International Journal of Herbal Medicine 2017; 5(5): 196-215

E-ISSN: 2321-2187 P-ISSN: 2394-0514 IJHM 2017; 5(5): 196-215 Ecological status of medicinal of Chalsa forest Received: 17-07-2017 Accepted: 18-08-2017 range under Jalpaiguri division, ,

Anup Kumar Sarkar Assistant Professor, Department Anup Kumar Sarkar, Manas Dey and Mallika Mazumder of Botany, Dukhulal Nibran Chandra College, Aurangabad, Murshidabad, West Bengal, Abstract India The use of Traditional in the treatment of disease has shown a good interest in the last few decades. Different types of human communities traditionally use such medicinal plants. As the forest regions are Manas Dey rich in medicinal plants, people collect such plants from forest vigourously. Excess harvest of such plants Assistant Teacher, Jurapani or their propagule may results the extinction of the from the forest, which may led to the change High School, Dhupguri, in entire forest vegetation. Considering this view point in mind, a phytosociological survey has been Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, India. carried out on naturally occurring medicinal plants of the Chalsa Forest Range. The present paper throws light on the description and uses of certain species of medicinally important plants along with their Mallika Mazumder ecological status in this forest. Post Graduate Student,

Department of Botany, Raiganj University, Uttar Dinajpur, Keywords: Medicinal plants, Traditional knowledge, Phytosociology, Community Index, Threatened, West Bengal, India Conservation

1. Introduction Chalsa Forest Range, a Himalayan foot hill forest range, represents one of the unique biodiversity region of world which is under little but continual disturbance by biological and anthropogenic factors. It is situated in Malbazar Subdivision of district Jalpaiguri, West

Bengal, India. Vegetation of the forest is unique in the Nature. The forest is characterized by dense vegetation and a rich wild life. The forest range is very close to the river Jaldhaka. In addition Mithi river, Raidak river and Diana river are also very close to the forest range. Jaldhaka basin in the Chalsa region created some excellent habitats which have rich biodiversity that contains diverse assemblage of herbs, shrubs, trees, animals and microbes.

The range is 535 ft from sea level. The soil is fertile in nature and strongly acidic. The o o o o temperature of this area varies from 20 C to 32 C during summer and from 8 C to 22 C during winter. Most of the area of this forest range is wet annual and humid. The forest is more or less homogenous in composition with admixed type of tree species. The forest is famous for some timber vegetation like Gaertn., Lagerstromia speciosa Pers., Terminalia

belerica Roxb., Chuckrasia tabularis A. Juss., Terminalia tomentosa Roth., Sterculia villosa [1] Roxb., Persea fructifera Kosterm., Beilschmiedia roxburghiana Nees., etc. . However there is no reliable study on different types of non-timber plants, their habitat, ecology and phytosociology. The forest range is also a house of endemic and exotic medicinal plants. The plants having various proprieties, which are useful in our day to day life. Some are used as

medicine, while some are consumed as edible nutritious vegetables or fruits. Different tribal communities belonging to the villages adjacent to such forest are dependent upon the forest resources for their day to day livelihood practice. Many of the traditional healers, Kabiraj, Bez, also collect the medicinal plants for treatment of various diseases. In the process they collect the roots, rhizomes, bulbs, flowers, bark, fruits and other medicinally important parts of the

plants for extracting drugs and unused parts of the plants were left in the forest. In this way, sometimes they destroy the important medicinal plants. Present paper deals with the occurrence of valuable medicinal herbaceous and shrubby plants in the study area and their ecological and phytosociological aspects. Many of the plant species were used by people for medicinal purposeS which was documented [2] in anient literature including Charak Samhita and Sushruta Samhita . It can be stated that existence of human on planet earth depends on diverse species of plants for its medicinal and Correspondence other beneficial properties. The world health organization estimates that about 80% of the Anup Kumar Sarkar population of most developing countries relies on herbal medicines for their primary Assistant Professor, Department healthcare need. About 80% of human population in India is using herbal medicine to care of Botany, Dukhulal Nibran [3] Chandra College, Aurangabad, different kind of diseases .Different types of plants are used to cure different types of Murshidabad, West Bengal, disease. Some herbal alternatives assist prevention of the secondary complications of the India disease. ~ 196 ~ International Journal of Herbal Medicine

Since medicinal plants and its derivatives continue to play a animal communities. However a little cares was taken only major role in the in medical therapy, it is of utmost for traditionally used medicinal plants. Thus, this study aims importance to conserve these resources for the sake of at assessing the species composition, diversity, mankind and future generations. For this regular ecological Phytosociological and Ecological characteristics of herbs and monitoring of such plants in any vegetation including forest shrub communities. patches is obligatory. Phytosociological evaluation of the medicinal plant species is 2. Materials and Methods very important aspect in the field of forestry as well as in 2.1 Description of Study Site other scientific studies like conservation, management and The present study has been carried out in four beat forests of bioprospecting of phytoresources. Information on changes in Chalsa Forest Range of Jalpaiguri Forest Division, West the herb and shrub layer of any forest ecosystem or natural Bengal, India, The forest beats are named as Panjhora Beat, ecosystem may be useful to assess present-day issues of Nagrakata Beat, Sipchu Beat and Kharia Bandor Beat. management relating to sustainability and biodiversity in Vegetation of the forest is unique in the world as most of its forestry and nature conservation[4].In present days the lack of plants are evergreen and semi-evergreen. It consists of lots of proper ecological knowledge can seriously hinder the floristically diverse plants, of which some of them are rare, conservation and sustainable use of non-timber plant species, endangered and threatened. The flora shows much more especially in the face of anthropogenic threats including diversity with the change in topography. The vegetation overexploitation[5].Herbs and shrubs are associated with a varies considerably with the change in altitude, soil, humidity, wide variety of organisms, and are increasingly recognized to rainfall and presence of water passages called Jhora. The play an important role in controlling food chain and topography ranges between riverine to slightly hilly. ecological stability. Such plants provide food and shelter to to

Fig 1: Map of the Forest Beats of Chalsa Forest range.

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Table 1: Topographical and Climatic characteristics

Organic Organic Available Total Available Available Name of the Forest beat Area(Ha) Type of Soil pH C (%) Matter (%) N (%) N (%) P205 (ppm) K20 (ppm) Panjhora Beat 2255.92 Dry 4.90 1.057 2.709 0.040 0.130 36.73 26 Nagrakata Beat 2148.85 Dry 4.75 1.715 2.955 0.043 0.145 57.39 55 Sipchu Beat 1757.58 Wet 5.12 1.571 2.906 0.035 0.135 53.35 50 Kharia Bandor 387.26 Wet 5.35 0.378 0.240 0.021 0.091 18.36 51

2.2 Field Investigation and Data Collection dominance is the height value of a species with respect to the The composition of standing shrub and herb vegetation data sum of coverage of the rest of the species in the area. of Chalsa forest range was investigated in between the January 2015 and February 2017.A total of 64 quadrates 16 in each of four forest beats were selected which were laid at 100 m interval along 1000 m long line transects having quadrate size of 20m x 20m (400 m2) following Esmailzadeh et al. We further systematically placed five 2m×2m shrub quadrates (f) Abundance: It is the study of the number of individuals of (one at the centre and the other four at the corners) to different species in the community per unit area. By quadrates investigate shrubs, and five 1m×1m herb quadrates were fixed method, samplings are made at random at several places and to the upper left corner of each shrub quadrate to investigate the number of individuals of each species was summed up for herbs in each plot. Overall 64 plots, including, 320 shrub all the quadrates divided by the total number of quadrates in quadrates and 320 herb quadrates from natural forest sites. which the species occurred. It is represented by the equation: Plant species found within each sampling plot were photographed and identified by their vernacular and scientific names using various book and internet. Knowledgeable persons of communities and traditional herbal healers were contacted and information was collected through interviews, (g) Importance Value Index: This index is used to determine observations and discussions held during field survey through the overall importance of each species in the community well prepared questionnaires. In order to analyze the diversity structure. In calculating this index, the percentage values of of vegetation Frequency, Relative frequency, density and the relative frequency, relative density and relative dominance Relative density were calculated. Importance Value Index was (Relative Height/Length) are summed up together and this calculated by adding Relative frequency Relative density and value is designated as the Importance Value Index or IVI of Relative Height [6-9]. the species. IVI= Relative Frequency + Relative Density + Relative (a) Frequency (%): This term refers to the degree of Height/Length dispersion of individual species in an area and usually expressed in terms of percentage. It is calculated by the 3. Data processing and Phytosociological Analysis: equation: All the data both spatial and especial collected from different sources has been tabulated and analyzed separately. The data collected were used to compute community indices like –

(a) Species diversity (H'): Species diversity of different tree (b) Relative Frequency (%): The degree of dispersion of species; it was calculated using the Shannon- Weiner Index [10] individual species in an area in relation to the number of all (Shannon and Weiner, 1963) the species occurred. (H') = - ∑ [(ni / N). ln (ni / N)] Where ‘ni’ is the IVI of individual species and N is the total IVI of all the species.

