Tropical Plant Research

U. Mathiventhan*, R. Sivaganeshan and T. Mathiventhan

Abstract:
Preliminary market visits, market survey and interviews with study subjects were conducted in the coastal line extending from Kallar to Oddamavadi in the Batticaloa district, Sri Lanka. Fifty nine species of Green Leafy vegetables (GLVs) were identified, which were consumed for food and medicinal purposes. Among the identified species, 29 were supplied by the markets in the Batticaloa district and the others from home gardens and forest lands. Thirty one species were consumed commonly and their average consumption was 59%. Twenty eight species were consumed rarely and their average consumption was 2%. Availability of GLVs depends on size of the markets, seasonality, and easy access of supply area to markets and attitude of people. GLVs were consumed both in cooked and uncooked states. Lactuca sativa was the only GLV consumed in uncooked form for food purpose and Coleus amboinicus, Momordica charantia, Ocimum tenuiflorum and Tribulus terrestris were the only GLVs consumed in uncooked form for medicinal purpose. Average consumption of commonly consumed leafy vegetables was 31% and 28% on weekly and monthly basis respectively. But rarely consumed leafy vegetables were consumed less than 2% on weekly as well as on monthly basis. Eighty eight percent of the study subjects consumed GLVs immediately and 12% of study subjects consumed after 2-3 days of purchasing/harvesting. Excess GLVs were stored mainly at room temperature (30±2 ºC) and at 4ºC for a maximum of 4 days. Sixty five percent of study subjects preferred to store at 4ºC and 23% at room temperature.