The Obscure Fungi of Peppara: An Ethnomycological Exploration and Conservation Implications

Ethnomycology, a specialized branch of ethnobotany, explores the dynamic relationships between humans and fungi, with particular emphasis on their roles in traditional and alternative medicine, food, rituals, and ecological stewardship. Among indigenous communities, fungi have long held a place not only as a food source but also as potent agents in folk healing systems, natural therapies, and preventive care. Despite their cultural and medicinal importance, these knowledge systems remain under-documented and increasingly vulnerable to erosion due to modernization, loss of oral traditions, and habitat degradation. This study investigates the ethnomycological practices of the Kani settlement at Chemmankala in the Peppara Forest Range of Kerala, with a focus on fungal diversity, classification, and utilization. Field surveys and semi-structured interviews were conducted with local informants to document fungal species, collection methods, preparation techniques, and perceived therapeutic and nutritional benefits. Particular attention was paid to fungi traditionally used in healing practices, wound care, immunity boosting, and dietary regulation. Specimens were collected and identified through both morphological and microscopic analyses, and their ethnomedical applications cross-referenced with existing scientific literature and pharmacological databases. The findings reveal a rich tapestry of culinary, medicinal, and ecological uses of fungi among the Kani people and underscore deeply rooted traditional conservation ethics that promote sustainable harvesting and habitat care. This study not only contributes to the ethnomycological literature but also reinforces the urgent need to preserve indigenous medical knowledge systems, support biocultural diversity, and promote the integration of traditional health wisdom into broader frameworks of alternative medicine and holistic health.