(b) Species dominance (Cd): Species dominance was (c) Density: Density is an expression of the numerical calculated following Simpson (Simpson, 1949) [11]: strength of a species where the total number of individuals of Cd = Σ (ni/N)2, each species in all the quadrates is divided by the total Where, ni and N are the same as those for Shannon Weiner number of quadrates studied. Density is calculated by the information function. equation:

(c) Equitability of evenness (e): Equitability of evenness refers to the degree of relative dominance of each species in that area. It was calculated according to Pielou (1966) [12] as: Evenness (e) = H'/log S (d) Relative Density (%): Relative density is the study of Where, H'= Shannon index, S = number of species. numerical strength of a species in relation to the total number

of individuals of all the species and can be calculated as: (d) Species richness (D): Species richness was determined by

Margalef index (1968) [13] as: D=(S-1)/ln N. S = number of species. N= total number of individuals.

(e) Relative Dominance (%): Dominance of a species is (e) Menhinick’s index (Dmm): Menhinick’s index (Whittaker [14] determined by the value of the Height/Length. Relative 1977) is expressed as Dmm=S/N, where N is the number of ~ 198 ~ International Journal of Herbal Medicine

individuals in the sample and S is the species number. species and N is the total number of individuals in the sample. The increase in the value of reciprocal of Berger-Parker (f) Equitability Index: The Shannon’s equitability Index Dominance Index reflects the increase in diversity and a (Lloyd and Ghelard, 1964) [15] is expressed as (EH)=H/Hmax reduction in dominance. = H/ln S 3. Result and Discussion (g) Berger-Parker Dominance Index: The Berger-Parker The present studies reflect the phytosociological and Dominance Index [16] is a simple measure of the numerical ecological status of herb and shrub vegetation. Some of the importance of the most abundant species and is expressed as area of the forest range is occupied by the small water d= Nmax/N. passages called “Jhora”, which enhanced the growth of N max is the number of individuals in the most abundant aquatic and semi aquatic plant.

Table 2: Habitat and Type of Plants

Sl. No Name Family Habitat Type 1 alata Aubl. Perennial Herb Dicot 2 Chromolaena odoratum (L.) King & H. Rob Asteraceae Perennial Herb Dicot 3 Mitracarpus hirtus (L.) DC Rubiaceae Perennial Herb Dicot 4 Clerodendrum infortunatum L. Lamiaceae Perennial Shrub Dicot 5 Dioscorea alata L. Dioscoeaceae Climbing herbaceous vine Monocot 6 Phyllanthus Fraternus G.L. Webster Phyllanthaceae Annual Herbs Dicot 7 Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC Oxalidaceae Annual Herbs Dicot 8 Sauropus compressus Müll. Arg. Phyllanthaceae Annual Shrubs Dicot 9 Drymaria cordata (L.) Willd. Ex. Schult. Caryophyllaceae Procumbent, Annual Herb Dicot 10 Globba racemosa Sm. Zingiberaceae Rhizomatous, Annual Herb Monocot 11 Desmodium gangeticum (L.)DC. Fabaceae Erect Annual Herb Dicot 12 Ageratum conyzoides L. Asteraceae Annual Herb Dicot 13 Ageratum houstonianum Mill. Asteraceae Annual Herb Dicot 14 Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link Lamiaceae Annual Herb Dicot 15 Lasia spinosa (L.) Thwaites Araceae Perennial Herb Monocot 16 Persicaria chinensis (L.) H. Gross Polygonaceae Perennial Herb Dicot 17 Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Delarbre Polygonaceae Annual Herb Dicot 18 Enhydra fluctuans Lour. Asteraceae Annual Herb Dicot 19 Achyranthes aspera L. Amaranthaceae Perennial Herb Dicot 20 Rungia pectinata (L.) Nees Acanthaceae Annual Herb Dicot 21 Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott. Araceae Perennial Herb Monocot 22 Commelina diffusa Burm. f. Commelinaceae Annual Herb Monocot 23 Osbeckia nepalensis Hook. f. Melastomataceae Perennial Undershrub Dicot 24 Crotalaria pallida Aiton. Fabaceae Perennial Undershrub Dicot 25 Elephantopus scaber L. Asteraceae Perennial Herb Dicot 26 Commelina benghalensis L. Commelinaceae Annual Herb Monocot 27 Curcuma caesia Roxb. Zingiberaceae Rhizomatous Annual Herb Monocot 28 Impatiens tripetala Roxb. Balsaminaceae Annual Herb Dicot 29 Torenia cordifolia Roxb. Linderniaceae Annual Herb Dicot 30 Lindernia ciliate (Colsm) Pennell Linderniaceae Annual Herb Dicot 31 Lindernia crustacea (L.) F. Muell Linderniaceae Annual Herb Dicot 32 Lindernia ruellioides (Colsm.) Pennell Linderniaceae Annual Herb Dicot 33 Senna tora (L.) Roxb. Fabaceae Annual Herb Dicot 34 Senna sophera (L.) Roxb. Fabaceae Annual Undershrub Dicot 35 Stephania japonica (Thunb.) Miers Menispermaceae Perennial Climber Dicot 36 benghalensis B. Heyne ex. Schult. Rubiaceae Perennial shrub Dicot Wrightia religiosa (Teijsm. & Binn.) Benth. ex. 37 Apocynaceae Perennial shrub Dicot Kurz. 38 Desmodium trifolium (L.)DC. Fabaceae Prostrate Perennial Herb Dicot 39 Desmodium heterophyllum (Willd.) DC. Fabaceae Prostrate Perennial Herb Dicot 40 Melastoma malabathricum L. Melastomataceae Perennial shrub Dicot 41 Sida acuta Burm.f. Malvaceae Perennial shrub Dicot 42 Sida rhomboidea Roxb. Malvaceae Perennial shrub Dicot 43 Abrus pulchellus Thwaites Fabaceae Climber shrub Dicot 44 Ampelocissus barbata (Wall.) Planch. Vitaceae Scandent climber shrub Dicot 45 Achyranthes bidentata Blume Amaranthaceae Perennial Herb Dicot 46 Piper longum L. Piperaceae Climbing Perennial Herb Dicot 47 Dioscorea bulbifera L. Dioscoreaceae Climbing woody shrub Monocot 48 Triumfetta rhomboidea Jacq. Malvaceae Annual Herb Dicot 49 Boerhavia repens L. Nyctaginaceae Prostrate annual Herb Dicot 50 Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaud. Urticaceae Perennial shrub Dicot 51 Flemingia strobilifera (L.) W.T. Aiton Fabaceae Perennial Shrub Dicot 52 Stachytarpheta indica (L.) Vahl. Verbenaceae Perennial Herb Dicot 53 Urena lobata L. Malvaceae Perennial shrub Dicot

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54 Thunbergia grandiflora (Roxb. Ex Rottl.) Roxb. Acanthaceae Perennial climber Dicot 55 Mimosa pudica L. Fabaceae Perennial undershrub Dicot 56 Mimosa invisa Colla. Fabaceae perennial sub-woody shrub Dicot 57 Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam. Araliaceae Prostrate Annual Herb Dicot 58 Mikania micrantha Kunth. Asteraceae Annual, creeping/climbing Herb Dicot 59 Deeringia amaranthoides (Lam.) Merr. Amaranthaceae Perennial climber shrub Dicot 60 Oxalis corniculata L. Oxalidaceae Prostrate Annual Herb Dicot 61 Xanthium strumarium L. Asteraceae Annual Herb Dicot 62 Mecardon procumbens (Mill.)Small Plantaginaceae Annual prostrate Herb Dicot 63 Scoparia dulcis L. Plantaginaceae Annual Herb Dicot 64 Cyanthillium cinereum (L.) H. Rob. Asteraceae Annual Herb Dicot 65 Trichosanthes tricuspidata Laur. Cucurbitaceae Annual climbing Herb Dicot 66 Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus Nees. Acanthaceae Perennial shrub Dicot 67 Acmella calva (DC.) R.K. Jansen Asteraceae Annual Herb Dicot 68 Mukia maderaspatana (L.) M. Roem. Cucurbitaceae Annual climbing Herb Dicot 69 Tephrosia purpurea L.(Pers.) Fabaceae Annual/perennial Herb Dicot 70 Physalis minima L. Solanaceae Annual Herb Dicot 71 Anisomeles indica (L.) Kuntze Lamiaceae Perennial aromatic Herb Dicot 72 Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit. Lamiaceae Annual aromatic Herb Dicot 73 Lantana camara L. Verbenaceae Perennial woody shrub Dicot 74 Pupalia atropurpurea (Lam.) Moq. Amaranthaceae Annual Herb Dicot 75 Merremia vitifolia (Burm. F.) Hallier f. Convolvulaceae Annual,climbing Herb Dicot 76 Pueraria phaseoloides (Roxb.) Benth. Fabaceae Annual,Climbing Herb Dicot 77 Kyllinga monocephala Thunb. Cyperaceae perennial greenhead Sedge Monocot 78 Spilanthes acmella (L.) L. Asteraceae Annual Herb Dicot 79 Murdania nudiflora (L.)Brenan Commelinaceae Annual Herb Monocot 80 Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn. Asteraceae Annual Herb Dicot Digitaria bicornis (Lam.)Roemer & J.A. Schultes ex. 81 Poaceae Annual prostrate/lawn Grass Herb Monocot Loud 82 Cardiospermum halicacabum L. Sapindaceae Climbing/trailing annual Herb Dicot 83 Bidens pilosa L. Asteraceae Annual Herb Dicot 84 Oplismenus burmanni (Retz.) P. Beauv. Poaceae Annual Herb Monocot 85 Cleome rutidosperma DC. Cleomaceae Annual Herb Dicot Annual, erect or somewhat prostrate 86 Amaranthus viridis L. Amaranthaceae Dicot Herb 87 Cheilocostus speciosus (J.Koenig) C.D.Specht Zingiberaceae Annual, rhizomatous Herb Monocot 88 Solanum torvum Sw. Solanaceae Perennial shrub Dicot 89 Heliotropium indicum L. Boraginaceae Annual Herb Dicot 90 Murraya koenigii (L.) Sprenge Rutaceae Perennial woody-shrub Dicot 91 Natsiatum herpeticum Hamilton Icacinaceae Perennial Shrub Dicot 92 Pouzolzia zeylenica (L.)Benn. Urticaceae Perennial Herb Dicot 93 Auxonopus compressus (Swartz.)P.Beauv. Poaceae Creeping perennial Grass Herb Monocot 94 Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. Poaceae Perennial Grass Herb Monocot 95 Smilax zeylanica L. Smilacaceae Perennial Climbing shrub Monocot

