Ethnobotany of Lua in Numpae Village, Bo Klua District, Nan Province.

Abstract

The Ethnobotanical study of Lua in Ban Numpae, Boklua District, Nan Province was done during August 2015 to August 2016 which purposed to investigate the traditional uses of plant in Lua daily life. Plants were surveyed and the five key informants including elderly, farmers and folk medicinal doctor were interviewed using semi-structure interview in the village, agricultural areas and the natural forests near by the village. The vernacular name, use categories, and preparation were recorded. The plant specimens were collected and identified to scientific names which deposited at CMUB herbarium, Department of Biology, Chiang Mai University. The results found that the total of 208 species belong to 168 genera and 76 families were used by the Lua in Ban Numpae. They were classified into 6 groups according to their uses including food (148 species), medicine (22 species), building and utensils (18 species), ceremony or ritual (13 species), economic plants (11 species) and miscellaneous plants (23 species). Some species were used in more than one category for example; Castanopsis acuminatissima (Blume) A. DC., Averrhoa carambola L., Piper betle L. Among these plants, several plants were interesting. Arenga westerhoutii Griff. had a high potential to be an economic. The Caryota obtusa Griff. edible plant which was a rare endemic species and its growth rate was very slow. It should be concern about their conservation and replanting.