Wild edible plants (WEPs) play a crucial role in sustaining local food systems, cultural heritage, and livelihoods in northeastern Thailand. This study documents the diversity, cultural significance, medicinal use, and economic value of WEPs among the Tai Yoy community in Akat Amnuai District, Sakon Nakhon Province. Field surveys, interviews, and market observations recorded 78 species belonging to 42 families, with 52 species represent new records for the province. Fruits and leaves were the most commonly used parts, while multifunctional species such as Curcuma angustifolia Roxb., Phyllanthus androgynus (L.) Chakrab. & N.P.Balakr., and Spondias pinnata (L.f.) Kurz were highly valued for both dietary and medicinal purposes. Quantitative analyses, including the Cultural Food Significance Index (CFSI), fidelity level (FL), and Jaccard’s similarity index (JI), revealed strong cultural consensus on key species and regional patterns shaped by ecological and sociocultural factors. Market surveys identified 25 species contributing to household income, highlighting the economic importance of WEPs and the potential risks of overharvesting. The study emphasizes the need for sustainable management, including cultivation of high-demand species, to reduce pressure on wild populations while supporting food security and traditional knowledge. These findings provide a comprehensive baseline for future ethnobotanical research, conservation planning, and the sustainable use of WEPs in northeastern Thailand.

Cytogenetical studies were carried out on five varieties of Callisia repens, i.e., turtle vine, green, pink lady, gold, and Bianca. The morphological characteristics of all five varieties differed in leaf shape and color of the plant. All five varieties have the same chromosome number, 2n = 12, and the fundamental number (NF) = 24. The number of metacentric (m), submetacentric (sm), and subtelocentric (st) chromosomes was related to the discrepancies between the various karyotypes that were found. The formula for each of the karyotypes was 2m + 2sm + 8st (turtle vine), 2m + 10st (green), 8m + 4st 14 (pink lady), 2m + 4sm + 6st (gold), and 2m + 2sm + 8st (Bianca). Therefore, all five strains had asymmetrical karyotypes. The chromosome number of C. repens has been reported previously, but this is the first report of karyotype variation among the varieties. Furthermore, principal component analysis (PCA) of the karyotype formula was able to distinguish C. repens ‘pink lady’, C. repens ‘green’, and C. repens ‘gold’, but it was unable to differentiate between C. repens ‘Bianca’ and C. repens ‘turtle vine’. Additionally, PCA conducted on the centromeric index (CI) and the leaf colors of the five varieties of C. repens successfully separated all of them. Therefore, the prominent morphological traits and karyotype information of the five varieties of C. repens from Laos can be used to distinguish between them.

This investigation examines the diversity and utilization of Commelinaceae in three research areas in central Laos. It identifies a total of 17 species, including Amischotolype divaricata Duist., Callisia fragrans (Lindl.) Woodson, Callisia repens (Jacq.) L., Commelina benghalensis L., Commeilina diffusa Burm.f., Cyanotis arachnoidea C.B. Clarke, Cyanotis axillaris (L.) D. Don ex Sweet, Cyanotis cristata (L.) D. Don, Floscopa scandens Lour., Murdannia edulis (Stokes) Faden, Murdannia medica (Lour.) D.Y. Hong, Murdannia nudiflora (L.) Brenan, Murdannia spectabilis (Kurz) Faden, Pollia thyrsiflora (Blume) Steud., Tradescantia pallida (Rose) D.R. Hunt, Tradescantia spathacea Sw., and Tradescantia zebrina Bosse. There are ten species within this family that are utilized for food, medicine, ornamental purposes, or as animal feed. Floscopa scandens has the highest use value (UV) of 1.24, followed closely by Commelina diffusa with a UV of 1.22. Murdannia spectabilis has the lowest UV of 0.39 and is mostly utilized for ornamental purposes. Several species, including Commelina diffusa, Floscopa scandens, and Tradescantia zebrina, are utilized in traditional medicine to address musculoskeletal ailments, provide food, and alleviate obstetric/gynecological concerns. The informant agreement ratio (IAR) is 1.00 for musculoskeletal symptoms and nourishment and 0.9 for obstetric and gynecological symptoms. The plant species Commelina diffusa, Tradescantia zebrina, and Floscopa scandens demonstrate a fidelity level (%FL) of 100% in traditional medicinal use, with Floscopa scandens showing %FL of 63.64% for back pain treatment and 36.36% for postpartum recovery.

This study reports seven new records of Curcuma L. (Zingiberaceae) for the flora of Laos: Curcuma comosa Roxb., C. pedicellata (Chaveer. & Mokkamul) Škorničk., C. phrayawan Boonma & Saensouk, C. pierreana Gagnep., C. rangjued Saensouk & Boonma, C. sabhasrii Saensouk, Maknoi, Wongnak & Rakarcha, and C. wanenlueanga Saensouk, Thomudtha & Boonma. Field surveys were conducted across various habitats in Laos, and species identification was confirmed through morphological comparisons with type specimens and protologues. An identification key for Curcuma species in Laos is provided to facilitate future taxonomic studies. Additionally, the lectotypification of C. comosa Roxb. is designated to ensure nomenclatural stability and clarify its taxonomic placement. The discovery of these species expands the known distribution of Curcuma in Indochina and highlights the importance of continued floristic exploration in understudied regions. These findings emphasize the need for biodiversity conservation, particularly in the nnatural habitats where these species occur. Furthermore, some of the newly recorded species exhibit attractive floral characteristics, making them valuable for sustainable horticultural applications, especially in ornamental plant cultivation. This study underscores the significance of taxonomic research in documenting regional flora, supporting conservation efforts, and promoting the sustainable utilization of plant diversity.

In Southeast Asia, approximately 408,000 km2 is covered with limestone, most of which was originally fragmented in distribution (Clements et al. 2006). In Laos, the limestone area is about 30,000 km2, covering ca. 12.6% of land in northern and central Laos. Khammouane Province, central Laos, is one of the core sites of limestone in the country where two main national protected areas, Phou Hin Poun National Protected Area and Hin Nam No National Park, are well known. In addition, the Nam Sanam-Phou Pha Marn Provincial Protected Area (hereafter PPA) covers an area of about 1,500 km2, in which the Rock Viewpoint Phou Pha Marn covers a huge area of the PPA.

Grewia souladethiana (Malvaceae-Grewioideae) is described and illustrated from Phou Hin Poun National Park, Khammouane Province, in central Laos. The new species grows at the edge of evergreen broad-leaved forest and in open grassland on the foot of limestone hills. To confirm the validity of the new species, diagnostic morphological characters were compared based on literature and herbarium materials at BKF, FOF, KAG an VNM as well as online digitized images. Morphologically it is similar to G. thailandica in having acuminate leaf apex, serrate leaf margin, and axillary inflorescences which are 2‒3-flowered and with erect peduncle, but distinguished by its tree habit, shorter petioles, smaller sepals and petals, and solitary or 2-lobed fruits. A description, photographs, line drawings, vernacular name and preliminary conservation status are provided for it, as well as a key to species of Grewia in Laos is provided.