Ethnobotanical Knowledge Studied in Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary, Telangana, India

Abstract

A survey was conducted in 31 fringe villages of Pocharam wildlife sanctuary, Telangana, India, during 2010 to 2012, in order to explore and document the ethnobotanical knowledge of Yerukulas and Lambadis communities. There was revealed the use of 173 Angiosperm species. The pattern of the plant use as per habitat (terrestrial/aquatic), habit (growth form), plant part (organ) and taxonomic category (families), nativity and occurrence (wild/cultivated) were established. Dicots contribute more than Monocots to the medicinal and ethnobotanical use. This might be due to the species strength in the region. When the plant use-data were analyzed, trees contributed with 68 uses, followed by herbs (51), climbers (32) and shrubs (22). Perhaps this was a reflection of the floristic composition and the prevailing Phanero-therophytic climate. Out of the 173 plant taxa that were noted as being utilized by the ethnic people in the sanctuary, the greatest number (154; 89.1%) were indigenous and wild. The introduced species were the crops under cultivation and planted. Although the local people use plants for various purposes, they largely serve medicinal scopes (83.24%) and for subsistence (21.96%).

Spatial Mapping of Ethno Medicinal Knowledge with Specific Reference to Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell in India

“…To cure nephrotoxicity/ kidney problems [39] 35 Plant extract on skin itching [41] 37 Odisha Khurda Bramhi Savaras Leaves Against malaria [42] 38 Odisha South Odisha Brahmi Bhumia, Bonda, