Rare and Threatened Species of Medicinal Value Under Prosopis Juliflora (Swartz) DC

New York Science Journal 2010;3(10)

Rare and Threatened species of medicinal value under Prosopis juliflora (Swartz) DC. in District Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu ( India)

Lal Singh1, Prafulla Soni2, H.B. Vasistha3, S.K. Kamboj4

1,2,3,4 Forest Ecology and Environment Division P.O. New Forest, Forest Research Institute Dehradun, Uttarakhand (India)-248006 Email: [email protected]; [email protected];

Abstract: A survey in District Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu (India) shows that the industrial area harbors diverse species of various rare and threatened medicinal plants of tropical region. 40 species of medicinal and other ethno botanical uses have been recorded Out of 40 species 6 are listed as rare and threatened as per the IUCN categorization. This area therefore represents a very conducive habitat for their in-situ conservation. Maintaining such types of habitats may be very valuable in protecting and conserving these rare and endangered species of the tropical region of the country. The present paper describes in detail the rare and threatened flora inventoried in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. [New York Science Journal 2010;3(10):27-36]. (ISSN: 1554-0200).

Keywords: Prosopis juliflora, medicinal, diversity, rare, threatened.

one of the greatest challenges for the conservationists, 1. Introduction the biodiversity managers and the governments throughout the world (Prance, 1997). In recent decades there has been growing concern of the increasing acceptance of biological The SIPCOT Industrial Complex established diversity as an important focus for human wellbeing. within twenty-five kilometers of the Gulf of Mannar, At international level this has perhaps been most is a marine national park at a distance of about 12 km clearly expressed by the entry into force and from Sterlite Industries Limited. Anthropogenic continuing implementation of the Convention on activities in these natural landscapes may directly Biological Diversity (CBD).Thus, biodiversity has result into either loss of biological diversity or become the subject of various national and alteration in the natural flora and fauna. An effective international policies and regulations. One result of management of resources of this area with distinct this is a growing perception of the need for reliable land forms calls for an in-depth assessment of their ways to assess the state of biodiversity. Ever existing conditions and trends. A preliminary increasing dependency on the natural resources and evaluation of the status of environment and natural their over exploitation has resulted in the loss of resources including land, soil, water , air, and the life biodiversity on which well being of rural people support systems like forests, rivers and coastal areas greatly depends. Conservation of natural resources in indicates that the health of such systems is threatened order to maintain the structure and functions of the by serious levels of degradation(Annon eco-system and to ensure tangible benefits in term of ,2008).However, there is no information available fuel, fodder and other resource base needs is also a about wild life census in the district except one of the matter of much concern to the whole world today reports on the environment of Thoothukudi (Elizabeth, and Dowdeswell, 1995). (Annon.2008) where, it has been reported that few Plants constitute a vital component of the rare and threatened species viz., Tephrosia barberi biodiversity as they play a key role in maintaining and Polycarpa diffusa of flora and fauna, are earth’s environmental equilibrium and ecosystem available in the district. stability. They are also essential for the survival of not only the human beings but also animals at large. Wild Keeping this in view, present study has been plants have enormous endemic, cultural and aesthetic undertaken to assess the rare and threatened plant importance, and provide food, medicine, fuel, clothing diversity in 10 sq. km. area around Sterlite Industries and shelter to majority of people. However, a large India Limited (SIL), Tuticorin. The aspects covered in number of plant species are under threat because of this study are identification of endangered/ threatened habitat modification, over exploitation, pollution, species according to IUCN Red list or protected under desertification, invasive alien species and climate Indian National Laws. The medicinal and other change. The present trend of loss of plant diversity is