Ethnomycology, Kani tribe, macrofungi

1. Boa E. Wild edible fungi: A global overview of their use and importance to people. FAO Non-Wood Forest Products No. 17. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization; 2004. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Money NP. Mushroom. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2011. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Pradhan P, Nayak A, Dutta S. Ethnomycology: An overview. J Mycopathol Res. 2016;54(1):95–100. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Berkes F, Colding J, Folke C. Rediscovery of traditional ecological knowledge as adaptive management. Ecol Appl. 2000;10(5):1251–62. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Pushpangadan P, Dan VM. Ethnomedicobotany of the primitive tribes of Kerala. J Econ Taxon Bot. 1984;5(2):233–46. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Kerala Forest Department. Management Plan for Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary 2018–2028. Thiruvananthapuram: Government of Kerala; 2018. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Anuradha RV. Sharing with the Kanis. A case study from Kerala, India. InSubmitted to the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity 1998 May. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Bijoy CR. The Adivasis of India – A history of discrimination, conflict, and resistance. PUCL Bull. 2003 Jun. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Gadgil M, Berkes F, Folke C. Indigenous knowledge for biodiversity conservation. Ambio. 1993;22(2–3):151–6. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Nayar TS. Hotspots of biodiversity in Kerala: Conservation perspectives. Palode: Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute; 1996. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Mohanan C. Macrofungi of Kerala. Peechi: Kerala Forest Research Institute; 2011. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Nair NC, Mohanan C, Manoharan S. Diversity of fungi in the Western Ghats of India. Curr Sci. 2004;87(5):654–7. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Nair PV. Medicinal knowledge and health practices of the Kani tribal community: A study from Southern Kerala. J Hum Ecol. 2011;33(3):185–92. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Schumacher T. Thomas Læssøe & Jens H. Petersen-Fungi of Temperate Europe, Vol 1-2. AGARICA. 2019 May 1;39:82-3. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Das I, Arora A. Alternate microwave and convective hot air application for rapid mushroom drying. Journal of Food Engineering. 2018 Apr 1;223:208-19. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Largent DL, Benedict RG. Studies in Rhodophylloid Fungi I. Generic Concepts. Madroño. 1971 Jan 1;21(1):32-9. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Karun NC, Sridhar KR. Edible wild mushrooms of the Western Ghats: Data on the ethnic knowledge. Data in Brief. 2017 Oct 1;14:320-8. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Martin GJ. Ethnobotany: A methods manual. London: Earthscan; 2004. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Jain SK. Glimpses of Indian ethnobotany. New Delhi: Oxford & IBH Publishing; 1981. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Ramakrishnan PS. Conserving the sacred for biodiversity management. New Delhi: Oxford & IBH Publishing; 2007. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Jain SK. The role of a botanist in folklore research. Folklore. 1964;5:145–50. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Jain SK. Medicinal plant-lore of the tribals of Bastar. Econ Bot. 1965;19(3):236–50. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Jain SK. Methods and approaches in ethnobotany. Lucknow: Society of Ethnobotanists; 1979. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Goel AK, Jain AK, Goel DP. Ethnobotanical notes on the Oraon tribe of Bihar. Indian J For. 1984;7(1):56–62. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Gupta R. Indigenous knowledge of the Gaddi tribe on medicinal plants of Himachal Himalaya. J Econ Taxon Bot. 2000;24(3):711–18. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Ayyanar M, Ignacimuthu S. Traditional knowledge of Kani tribals in Kouthalai of Tirunelveli hills, Tamil Nadu, India. J Ethnopharmacol. 2005;102(2):246–55. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Manilal KS. Botanical history of Kerala. Peechi: Kerala Forest Research Institute; 1981. Pushpangadan P, Rajasekharan S, Ratheeshkumar PK, Jawahar CR. Arogyapacha (Trichopus zeylanicus Gaertn.): The ginseng of Kani tribes of Agasthyar Hills (Kerala) for the enhancement of stamina. Anc Sci Life. 1988;8(1):13–19. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Sawhasan A, Mathew J, Lalitha K. Mycological studies of selected macrofungi from the Southern Western Ghats, India. Mycosphere. 2011;2(5):507–20. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Ganeshlg V. Ethnomycological studies in Kerala. J Econ Taxon Bot. 1988;12:435–38. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Ajith TA, Janardanan KK, Subramanian P. Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of Phellinus rimosus (Berk.) Pilat. J Ethnopharmacol. 2006;107(2):151–56. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Lekshmi PC, Ajith TA, Janardhanan KK. Antioxidant activity of Phellinus rimosus. Indian J Exp Biol. 2004;42(3):303–07. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. Lekshmi PC, Ajith TA, Janardhanan KK. Antitumor activity of Phellinus rimosus. Phytother Res. 2005;19(6):500–03. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Ajith TA, Janardanan KK. Antibacterial and antifungal activities of Phellinus rimosus (Berk) Pilat. Indian J Exp Biol. 2003;41(1):1036–39. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. Environmental Working Group. Skin Deep Cosmetics Database: Squalene . Available from: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. Cowan MM. Plant products as antimicrobial agents. Clin Microbiol Rev. 1999;12(4):564–82. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. Nakamura M, Hatanaka T, Nakashima T. Volatile organic compounds as potential mosquito repellents. J Chem Ecol. 2006;32(6):1239–46. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. Stamets P. Psilocybin mushrooms of the world: An identification guide. Berkeley: Ten Speed Press; 1996. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

38. Ooi VEC, Liu F. A review of pharmacological activities of mushroom polysaccharides. Int J Med Mushrooms. 1999;1(3):195–206. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

39. Ng TB, Liu F, Wang ZT. Polysaccharide-protein complexes from mushrooms: A review on their isolation process, structural characteristics and bioactivities. Life Sci. 2002;71(16):1831–43. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

40. Acharya K, Mukherjee S, Mitra P, Rai M. Pharmacognostic standardization of Termitomyces microcarpus R. Heim. Int J Pharmacogn Phytochem Res. 2012;4(2):92–95. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Green Synthesis of Calcium Oxide Nanoparticles from Pigeon Eggshells for Cement Composites
• Needs Analysis: Development of an Interactive Digital Storybook in Teaching Mixtures and their Characteristics among Grade 6 Learners
• Thickness Dependent Structural, Optical, Electrical and Gas Sensing properties of ZnO thin film
• Forensic Chemistry Laboratory Works from Home: Challenges Encountered by Criminology Students During the Conduct of their Laboratory Activities at Home
• The Concept of Wellness Club and How it Differs from the Present Gym?