The author had collected information on many lesser known leafy and other edible plants used by the local tribal communities of N.E. India and compiled it in the form of a 'Status Report of Leafy and Edible Plants of North East India'. He claims to have seen many of these plants in the local markets of North Eastern States. Most of these plants are collected by the locals from the wild and are lesser known outside the region. The author had compiled information on 278 plant species of edible-leafy and other edibles (roots, rhizome, fruits, nuts or young fonds) with finer details. All such plants are excellent candidates for developing valuable functional foods, nutraceuticals or providing valuable chemicals or genes of economic or other interests. The author, who spent a good part of his life in this region was able to observe and interact closely with the local communities. The report compiled by him is, therefore original, authentic and authoritative. This book will serve as an excellent reference source for researchers and well as for those engaged in conservation, bioprospecting and sustainable utilization of biodiversity.

The North Eastern Region is a rich respositary of useful plants. These plants have not been studied in detail regarding their characteristics, use, utilization, potential and also as a source of valuable protein. This publication is an number attempt in the above direction and may from the basis of further detailed work. The author is fully conscious of the present publication. Much more could have been done but because of the problems of insurgency, difficult terrain and lack of literature and information on the plants of the region were the constraints and this is all what the author could do. The author will feel satisfied and amply rewarded if this publication stimulates further efforts and studies on these valuable plants and those listed in the second chapter as compendium of useful plants of the region. A chapter on useful plants of the region has also been added, so that, all those who may be interested in knowing the plant wealth of this remote region. This part is especially for those, who may be interested in the development and progress of the region and to remove regional imbalance and may be useful for all those, who may be interested in pursuing studies on specific groups of plants.

The flowering plants (angiosperms), also known as Angiospermae (Lindley, 1830; Cantino et al., 2007) or Magnoliophyta, are the most diverse group of land plants, with about 350,000 species (Zeng et al 2014). Like gymnosperms, angiosperms are seed-producing plants; they are distinguished from gymnosperms by characteristics including flowers, endosperm within the seeds, and the production of fruits that contain the seeds. Etymologically, angiosperm means a plant that produces seeds within an enclosure, in other words, a fruiting plant. The term "angiosperm" comes from the Greek composite word (angeion-, "case" or "casing", and sperma, "seed") meaning "enclosed seeds", after the enclosed condition of the seeds (http://en.wikipedia.org).

The edited volume brings out a comprehensive collection of information relevant to wild food plants, their importance for global sustainable food security, future-readiness, and resilient agriculture. The book's primary focus is to cover topics on the diversity of wild food plants across the globe, their nutraceutical importance, production-consumption trends, integration into the current food menu, and marketing and livelihood opportunities to the indigenous people. Sustainable development goals 1, 2, and 3 are significant for a poverty-free, hunger-free world and ensure good health and wellbeing of the people, respectively. The three goals are important and interlinked as achieving zero poverty will help reduce hunger among the people. Availability of nutritional and balanced food ensures good health. Wild food plants are an essential part of a nourishing and healthy diet for indigenous communities. They are globally collected from natural habitats or cultivated at more minor scales. Although consumed locally, they are an essential part of the diets of tribal and indigenous communities worldwide and hold immense potential to alleviate global hunger. Considering their importance for global sustainable food security, it is essential to clearly understand the future role of wild food plants for future readiness and resilient agriculture. Therefore, this book provides a piece of important information on these aspects. The book is a valuable resource for the audience ranging from undergraduate science students to the NGOs and institutions involved in poverty alleviation programs, policymakers, dieticians, horticulturists, plant breeders, farmers, health experts, and food enthusiasts.

Sex' has played a key role in all cultures. Many stories and anecdotes fill the history with incidents of sex and related acts, especially of Kings and Kingmen who received treatments for increasing their vigour and vitality from `Dhanvanthris'. Many plants have been used traditionally for this purpose. Recent upsurge of `Viagra' in media is a well known story. However, the knowledge of aphrodisiac plants is necessary for everyone to lead a healthy and psychologically contented life. From the ancient times, this subject has aroused interest, but, there is hardly any attempt to bring together the widely scattered information available till date, so as to provide baseline data for researchers and students alike. With this sole objective in mind, the present compendium has been prepared with all the earnest efforts to provide information on Botanical names, Synonyms, Family, English, Hindi and Sanskrit names, Distribution, Parts used, Active constituents, Aprhodisiac preparation and Biological activity of over 456 species belonging to 331 genera under 116 families of which, 2 species (2 genera) belong to Fungi, 2 species (1 genus) to Lichens, 6 species (5 genera) to Pteridophytes, 6 species (3 genera) to Gymnosperms and the remaining 456 species (320 genera) to Angiosperms having 360 species among dicotyledons. The original source of information is also given. For ready reference to contents and from the point of view of lay readers, 8 useful appendices and 43 colour photographs have been provided. It is hoped, that, this invaluable compendium with its comprehensive coverage of the subject will provide a distinct baseline for scientists, students and professionals, working in the field of economic botany, ethnobotany and the science of reproductive biology.