Traditional knowledge of halophytic species in coastal provinces of Vietnam.

The present study aims to document the traditional knowledge and the distribution of diverse halophytes used by the coastal community of Vietnam to compensate for the food, fodder, and medicine demands. The information was gathered from the local people, plant traders, and herbalists using a semi-structured questionnaire. The survey indicated the ethnobotanical uses of 11 plant species from 8 families in the targeted area. 60% of studied plants were used in more than two different ways in which the majority of halophytic species possessed medicinal values, followed by being culinary, fodder, roof thatching, handicraft, and growing medium. The main diseases in the regions were joint and stomach pain. According to the mode of preparation, decoction form was the predominance with 64% over all modes. Based on the result, Cocos nucifera L., Portulaca oleracea L., and Suaeda maritima (L.) Dumort. had the highest appearance frequency of 17%. In addition, the seashore was the most prevalent location of halophytes that it was inhabited by 5 out of 11 species. The predominant habit recorded was herbs, followed by shrubs, trees, and vines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]