27 New York Science Journal 2010;3(10) ethnobotanical uses of these species have also been Whole areas was surveyed during different documented. seasons of the year to prepare an inventory of plant species of common occurrence in different habitats viz., sites dominated by introduced Prosopis juliflora, 2. Material and Methods grassland & Swamps, agricultural lands and fallow Tuticorin (Thoothukudi) is in South India land . Intensive interviews with local villagers and about 540 km south west of Madras (Chennai) and is other communities inhabiting the area were conducted geographically located in the Gulf of Mannar. The as per the method described by Jain (1987) to district lies between 80 32’ and 90 37’ north latitude document the medicinal and other ethnobotanical uses and 770 72’and 780 36’ east longitude. The mixed of the plant species. Local names of all the collected landscape of the sea and the nearby terrestrial plant specimens were also recorded. Identification of ecosystems form a typical feature of the area. The the species was validated on the basis of Forest monthly average rainfall in the district was 55.18 mm Research Institute’s Dehradun Herbarium, local flora during 1997-98 periods. During the months of and other studies by various scientists (Gamble and October, November and December, the district Fischer, 1957; Mehrotra, 1996; Matthew, 1983; receives a rainfall, which is more than the annual Balakrishan et al., 2009; Ignacimuthu et al., 2006; average rainfall. The average mean maximum and Kaushik and Dhiman, 2000). The species collected minimum temperatures for the district have been and recorded from the area were further categorized 31.400 C and 24.300 C respectively. Thoothukudi into common, threatened, rare, endangered, and district does not have any good forests, the small area vulnerable categories (Table 1). This categorization in the south west of the district is under scrubs. was done according to IUCN, Red Data Book (Walter and Gillett, 1998), and Red Data Book published by the Botanical Survey of India (Nayar and Shastry, 1987).

Table 1.List of Common, Rare, Endangered and Vulnerable plant species recorded from the site S. Species Local Authority Habit Family No. Status 1. Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet Common --- Shrub Malvaceae 2. Acacia horrida (Linn.) Willd. Rare ---- Shrub Mimosaceae

3. Acacia planifrons Wight & Arn. Rare ---- Shrub Mimosaceae 4. Aloe vera (Linn.) Burm. f. Common ----- Shrub Liliaceae 5. Aristolochia bracteolata Lam. Rare ------Herb Aristolochiaceae 6. Aristolochia indica Linn. Rare ----- Herb Aristolochiaceae 7. Asparagus racemosus Willd. Common ---- Shrub Liliaceae (creeper) 8. Boerhavia diffusa Linn. Common ---- Herb Nyctaginaceae 9. Borassus flabellifer Linn. Common ---- Tree Arecaceae 10. Calotropis gigantea (L.) R.Br. Rare ---- Shrub Asclepiadaceae 11. Centella asiatica (L.) Urban Rare ----- Herb Apiaceae 12. Chlorophytum malabaricum Baker Vulnerable Red Herb Liliaceae Data Book 13. Chlorophytum tuberosum (Roxb.) Endangered Red Herb Liliaceae Baker Data Book 14. Cissampelos pareira Linn. Rare ----- Herb (Creeper) Menispermaceae 15. Cissus quadrangularis Linn. Rare ----- Shrub Vitaceae 16. Clitoria ternatea Linn. Rare ------Herb (Creeper) Fabaceae 17. Commiphora berryi (Arn.) Engl. Rare IUCN,1994 Shrub Burseraceae 18. Commiphora caudata (Wight& Arn.) Rare ---- Small tree Burseraceae Engl.

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19. Commiphora wightii Jacq. Endangered Red Data Shrub Burseraceae Book 20. Cryptocoryne spiralis Wydler. Common ---- Herb Araceae 21. Datura metel Linn. Common ---- Shrub Solanaceae 22. Evolvulus alsinoides Linn. Rare ----- Herb Convolvulaceae 23. Gloriosa superba Linn. Vulnerable CITES,1998 Herb Liliaceae 24. Jatropha glandulifera Roxb. Common ----- Shrub Euphorbiaceae 25. Jatropha gossypifolia Linn. Common ----- Shrub Euphorbiaceae 26. Mukia maderaspatana (L.) M. Roemer Common ----- Herb (Creeper) Cucurbitaceae 27. Ocimum canum Sims Common ----- Herb Apiaceae 28. Passiflora foetida Linn. Common ----- Herb( Creeper) Cucurbitaceae 29. Pedalium murex Linn. Common ----- Herb Pedaliaceae 30. Pergularia daemia (Forsskal) Chiov. Common ----- Shrub Asclepiadaceae (Creeper) 31. Rhynchosia minima (L.) DC. Rare ------Herb (Creeper) Fabaceae 32. Salvadora persica Linn. Rare IUCN,1994 Tree Salvadoraceae 33. Solanum surattense Burm. f. Rare ------Herb Solanaceae 34. Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers. Common ------Herb Fabaceae 35. Trianthema portulacastrum Linn. Common ------Herb Aizoaceae 36. Tribulus terrestris Linn. Common ------Herb Zygophyllaceae 37. Tridax procumbens Linn. Common ------Herb Asteraceae 38. Tylophora capparidifolia Wight & Rare ------Shrub Asclepiadaceae Arn. (Creeper) 39. Tylophora indica (Burm. f.) Merr. Threatened ----- Shrub Asclepiadaceae (Creeper) 40. Vitex negundo Linn. Common ------Shrub Verbenaceae

