Forest Greens of the Haat: A Living Ethnobotanical Record from Santhal Pargana, Jharkhand

This field note documents the sale and use of a wild leafy green locally known as Dhruv Khada, Dangra Katta, and Kulhad Khada, observed at rural haats in the Santhal Pargana region of Jharkhand, India. Based on ground-level observation and conversations with women vendors, the record explores folk taxonomy, ethical harvesting practices, seasonal availability, and locally perceived nutritional benefits, particularly the belief that the plant supports blood strength. Rather than treating the species as a detached specimen, this documentation situates the plant within everyday food systems, women-led knowledge networks, and informal forest markets. The note contributes to ethnobotanical and conservation scholarship by foregrounding lived ecological knowledge from tribal landscapes of eastern India.