author(s)
Akoijam Nirmala Devi, Ch. Umabati Devi and Kh. Susheela Devi

abstract
The relationship of the plants and human beings was known since time immemorial. Nowadays there is scientific study of the relationship that exist between people and plants. Manipur was a small princely state in the North-East India, having a history of about 2000 years. Manipur is under Indo - Burma Biodiversity Hot Spot of Northeast region and many endemic diverse rich flora and fauna are available. Meiteis are the dominant community of this state which have its own traditional food, culture, spiritual (offered to God) and social (Religious purposes, as decoration in marriage ceremony and other events of life) value and the other 35 ethnic schedule tribes of Manipur also have traditional foods. Out of the total area of Manipur 22327 Km², 82% is hilly region and only 8% is plain area. So the percentage of forest area is bigger than plain area and edible traditional flowers with medicinal value are available in nature. Flowers are the most beautiful creation of God and has an aesthetic value for decoration in wedding parties which keep our mind peaceful and in happy mood. In addition the flowers have medicinal value as well as food like Curcuma angustifolia, Hedychium flavum, Parkia roxburghi, Punica granatum, Curcuma longa, Weldlandia glabra, Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus, Musa paradisiaca, Leucus aspera, Nelumbo nucifera etc.