3. Result and Discussion A big chunk of land in the area is dominated by introduced Prosopis juliflora besides other land use categories viz., grassland & Swamps, agricultural lands and fallow land. In this study reconnaissance survey was undertaken in the area of SIPCOT complex and inventory of rare and threatened species has been documented. A total of 240 species were recorded during different times of the year (Soni et al, 2010) .Out of these 40 plant species are threatened and also highly medicinal (Jain and Rao, 1983; Bhargavan and Vajravelu, 1983; Maheswari, 2000 and Jain, 2001). Some of the species fall under the category of International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural resources (IUCN, 2000) and Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild flora and fauna(CITES,1998 ) and Indian Red Data Book (Nayar and Shastry, 1987). The 40 recorded rare and threatened plant species belong to 23 families and 33 genera. Among these 6 were monocot and remaining 24 species were dicots (Table 1). Further, classification into plant forms shows 21 species are of herbaceous, 16 shrubs including creepers and 3 trees. Out of three species belonging to family Liliaceae viz., Chlorophytum malabaricum, Chlorophytum tuberosum are Vulnerable, and Endangered and also included in Indian Red Data Book (Nayar and Shastry, 1987). Gloriosa superba has been listed in CITES, 1997 (Convention on International Trade Endangered species wild flora and fauna). Two species namely Commiphora berryi, Commiphora wightii belonging to family Burseraceae are listed in IUCN (1994) Commiphora wightii is also listed in Indian Red Data Book (Nayar and Shastry, 1987). Salvadora persica (family Salvadoraceae) is also a threatened species. Conservation is the planned management of natural resources, to retain the natural balance, diversity and evolutionary change in the environment. Conservation is required chiefly to prevent the loss of genetic diversity of a species, to save a species become extinct and/or to protect an ecosystem from damage so as to promote its sustained utilization (IUCN, 1994).Traditional knowledge of medicinal or other uses is a suitable tool for both botanical and conservational purposes for economic and threatened plant species (Sheldon et al., 1998). Hence this study will be a milestone for conservation of important rare and endangered species in their natural habitat.