Graph 1: Status of family in herb and shrub vegetation of Chalsa forest range ~ 200 ~ International Journal of Herbal Medicine

Graph 2: Status of Monocot and Dicot Genus in Chalsa forest range

Graph 3: Status of Herbs, Shrubs and Climbers in Chalsa forest range

In this study we also present general descriptions of medicinal plant communities and their medicinal and economical aspects.

Table 3: Description of Flowering, Origin and Medicinal importance

Sl. Flowering Name of The Plant Origin Parts Used Medicinal Importance No Season Naturalized Root and Used to cure malaria, Ophthalmic, 1 Spermacoce alata Aubl. June-January Exotic Leaves inflammation of eye, headache. Chromolaena odoratum (L.) King Used to treat Skin wounds and to stop 2 October-April Invasive Leaves & H. Rob bleeding. Throughout the Leaves and Used against Ulcers, anti-inflammatory, 3 Mitracarpus hirtus (L.) DC Exotic year Root leprosy pimple and skin diseases. Used as Anti-inflammatory, pain-relief Root and 4 Clerodendrum infortunatum L. February-July Native substance and also useful in skin diseases, Leaves leprosy and bone injury. Used as Diuretic, anthelmintic, 5 Dioscorea alata L. November Native Tuber contraceptive and also useful in diabetes, leprosy, gonorrhea, strangury. Used to treat Dysentery, gonorrhoea, Phyllanthus fraternus G.L. 6 March -October Native Whole plant dropsy, diarrhoea and malaria, bronchitis, Webster asthma, leprosy, anaemia. Used as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cardioprotective, 7 Biophytum sensitivum (L.)DC August-January Native Whole plant radioprotective, chemoprotective, immunomodulatory, wound-healing, anti- diabetic agent. February- The fresh leaves are used for the treatment 8 Sauropus compressus Müll. Arg. Native Leaves November of retained Placenta. A mouth-wash made ~ 201 ~ International Journal of Herbal Medicine

of the juice of fresh leaves and honey and applied to the tongue. Used in sinus, headache, cold, snake bite, Drymaria cordata (L.) Willd. Ex. August - Naturalized 9 whole plant fever, asthma, diphtheria, pneumonia, Schult. December Exotic throat pain. Relief from mouth ulcer, post natal care of mother and child, conjunctivitis, eye 10 Globba racemosa SM. June to October Native Whole plant abrasions, asthma, leucoderma, cough, food poisoning, analgesic, antipyretic, heart pain and Stomach pain. Anti-inflammatory, fever reducing, Whole plant, 11 Desmodium gangeticum (L.)DC. July-February Native carminative, digestive, laxative, diuretic, Root, Bark cough, anti-dysenteric, anti-diarrhoeal. Leaves, Throughout the Flowers, Leaves used in wounds, cuts and burns; 12 Ageratum conyzoides L. Exotic year Root, whole root juice antibiotic, plants used febrifuge. plant Leaves, January - Naturalized Flowers, Leaves used in wounds, cuts and burns; 13 Ageratum houstonianum Mill. December Exotic Root, whole root juice antibiotic, plants used febrifuge. plant Used in jaundice, odema, asthama, Throughout the Leaves, wormicide, nasal drops in sinusites, cold 14 Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link Native year Flower and jaundice, flowers used in cough and cold. Leaves, Plant recommended for colic, rheumatism, 15 Lasia spinosa (L.) Thwaites August-October Native Inflorescence and intestinal disease. Leaf is used for treatment dysentery, 16 Persicaria chinensis (L.) H.Gross February-June Native Leaves enteritis, and sore throat Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Effective cure for toothache, epilepsy, 17 May-December Native Whole plant Delarbre gangrene, rheumatism, and gout. Eaten as a vegetable; uses for blood November- 18 Enhydra fluctuans Lour. Native Young twig purifier, nervous diseases, gonorrhea, March paralysis, epilepsy, digestion problem. Root and Root is used for piles, jaundice, fever, skin 19 Achyranthes aspera L. October-March Native whole plant diseases and sex diseases. Throughout the 20 Rungia pectinata (L.) Nees Native Whole plant Juice of plants is applied as febrifuge year Leaf petiole is used in jaundice and petiole 21 Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott. September Native Leaves juice is used in cut and wounds. August- Leaves and Bruised plant is used against boils, 22 Commelina diffusa Burm. f. Native November whole plant dysentery Throughout the Decoction of roots is used in urinary 23 Osbeckia nepalensis Hook. f. Native Root year problem and diabetes. September.- Naturalized Leaves, Leaves and floral parts of the plants are 24 Crotalaria pallida Aiton. January Exotic Flower some times used in paralysed part. August.- Leaves are anti-diabetic. Root paste cure 25 Elephantopus scaber L. Native Leaves, Root February. chronic abdomen and stomach pain. August.- Leaves and Leaf paste is used against constipation, 26 Commelina benghalensis L. Native December whole plant boils, skin diseases The rhizome is used in bone fracture, fever, 27 Curcuma caesia Roxb. May-June Native Rhizome epilepsy, pains, toothache. Root used to treat migraine pain. seed is Root, Leaves, used for cancer treatment. 28 Impatiens trilobata Colebr. July - October Exotic Seeds Leaves is used for wounds and skin inflammations. Plant juice is useful against swelling. Stem Predominantly 29 Torenia cordifolia Roxb. Native Whole plants juice is taken against gastric trouble and Rainy season ulcers. Decoction of leaves is used as a remedy for gonorrhea, jaundice, urinary problem, Throughout the Leaves and 30 Lindernia ciliate (Colsm) Pennell Native bronchitis, headache, liver complaints, year whole plant spleen diseases, constipation, fever, loss of appetite, asthma, cough, skin diseases. Leaves and Leaf paste is used against dysentery, ring 31 Lindernia crustacea (L.) F.Muell July-December Native whole plant worm, indigestion. Leaves are useful in wounds, bruises, boils, Lindernia ruellioides (Colsm.) 32 May-October Native Leaves jaundice, snakebite, dysentery, urinary Pennell trouble and quick healing of wounds. Leaves are applied for skin diseases such as Throughout the 33 Senna tora (L.)Roxb. Native Leaves leprosy, ringworm, itching and psoriasis year and snakebites ~ 202 ~ International Journal of Herbal Medicine

