALMAE	CORYPHA SPP	IBUS	YOUNG SHOOT/ SAGO	DELICIOUS/ STARCHY	COOKED
PALMAE	DAEMONOROPS SPP	ROTAN PIPIT	FRUIT	SWEET	RAW
PALMAE	IGUANURA GEONOMI-FORMIS	PINANG	FRUIT	BITTER	RAW
PALMAE	LICUALA SPP	SILAD	PITH, BUD & STEM	DELICIOUS	COOKED
PALMAE	METROXYLON SAGO	SAGO	SAGO FROM STEM	STARCHY	BOILED
PALMAE	NIPA FRUTICANS	NIPAH	EDNO- SPERM OF RIPE FRUIT	COCONUT-LIKE	RAW
PALMAE	ONCOSPERMA TIGILLARIUM	NIBONG	YOUNG SHOOT	DELICIOUS	COOKED
PALMAE	PHOLIDO-CARPUS SPP	SERDANG	FRUIT	COCONUT-LIKE	RAW
PALMAE	PINANGA PUNICEA	BUMBURING	YOUNG SHOOT	DELICIOUS	COOKED
PALMAE	PLECTOCO-MIOPSIS GEMINIFOLIA	AMBALUA	YOUNG SHOOT	DELICIOUS	COOKED
PALMAE	ZALACCA SPP	ASAM KELUNBI	FRUIT	SWEET/ SOUR	RAW
PANDANACEAE	PANDANUS ODORUS	PANDAN WANGI	LEAVES	FRAGRANT	COOKED WITH FOOD
PANDANACEAE	PANDANUS SPP	PANDAN	FRUIT	BEAN-LIKE	RAW
ZINGIBERACEAE	COSTUS SPECIOSUS	KUNYIT HUTAN	RHIZOME/SHOOT	DELICIOUS	COOKED

TABLE 3 :

NATIVE EDIBLE PLANTS OF SABAH – FERNS

FAMILY	BOTANICAL NAME	VERNACULAR NAME	PART (S) EATEN	TASTE	TREATMENT BEFORE EATING
BLECHNACEAE	STENOCH-LAENA PALUSTRIS	LEMIDING	YOUNG SHOOT	DELICIOUS	COOKED
BLECHNIACEAE	BLECHNUM ORIENTALE	DUNGAU	YOUNG SHOOT	DELICIOUS	COOKED
CYATHEACEAE	CYATHEA MOLUCCANA	TREE FERN	LEAVES	DELICIOUS	COOKED
DICKSONIACEAE	CIBOTIUM BAROMEZ	GOLDEN CHICKEN FERN	RHI-ZOME	BITTER (TONIC)	COOKED
OLEANDRACEAE	NEPHROLEPIS BISERRATA	PAKU/ PAKIS	YOUNG SHOOT	DELICIOUS	COOKED
OPHIOGLOSSACEAE	HELMINT-HOSTACHYS ZEYLANICA	TONGKAT LANGIT	YOUNG SHOOT	DELICIOUS	COOKED
POLYPODIACEAE	DRYNARIA SPP	PAKU	YOUNG LEAVES	DELICIOUS	COOKED
PTERIDACEAE	ACROSTICHUM AUREUM	PIAI	YOUNG SHOOT	DELICIOUS	COOKED
PTERIDIACEAE	PTERIDIUM ESCULENTUM	PAKU	YOUNG SHOOT	DELICIOUS	COOKED
SCHIZAEACEAE	LYGODIUM SCANDENS	PAKU	YOUNG LEAVES	DELICIOUS	COOKED

TABLE 4 :

NATIVE EDIBLE PLANTS OF SABAH – GYMNOSPERMS

FAMILY	BOTANICAL NAME	VERNACULAR NAME	PART (S) EATEN	TASTE	TREATMENT BEFORE EATING
GNETACEAE	GNETUM GNEMON	MENINJAU	RIPE FRUIT	BEAN-LIKE	RAW
CYCADACEAE	CYCAS RUMPHII/ CIRCINALIS	PAKU LAUT	YOUNG LEAVES	DELICIOUS	COOKED

DISCUSSION

It is beyond the scope of this paper to give description of the native edible plants of Sabah, but they can be found in relevant botanical publications. It is evident from Tables 1 – 5 that the tropical rainforest of Sabah harbour a lot of edible plants, many of which are still untapped natural resources. Depending on this species, different parts of the plants are edible. The proportion of edible plants known in the various plant groups ranges from 2.2% in the pteridophytes to 6% in the gymnosperms. The total number of species of edible plants in the various groups in question is more than 200, or about 3.4% of the total number of species known in the State.

It is a well-known fact that a large number of food crops have wild relatives, which occur, in the forests. Some of these are listed in Tables 1 – 4. These can be domesticated and used in breeding experiments to obtain genetically superior varieties.

CONCLUSIONS

The potential of indigenous edible plants as food crops in Sabah is vast. Chemical analysis of these plants should be carried out to determine the biochemical composition of the edible parts. Studies on their distribution should be intensified. The wild relatives of the commonly cultivated food crops should be collected and raised. Possibilities of improvement by hybridisation should be investigated. Research to determine the extent to which the wild edible plants are adequately conserved in virgin forest reserves and national parks will enable sufficient protection of these valuable species.

REFERENCES

Burkill, I.H (1935) -

Dictionary of the Economic Products of Malay Peninsular

2 Vols. 2402 pp. London

Meijer, W (1969) -

Fruit trees in Sabah (North Borneo) Malay

Forester, Vol. XXXII (No. 3) : 252 – 265

Phillipps, C (1983) -

Sabah Forest Department Research Branch Biennial Report 1981/1982 : 23 – 25

Tiong, K.K (1979) -

Sabah Forest Department Research Branch Biennial Report 1977/1978 : 36 – 39