BIODIVERSITY OF INDIAN DESERT AND IT'S VALUE.
Climbers and twinners:
Cocculus pendulus (Forst.) Diels.; Celastrus paniculata Willd.; Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers.; Blastania fimbristipula (Fensl.) Kotschy et Peyr.; Citrullus colocynthis (Linn.) Schrad.(Figure 8); Cucumis callosus (Rottl.) Cogn.; Mukia maderaspatana (Linn.) M. Roem.; Pergularia daemia (Forsk.) Chiov.; Ipomoea eriocarpa R.Br.; Ipomoea pes-tigridis Linn.
Figure 8: Citrullus colosynthis (Linn.) Schrad.
G. Grasses :
Bulbostylis barbata (Rottb.) Kunth.; Cyperus arenarius Retz.; Cyperus bulbosus Vahl.; Cyperus triceps (Rottb.) Endl.; Aristida funiculata Trin. et Rupr.; Brachiaria ramose (Linn.) Stapf .; Brachiaria reptans (Linn.) Gardener et Hubb.; Cenchrus biflorus Roxb.; Cenchrus ciliaris Linn.(Figure, 9); Cenchrus pennisetiformis Hochst. et Steud.; Chloris virgata Sw.; Dactyloctenium sindicum Boiss.; Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash.; Typha elephantine Roxb.; Eragrostis ciliaris (Linn.) R.Br.; Eragrostis pilosa (Linn.) P. Beauv.; Eragrostis tremula Hochst. ex Steud.; Saccharum bengalense Retz.
Figure 9: Cenchrus ciliaris Linn.
Conclusion:
This report based on the survey of plant Biodiversity of different sites over a period of 2 ½ year. Regular and periodical visits to different site and their seasonal appearances were also recorded ( Kotia and Kumar , 2001). Two hundred twelve species were recorded, belonging to one hundred ten genera of flowering plants. About 50 species carry medicinal importance in Ayurveda (Jain, 1968; Jain, 1991, Kotia and Kumar, 2001), some of them are used as fodders and others provide edible fruits.
The rich biodiversity of Rajasthan has great potential plants having medicinal value Tannins, oils, Gums & resins, Dyes, Fibers, and other important economic uses. However their characterization is lacking. Present paper has attempted to compile available information on the availability of plant recourses having various potential. The detailed investigation on the molecular & genetic characterization of these plants is necessary to have gene pool conservation. Attempts are also underway to made a gene pool bank for the plants for further reseamles.
REFERENCES:
1. Bhandari, M.M. 1978 : Flora Of Indian Desert, Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur, 1- 466.
2. Jain, S.K. 1968. Medicinal Plants, National Book Trust, New Delhi.
3. Jain, S.K. and Defellips, 1991 In : Medicinal Plant Of India, Reference Publication, Algonal, Michigan, U.S.A.
4. Kotia, A. and Kumar, A. 2001 : Characterization of weeds on Wastelands and their role in Eco-development. Int. J. Mendel, Vol 18 (1-2), Page 7-8.
5. Kotia, A. and Kumar, A. 2001 : Some of the common weeds of medicinal value from Rajasthan. Int. J. Mendel, Vol 18 (1-2), Page 17-18.
6. Kotia, A. and Kumar, A. 2001 : Characterization of biomass during wateland development in Semiarid region. J. of Environment and Pollution Vol. 8, No. 2, 213-216.
7. Kumar, A. 1987 – Petro Crop Resources of Rajasthan. Proceeding Bio Energy Society IVth convention & Symposium ( Bio-Energy Society of India. New Delhi) 106-111.
8. Kumar , A. & Roy , S. 1996 : Biomass resources of Semi – arid regions. Production and improvement of wood energy source. In Biomass for energy and environment ( eds : P Chartier et. al ) Elsevier science, U.K. 721-724.
9. Roy , S. & Kumar , A. 1987 : Potential of Different Tree species as sources of Biomass in Rajasthan. Proceeding Bio Energy Society IVth convention & Symposium ( Bio-Energy Society of India. New Delhi) 62-66.
10. Roy , S. & Kumar , A. 1995 : Biodiversity of Rajasthan and its energy potentials J. Environment & Pollution , 2 (3) : 105 – 109.