Paste prepared from root along with black pepper is given to treat jaundice and paste Throughout the Root and 34 Senna sophera (L.)Roxb. Native prepared from leaf mixed with sugar candy year Leaves is taken one or two tea spoonful twice- thrice daily to treat dysuria. Stephania japonica (Thunb.) Rhizome used to treat Jaundice, diabetes, 35 February-April Native Rhizome Miers fever, Dyspepsia, insomnia. Young shoot is used for indigestion and Coffea benghalensis B.Heyne ex. March- Young twig 36 Native stomachache. Flower is used in child birth Schult. December and Flower and conjunctivitis Wrightia religiosa (Teijsm. & Throughout the 37 Native Bark Dried bark is used in dysentery. Binn.) Benth. ex. Kurz. year Leaves are applied for diarrhoea, dysentery and convulsion. Roots are used as carminative, tonic, August- Leaves and 38 Desmodium trifolium (L.)DC. Native diuretic and used in bilious complaints. February Root Decoction of plant or leaves is externally applied on wounds, ulcers, and for skin diseases. leaves are used to treat urinary retention Desmodium heterophyllum September- 39 Native Leaves and digestive complaints, diuretic. Plant (Willd.) DC. February decoction used for stomach aches. 40 Melastoma malabathricum L. October-April Native Leaves Leaf paste used against boils skin problems. Naturalized Leaves Leaf prevents blood urea, boils and 41 Sida acuta Burm.f. August-Deceber Exotic Nephritis. Leaves and The roots and leaves are used in 42 Sida rhombifolia L. July-Deceber Native Root rheumatism, migraine and colic. Seeds are used as Purgative, Emetic, 43 Abrus pulchellus Thwaites August -June Native Seeds Aphrodisiac, Ophthalmic. Ampelocissus barbata (Wall.) 44 June-October Native Whole plant Plants are used in fever, cough-cold tonic. Planch. Throughout the Whole plant, Root juice is used for toothache, decoction 45 Achyranthes bidentata Blume Native year Root as a diuretic and leech bites. 46 Piper longum L. May-October Native Seeds Seed is used in cough and cold. Throughout the Tubers used against asthma and snake 47 Dioscorea bulbifera L. Native Tuber year bite. Decoction of the root is used for internal ulcerations; Leaves are antihypertensive, Naturalized Root and 48 Triumfetta rhomboidea Jacq. Septeber-April astringent, diuretic and used for diarrhoea, Exotic Leaves dysentery, internal hemorrhages and gonorrhea. Throughout the Leaf juice is applied for snake-bite and 49 Boerhavia repens L. Native Leaves year oedema, urinary problem. Decoction of whole plant is used for Naturalized Bark, whole 50 Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaud. August-January rheumatism, leprosy, skin diseases and Exotic plant diuretic; snake bite, colic pain. Flemingia strobilifera (L.) December- Leaves and Decoction of leaves and root are effective 51 Native W.T.Aiton March Root against dysentery, epilepsy, hysteria. Leaves are consumed for blood cleanser, 52 Stachytarpheta indica (L.) Vahl. March-June Native Leaves asthma, ulcerated stomachs and control blood pressure. Leaves and Roots are used widely to treat September- Leaves and bowel complaints, especially colic, 53 Urena lobata L. Native March Root stomach-ache, diarrhoea and dysentery, and gonorrhea, urinary diseases. Thunbergia grandiflora (Roxb. Ex April- 54 Native Whole plant Whole plant used to treat Snake bite. Rottl.) Roxb. November Toothache, leprosy, dysentery, vaginal and uterine complaints, inflammation, Introduced Leaves, Root 55 Mimosa pudica L. July- November leucoderma, fatigue, asthma, blood Invasive and seed diseases, jaundice, leprosy, ulcers, small pox. June to Leaves are applied against snake bites and 56 Mimosa invisa Colla. Native Leaves, Root September having antioxidant and antibacterial. Decoction of whole plant is used for March- 57 Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam. Native Whole plant asthma, bone fracture, edema, fever, November detoxication, throat pain, psoriasis. Leaf sap prevents bleeding, antiseptic, anti- 58 Mikania micrantha Kunth. June-March Exotic Leaves inflammatory. Decoction of the leaves is used for Deeringia amaranthoides (Lam.) November - Leaves and 59 Native dysentery, inflammatory tumours. Merr. April Root Root is used to treat jaundice. ~ 203 ~ International Journal of Herbal Medicine

Throughout the Cosmopolitan- Dysentery, diarrhea, piles, asthma, skin 60 Oxalis corniculata L. Whole Plant year Native disease; refrigerant, appetizer. Decoction of the leaves is used to prevent 61 Xanthium strumarium L. December-May Exotic Leaves minor external bleeding and also used as antiseptic medicine. skin problems, cold, fever, cough, headache, diarrhoea, fertility problems, Mecardonia procumbens (Mill.) Throughout the Naturalized toothache, stomach ache, wounds, diabetes, 62 Whole Plant Small year Exotic rheumatism, asthma, dysentery, small pox, bone fractures, earache, hair loss and snake bite. Throughout the Naturalized Leaf is used against boils and tumors as 63 Scoparia dulcis L. Leaves year Exotic well as pneumonia, anti-diabetic. Cyanthillium cinereum (L.) Throughout the 64 Native Whole Plant Relief from Common cold,cough. H.Rob. year The unripe fruit and the tender Young twig 65 Trichosanthes tricuspidata Laur. July-December Native shoots used as vegetable to improve and Fruits appetite, digestion and anti-diabetic. Cough and cold, leprosy, vomiting, urinary Leaves, 66 Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus Nees. February-April Native discharge, asthma, bronchitis, piles; Flower astringent, tonic, antipyretic. Flower heads are chewed to relieve the toothache and other mouth related troubles. Introduced Root, Leaves 67 Acmella calva (DC.) R.K.Jansen March-April Leaves are used externally in treatment of esxotic and Flower skin diseases, diuretic and lithotriptic, dysentery. Mukia maderaspatana (L.) Leaves, Root, Plant uses for anti-inflammatory, anorexia, 68 January-August Native M.Roem. Seed astringent, antiarthritic and acid-reflux. Decoction of the roots is given in dyspepsia, diarrhea, rheumatism, asthma Whole plant and urinary disorders. Whole plant is used 69 Tephrosia purpurea L.(Pers.) April-October Native and Root for leprosy, ulcers, asthma, and tumors, as well as diseases of the liver, spleen, heart, and blood. Throughout the Naturalised 70 Physalis minima L. Whole plant Relief from Colic, ulcers, cough, bronchitis. year exotic Carminative, astringent, uterine infection and Decoction of the plant for dysentery, Leaves and 71 Anisomeles indica (L.) Kuntze Septeber-March Native inflammation, boil, fever, cough. Root Root is antiallergic, cures sores and ulcers of the mouth. Decoction of the roots is valued as an October - Naturalized Root and appetizer, emmenagogic, rheumatism. 72 Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit. January exotic Leaves Leaves are used stomach problems, fevers, cold. Leaves are applied for headaches, fever, flu, coughs, colds toothaches and Throughout the Naturalized Leaves, Bark, 73 Lantana camara L. indigestion boils, swellings and pain of the year exotic Flower body. Bark is used for leprosy and ulcer. Flower for tuberculosis. The leaves are antitussive, diuretic and Pupalia atropurpurea (Lam.) November- 74 Native Whole plant, febrifuge. The decoction of plant is also Moq. February applied in frictions to treat oedema. Juice of the whole plant is considered Merremia vitifolia (Burm. F.) cooling and diuretic, high fever, strangury 75 February-July Native Whole plant Hallier f. and urethral discharges, malaria and smallpox. Pueraria phaseoloides (Roxb.) Decoction of the plant is used as an anti- November- 76 Benth. Var subspicata (Benth.) Native Whole plant infective agent, ulcers and boils. April Maesen Root is cooked as vegetable. Decoction of the whole plant is used Throughout the 77 Kyllinga brevifolia Rottb. Exotic Whole plant against malaria; colds with fever; whooping year cough; bronchitis, diarrhea. Cooked young leaves are taken to 78 Spilanthes acmella (L.) L. October-April Native Leaves increase lactation. It is also used in cough and cold as well as glossitis. Plant paste is used against leprosy, 79 Murdania nudiflora (L.)Brenan July-November Native Whole plant headache, asthma, piles. Root used to treat jaundice. Throughout the Leaf-sap is used for stomachache, 80 Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn. Exotic Leaves year rheumatism, earache, laxative. 81 Digitaria bicornis (Lam.) Roemer August-October Globally Native Leaves Decoction of leaf is used to treat skin ~ 204 ~ International Journal of Herbal Medicine

& J.A. Schultes ex. Loud diseases. Leaves used to treat snake bite, skin Naturalized 82 Cardiospermum halicacabum L. April-January Leaves diseases, rheumatism, nervous problem, Exotic earache. Used in toothache, rheumatism, leprosy, Introduced 83 Bidens pilosa L. June-December Whole plant skin disease; checks bleeding. Exotic Leaf juice used in ear and eye complaint. Oplismenus burmanni (Retz.) October - Naturalized 84 Leaves Decoction of leaf is used in eye treatments. P.Beauv. January Exotic Decoction of leaf is used to treat malaria, March- appetizer, laxative applied to soothe 85 Cleome rutidosperma DC. Invasive exotic Leaves December irritable skin conditions, convulsions and earache, inflammation and deafness. Throughout the Decoction of leaf is used as dysentery and 86 Amaranthus viridis L. Native Leaves year inflammations and purify the blood Cheilocostus speciosus (J.Koenig) Rhizome used to treat stomach Problem, 87 August-october Native Rhizome C.D.Specht blood in urine, diabetes. Root decoction is venereal diseases, boil. Throughout the Introduced and Root, Fruit, Fruit is diuretic and is used for malaria, 88 Solanum torvum Sw. year Naturalized Leaves stomach aches. Leaves are an effective antimicrobial and diuretic, anti-diabetic. Decoction of the whole plant is used to November- Introduced treat thrush, diarrhoea, diabetes, ulcers, 89 Heliotropium indicum L. Whole plant April Exotic dysentery, and bronchitis. Root sap is used in eye treatment. Leaves are used as vegetable, anti-diabetic, appetizer, antimicrobial and relief from Leaves,Root, 90 Murraya koenigii (L.) Sprenge April-June Native vomiting and dysentery. Bark Bark and Root are used for external wounds, stomachic. Whole plant with other ingredients like Natsiatum herpeticum Buch.- October- ginger, black piper, leaf of lemon, leaf 91 Exotic Whole plant Ham. ex Arn. February of Vitex, Eupatorium, is used to treat head-ache. September- Roots eaten to cure dysentery, cough and 92 Pouzolzia zeylenica (L.)Benn. Native Roots January Asthma. Decoction of the whole plant is used to Auxonopus compressus (Swartz.) Throughout the Naturalized treat diabetes, heart problems and skin 93 Whole plant P.Beauv. year Exotic diseases. It has antimicrobial and anti- oxidant properties also. Decoction of the whole plant is used to Throughout the Naturalize 94 Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. Whole plant treat leucoderma, inflammation, leprosy, year Exotic dysentery, cough and urogenital disorder. Root is used for veneral diseases, rheumatic Leaves and swellings, urinary complaints and 95 Smilax zeylanica L. Mar.-Aug. Native Root dysentery, jaundice, wound healing. Leaf juice is used for skin problems.