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5. Aristolochia Aaduthinn Aristolochia January- Prostrate herb, often The leaf paste applied Table2.bracteolata List of medicinal/ apalai ethno medicinalceae plant species.December stunted. Leaves over the head relieves Sl.. Lam.Species Common Family Flowering cordiform-reniform,Description dandruff Medicinal/ and other No. Name & fruiting 5-nerved from base. ethnobotanicalfungal infection. Uses period Bracts cordate- 1. Abutilon Thuthi Malvaceae January- orbicular.Shrub upto Flower 2m Leaves crushed and indicum December darkheight, purple, branchlets limb juice given orally to entire,cinereous 1-lipped by ease child birth. rolledminutely back short emarginated.stellata-pubescent Fruit Capsule,and simple seeds hair. cordateLeaves cordate. 6. Aristolochia Siva mooli Aristolochia January- Twiner.Flower yellow, Leaves Root is dried and Indica ceae December broadlyschizocarp oblong, globose. 3- pasted along with 2. Acacia horrida Holothudi Mimosaceae July- nervedLarge shrub from orbase. tree saliva.Pod and The leaves paste are is November Flowersupto 6m .chocolate- height. appliedcattle fodder externally to brown,Leaves into 5a clustercm long, the affected part. The inform, axillary elliptic, racemes. petiole paste is also mixed Capsuleswith a gland oblong, near tothe with hot water and 3middle; cm long. stipular Seeds taken orally 3 to 4 wingedthorns unequal, many. times. It cures snake Frequentwhite, hallow. in open Pods bite, stomach- ache forests,are curved, on hedges turgid; and unknown andseeds other ovoid. shrubs. A poisonous bite. 7. Asparagus Thannir Liliaceae characteristics Armed vine to 6m; Herb tonic, diuretic racemosus vittan spinesfeature erect. of this Leaves and galactagoglue. scaly,species triangular, is diverging Fresh root juice is pairs of white hollow mixed with honey thorns. and given in 3. Acacia Chatrokhi Mimosaceae January- Shrub or tree upto dyspepsia.Seed possesses Roots planifrons March 6m. height. Leaves formahypoglycemic constituent and of in a cluster. Leaflet medicinalanticancer oilactivity. used for in a pair, elliptic nervousPlant is aand host for lac- Stipular throns rheumaticinsect. unequal; short ones complaints.Pod used as Alsofodder. recurved, long ones sued to detach straight, divergent, to leeches from body. it 4 cm, white. Pod is also identified as subterete, acute and one drug to cotrol the circinate. symptoms of AIDS . 4. Aloe vera chotthu Liliaceae October- Leaves radical, in TheAlcoholic fleshy extract leaves ofare kaththalai December rosettes, ensiform, groundthe roots with increased garlic succulent and spiny. andthe weightgiven to of cattle to Flower bisexual, increasemammary digestion. glands in Perianth- tube terete, Leavespost-partum after and curved; scrub removingestrogenprimedrats. the spines jungles, wastelands, and epidermis, 8. Boerhavia Punarnava, Nyctaginace January- etc.Diffusely Discrete branched clumps. groundCrushed with fresh turmeric, roots diffusa Patharchat ae December herb. Leaves linear- appliedor decoction for 3-4 with days a ovate, oblong or onsugar blisters in doses formed of 5- on rounded, acute or legs.10 grams Leaves given after obtuse, rounded or removingtwice a day the for spines fever, cordate bases. andliver, epidermis, and spleen taken Flowers pink. Fruit alongdisorder. with ribbed. Terminalia chebula to reduce body temperature.

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9. Borassus Panai Arecaceae February- Dioecious tree upto Used as cooling flabellifer April 40 m height. Stem beverages. obscurely hooped. Leaf palmate (fan- shaped. Fruit drupe yellow when ripe. It is an indicator species for the more arid plains. 10 Calotropis Erukku Asclepiadac December Shrub upto 3m Warmed leaves used gigantea eae - May height. Latex milky. as bandage on the Leaves Elliptic to painful parts of the oblong. body to cure to Inflorescence rheumatic joint pains umbellate panicle. and swellings. The latex is applied around the thumb nails and leg for getting immediate relief from burning sensation while passing urine 11. Centella Vallarai Apiaceae January- Prostrate herb. Leaf extract is used asiatica December Leaves simple in to cure dysentery and rosette form, improve the memory orbicular-reniform. power. Inflorescence umbel simple. 12. Chlorophytum Muza Liliaceae June- Erect herb. Leaves Tuber used as malabaricum November linear, keeled, scape. an adulterant Inflorescence raceme simple. 13. Chlorophytum Musala Liliaceae October- Erect herb. Leaves Tuber used as tuberosum November ensiform. an adulterant Inflorescence raceme, Perianth lobe white. Fruit capsule. 14. Cissampelos Malain Menisperma January- Tomentose climber. Root powder given pareira Thanke ceae December Leaves reniform, early in the morning cordate. with 2-3 teaspoonful Inflorescence honey for stomach subcorymbose ulcer. cymes. Fruit drupe ovoid. 15. Cissus Pirandai Vitaceae January- Perennial, succulent, Stem paste prepared quadrangularis December twining rambling by adding a bit of shrub; rooting at fresh lime and nodes. Stems green applied on the insect and quadrangular. bite (Balakrishan et Leaves simple al., 2009). Poultice of caduceus, ovate to powered stem along cordate. Fruit berry with rock salt used globose, apiculate. for the treatment of Seed smooth It was fractures. Green dominant in scrub leaves and young bud

