Wild edible plants (WEPs) refer to species that are neither cultivated nor domesticated, but available from their natural habitat and used as sources of food. WEPs are gathered for food, nutrition and livelihoods by different cultures around the world. These plants are gathered from varied habitats from natural forests, agricultural fields to human disturbed areas such as roadsides and wastelands. Forest forms the most important source of wild foods for rural households and forest inhabitants. Among some indigenous people utilization of WEPs is integral component of their culture. Various studies have found wild edible plants potential source of nutrition while in many cases are more nutritious than conventionally eaten crops. Besides food and nutrition, utilization of wild foods as coping strategies during scarcity is prevalent, particularly in developing countries where food insecurity is more acute. Wild edible plants not only food quantity but also make significant contribution to the population's nutrition throughout the year. Sometimes the nutritional value of traditional wild plants is higher than several known common vegetables and fruits. In addition to providing food directly, uncultivated plants provide an opportunity for cash generation. Many plants used in industrialized countries today were originally identified and developed through indigenous knowledge. The book contains 97 wild edible plants with their illustrations, description, habitat, taxonomic hierarchy and uses which are indispensable to the students and researchers.

Dr. Rakesh Kumar Singh Ph.D. is Assistant Professor in the Department of Mycology and Plant Pathology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. He has done B.Sc. (Ag.) from NarendraDev University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad (U.P.) He has been JRF (ICAR) awarded and Gold Medallist in the M.Sc. (Ag.) and done his Ph.D. on the aspect of Biological Control of Nematode from Department of Mycology and Plant Pathology, I.Ag.Sc., BHU, Varanasi. He has long time experience in teaching, research and extension activities in the field of Plant Pathology and Plant Nematology. He is especially involved in the field of Biological control of nematode and Rice Pathology. He is guiding M.Sc. (Ag.) and Ph.D. students in this field. He is also an active life member for several professional societies. He has published more than thirty research papers in national and international journals. He has served as Principal Investigator and Co-Principal investigator in several research projects funded by UGC, UPCAR, ICAR and several private companies.