The History of Plants with Thai Cultural Values Conservation and Development of Plants.

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present new evidences found on the native plants and the earliest references to plants with Thai cultural values. The research was conducted by examining archaelogical reports, inscriptions, Chinese chronicles, pharmacopoeia, and literary works. The new evidences found on the native plants of Thailand are in the following ages : Mesolithic age such as Trapa quadrispinosa, Cucumis sativus, Phaseolus aureus, Pisum satuvam, Prunus persica, Langenaria siceraria, Piper nigrum, Piper betel, Cannarium kerrii, Mudhuca pierrei, Aleurites moluccana, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belerica, Areca catechu and Oryze sativa; Neolithic age such as Banbusa siamensis; and metal age such as Morus alba and Cannabis sativa. Newly discovered evidences concerning the earliest references of 80 important species of plants are also reported.