Global diversity of vegetable crops consists of about

The global diversity of vegetable crops consists of about 400 spp.
Out of which about 80 species of major and minor vegetables are reported to have originated in India. Indigenous and underexploited vegetables particularly leafy vegetables are widely used as sources of food and source of income for many poor communities in India.
The richness of plant diversity is largely due to ecological diversity superimposed with tribal and ethnic diversification, plant usages and religious rituals.