Neglected but Not Forgotten: How Sundanese Culture Sustains Indigenous Plant Diversity

The Sundanese people of West Java, Indonesia, have long sustained indigenous plant diversity through deeply rooted cultural practices, offering critical insights into the preservation of neglected and underutilized plant species (NUS). This study examines how traditional Sundanese agricultural methods—such as intercropping, organic farming, and community-based seed saving—have safeguarded plants like kecipir (winged bean, Psophocarpus tetragonolobus), kenikir (Cosmos caudatus), and leunca (Solanum nigrum). These species thrive within biodiverse agroecosystems, providing nutritional, medicinal, and ecological benefits. Culturally embedded practices, including culinary traditions and ethnobotanical knowledge, ensure their continued relevance, with plants serving dual roles as food and medicine. However, modernization, monoculture expansion, and generational knowledge erosion threaten their survival. Conversely, global movements toward sustainable agriculture and local food systems present opportunities to revitalize these species. By integrating Sundanese traditional knowledge with contemporary organic farming and market initiatives, neglected plants can enhance food security, biodiversity, and climate resilience. This review underscores the importance of preserving indigenous agricultural heritage as a model for global sustainability, advocating for policies that support agroecological diversity and community-led conservation efforts. The findings highlight the urgency of bridging traditional wisdom and modern practices to address pressing challenges in food security and ecological health.