AL-HAYAT: Journal of Biology and Applied Biology
Vol. 8 No. 2 (2025)

Plants sold in traditional marketplace in West Java highland: an ethnobotanical analysis

Fitriah, Lia (Unknown)
Mulyanto, Dede (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
25 Nov 2025

Abstract

Traditional markets are crucial for sustaining plant diversity, local food systems, and cultural heritage. They also function as learning spaces for the diversity and cultural connections of food plants. This study documents the diversity and utilization of plant species traded in a traditional marketplace in West Java’s highland, Indonesia. Data were collected through stall surveys, observations, and semi-structured interviews with 38 traders. A total of 96 species from 31 families were recorded. Fabaceae and Solanaceae were the most represented families (11 species each). Vegetables were the largest category of use (47%); fruits (53%) and leaves (25%) were the most frequently used parts. Most (83%) of the plants sold were exotic, with only 21% being native species. Eight edible wild plant species, including Centella asiatica and Solanum nigrum, remain an essential part of the traditional diet. Women dominate the vegetable trade (64.51%); most vendors reported having 5–20 years of experience. These findings highlight that traditional markets play a crucial role in preserving and serving as learning spaces for plant diversity, local food systems, and cultural heritage.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

hayat

Publisher

Subject

Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology

Description

AL-HAYAT: Journal of Biology and Applied Biology an international journal focuses on biological science, biotechnology, bioremidiation, environmental biology, and biological education. It is intended to communicate original research and article review in current issues on the subject. The subject ...