Graph 2: Status of Medicinally Used Plant Parts

Landscape position, soil type, disturbance, biological interactions such as seed movement, anthropogenic harvest, interactions and chance factors determine the suite and predation, herbivore and nutrient cycling also affect plant proportion of species within a given area. Competition growth and distribution. All of these factors determine the between individuals of same species creates growth attractiveness and suitability for both existing and potentially constraints through resource depletion. Other biological existing plants and indirectly set the template for a natural ~ 205 ~ International Journal of Herbal Medicine

progression of plant communities. Physical attributes also management past and present land management and natural influence plant productivity and the development of plant disturbance. associations. Such attributes include resource availability,

Table 4: Different Phytosociological values

Fr RF Sl.No. Name of The Plant Family H/L D RH RD (%) (%) 1 Spermacoce alata Aubl. Rubiaceae 35.711 9.125 67.188 0.0125 0.1470 4.0604 2 Chromolaena odoratum (L.) King & H.Rob Asteraceae 30.092 2.875 56.250 0.0105 0.0463 3.3993 3 Mitracarpus hirtus (L.) DC Rubiaceae 11.750 3.313 43.750 0.0041 0.0533 2.6439 4 Clerodendrum infortunatum L. Lamiaceae 32.371 2.188 59.375 0.0113 0.0352 3.5882 5 Dioscorea alata L. Dioscoeaceae 27.974 0.594 37.500 0.0098 0.0095 2.2662 6 PhyllanthusFraternus G.L. Webster Phyllanthaceae 7.1040 1.203 31.250 0.0024 0.0193 1.888 7 Biophytum sensitivum (L.)DC Oxalidaceae 16.633 0.469 37.500 0.0058 0.0075 2.2662 8 Sauropus compressus Müll.Arg. Phyllanthaceae 26.355 0.484 37.500 0.0092 0.0077 2.2662 9 Drymaria cordata (L.) Willd. Ex. Schult. Caryophyllaceae 9.6550 2.719 35.938 0.0033 0.0438 2.1718 10 Globba racemosa Sm. Zingiberaceae 31.267 0.703 48.438 0.0109 0.0113 2.9272 11 Desmodium gangeticum (L.)DC. Fabaceae 37.364 0.172 14.063 0.0130 0.0027 0.8498 12 Ageratum conyzoides L. Asteraceae 14.118 1.594 34.375 0.0049 0.0256 2.0774 13 Ageratum houstonianum Mill. Asteraceae 12.565 0.719 17.188 0.0044 0.0115 1.0387 14 Leucas aspera (Willd.)Link Lamiaceae 16.375 0.125 7.813 0.0057 0.0020 0.4721 15 Lasia spinosa (L.)Thwaites Araceae 15.353 0.266 6.250 0.0053 0.0042 0.3777 16 Persicaria chinensis (L.) H.Gross Polygonaceae 16.813 0.250 12.500 0.0058 0.0040 0.7554 17 Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Delarbre Polygonaceae 36.400 0.234 6.250 0.0127 0.0037 0.3777 18 Enhydra fluctuans Lour. Asteraceae 21.174 0.359 4.688 0.0074 0.0057 0.2833 19 Achyranthes aspera L. Amaranthaceae 11.189 3.313 39.063 0.0039 0.0533 2.3607 20 Rungia pectinata (L.)Nees Acanthaceae 9.822 3.688 43.750 0.0034 0.0594 2.6439 21 Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott. Araceae 17.200 0.156 9.375 0.0060 0.0025 0.5665 22 Commelina diffusa Burm. f. Commelinaceae 22.071 0.219 7.813 0.0077 0.0035 0.4721 23 Osbeckia nepalensis Hook. f. Melastomataceae 18.000 0.063 4.688 0.0063 0.0010 0.2833 24 Crotalaria pallida Aiton. Fabaceae 52.250 0.063 6.025 0.0183 0.0010 0.3641 25 Elephantopus scaber L. Asteraceae 24.231 0.406 37.500 0.0084 0.0065 2.2662 26 Commelina benghalensis L. Commelinaceae 20.857 0.219 7.813 0.0073 0.0035 0.4721 27 Curcuma caesia Roxb. Zingiberaceae 51.167 0.375 26.563 0.0179 0.0060 1.6052 28 Impatiens trilobata Colebr. Balsaminaceae 30.348 0.359 25.000 0.0106 0.0057 1.5108 29 Torenia cordifolia Roxb. Linderniaceae 22.833 0.563 21.875 0.0079 0.0090 1.3219 30 Lindernia ciliate (Colsm) Pennell Linderniaceae 5.857 0.438 14.063 0.0020 0.0070 0.8498 31 Lindernia crustacea (L.) F.Muell Linderniaceae 6.275 0.625 18.750 0.0021 0.0100 1.1331 32 Lindernia ruellioides (Colsm.)Pennell Linderniaceae 26.333 0.563 18.750 0.0092 0.0090 1.1331 33 Senna tora (L.)Roxb. Fabaceae 16.750 0.250 17.188 0.0058 0.0040 1.0387 34 Senna sophera (L.)Roxb. Fabaceae 27.750 0.188 17.188 0.0097 0.0030 1.0387 35 Stephania japonica (Thunb.)Miers Menispermaceae 14.214 0.219 12.500 0.0049 0.0035 0.7554 36 Coffea benghalensis B.Heyne ex. Schult. Rubiaceae 47.222 0.281 17.188 0.0165 0.0045 1.0387 37 Wrightia religiosa (Teijsm. & Binn.) Benth. ex. Kurz. Apocynaceae 46.063 0.250 18.750 0.0161 0.0040 1.1331 38 Desmodium trifolium (L.)DC. Fabaceae 12.395 1.859 26.563 0.0043 0.0299 1.6052 39 Desmodium heterophyllum (Willd.) DC. Fabaceae 12 0.188 4.688 0.0042 0.0030 0.2833 40 Melastoma malabathricum L. Melastomataceae 19.222 0.141 9.375 0.0067 0.0022 0.5665 41 Sida acuta Burm.f. Malvaceae 23.346 0.406 29.688 0.0081 0.0065 1.7941 42 Sida rhombifolia L. Malvaceae 23.200 0.234 17.188 0.0081 0.0037 1.0387 43 Abrus pulchellus Thwaites Fabaceae 20.75 0.125 12.500 0.0072 0.0020 0.7554 44 Ampelocissus barbata (Wall.) Planch. Vitaceae 44.500 0.094 9.375 0.0155 0.0015 0.5665 45 Achyranthes bidentata Blume Amaranthaceae 16.219 1.172 14.063 0.0056 0.0188 0.9442 46 Piper longum L. Piperaceae 33.222 0.141 14.063 0.0116 0.0022 0.8498 47 Dioscorea bulbifera L. Dioscoreaceae 72.286 0.109 10.938 0.0253 0.0017 0.6610 48 Triumfetta rhomboidea Jacq. Malvaceae 36.000 0.250 14.063 0.0126 0.0040 0.8498 49 Boerhavia repens L. Nyctaginaceae 36.952 0.328 12.500 0.0129 0.0052 0.7554 50 Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaud. Urticaceae 23.375 0.250 15.625 0.0081 0.0040 0.9442 51 Flemingia strobilifera (L.) W.T.Aiton Fabaceae 32.214 0.219 12.500 0.0112 0.0035 0.7554 52 Stachytarpheta indica (L.) Vahl. Verbenaceae 26.056 0.281 15.625 0.0091 0.0045 0.9442 53 Urena lobata L. Malvaceae 25.611 0.563 29.688 0.0089 0.0090 1.7941 54 Thunbergia grandiflora (Roxb. Ex Rottl.) Roxb. Acanthaceae 64.000 0.172 17.188 0.0224 0.0027 1.0387 55 Mimosa pudica L. Fabaceae 45.038 0.406 26.563 0.0157 0.0065 1.6052 56 Mimosa invisa Colla. Fabaceae 93.600 0.078 7.813 0.0327 0.0012 0.4721 57 Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam. Araliaceae 10.642 1.266 21.875 0.0037 0.0204 1.3219 58 Mikania micrantha Kunth. Asteraceae 39.455 0.172 15.625 0.0138 0.0027 0.9442 59 Deeringia amaranthoides (Lam.)Merr. Amaranthaceae 23.429 0.109 6.250 0.0082 0.0017 0.3777 60 Oxalis corniculata L. Oxalidaceae 11.550 0.313 10.938 0.0040 0.0050 0.6610 61 Xanthium strumarium L. Asteraceae 17.000 0.125 7.813 0.0059 0.0020 0.4721 62 Mecardonia procumbens (Mill.)Small Plantaginaceae 15.944 0.281 4.688 0.0055 0.0045 0.2833 ~ 206 ~ International Journal of Herbal Medicine

