Indigenous Utilization of Plant Biodiversity in Malakkheil-Kotkay Village, District Shangla, Pakistan.
IntroductionEthnobotany deals with the interaction between plants and people with particular importance on traditional tribal cultures (Mesfin et al., 2013). It addresses all types of relationships between people and plants which generally highlight the importance of plants in human life, as a rich source of medicine, food, fodder, fibre and goods. Local communities use indigenous plants for the treatment of various diseases on the basis of their traditional knowledge, experience, practices, skills or on the advice of elders, hakeems and herbal practitioners (Shinwari et al., 2002). Ethnobotanists explore that how plants are used by local people as food, shelter, medicine, clothing and in religious ceremonies. Medicinal plants are cheap source and easily available to the people living in remote mountainous areas (Mahonge et al., 2006).
Due to unique geography and suitable climatic conditions, Pakistan is floristically very rich with about 6000 identified vascular plants with more than 400 medicinal species. In Pakistan 39,584 hakeems and 130,000 homoeopaths are registered and about 457 herbal dispensaries/clinics provide medication to the people with 300-350 herbal medicine manufacturing companies in the country (Shinwari and Qaiser, 2011).
The present study area Malakkheil is a small village located on the main road towards Puran Valley in district Shangla at 34[degrees]-31' to 33[degrees]-08' North latitude and 72[degrees] -33' to 73[degrees]-01' East longitude. The biodiversity of the area is in danger due to deforestations, grazing, browsing, lopping, grass cutting, torch wood extraction, illicit filling, smuggling and convertion of forest area to agricultural (cultivated) land. The general elevation of the area is 2,000 to 3,000 meters above the sea level and area comes under moist temperate region. The precipitation occurs both in the form of snow and rain. Snow fall generally starts at the end of November on the high peaks of the mountains and continues sometimes upto the middle of March. The climate here in winter season remains extremely cold while summer is moderate and very pleasant. The temperature in summer remains between 17 to 30[degrees]C, while in winter the temperature ranges from 0to18[degrees]C.
The aim of the present study is to explore the medicinal plants of the area, documentation of indigenous knowledge about these plants and their use in the treatment of different diseases.
Materials and Methods
Frequent study trips were made during years 2014-15 for the collection of medicinal plants from Malakkheil-Kotkay Valley, District Shangla, Pakistan. The collected species were dried, pressed and identified with the help of different volumes of flora of Pakistan (Ali and Qaiser, 1993-2015; Ali and Nasir, 1989-1991; Nasir and Ali, 1970-1989) and other available literature. The leaf size and life form spectra were determined after Raunkiaer (1934) and Hussain (1989). The local inhabitants, the herbalists and Hakeems (local physicians) were interviewed through simple questionnaires for collection of data about the uses of the plants. The ethno-ecological inventory of the plants consisted of botanical names, local names, medicinal uses and phenology were prepared.
Results and Discussion
Medicinal plants species (84) belonging to51 families were documented from the research area used locally for the treatment of various diseases and ailments. Among these, Rosaceae with 10 species was dominant family followed by Asteraceae and Lamiaceae with 7 species each, Araceae and Polygonaceae 3 species each, Amaranthaceae 2 species and Anacardiaceae, Apiaceae, Asparagaceae Berberidaceae, Convolvulaceae and Lamiaceae were represented by one species each (Table 1 and Table 3). Major uses of these plants were curing cough, dirrhoea, tooth pain, gastro intestinal disorders, anemia, wounds healing, as tonic and controlling obesity. One species Toxicodendron succedanea (L.) Mold. (Family Anacardiaceae) found to be highly toxic causing dermatitis and majority of plants were used for multi purposes. The main collectors of these plants were men, women, children, hakeems and practitioners and were unaware, illiterate and untrained as they have no knowledge about the importance, conservation, proper collection and preservation of these medicinal plants. Most of the species were found to be threatened due to habitat degradation, deforestation, grazing, over exploitation and unscientific collection. Low income and lack of facilities increased the dependence of majority of the local communities on the available natural resources for their subsistence. Our findings agree with Ibrar et al. (2007) who reported 97 medicinal plant species from Ranyal Hills, District Shangla, Pakistan among which most of the plants are similar. Shah and Hussain (2012) reported 127 medicinal plants from Chakesar Valley, District Shangla, among these 47 (37%) were critically endangered and mostly were infrequent due to unawareness and unsustainable collection by local peoples. Ali and Qaisar (2009) reported 82 taxa used locally for various purposes. Unsustainable collection methods, poor post harvest methods, soil erosion and intense deforestation are the main causes of depletion of local flora. Khan et al. (2012) studied ethnobotonical knowledge of Poonch Valley, Azad Kashmir (Northern Pakistan) and found 56 medicinal plant species used for treatment of kidney stones, diarrhoea, respiratory disorder, asthma and rheumatism etc. Qamar et al. (2010) documented medicinal plants and their traditional uses in the Neelam Valley, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan and reported 67 medicinal plants used for treatment of 32 different diseases.