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jungles and grind on the stone wastelands. It is a (silbatta) and mix indicator species of with green chillies, dry region. common salt, leaves of Murraya koenigii and Cocos nucifera (Raw nariyal) by Villagers surrounding the Sterlite Industries used as Chatni (For use with Dosa, Idli and Bara). Young buds and green leaves used as vegetable (Bhuzia) by villagers. at the time of scarcity of food. It is a dominant species under the Prosopis juliflora population. Young tops cooked and eaten for dysentery. Paste of the leaves of pirandai and chilli mixed with salt and administered for appetite in livestock.

16. Clitoria Kakkanathi Fabaceae January - Vine to 6 m. Leaves The paste prepared ternatea December odd – pinnate, from ten grams of Leaflets in pairs, whole plant with opposite, ovate, water is applied stipules persistent. externally two times in a day for a period of one week to treat inflammation and to relive the pain. 17. Commiphora Kiluvai Burseraceae March- Deciduous, armed It is a small fragrant berryi April shrub/tree, 3-6m tree grown as a hedge height; branchlets surrounding the spine- tipped. Leaves agricultural field. in a cluster form sometimes 3- foliolate. Leaflets ovate-suborbicular, laterals smaller. Flower in axillary clusters. Fruit drupe ovoid- 18. Commiphora Kiluvatt Burseraceae Jauary- Unarmed (except on It is a handsome tree. caudata DEcember old wood), Grown as avenue. deciduous tree, 5 -12 m height. Leaves 3- 7-foliolate. Leaflets opposite, ovate-

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oblong/elliptic. Fruit drupe globose. 19. Commiphora Guggulu Burseraceae April - Shrubs with papery Medicines are wightii December bark. Leaves sessile, prepared from the alternate or fascicled, gum resin and given 1-3 foliated; leaflets to reduce cholesterol glabrous, ovate level in blood. serrate. Flowers red or pinkish- white. Only few plants recorded from agricultural field . 20. Cryptocoryne Araceae lodgi January- Rhizomatous The whole plant spiralis April perennial herbs. collected by villagers Leaves tufed apically for feeding of goat on rhizomes, blade and cattle. usually linear- lanceolate. Inflorescence spadix. 21. Datura metel Umathai Solanaceae January- Subshrub upto 80 cm Leaves are warmed December height. Leaves with castor oil and elliptic to angulate, applied externally for base unequally pus release and heal truncate. the wounds. 22. Evolvulus Vishnukra Convolvulac January- Prostrate to Decoction used in alsinoides ndi eae December ascending herbs. fever, Memory Leaves elliptic, power. Leaf juice oblong to lanceolate. mixed with ghee and Fruit capsule. drink. Leaves made into cigarettes inhale. Hair growth: Prepare oil, by using leaf and coconut oil 23. Gloriosa Langli Liliaceae October- Twining branched Tuber paste fried in superba March herb with tuberous mustered oil and rootstock. Leaves applied externally to lanceolate with spiral cure gout and apex. Flowers rheumatism. Tuber showy, peduncled, paste is applied to drooping, lower half navel, super pubic yellow, upper half region and vagina red, finely becoming with the object of deep red. It was a promoting labour. In abundant species retaining placenta a recorded from paste of root is Prosopis juliflora applied to the palms population. and soles 24. Jatropha Adalai Euphorbiace January- Shrub upto 3 m Latex of this plant glandulifera ae December height. Leaves used for thoothache. deeply lobed, margin serrate. Flower unisexual. Fruit capsule. 25. Jatropha Atalai Euphorbiace January- Shrub upto 3m Villager use stem for gossypifolia ae December height. Branchlets Toothache and purplish. Leaves infected teeth.