63 Scoparia dulcis L. Plantaginaceae 14.750 0.188 9.375 0.0051 0.0030 0.5665 64 Cyanthillium cinereum (L.)H.Rob. Asteraceae 19.000 0.234 12.500 0.0066 0.0037 0.7554 65 Trichosanthes tricuspidata Laur. Cucurbitaceae 60.833 0.094 7.813 0.0213 0.0015 0.4721 66 Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus Nees. Acanthaceae 133.667 0.047 4.688 0.0468 0.0007 0.2833 67 Acmella calva (DC.) R.K.Jansen Asteraceae 16.213 0.734 20.313 0.0056 0.0118 1.2275 68 Mukia maderaspatana (L.) M.Roem. Cucurbitaceae 52.375 0.125 12.500 0.0183 0.0020 0.7554 69 Tephrosia purpurea L.(Pers.) Fabaceae 20.545 0.172 9.375 0.0071 0.0027 0.7554 70 Physalis minima L. Solanaceae 19.667 0.094 9.375 0.0068 0.0015 0.6610 71 Anisomeles indica (L.) Kuntze Lamiaceae 42.200 0.313 14.063 0.0147 0.0050 0.7554 72 Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit. Lamiaceae 31.000 0.313 14.063 0.0108 0.0050 0.4721 73 Lantana camara L. Verbenaceae 55.389 0.281 15.625 0.0194 0.0045 1.3219 74 Pupalia atropurpurea (Lam.)Moq. Amaranthaceae 12.337 1.438 18.750 0.0043 0.0231 1.1331 75 Merremia vitifolia (Burm. F.) Hallier f. Convolvulaceae 56.333 0.094 7.813 0.0197 0.0015 0.3777 Pueraria phaseoloides (Roxb.)Benth.Var subspicata 76 Fabaceae 45.333 0.047 4.688 0.0158 0.0007 0.6610 (Benth.)Maesen 77 Kyllinga brevifolia Rottb. Cyperaceae 13.106 1.031 20.313 0.0045 0.0166 0.4721 78 Spilanthes acmella (L.) L. Fabaceae 17.318 0.344 10.938 0.0060 0.0055 0.2833 79 Murdania nudiflora (L.)Brenan Commelinaceae 11.823 0.891 14.063 0.0041 0.0143 0.5665 80 Synedrella nodiflora (L.)Gaertn. Asteraceae 15.409 0.688 17.188 0.0053 0.0110 0.7554 Digitaria bicornis (Lam.)Roemer & J.A. Schultes ex. 81 Poaceae 14.647 0.531 12.500 0.0051 0.0085 0.4721 Loud 82 Cardiospermum halicacabum L. Sapindaceae 66.250 0.125 10.938 0.0232 0.0020 0.2833 83 Bidens pilosa L. Asteraceae 22.433 0.469 12.500 0.0078 0.0075 1.2275 84 Oplismenus burmanni (Retz.) P.Beauv. Poaceae 16.250 0.313 7.813 0.0056 0.0050 0.7554 85 Cleome rutidosperma DC. Cleomaceae 18.800 0.078 4.688 0.0065 0.0012 0.2833 86 Amaranthus viridis L. Amaranthaceae 13.875 0.125 4.688 0.0048 0.0020 0.2833 87 Cheilocostus speciosus (J.Koenig) C.D.Specht Zingiberaceae 106.000 0.063 6.250 0.0371 0.0010 0.3777 88 Solanum torvum Sw. Solanaceae 105.333 0.047 4.688 0.0369 0.0007 0.2833 89 Heliotropium indicum L. Boraginaceae 20.333 0.047 4.688 0.0071 0.0007 0.2833 90 Murraya koenigii (L.) Sprenge Rutaceae 28.286 0.109 9.375 0.0099 0.0017 0.5665 91 Natsiatum herpeticum Buch.-Ham. ex Arn. Icacinaceae 47.000 0.063 6.250 0.0164 0.0010 0.3777 92 Pouzolzia zeylenica (L.)Benn. Urticaceae 10.867 0.234 6.250 0.0038 0.0037 0.3777 93 Auxonopus compressus (Swartz.) P.Beauv. Poaceae 12.709 2.953 39.063 0.0044 0.0475 2.3607 94 Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. Poaceae 12.833 0.844 10.938 0.0044 0.0136 0.6610 95 Smilax zeylanica L. Smilacaceae 74.000 0.016 1.563 0.0259 0.0002 0.0944 D=Density, Fr=Frequency, H/L =Height or Length, RD=Relative Density, RF=Relative Frequency, RH= Relative Height or Length

Table 4: Different Community Index values

Sl. No Name of The Plant A IVI S.I Cd E 1 Spermacoce alata Aubl. 13.5813 4.2199 0.130587 0.001667 0.066028 2 Chromolaena odoratum (L.) King & H.Rob 5.1111 3.4561 0.113629 0.001118 0.057454 3 Mitracarpus hirtus (L.) DC 7.5714 2.7013 0.095253 0.000683 0.048163 4 Clerodendrum infortunatum L. 3.6842 3.6347 0.117729 0.001236 0.059527 5 Dioscorea alata L. 1.5833 2.2855 0.084288 0.000489 0.042618 6 PhyllanthusFraternus G.L. Webster 3.8500 1.9097 0.073748 0.000341 0.037289 7 Biophytum sensitivum (L.)DC 1.2500 2.2795 0.084124 0.000486 0.042536 8 Sauropus compressus Müll.Arg. 1.2916 2.2831 0.084222 0.000487 0.042585 9 Drymaria cordata (L.) Willd. Ex. Schult. 7.5652 2.2189 0.082466 0.000460 0.041697 10 Globba racemosa Sm. 1.4516 2.9494 0.101494 0.000814 0.051319 11 Desmodium gangeticum (L.)DC. 1.2222 0.8655 0.040050 0.000070 0.020251 12 Ageratum conyzoides L. 4.6363 2.1079 0.079388 0.000415 0.040141 13 Ageratum houstonianum Mill. 4.1818 1.0546 0.046785 0.000104 0.023656 14 Leucas aspera (Willd.)Link 1.6000 0.4798 0.024941 0.000021 0.012611 15 Lasia spinosa (L.)Thwaites 4.2500 0.3872 0.020931 0.000014 0.010583 16 Persicaria chinensis (L.) H.Gross 2.0000 0.7652 0.036321 0.000054 0.036321 17 Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Delarbre 3.7500 0.3941 0.021236 0.000014 0.010738 18 Enhydra fluctuans Lour. 7.6666 0.2964 0.016789 0.000008 0.008489 19 Achyranthes aspera L. 8.4800 2.4179 0.087853 0.000547 0.044421 20 Rungia pectinata (L.)Nees 8.4285 2.7067 0.095391 0.000685 0.048233 21 Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott. 1.6666 0.5750 0.028883 0.000030 0.014604 22 Commelina diffusa Burm. f. 2.8000 0.4833 0.025089 0.000021 0.012686 23 Osbeckia nepalensis Hook. f. 1.3333 0.2906 0.016516 0.000007 0.008351 24 Crotalaria pallida Aiton. 1.0000 0.3834 0.020762 0.000013 0.010498 25 Elephantopus scaber L. 1.0833 2.2811 0.084168 0.000487 0.010498 26 Commelina benghalensis L. 2.8000 0.4829 0.025072 0.000021 0.012677 27 Curcuma caesia Roxb. 1.4117 1.6291 0.065416 0.000248 0.033076 28 Impatiens trilobata Colebr. 1.4375 1.5271 0.062276 0.000218 0.031488 29 Torenia cordifolia Roxb. 2.1457 1.3388 0.056302 0.000167 0.056302 30 Lindernia ciliate (Colsm) Pennell 3.1111 0.8588 0.039805 0.000069 0.020131