The life form spectra showed 31 (39.74%) therophytes, 17 (21.79%) megaphanerophytes, 12 (15.38%) cryptophytes, 11 (14.10%) nanophanerophytes, 5 (6.41%) hemicryptophytes and 2 (2.56%) chamaephytes (Table 2, Fig. 1). The leaf size spectra was dominated by microphyll with 31 (39.74%) species followed by mesophyll (17 sp., 21.79%), nanophyll 14 (17.94%), macrophyll 6 (7.69%), leptophyll 5 (6.41%), megaphyll 2 (2.56%) and one (1.28%) species was aphyllous (Table 2, Fig. 2). Badshah et al. (2013); Khalik et al. (2013) and Shah and Rozina (2013) reported that therophytes were dominant life forms in their study areas which supports our findings. Hussain and Chudhary (2009) found that microphyll was the dominant leaf size in Azad Kashmir having similar climatic conditions. This is in line with our findings.
Phenology is appearance of plants in different seasons of the year. Mostly wild species of different families appeared in Malakkhiel-Kotkay, District Shangla during early summer of the year (Table 1). Some species appear throughout the year. These species become prominent in different seasons of the year thus showing seasonal dominance.
Conclusion
Malakkheil-Kotkay Valley occurs in district Shangla of Pakistan and is rich in plant natural resources including medicinal plants. Therefore, the present study was conducted to document the medicinal plants of the area and to collect information regarding their indigenous utilization. Abdominal problems, jaundice, fever, wound healing, cardiac problems, eye pain, kidney pain and mouth diseases are some of the diseases cured through these plants by the locals. However, due to urbanization and modernization, the knowledge of older people regarding the uses of these plants is perishing gradually and the young generation has least interest in getting information about these plants. Therefore, the present study can provide first hand information on the medicinal plants of the valley and will be helpful in further botanical studies.
Recommendation
The area hosts many endemic and endangered species of medicinal plants having valuable economic importance. The study confirmed that small quantity of important medicinal plants species were known while several were completely unknown to the community as a whole. It is concluded that the area possessed great potential for cultivation and harvesting of economically important plants. It is suggested that local community should provide education about the identification, collection, uses and commercialization of important plants and aware them about the economic and pharmaceutical importance of plants. Establishment of nurseries and botanic gardens may be the best exsitu conservation for sustainable utilization of plant resources of the area while local community awareness and involvement to protect these national assets will be the best in-situ conservation measures.
Conflict of Interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
References
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Shafqat Ali Khan, Fazal Hadi *, Muhammad Ibrar and Ulfat Samreen
Department of Botany, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
(received March 13, 2017; revised November 2,2017; accepted November 29, 2017)
* Author for correspondence; E-mail: hadicpb@uop.edu.pk
Table 1. Plant species with their botanical names, life forms, leaf
size, phenology, part used and ethnobotanical uses in
Malakkheil-Kotkay Valley, District Shangla, Pakistan
Family Botanical name Vern. name Life Leaf
form size
Araceae Acorus calamusL. Skhawaja Th Meg
Arisaemaflavum Marjarai Cr Mac
(Forsk.) Schott
Arisaema Marjarai Cr Meg
jacquemontii
Blume
Asteraceae Artemisia Tarkha Th Mic
vulgaris L
Artemisia Jawkay Th Mic
brevifolia Wall
Heliantus Nwarparas Th Mic
annuus L.