11. Sharma , S. 1976 : Flora of North East Rajasthan , Kalyani Publisher. New Delhi. 1-395.
Table 1. Tannins yielding plants of Rajasthan :
Local Name Botanical Name Family Part use Other uses
Babul Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. Mimosaceae Bark Medicinally, Gum
Arunj Acacia leucophloea Willd. Mimosaceae Bark Fiber , Gum
Sadad Terminalia alata Heyne. Combretaceae Bark Medicinally
Arjuna Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight. & Ara. Combretaceae Bark Medicinally, silk worm host
Amaltas Cassia fistula Linn. Caesalpiniaceae Bark Medicinally
Anwal Cassia auriculata Linn. Caesalpiniaceae Bark Medicinally
Godal Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Merrill. Anacardiaceae Bark Gum, Resin, Dye
Dansara Rhus mysurensis Heyne. Anacardiaceae Bark Fruits edible
Farash Tamarix aphylla (L.) Karst. Tamaricaceae Bark Medicinally
Jangaljalbi Pithecellobium dulce Benth. Mimosaceae Bark Timber
Khair Acacia catechu Willd. Mimosaceae Bark Dye, Medicinally, Gum
Ghatbor Zizyphus glaberrima Santapau. Rhamnaceae Fruit Fruit edible
Baheda Terminalia bellirica Roxb. Combretaceae Fruit Medicinally
Anonla Emblica officinalis Gaertn. Euphorbiaceae Fruit Fruit edible , Medicinally
Dhokra Anogeissus pendula Edgew. Combretaceae Leaves Medicinally
Dhawra Anogeissus latifolia Wall. Combretaceae Leaves Gum, Medicinally
Karaunda Carissa carandas Linn. Apocynaceae Leaves Fruit edible
Mehandi Lawsonia inermis Linn. Lytharaceae Leaves Dye, Medicinally
Khejari Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce. Mimosaceae Leaves Fruit edible, Gums
Karpata Garuga pinnata Roxb. Burseraceae Leaves Medicinally
Table 2 : Non edible oil yielding plants of Rajasthan.
Local Name Botanical Name Family Part use Other uses
Arundi Riccinus communis Linn. Euphorbiacae Seed Medicinally
Mahuwa Madhuca indica Gmel. Sapotaceae Seed Fruit edible
Karanj Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre. Fabaceae Seed Medicinally
Neem Azadiractha indica A.Juss. Meliaceae Seed Medicinally
Tumba Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schard. Cucurbitaceae Seed Medicinally
Pili-hulhul Cleome viscose Linn. Capparaceae Seed Medicinally
Satyanashi Argemone maxicana Linn. Papaveraceae Seed Medicinally
Pilu Salvadora oleoides Decne. Salvadoraceae Seed Medicinally
Kharajal Salvadora persica Linn. Salvadoraceae Seed Medicinally
Ratanjot Jatropha curcas Linn. Euphorbiaceae Seed Medicinally, Dye
Hingot Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile. Simaroubaceae Seed Medicinally
Aritha Sapindus emarginatus Vahl. Sapindaceae Seed Soap Substitutes
Maulsiri Mimusops elengi Linn. Sapotaceae Seed Medicinally
Malkangini Celastrus paniculata Willd. Celastraceae Seed Medicinally
Table 3 : Gums & Resins yielding plants of Rajasthan.
Local Name Botanical Name Family Other uses
Babul Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd . Mimosaceae Tannin, Medicinally
Kumta Acacia senegal Willd. Mimosaceae Tannin, Medicinally
Baonli Acacia jacquemontii Benth.. Mimosaceae Medicinally
Arunj Acacia leucophloea (Roxb.) Willd. Mimosaceae Medicinally , Tannin
Dhawra Anogeissus latifolia Wall. Combretaceae Taninn, Medicinally
Dhokra Anogeissus pendula Edgew. Combretaceae Medicinally
Beel Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa. Rutaceae Medicinally, Fruit edible
Neem Azadirachta indica A.Juss. Meliaceae Oil, Medicinally
Jhinjha Bauhinia racemosa Lamk. Caesalpiniaceae Medicinally
Salar Boswellia serrata Roxb. Burse raceae Medicinally
Semal Bombax ceiba Linn. Bombacaceae Fiber
Chironji Buchnania latifolia Roxb. Anacardiaceae Seed edible
Palas Butea monosperma (Lamk.) Taub. Fabaceae Dye, Medicinally
Ganiara Cochlospermum religiosum (L.) Alston. Cochlospermaceae Fiber, Oil
Gugal Commiphara wightii (Arn.) Bhandari Burseraceae Medicinally
Subabool Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit. Mimosaceae Firewood, Charcoal
Godal Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Merril. Anacardiaceae Dye, Timber, Tannin
Sainjana Moringa oleifera Lam. Caesalpiniaceae Fruit edible
Aam Mangifera indica Linn. Anacardiaceae Fruit edible
Umb Miliusa tomentosa (Roxb.) J. Sinclair Anonaceae Timber
Bijasal Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. Fabaceae Medicinally
Katria Sterculia urens Roxb. Sterculiaceae Oil, Medicinally
Rohan Soymida febrifuga A. Juss. Meliaceae Medicinally
Khair Acacia catechu Willd Mimosaceae Dye , Medicinally , Tannin
Table 4 : Dyes yielding plants of Rajasthan
Local Name Botanical Name Family Part use Other uses
Khair Acacia catechu Willd. Mimosaceae Wood Tannin, Medicinally
Sadad Terminalia alata Heyne. Combertaceae Bark Medicinally
Maulsiri Mimusops elengi Linn. Sapotaceae Bark Fruit edible
Godal Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Merrill. Anacardiaceae Bark Dye, Gum, Resine
Kamala Mallotus philiphinensis Muell. – Arg. Euphorbiaceae Fruit Non edible oil
Palas Butea monosperma (Lamk.) Taub. Fabaceae Flower Medicinally, Gum
Harsinghar Nyctanthes arbortristis Linn. Oleaceae Flower Essential oil
Khirni Wrightia tinctoria R.Br. Apocynaceae Flower Medicinally
Aal Morinda tinctoria Roxb. Rubiaceae Root Medicinally
Anar Punica granatum Linn. Punicaceae Root Fruit edible
Mehandi Lawsonia inermis Linn. Lytharaceae Leaves Medicinally
Table 5 : Fibers yielding plants of Rajasthan.
Local Name Botanical Name Family Part use Other uses
Palas Butea monosperma (Lamk.) Taub. Fabaceae Bark Dye, Medicinally
Karaya Sterculia urens Roxb. Sterculiaceae Bark Gum, Resin,
Mororphali Helicteres isora Linn. Sterculiaceae Bark Medicinally
Sandan Ougeinia oojeinesis (Roxb.) Hochreut Fabaceae Bark Poisonous plant
Kewra Pandanus tectorius Sol. ex. Rark. Pandanaceae Leaves Medicinally
Aira Typha elephantina Roxb. Typhaceae Leaves Wasteland colonizer
Jhinjha Bauhinia racemosa Lamk. Caesalpiniaceae Bark Medicinally
Aak Calotropis procera (Ait.) R.Br. Asclepiadaceae Bark Medicinally
Semal Bombax ceiba Linn. Bombacaceae Fruit & Flower Ornamental Plant
Arunj Acacia leucophloea (Roxb.) Willd. Mimosaceae Bark Tannins , Gum, Resin
Gondi Cordia gharf (Farsk.) Her. & Asch. Ehretiaceae Bark Medicinally
Gadha Palas Erythrina suberosa Roxb. Fabaceae Bark Medicinally
Gangan Grewia tenax (Forsk.) Fiori. Tiliaceae Bark Medicinally
Khimp Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forsk.) Decne. Asclepiadaceae Stem Medicinally, Fruit edible
Khajur Phoenix sylvestre Roxb. Arecaceae Leaves Fruit edibal
Tad Borassus flabellifer Linn. Arecaceae Fruit & Flower Seed edible
Dudhi Wrightia tinctoria R.Br. Apocynaceae Fruit & Flower Medicinally
Ganiara Cochlospermum religiosum (L.) Alston. Cochlospermaceae Fruit & Flower Gum & Resin
Rambans Agave americana Linn. Agavaceae Leaves Medicinally
Senia Crotalaria burhia Buch. Ham. Fabaceae Stem Wasteland colonizer
Gonda Cordia oblique Willd. Ehretiaceae Bark Medicinally
Table 6 : Other Economically important plants of Rajasthan.
Local Name Botanical Name Family Uses
Ber Zizyphus mauritiana Lamk.. Rhamnaceae Lakh worm host
Ghatbor Zizyphus glaberrima Santapau. Rhamnaceae Lakh worm host
Palas Butea monosperma (Lamk.) Taub. Fabaceae Lakh worm host
Pipal Ficus religiosa Linn. Moraceae Lakh worm hosts
Shahtut Morus alba Linn. Moraceae Silk worm host
Arjuna Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight. & Arn. Combretaceae Silk worm host
Arundi Riccinus communis Linn. Euphorbiaceae Silk worm host
Timru Diospryos melanoxylon Roxb. Ebenaceae Biri leaves
Tendu Diospryos tomentosa Roxb. Ebenaceae Biri leaves
Chikon Diospryos montana Roxb. Ebenaceae Biri leaves
Jhinjha Bauhinia racemosa Lamk. Caesalpiniaceae Biri leaves
Aritha Sapindus emarginatus Vahl. Sapindaceae Soap substitutes
Hingot Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile. Simaroubaceae Soap substitutes
Khus Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash. Poaceae Extraction and Distilation products
Khair Acacia catechu Willd.. Mimosaceae Extraction and Distilation products
Mahuwa Madhuca indica Gmel. Sapotaceae Extraction and Distilation products
Rosha Cymbopogon martini (Roxb.) Wats. Poaceae Extraction and Distilation products
Chandan Santalum album Linn. Santalaceae Extraction and Distilation products
]
Related articles
- BIODIVERSITY OF INDIAN DESERT
- Biodiversity Of Indian Desert And Its Value
- Rajasthan: Hadoti Plateau Ethnobotanical studies in Rajasthan
- Many plant names appear in similes and metaphors in Hindi literature e.g. the red lips of the beloved have been compared with red flowers of kachnar (Bauhinia variegata Linn.)
- Some of these plants of family Fabaceae
Comments