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31 Lindernia crustacea (L.) F.Muell 3.3333 1.1452 0.049891 0.000122 0.025226 32 Lindernia ruellioides (Colsm.)Pennell 3.0000 1.1513 0.050097 0.000124 0.025331 33 Senna tora (L.)Roxb. 1.4545 1.0485 0.046573 0.000102 0.023548 34 Senna sophera (L.)Roxb. 1.0909 1.0514 0.046674 0.000103 0.023599 35 Stephania japonica (Thunb.)Miers 1.7500 0.7638 0.036268 0.000054 0.018333 36 Coffea benghalensis B.Heyne ex. Schult. 1.6363 1.0597 0.046961 0.000105 0.023745 37 Wrightia religiosa (Teijsm. & Binn.) Benth. ex. Kurz. 1.3333 1.1532 0.050162 0.000124 0.025363 38 Desmodium trifolium (L.)DC. 7.0000 1.6394 0.065730 0.000251 0.033235 39 Desmodium heterophyllum (Willd.) DC. 4.0000 0.2905 0.016511 0.000007 0.008348 40 Melastoma malabathricum L. 1.5000 0.5754 0.028899 0.000030 0.014612 41 Sida acuta Burm.f. 1.3684 1.8087 0.070798 0.000306 0.035798 42 Sida rhombifolia L. 1.3636 1.0505 0.046642 0.000103 0.023584 43 Abrus pulchellus Thwaites 1.0000 0.7646 0.036298 0.000054 0.018353 44 Ampelocissus barbata (Wall.) Planch. 1.0000 0.5835 0.029227 0.000031 0.014778 45 Achyranthes bidentata Blume 8.3333 0.8598 0.039842 0.000069 0.020145 46 Piper longum L. 1.0000 0.8636 0.039981 0.000069 0.020215 47 Dioscorea bulbifera L. 1.0000 0.6880 0.033365 0.000044 0.016870 48 Triumfetta rhomboidea Jacq. 1.7777 0.8664 0.040083 0.000070 0.020267 49 Boerhavia repens L. 2.6250 0.7735 0.036634 0.000056 0.018523 50 Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaud. 1.6000 0.9563 0.043329 0.000085 0.021908 51 Flemingia strobilifera (L.) W.T.Aiton 1.7500 0.7701 0.036506 0.000055 0.018458 52 Stachytarpheta indica (L.) Vahl. 1.8000 0.9578 0.043383 0.000085 0.021935 53 Urena lobata L. 1.8947 1.8120 0.070895 0.000307 0.035847 54 Thunbergia grandiflora (Roxb. Ex Rottl.) Roxb. 1.0000 1.0638 0.047103 0.000105 0.023817 55 Mimosa pudica L. 1.5294 1.6274 0.065365 0.000247 0.033050 56 Mimosa invisa Colla. 1.0000 0.5060 0.026043 0.000023 0.013168 57 Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam. 5.7857 1.3460 0.056535 0.000169 0.028585 58 Mikania micrantha Kunth. 1.1000 0.9607 0.043486 0.000086 0.043348 59 Deeringia amaranthoides (Lam.)Merr. 1.7500 0.3876 0.020948 0.000014 0.010592 60 Oxalis corniculata L. 2.8571 0.6700 0.032663 0.000042 0.016515 61 Xanthium strumarium L. 1.6000 0.4800 0.024949 0.000021 0.012615 62 Mecardonia procumbens (Mill.)Small 6.0000 0.2933 0.016643 0.000008 0.008415 63 Scoparia dulcis L. 2.0000 0.5746 0.028867 0.000030 0.014596 64 Cyanthillium cinereum (L.)H.Rob. 1.8750 0.7657 0.036340 0.000054 0.018374 65 Trichosanthes tricuspidata Laur. 1.2000 0.4949 0.025578 0.000022 0.012933 66 Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus Nees. 1.0000 0.3308 0.018386 0.000010 0.009296 67 Acmella calva (DC.) R.K.Jansen 3.6153 1.2449 0.053229 0.000145 0.026914 68 Mukia maderaspatana (L.) M.Roem. 1.0000 0.7757 0.036717 0.000056 0.018565 69 Tephrosia purpurea L.(Pers.) 1.8333 0.5906 0.029513 0.000032 0.014923 70 Physalis minima L. 1.0000 0.5830 0.029207 0.000031 0.014768 71 Anisomeles indica (L.) Kuntze 2.2222 0.8597 0.039838 0.000069 0.020143 72 Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit. 2.2222 0.8588 0.039805 0.000069 0.020126 73 Lantana camara L. 1.8000 0.9521 0.043179 0.000084 0.021833 74 Pupalia atropurpurea (Lam.)Moq. 7.666 1.1605 0.050408 0.000126 0.025488 75 Merremia vitifolia (Burm. F.) Hallier f. 1.2000 0.4802 0.004646 0.000021 0.024958 Pueraria phaseoloides (Roxb.) Benth.Var subspicata (Benth.) 76 1.0000 0.2936 0.016657 0.000008 0.008422 Maesen 77 Kyllinga brevifolia Rottb. 5.0769 1.2503 0.053407 0.000146 0.027004 78 Spilanthes acmella (L.) L. 3.1428 0.7085 0.034157 0.000046 0.017271 79 Murdania nudiflora (L.)Brenan 6.3333 0.8672 0.040113 0.000070 0.020282 80 Synedrella nodiflora (L.)Gaertn. 4.0000 1.0590 0.046937 0.000104 0.023733 81 Digitaria bicornis (Lam.)Roemer & J.A. Schultes ex. Loud 4.2500 0.7652 0.036321 0.000054 0.018365 82 Cardiospermum halicacabum L. 1.1428 0.6693 0.032636 0.000041 0.016502 83 Bidens pilosa L. 3.7500 0.7751 0.036695 0.000056 0.018554 84 Oplismenus burmanni (Retz.) P.Beauv. 4.0000 0.4879 0.025283 0.000022 0.012784 85 Cleome rutidosperma DC. 1.6666 1.3458 0.056528 0.000169 0.028582 86 Amaranthus viridis L. 2.6666 0.9686 0.043767 0.000087 0.022130 87 Cheilocostus speciosus (J.Koenig) C.D.Specht 1.0000 0.3989 0.021448 0.000014 0.010845 88 Solanum torvum Sw. 1.0000 0.6775 0.032956 0.000042 0.016663 89 Heliotropium indicum L. 1.0000 0.4932 0.025506 0.000022 0.012896 90 Murraya koenigii (L.) Sprenge 1.6666 0.2948 0.016713 0.000008 0.008451 91 Natsiatum herpeticum Buch.-Ham. ex Arn. 1.0000 0.5849 0.029283 0.000032 0.014806 92 Pouzolzia zeylenica (L.)Benn. 3.7500 0.7717 0.036566 0.000055 0.018489 93 Auxonopus compressus (Swartz.) P.Beauv. 7.5600 0.4857 0.025190 0.000022 0.012737 94 Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. 7.7142 0.3085 0.017355 0.000008 0.008775 95 Smilax zeylanica L. 1.0000 1.2428 0.053159 0.000014 0.026879 A= Abundance, IVI= Importance Value Index, S= Shannon Index,Cd= Species dominance, E= Evenness 4. Conclusion medicinal plants. Such medicinal plants are often used in rural In this work it was found that Chalsa forest range is rich in areas because of its easy availability. During the past few

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decades, the traditional knowledge on medicinal properties of value is also good for Achyranthes aspera L., Rungia plants gathered by many generations is declining rapidly. The pectinata (L.)Nees, Pupalia atropurpurea (Lam.) Moq., erosion of traditional knowledge is primarily due to Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Enhydra fluctuans Lour., development of modern health care facilities, Achyranthes bidentata Blume, Drymaria cordata (L.) Willd. commercialization and socioeconomic changes and lack of Ex. Schult., Auxonopus compressus (Swartz.)P.Beauv. and interest on learning the knowledge by indigenous community. Desmodium trifolium (L.) DC. Abundance value is low for Sometime, over exploitation of a particular species can also some plants (Table.5). lead to the incidental disappearance of other non-targeted This study also determines the Importance Value Index (IVI) species. In addition excess commercialization of such for several medicinal plants to evaluate the status of their medicine in local market also creates threat to these medicinal overall existence in this forest. IVI was recorded maximum plants as well as the forest biodiversity. The information for Spermacoce alata Aubl. as 4.2199. IVI was also good for generated from the present study regarding the medicinal Clerodendrum infortunatum L., Chromolaena odoratum (L.) plant use by the people of this region need a thorough King & H.Rob, Dioscorea alata L.,Biophytum sensitivum (L.) phytosociological investigation including allelopathic analysis DC., Sauropus compressus Mull. Arg., Drymaria cordata (L.) and soil seed bank analysis. This could help in creating mass Willd. Ex. Schult., Globba racemosa Sm. etc. However IVI awareness regarding the need for conservation of such plants was recorded very poor for many plants (Table 5.).This result and also in the promotion of ethno-medico-botany knowledge indicates the majority of medicinal plants of this forest range within the region besides contributing to the preservation and need a proper and scientific conservation method. enrichment of the natural resources of such biodiversity rich Eight diversity indices used were used to analyze the status of forest range before they are lost forever. medicinal plants of this forest. Shannon and Weiner index In the present work an attempt has been made to investigate represents entropy. It is a diversity index taking into account the ecological and phytosociological status of medicinal the number of individuals as well as the number of taxa. It plants in Chalsa forest range and it may be useful to the health varies from 0 for communities with only single taxa to high professionals, scientists and scholars working in the field of values for community with many taxa each with few Botany, Ecology, Forestry pharmacology and therapeutics to individuals. Simpson’s dominance index was very less than 1, develop. This also covers the conservation prospective of which showed that the sites were not dominated by single medicinal plants, in forest patches. The traditional knowledge species. On the contrary a few species dominate the forest. on medicinal values of plant is developed through course of The primary conclusion is that there is low grazing pressure time by co-existence with surrounding floristic diversity and and moderate human impact on normal distribution of such its conservation management is developed through the species which may cause reduction in medicinal plant ecological and phytosociological status. The phyto- community in next few decades in the forest ecosystem. To sociological analysis revealed that Spermacoce alata Aubl is measure richness of species Menhinick’s index and the most abundant species of this forest range. Abundance Margalef’s index were determined (Table 6).

Table 6: Different Community indices for medicinal plants of the Forest Range

Community indices Value Species diversity (H') 4.316388 Species dominance (Cd) 0.003409 Equitability of evenness (e) 1.000449 Species richness (D) 11.343377 Menhinick’s index (Dmm) 0.023923 Equitability Index 0.947849 Berger-Parker Dominance Index 0.003420

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Photoplate 1:

4

1. Melastoma malabathricum L., 2. Mimosa pudica L., 3. Impatiens trilobata Colebr., 4. Thunbergia grandiflora (Roxb. Ex Rottl.) Roxb., 5. Crotalaria micans Link. 6. Persicaria chinensis (L.) H. Gross, 7. Urena lobata L., 8. Desmodium gangeticum (L.)DC., 9. Lindernia ruellioides (Colsm.) Pennell, 10. Biophytum sensitivum (L) DC, 11. Flemingia strobilifera (L.) W.T. Aiton, 12. Ageratum conyzoides L., 13. Torenia cordifolia Roxb., 14. Mimosa diplotricha Sauvalle 15. Wrightia religiosa (Teijsm. & Binn.) Benth. ex. Kurz.