Taraxacum ZiarrGulay Th Mac
officinale Weber.
Xanthium Gishkay Th Mac
stramarium L.
Tagetes minuta L. Hamesha Th Na
Fragaria vesica L. Zmakintoot Th Na
Lamiaceae Mentha longifolia Valanay Cr Mic
L. (Huds)
Menthapiperata Podina Cr Mic
(SM.) L.
Mentha arvensis L Podina Cr Mic
Ajuga bracteosa Booti Th Mes
Wall.ex Benth.
Prunella Parharbotay H Na
vulgaris L.
Saxifragaceae Bergenia ciliata Mukanpat H Mes
(Haw.) Sternb
Alliaceae Allium cepa L. Pyaz Cr Na
Allium sativum L. Oga Cr Na
Apiaceae Buniumpersicum Kali zeri Th Na
B. fedtsc
Coriandrum Dhanya Th Na
sativum L.
Plantaginaceae Plantago Jabai Th Mes
lanceolata L.
Plantago major L. Ghatajabai Th Mes
Ranunculaceae Aconitum violaceum Zahar Mora Cr Mes
Jacq. ex Stap
Anemone Torabooti Cr Mes
coronaria L.
Chenopodiaceae Chenopodium Chaweray Th Mic
album L.
Chenopodium Skhabotay Th Mes
murale L.
Urticaceae Urtica dioca L. Jalbang Th Mic
Rosaceae Rubus elipticus Gooraj NP Mic
Smith.
Rosa brunonii L. Khurach NP Lep
Rosa indica L. Gulab NP Mic
Rubusfruiticosus L. Gobanai NP Mic
Pyrus communis L. Nashpati MP Mic
Pyrus malus L. Manra MP Mes
Pyruspashia Tango MP Mic
Buch-Ham ex. D
Prunus domestica L. Aloocha MP Mes
Prunuspersica (L.) Shaitalo MP Mic
Batsch
Sorbaria tomentosa SraBakayana NP Mic
(Lindl.) L.
Fabaceae Indigofera Ghureja NP Na
gerardiana Wall.
Desmodium elegans Spin NP Mic
DC. ghwareja
Polygonaceae Polygonum Palpolak H Mes
aviculare L.
Rumex hastatus L. Tarukay Ch Mic
Rumex dentatus L. Shalkhay Th Mes
Ebenaceae Diospyrus kaki L Sur Amlok MP Mic
Diospyrus lotus L TurAmlok MP Mic
Moraceae Morus nigra L. Toor toot MiP Mi
Morus alba L. Spin toot MiP Mi
Adiantaceae Adiantum incisum Sumbal Cr Na
Forsk.
Amaranthaceae Amaranthus Ganhar Th Mic
viridis L.
Caprifoliaceae Viburnum Gutla MP Mes
nervosum L.
Berberidaceae Berberis lyceum Kwaray NP Na
Royle.
Cannabinaceae Cannabis sativa L. Bhang Th Na
Caryophyllaceae Stellaria media Oulalai Th Na
(L.) Cyr.
Fagaceae Quercusincana Banj MP Mic
(Husskn.) H.N
Platanaceae Platanus Chinar MP Mac
orientalis L.
Simarubaceae Ailanthus Shandai MP Mic
altissima
(Mill.) Swing.
Salicaceae Salix tetraspermum Kharwala MP Na
Roxb.Pl.Corom
Eleagnaceae Ealeagnus umbellata Ghanamranga NP Mic
Thumb.
Pinaceae Pinus wallichiana Pewoch MP Lep
L.
Pteridiaceae Dryopteris Kwanjay H Lep
odontoloma (Moore)
Violaceae Viola biflora L. Banafsha Th Mic
Podophyllaceae Podophyllum Kakorra Th Mic
hexandrum Royle.
Fumariaceae Fumaria indica Papra Th Lep
(HaussKan)
Geraniaceae Geranium SraJarai Th Mic
wallichianum Oliv.
Juglandaceae Juglans regia L. Ghoz MP Mic
Cucurbitaceae Memordica Karela Th Mes
charantia L.
Brassicaceae Nasturtium Talmera Th Mac
officinale R.
Br. Brassica
compistress L.
Oxalidaceae Oxalis corniculata Tarokay Th Na
L.
Paeoniaceae Paeonia emodii Mamekh Cr Mes
Wall. Ex Royle
Papaveraceae Papaver somniferum Khashkhash Th Mic
L.
Solanaceae Datura stramonium Harhanda Ch Mac
L.
Solanum nigrum L. Kachmacho Th Mic
Araliaceae Hedera helix L. Palol MP Mic
Cuscutaceae Cuscuta reflexa Benakai Th Ap
Roxb.
Hippocastinaceae Plectranthus Sperkay NP Mic
rugosus L
Portulaceae Portulaca Warkharay Th Mes
oleracea L.
Rhamnaceae Ziziphus sativa Markhanai MP Na
Gaertn.
Euphorbiaceae Ricinus communis L. Arhanda NP Mac
Scrophulariaceae Verbascum thapsus Kharghwag Th Mac
(Linn).
Valerianaceae Valerianajatamansi Shingatai Cr Mes
Jones.
Anacardiaceae Toxicodendron Rakhkal MP Mes
succedanea
(L.I. Mold).
Family Botanical name Fl-Fr Part used
Araceae Acorus calamusL. Apr-Oct Rhizomes
Arisaemaflavum May-July Roots
(Forsk.) Schott
Arisaema May-July Fruits
jacquemontii and
Blume rhizome
Asteraceae Artemisia Apr-Nov WP
vulgaris L
Artemisia Apr-Nov Inflo-
brevifolia Wall rescence
Heliantus July-Sep Seeds &
annuus L. leave
Taraxacum Feb-May Leaves
officinale Weber.
Xanthium Apr-Nov WP
stramarium L.
Tagetes minuta L. Apr-Oct WP
Fragaria vesica L. May-July Fruit
Lamiaceae Mentha longifolia Aug-Sep WP
L. (Huds)
Menthapiperata Jul-Sep Leaves
(SM.) L.
Mentha arvensis L May-Oct Leaves
Ajuga bracteosa Apr-May Leaves
Wall.ex Benth.
Prunella Jun-Oct WP
vulgaris L.
Saxifragaceae Bergenia ciliata Apr-May Leaves &
(Haw.) Sternb rhizome
Alliaceae Allium cepa L. Apr-July Bulb &
leaves
Allium sativum L. Apr-July Bulb &
leaves
Apiaceae Buniumpersicum Apr-May Seeds
B. fedtsc
Coriandrum Mar-May Leaves &
sativum L. fruits
Plantaginaceae Plantago May-Sep Leaves &
lanceolata L. seed
Plantago major L. July-Sep Leaves &
seeds
Ranunculaceae Aconitum violaceum Mar-July Roots
Jacq. ex Stap
Anemone Mar-July Leaves
coronaria L.
Chenopodiaceae Chenopodium Apr-Sep Leaves &
album L. shoots
Chenopodium Apr-Sep Leaves &
murale L. young
shoots
Urticaceae Urtica dioca L. May-Oct WP
Rosaceae Rubus elipticus Oct-Nov Fruit
Smith.
Rosa brunonii L. Jun-July Flower
Rosa indica L. Mar-Aug Flower
Rubusfruiticosus L. May-Sep Fruit
Pyrus communis L. Mar-Aug Fruits
Pyrus malus L. Apr-May Fruit
Pyruspashia Mar-Apr Fruit &
Buch-Ham ex. D leaves
Prunus domestica L. Aug-Sep Fruit
Prunuspersica (L.) Apr-May Fruit
Batsch
Sorbaria tomentosa Sept-Nov Inilo-
(Lindl.) L. rescence
Fabaceae Indigofera June-Sep Leaves,
gerardiana Wall. shoots &
roots
Desmodium elegans Aug-Oct Leaves
DC. ghwareja
Polygonaceae Polygonum July-Aug WP
aviculare L.
Rumex hastatus L. Apr-May Leaves
Rumex dentatus L. May-June Leaves
Ebenaceae Diospyrus kaki L July-Aug Fruit
Diospyrus lotus L June-July Fruit
Moraceae Morus nigra L. June-July Fruits
Morus alba L. June-July Fruits
Adiantaceae Adiantum incisum Apr-Sept Leaves
Forsk.
Amaranthaceae Amaranthus May-Nov WP
viridis L.
Caprifoliaceae Viburnum Mar-June Fruit
nervosum L.
Berberidaceae Berberis lyceum Apr-Sep Roots &
Royle. barks
Cannabinaceae Cannabis sativa L. July-Sep Leaves &
young
shoots
Caryophyllaceae Stellaria media May-June WP
(L.) Cyr.
Fagaceae Quercusincana May-Aug Leaves,
(Husskn.) H.N seeds
Platanaceae Platanus Apr-May Bark
orientalis L.
Simarubaceae Ailanthus Apr-Sep Seeds
altissima
(Mill.) Swing.
Salicaceae Salix tetraspermum Jan-Mar WP
Roxb.Pl.Corom
Eleagnaceae Ealeagnus umbellata Apr-May Flowers
Thumb.
Pinaceae Pinus wallichiana Feb-Apr Resin
L.
Pteridiaceae Dryopteris Young
odontoloma (Moore) shoots
Violaceae Viola biflora L. May-June Flower
Podophyllaceae Podophyllum May-June Rhizome
hexandrum Royle.
Fumariaceae Fumaria indica Mar-May WP
(HaussKan)
Geraniaceae Geranium June-Sep Leaves &
wallichianum Oliv. rhizome
Juglandaceae Juglans regia L. May-June Leaves,
fruits &
bark
Cucurbitaceae Memordica June-July Fruits
charantia L.
Brassicaceae Nasturtium May-Oct Leaves
officinale R.
Br. Brassica
compistress L.
Oxalidaceae Oxalis corniculata June-Sep WP
L.
Paeoniaceae Paeonia emodii Apr-June Roots
Wall. Ex Royle
Papaveraceae Papaver somniferum Apr-June Leaves,
L. fruits &
seeds
Solanaceae Datura stramonium June-Aug Root &
L. flowers
Solanum nigrum L. July-Sept Fruits
Araliaceae Hedera helix L. Oct-Nov WP
Cuscutaceae Cuscuta reflexa May-Aug WP
Roxb.
Hippocastinaceae Plectranthus Aug-Oct Leaves
rugosus L
Portulaceae Portulaca June-Sept WP
oleracea L.
Rhamnaceae Ziziphus sativa Apr-May Fruit
Gaertn.
Euphorbiaceae Ricinus communis L. July-Aug Seeds
Scrophulariaceae Verbascum thapsus June-Aug WP
(Linn).
Valerianaceae Valerianajatamansi July-Aug Rhizome
Jones.
Anacardiaceae Toxicodendron May-June Fruit
succedanea
(L.I. Mold).
Family Botanical name Ethnobotanical uses
Araceae Acorus calamusL. Cough, dyspepsia,
flatulence, colic and
diarrhoea.
Arisaemaflavum Stomach problems and
(Forsk.) Schott kill worms in
Cattels.
Arisaema Fruits and rhizomes
jacquemontii are poisonous and
Blume cause sedation. Very
small quantity is
used during meal for
relieving body pain.
Also used in small
quantities in various
preparations by
"Hakeems" for psychic
and nervous
disorders.
Asteraceae Artemisia Intestinal worms and
vulgaris L skin diseases.
Artemisia Respiratory
brevifolia Wall stimulant, Intestinal
worms, purgative and
earache.
Heliantus High fever, asthma &
annuus L. lung problems.
Taraxacum Leaves are ground and
officinale Weber. are taken & roots
with a glass of milk
as tonic. Decoction
of roots is used
orally to cure the
disorder of kidney and
liver.
Xanthium Leaves are used for
stramarium L. treatment of asthma.
Stem ash is used as
pain killer. The
plant is also used as
fuel. Leaves are
grazed by cattle
Tagetes minuta L. Injuries and wounds.
Fragaria vesica L. Its edible fruits are
carminative and
laxative and thus
improve digestion.
Lamiaceae Mentha longifolia Vomiting, flatulence
L. (Huds) and indigestion.
Menthapiperata Loss of appetite and
(SM.) L. acidity.
Mentha arvensis L Against pimples on
the Face and as
astringent.
Ajuga bracteosa Treatment of fever,
Wall.ex Benth. vomiting and
stomachache
Tonsillitis, throat
pain, throat
swelling.
Prunella Wounds, injuries,
vulgaris L. acnes and wrinkles.
Saxifragaceae Bergenia ciliata Ulcer, piles,
(Haw.) Sternb vertigo, headache,
wounds.
Alliaceae Allium cepa L. Cholera, diarrhoea,
dysentery and acnes.
Allium sativum L. Obesity, acnes,
earache.
Apiaceae Buniumpersicum Stomach and abdominal
B. fedtsc pain.
Coriandrum Joints pain,
sativum L. headache, cold and
flu.
Plantaginaceae Plantago Sores, wounds and
lanceolata L. inflammation
shealing, laxative,
mouth diseases and
dysentery.
Plantago major L. Fresh leaves are
wrapped around the
boils, after a day or
two the pus drains
out and the heal
fills up within three
days. Leaves are
chopped and used for
skin discoloration
caused by injury.
Seeds are used in
dysentery.
Ranunculaceae Aconitum violaceum Rheumatism, gout
Jacq. ex Stap (Joints pains).
Anemone Headache and dental
coronaria L. pain.
Chenopodiaceae Chenopodium The young shoots are
album L. cooked in milk, and
are eaten with maize
(corn) bread, as a
local vegetable.
Chenopodium Indigestion, piles,
murale L. dysentery
young and grippe.
Urticaceae Urtica dioca L. It is used as a local
vegetable (Sag), for
curing constipation,
also used in
pulmonary diseases.
Smoked as cigarette
for the curing of
asthma and also for
urticaria.
Rosaceae Rubus elipticus Fruits are edible and
Smith. are considered as
tonic and are used as
aphrodisiac. Fruits
are carminative and
are also used for
diarrhoea and
looseness of bowel.
Rosa brunonii L. The powder of petals
is stomach tonic,
hedge plant, honey
bee species.
Rosa indica L. Heart diseases, eye
diseases,
constipation,
leucorrhoea and skin
diseases.
Rubusfruiticosus L. Used to improve
digestion power.
Pyrus communis L. Anemia, obesity,
constipation,
diabetes and colitis.
Pyrus malus L. Anemia, gout, muscle
pain, bleeding gums,
weak memory and
dandruff
Pyruspashia Wood used for walking
Buch-Ham ex. D sticks, combs and as
fuel. Leaves and
twigs lopped for
fuel. The ripe fruits
are chewed to cure
the injuries of the
tongue.
Prunus domestica L. Used for digestion
and asperients;
useful in biliousness
and heart of body.
Prunuspersica (L.) Demulcent, laxative,
Batsch and refrigerant,
often added to
cathartic decoctions
for improvement of
flavor.
Sorbaria tomentosa Mixed with mustard
(Lindl.) L. oil and applied on
the newborn child
skin to remove skin
rashes and also
applied to the wound
as an antiseptic
agent.
Fabaceae Indigofera Combat headache and
gerardiana Wall. chest pain. The dried
powdered root is
taken with a glass of
water to cure
scabies. Powdered
dried leaves are also
taken with a glass of
milk for stomach
disorders.
Desmodium elegans The paste is layered
DC. ghwareja on the infection and
use against Eczema.
Polygonaceae Polygonum Powdered root mixed
aviculare L. to sugar, eaten with
glass of milk as a
tonic by female.
Rumex hastatus L. The leaves are used
as local vegetable,
which enhances
digestion. It is also
used as refrigerant
in cooling drinks.
Rumex dentatus L. Leaves cooked as
vegetables that act
as diuretic,
astringent. The paste
is applied externally
to soothe the
irritation caused by
nettle sting.
Ebenaceae Diospyrus kaki L fruit have high
content makes the
immature fruit and
bitter.
Diospyrus lotus L Carminative,
purgative and
flatulence.
Moraceae Morus nigra L. Tonsillitis,
pharyngitis throat
pain.
Morus alba L. Treatment of jaundice
and Hepatitis
Adiantaceae Adiantum incisum Diarrhoea, Dysentery,
Forsk. Jaundice.
Amaranthaceae Amaranthus Eye diseases.
viridis L.
Caprifoliaceae Viburnum Curing of
nervosum L. stomachache.
Berberidaceae Berberis lyceum Back pain, bone
Royle. fractures, wounds.
Cannabinaceae Cannabis sativa L. Loss of appetite &
body inflammation.
Caryophyllaceae Stellaria media The decoction of
(L.) Cyr. plant is considered
as purgative.
Fagaceae Quercusincana The powdered fruit is
(Husskn.) H.N given to children
before going to bed
for curing of
enuresis and
diarrhoea., for a
period of three
weeks.
Platanaceae Platanus Powdered dried bark
orientalis L. is taken with a glass
of milk twice in a
day to control
diarrhoea.
Simarubaceae Ailanthus The ripened seeds are
altissima crushed to extract
(Mill.) Swing. oil, which is used
for the treatment of
a skin disease,
"urticaria" locally
called larrama.
Salicaceae Salix tetraspermum Thin flexible
Roxb.Pl.Corom branches are bent for
making baskets.
Leaves are eaten by
cattle and the wood
is used for fuel and
other domestic
purposes.
Eleagnaceae Ealeagnus umbellata The decoction of
Thumb. flowers is heads &
fruit used twice a
day to combat the
heart problem, cough
and chest pain and
fruits are edible.
Pinaceae Pinus wallichiana Locally 3-4 drops of
L. resin are mixed with
mustard oil and is
applied to the
ruptured skin as a
healing agent.
Pteridiaceae Dryopteris It is used as a local
odontoloma (Moore) vegetable and is
believed to improve
digestive power.
Violaceae Viola biflora L. Diaphoretic,
antipyretic,
febrifuge, cancer,
epilepsy and nervous
disorders.
Podophyllaceae Podophyllum Hepatic stimulant,
hexandrum Royle. purgative and emetic.
Fumariaceae Fumaria indica Jaundice, urinary
(HaussKan) tract & bladder
inflammation.
Geraniaceae Geranium Peptic ulcer,
wallichianum Oliv. toothache and eye
diseases.
Juglandaceae Juglans regia L. Bark (Dandasa) is
used for cleaning and
sparkling teeth.
Decoction of leaves is
given in eczema and
intestinal worms.
Cucurbitaceae Memordica Obesity, breast
charantia L. cancer & diabetes.
Brassicaceae Nasturtium Its leaves and young
officinale R. shoots are boiled in
Br. Brassica water and are taken
compistress L. as local vegetable
for the treatment of
constipation and
stomachache.
Oxalidaceae Oxalis corniculata Bleeding, fever,
L. liver, Intestinal,
stomach and urinary
inflammation.
Paeoniaceae Paeonia emodii Back pain, joint pains
Wall. Ex Royle bone fracture,
hysteria, colic
diseases, epilepsy.
Papaveraceae Papaver somniferum Cough,
L. asthma, gout, Influenza,
flu & pain.
Solanaceae Datura stramonium Decoction of fresh
L. root is taken orally
twice a day for a
week to treat fever.
Drops of the
decoction are also
applied to the ear
for the treatment of
earache.
Solanum nigrum L. Mouth sores, joint
swelling, skin
diseases and mouth
ulcers.
Araliaceae Hedera helix L. Anti-diabetes.
Cuscutaceae Cuscuta reflexa Anti-diabetes,
Roxb. general body tonic
and Anti-dandruff.
Hippocastinaceae Plectranthus Mouth sores, pain and
rugosus L throat swelling.
Portulaceae Portulaca Abdominal pain and
oleracea L. skin inflammation.
Rhamnaceae Ziziphus sativa Weak immune system,
Gaertn. heart diseases,
ulcer, inflammation,
cold and flu.
Euphorbiaceae Ricinus communis L. Earache & fever.
