Abstract: The ethnobotanical“5W+ 1H”methods and field investigation have been applied to study the Mongolian traditional knowledge of wild edible plants in Ordos Plateau. The results show that 1) There are 50 species wild edible plants, which belong to 22 families and 32 genera in Ordos Plateau; 14 species used as grain, 13 as vegetables, 18 as fresh or dried fruits, 3 as ratafee, 5 as spice, 2 as cleanser and disinfector, 1 as catalyzer dairy produce. 2) The Mongolian traditional knowledge of wild edible plants in Ordos Plateau include seven aspects. Some traditional knowledge is unique and regarded as the innovation of the Mongolian eating culture. For example, it is special to use plant to clean and disinfect the wares of dairy foods, and to use Artemisia frigida to catalyze the separation of oil from the milk. It is the innovation of Mongolian traditional knowledge of wild edible plants, and it has lively Mongolian character. The simple-fast“fruit + milk”wine culture implies that the Mongolian ancestor had known the technology and culture of development and utilization of plant resources. The indigenous knowledge, including taking Achnatherum splendens caryopsis, Caragana davazamcii phloem, and Artemisia sphaerocephala fruit as mucilage of the cooked wheaten food are all the Ordos special knowledge. 3) Forecological conditions different, the Mongolian traditional knowledge of wild edible plants differs with varied places, the mountain-zone, sand-zone, salt-zone and hill-zone people in Ordos Plateau have different traditional knowledge. 4) Mongolian traditional knowledge of wild edible plants in Ordos Plateau improves Mongolian eating culture, and it contributes a lot to Mongolian culture. The Ordos Mongolian traditional knowledge of plants is the cultural basis of sustainable use of plant resources and exploitation of new products. It is necessary to collect, conserve, study and develop their indigenous knowledge of plants, which will improve the conservation of Ordos Mongolian traditional knowledge. Such knowledge will promote the sustainable development socio- economics as well .

Key words: Traditional Knowledge