Exploration of Cucurbitaceae Fruit Diversity and Indigenous Knowledge Among the Kani Tribe of the Southern Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

The family Cucurbitaceae, commonly known as the gourd family, comprises a diverse group of medicinally valuable plants. These are mostly annual or perennial herbaceous climbers native to tropical and temperate regions. Well-known members include cucumbers, gourds, melons, squashes, and pumpkins. Due to their high sensitivity to freezing temperatures, their cultivation is restricted to warmer climates. Although cucurbits generally have low nutrient content, various plant parts-fruits, seeds, stems, and leaves-have been widely used for culinary purposes since ancient times. Beyond their culinary value, cucurbits are integral to traditional medicinal systems such as Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and folk medicine, owing to their rich composition of bioactive metabolites and phytoconstituents. In India, wild fruits from this family significantly contribute to the healthcare, nutrition, and food security of rural and tribal communities. Notably, some wild species possess higher nutritional value than cultivated varieties.This study focuses on the ethnobotanical exploration, identification, and potential utilization of cultivated and wild edible cucurbits consumed by the Kani tribes residing in the forested areas of the Southern Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu. A total of 22 genera and 46 species were documented, along with their habitats, medicinal uses, and conservation status. Among them, 31 species were common and 15 were rare. Except for Cucumis callosus (Rottb.) Cogn., a perennial climber, the remaining 45 species were identified as annual climbers. These climbers are traditionally used to treat various chronic and acute ailments, including diabetes, diabetic wounds, skin diseases, inflammation, kidney stones, jaundice, rheumatic pain, ulcers, and migraines. The findings highlight the need for greater research, documentation, and conservation efforts to sustainably manage and promote the medicinal and nutritional potential of edible cucurbits.