Scrophulariaceae Verbascum thapsus Wounds, burns, bone
(Linn). fracture and cough
and antiseptic.
Valerianaceae Valerianajatamansi Insomnia, anxiety,
Jones. delirium tremens,
hysteria, cholera,
snake bite, asthma,
ulcers, tremors,
headache and eurosis.
Anacardiaceae Toxicodendron Poisonous. Cause
succedanea dermatitis
(L.I. Mold).
Table 2. Life forms and leaf size classes of the plants of
Malakkheil-Kotkay, District Shangla, Pakistan
Life-form classes No. of Percentage Leaf size
species classes
Therophytes 31 39.74 Microphyll
Megaphanerophytes 17 21.79 Mesophyll
Nanophanerophytes 11 14.10 Nanophyll
Cryptophytes 12 15.38 Macrophyll
Hemicryptophytes 05 6.41 Leptophyll
Chamaephytes 02 2.56 Megaphyll
Aphyllous
Life-form classes No. of Percentage
species
Therophytes 31 39.74
Megaphanerophytes 17 21.79
Nanophanerophytes 14 17.94
Cryptophytes 06 7.69
Hemicryptophytes 05 6.41
Chamaephytes 02 2.56
01 1.28
Table 3. Family wise check list of flora of Malakkheil Kotkay,
District Shangla, Pakistan
S.no. Family No. of species
1 Aracaeae 3
2 Eleagnaceae 1
3 Ebenaceae 2
4 Asteraceae 6
5 Pinaceae 1
6 Adiantaceae 1
7 Lamiaceae 6
8 Pteridiaceae 1
9 Amaranthaceae 1
10 Saxifrigaceae 1
11 Voilaceae 1
12 Caprifoliaceae 1
13 Alliaceae 2
14 Podophyllaceae 1
15 Berberidaceae 1
16 Apiaceae 2
17 Fumariaceae 1
18 Araliaceae 1
19 Plantaginaceae 2
20 Geraniaceae 1
21 Cuscutaceae 1
22 Ranunculaceae 2
23 Moraceae 2
24 Chenopodiaceae 2
25 Urticaceae 1
26 Juglandaceae 1
27 Hippocastinaceae 1
28 Rosaceae 10
29 Cucurbitaceae 1
30 Cannabinaceae 1
31 Fabaceae 2
32 Brassicaceae 1
33 Caryophyllaceae 1
34 Polygonaceae 3
35 Oxalidaceae 1
36 Fagaceae 1
37 Simarubaceae 1
38 Papavernaceae 1
39 Platnaceae 1
40 Salicaceae 1
41 Solanaceae 2
42 Valerianaceae 1
43 Anacardiaceae 1
44 Portulacaceae 1
45 Paeoniaceae 1
46 Serophulariaceae 1
47 Rhamnaceae 1
48 Euphorbiaceae 1
Fig. 1. Life form spectrum of different plant
species of Malakkheil-Kotkay, District
Shangla, Pakistan.
No. of species Percentage
Therophytes 31 39.74
Chamaephytes 2 2.56
Megaphanerophytes 17 21.79
Hemicryptophytes 5 6.41
Nanophanerophytes 11 14.1
Cryptophytes 12 15.38
Note: Table made from bar graph.
Fig. 2. Leaf size spectrum of different plant species
of Malakkheil-Kotkay, District Shangla,
Pakistan.
No. of species Percentage
Microphyll 31 39.74
Leptophyll 5 6.41
Nanophyll 14 17.94
Mesophyll 17 21.79
Macrophyll 6 7.69
Megaphyll 2 2.56
Aphyllous 1 1.28
Note: Table made from bar graph.
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| Author: | Khan, Shafqat Ali; Hadi, Fazal; Ibrar, Muhammad; Samreen, Ulfat |
|---|---|
| Publication: | Pakistan Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research Series B: Biological Sciences |
| Geographic Code: | 9PAKI |
| Date: | Mar 1, 2019 |
| Words: | 4538 |
| Previous Article: | Effect of Phosphorus Sources and their Levels on Spring Maize. |
| Next Article: | Comparative Physicochemical and Microbiological Assessment of Branded and Unbranded Whole Wheat Flours in Pakistan. |
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