The collection and domestication of wild edible fruits for their multipurpose usage is an ancient practice across the globe. Mango, bael, mahua, sithaphal, jamun, ebony, and other trees are deeply associated in Indian culture, traditions, festivals, and rituals. Medicinal uses of fruits like bael, emblica, myrobalan, wild Dates, wig, wood apple and many others find place in Indian systems of medicine like Ayurveda and pertaining literature can be found dating back to 4th century BC. The rich diversity of wild fruits in the Indian sub-continent in general and Deccan belt in particular, not only supply nutrition, but also serve as a source of income to tribes and people living in and around forest fringes. Many wild fruits are nutritious and have medicinal benefit. 

However, agricultural research and development have not placed enough emphasis on these plant groups, resulting in a paucity of literature on the variety, distribution, taxonomy, phenology, and uses of India's wild edible fruit plants. Inadequate knowledge of taxonomy, biology, and local knowledge of these species has contributed to the under-utilisation of these valuable resources. Thus, it is critical to locate, analyse, develop, propagate, and grow these underutilised species for long-term usage, which can expand our food options, food security and rural economy.
 
This book gives an account of about 93 important wild edible fruit plants occurring in the Telangana state, prepared on the basis of field work undertaken by the authors and data available in published literature. For each species, the correct botanical name, family name, vernacular names, flowering and fruiting time, general description, uses of fruits and other plant parts, silvics and silvicultural prescriptions, and colourful images have been provided.The fruit usage and the other parts discussed in the book are based on fieldwork and a literature review. This book will serve as a resource for people interested in utilising these lesser-known and underutilized ecological resources for human benefit. The work is intended to spark interest in the fields of utilization, management and conservation of wild edible fruit plant resources of Telangana.