Therefore, this study recommends protection and forest department and by the active people’s participation. conservation of wild plant of the area for sustainable use in The threatened medicinal plants of this forest should also future and a detailed documentation of ethno-medicinal conserved by the botanist by propagation practices in the knowledge for the use of future generation. The medicinal botanical garden. plants are to be conserved by the laws and legislations of the

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Photoplate 2:

16. Bidens pilosa L., 17. Pueraria phaseoloides (Roxb.) Benth. Var subspicata (Benth.) Maesen 18. Stephania japonica (Thunb.) Miers, 19. Coffea benghalensis B. Heyene ex. Schult., 20. Anisomeles indica (L.) Kuntze, 21. Elephantopus scaber L., 22. Lasia spinosa (L.) Thwaites 23. Sauropus compressus Mull. Arg., 24. Mecardonia procumbens (Mill.) Small 25. Triumfetta rhomboidea Jacq., 26. Spermacoce alata Aubl., 27. Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaud., Rungia pectinata (L.) Nees, 29. Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam., 30. Phyllanthus fraternus G.L. Webster.

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Photoplate 3:

31. Solanum torvum Sw., 32. Costus speciosus (Koening ex Retz.) Smith, 33. Cardiospermum halicacabum L., 34. Trichosanthes tricuspidata Laur., 35. Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Delarbe, 36. Stachytarpheta indica (L.) Vahl., 37. Clerodendrum infortunatum L., 38. Sida acuta Burm. f. 39. Acmella calva (DC.) R.K. Jansen, 40. Curcuma caesia Roxb. 41. Abrus precatorius L., 42. Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn. 43. Digitaria bicornis (Lam.) Roemer & J.A. Schultes ex. Loud, 44. Senna tora (L.) Roxb. 45. Lantana camara L.

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Photoplate 4:

46. Enhydra fluctuans Lour., 47. Senna sophera (L.) Roxb., 48. Sida rhombifolia L., 49. Deeringia amaranthoides (Lam.). Merr., 50. Achyranthes aspera L., 51. Ampelocissus barbata (Wall.) Planch., 52. Scoparia dulcis L., 53. Lindernia ciliate (Colsm) Pennell, 54. Desmodium heterophyllum (Willd.) DC., 55. Physalis minima L., 56. Oxalis corniculata L., 57. Tephrosia purpurea L., 57. Tephrosia purpurea L. (Pers.), 58. Commelina diffusa Burn. f., 59. Smilax zeylanica L., 60. Mukia maderaspatana (L.) M. Roem.

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Photoplate 5:

61. Mikania micrantha Kunth, 62. Drymaria cordata (L.) Wild. Ex. Schult., 63. Dominant Clerodendrum infortunatum Under- shrub, 64. Dominant Chromolaena odoratum under-shrub, 65.-75 Authors and Forest Guards working at different study sites of Chalsa Forest Range

6. Acknowledgements their kind cooperation during field study. Above all we also We convey our thanks and gratitude to Principal Chief thankful to the local people and traditional medicinal Conservator of Forest, West Bengal; Chief Conservator of professionals for providing their valuable knowledge Forest and Divisional Forest Officer, Jalpaiguri Division, for regarding the medicinal value of the plants. their kind permission. We also great full to Dr. Archan 5. References Bhattacharya for his unreserved professional advice and 1. Sarkar AK, Mazumder M. A Surveillance to Evaluate the encouragement. We also convey our thanks to Mr. Pallab Diversity, Dominance and Community Structure of Tree Mukherjee, Range Officer, Chalsa Range and his staffs for Species in Nagrakata Forest Beat of Chalsa Forest Range, ~ 214 ~ International Journal of Herbal Medicine

West Bengal, India Int. J Pure App. Biosci. 2016; 1980, 161-169. 4(5):133-143. 24. Meher-Homji VM. Bioclimatology and Plant Geography 2. Pushpangadan. Ethnobiology in India- A Status Report. of Peninsular India. Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur, India, All India Coordinated Research Project on Ethnobiology. 2001. MoEF, GoI, New Delhi, 1995. 25. Borthakur SK, Goswami N. Herbal Remedies from 3. FAO. WHO Fact Sheet No. 2002, 271, Demoria of Kamrup district of Assam in North-East 4. Adnan M, Holscher D. Medicinal plants in old-growth, India. Fitoterapia. 1995; 66(4):333-339. degraded and regrowth forests of NW Pakistan. Forest 26. Kala CP. Current status of medicinal plants used by Ecology and Management. 2011; 261:2105-2114. traditional vaidyas in Uttaranchal State of India. 5. Adnan M, Holscher D. Diversity of Medicinal Plants Ethnobotany Resarch & Application. 2005; 3:267-278. among Different Forest-use Types of the Pakistani 27. Rai HN, Chowdhary HA, Molla HA, Pal DC, Roy B. Himalaya. Economic Botany. 2012; 66(4):344-356. Plants used in traditional medicine by some tribals of 6. Mishra R. Ecology Work. Published by Mohan Primlani, Jalpaiguri district. Bull Bot Surv India. 1982; 24(1-4):87- Oxford & IBH Publication Co., New Delhi, 1968. 90. 7. Phillips EA. Methods of vegetation study. Henri Holt Co. 28. Das SN, Janardhanan KP, Roy SC. Some observations on Inc, 1959 the ethnobotany of the tribes of Totopara and adjoining 8. Sarkar AK. Ecological Studies of Tree Vegetation of areas in Jalpaiguri Districts of West Bengal. J Economic Ramshai Forest Range, Gorumara National Park, India. Taxonomic Botany. 1983; 4(2):453-474. Int. Res. J Biological Sci. 2016; 5(7):53-59. 29. Prain D. Bengal Plants, Botanical Survey of India, 9. Silori CS, Dixit AM, Gupta LM, Mistry N. Observation Kolkata 1903, I-II. on Medicinal Plant richness and associated conservation 30. Rajendran SM, Chandrasekar K, Sundaresan V. issues in district Kachchh, Gujarat. In: Medicinal Plant:s: Ethnomedicinal lore of Valaya tribe in Seithur hills of Utilization and Conservation. (ed.) P.C. Trivedi. Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu, India. Indian J Rajasthan University, 2005. Traditional Knowledge. 2002; 1(1):59-71. 10. Shannon CE, Wiener W. The Mathematical theory of 31. Paul S, Devi N, Sarma GC. Medicinal Plants of Ultapani Communication, University Illinois Press, Urban, 1963. Forest Range under Holtugaon Division, Manas 11. Simpson EH. Measurement of Diversity, Nature. 1949; Biosphere Reserve (Assam).International Journal of 163:688. Applied Biology and Pharmaceutical Technology. 2011; 12. Pielou EC. Species Diversity and pattern diversity of in 2(4):257-263. the study of Ecological; Succession, Jour. Of theoretical 32. Kalita P, Deka S, Saharia BJ, Chakraborty A, Basak M, Biology. 1966; 10:370-383. Deka MK. An overview and future scope on traditionally 13. Margalef R. Perspective in Ecological Theory, Uni. Of used herbal plants of Assam having Antidiabetic activity. Chicago Press. 1968, 112. IJAPBC. 2014; 3(2):2277-4688. 14. Menhinick’s. Index as Described by Whittaker, RH. Evolution of species diversity In land communities. In Evolutionary biology eds Heeht M.K., W. C. Steee and B Wallace Plenum, NY, 1977. 15. Lloyd M, Ghelard RJ. A table for calculating the equitability component of species diversity, Journal of Animal Ecology. 1964; 33:217-255. 16. Whittaker RH, Levin SA. The role of mosaic phenomena in mosaic communities. Theoretical Population Biology. 1977; 12:117-139. 17. Khosla PK. Staus of Indian forestry problem and perspective. Indian Society of Tree Scientists, University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan (H.P.) India, 1992. 18. Silori CS, Rana A. Indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants and their use in Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary, Kachchh. Ethnobotany. 2000; 12:1-7. 19. Vockenhuber EA, Scherber C, Langenbruch C, Meibbner M, Seidel D, Tscharntke T. Tree diversity and environmental context predict herb species richness and cover in Germany's largest connected deciduous forest.- Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution Systematics. 2011; 21(3):111-119. 20. Thaker JI. Plants of Kutch and their utility (In Gujarati). Rajkot, 1926. 21. Bhattacharya S, Tiwari KC, Mazumdar R, Misra AK. Folklore medicine from district (Assam): Bull Med Ethnobotany Res. 1980; 1:447-460. 22. Barua KN, Barua IC, Das M. Ethnobotany of Rajbongshis of Assam, Journal of Econ Tax Bot. 1999; 23(2):609-613. 23. Hajra PK, Boissya AK. Ethnobotanical notes on Miris (Missings) of Assam plain; Jain S K: Glimpses of Indian ethno botany: Oxford and IBH Publishers, New Delhi. ~ 215 ~