Phak hueat and phak hi: Ethnobotanical notes on vernacular naming and species identity in a northern Thai village

Abstract

Background: Vernacular plant names do not necessarily correspond one-to-one with botanical species, creating potential problems when local names are used as proxies for taxonomic identification. This note examines the northern Thai names phak hueat and phak hi in Ban Tha Khrai, Chiang Mai Province, and documents their local botanical correspondence.

Methods: Ethnobotanical data were collected from 21 informants selected through purposive sampling using semi-structured interviews and field observations. Informants were asked how they recognized and distinguished the two plants, including their morphological and sensory characteristics and food uses. Botanical identifications were supported by voucher specimens.

Results: All 21 informants regarded phak hueat and phak hi as distinct plants. They distinguished them primarily by young-shoot color, relative leaf size, and taste. In Ban Tha Khrai, phak hueat corresponded to Ficus geniculata Kurz, characterized locally by red–orange young shoots, larger leaves, and a sour taste, whereas phak hi corresponded to F. virens Aiton, with pale young shoots, smaller leaves, and an astringent to bland taste. Both are consumed locally as seasonal vegetables.

Conclusions: The correspondence between these vernacular names and botanical species is locally consistent but should not be generalized across northern Thailand. Vernacular names should therefore be linked to voucher specimens, morphological documentation, and locality information rather than treated as taxonomic identifications in isolation.

Keywords: Ficus geniculata; Ficus virens; vernacular names; folk taxonomy; ethnobotany