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deeply lobed, stipules ciliate, glandular. Flower unisexual. Fruit capsule 26. Mukia Mosumosu Cucurbitace November- Prostrate/climbing Root paste used in maderaspatana kkai ae February vine. Leaves ovate tooth paste. deltoid. 27. Ocimum Thulasi Lamiaceae November Strongly aromatic The juice of the canum -February herb up to 50 cm leaves is mixed with height. Leaves cumin and given to elliptic –oblong. cure the dry cough Flowering peduncles green. 28. Passiflora Korvanva Passiflorace November- Vine. Leaves usually Fruit eaten by foetida ae May lobed to halfway, villager. sub orbicular to ovate, stipules subreniform, deeply cleft into glandular processes. 29. Pedalium YaanaiNeri Pedaliaceae January- Herb upto 50 cm Dry fruits ground murex njii December height. Leaves &,mixed with sugar alternate, repand- to make laddu angulate. Flower taken 2-3 times in a axillary, pedicel with day for increasing the a pair of yellow vigour in men glands. 30. Pergularia Velipparut Asclepiadac September Straggler. Latex Bath with leaves daemia hi eae - May milky. Leaves boiled in water cures cordiform. Fruit body pain follicles paired, curved, basally swollen. 31. Rhynchosia rothei Fabaceae January- Spreading herb to fodder minima February vine. Leaves three foliate. Leaflet obovate. Inflorescence raceme. 32. Salvadora Saltbushi Salvadorace March- A much branched Leaf eaten by villager persica ae April evergreen shrub/tree. as vegetable. Bark dull grey, Decoction of leaves deeply cracked. Leaf given to asthma and elliptic, ovate. cough. Flower greenish white. Fruit globose, round, smooth drupe. 33. Solanum Pipatpala Solanaceae January- Armed diffuse herb. Flower eaten by local surattense December Leaves lacerate. people for cough and Fruit berry. cold. 34. Tephrosia Chimarui Fabaceae January- Subshrub upto 1m Fodder purpurea February height. Leaves ovate to obovate. 35. Trianthema Bisuki Aizoaceae January- Prostrate herb. Plants used as portulacastrum December Leaves ovate elliptic. vegetable as Bhuzia.

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Inflorescence sub umbellate cluster. 36. Tribulus Nerunji Zygophyllac January- Variable prostrate Fruit diuretic and terrestris eae December annual herb upto 90 tonic , used for the cm height. Leaves treatment of sub opposite. Leaflet calculous affections. 4-5 pair. Flower yellow in colour. Fruit schizocarp, 5 angled each pair of woody spines. 37. Tridax Vettukkaya Asteraceae January- Hirsute upto 70cm The juice of leaves is procumbens poondu December height. Leaves applied externally for opposite, lanceolate healing the wounds. to ovate, pinnatisect. Inflorescence capitulam, yellow. 38. Tylophora Kitala Asclepiadac November- Twines. Leaves Leaves used as a capparidifolia eae January elliptic- obovate to fodder for cattle. oblong. Inflorescence umbel .simple 39. Tylophora Antamul Asclepiadac January- Twining perennial Leaves (raw) used indica eae December herb. Leaves empty stomach for opposite, ovate, asthma, acute, fleshy. Villager collect the Flowers yellow, twine from the field purple within, in for feeding for goat clusters, Fruits ridged with many fine ridges, pointed at tip. 40. Vitex negundo Nochi Verbenaceae January - Shrub upto 4m Fresh leaves boiled December height. Leaves 3-7 with water and the foliate. Leaflet vapour is inhaled obovate, twice a day for the oblanceolate treatment of fever.

4. Conclusions Authors are thankful to Sterlite Industries The present study in aimed at in depth study Limited (SIL), Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India for on the field survey, systematic, correct identity and providing necessary support during the field studies. economic importance or ethno botanical importance Corresponding Author: for better understanding of such species. There are lots to be done in this promising field with the active Dr. (Mrs.) Prafulla Soni support of village people so that importance of these, Scientist G and Head threatened, rare and economically important plants Forest Ecology and Environment Division could be rejuvenated for the benefit of our future P.O. New Forest, Forest Research Institute Dehradun, generation. Further studies are needed to cover more Uttarakhand (India)-248006 of the morphological variability, ecological diversity Email: [email protected] and monitoring of threatened habitats and the interdependent elements responsible for the regeneration and reproduction. References [1] Annonymous. Environment profile of Toothukudi Acknowledgement: District- Final Report AIMS Research (A Joint Venture of TCW/ICICI, IDBI and ICICI)

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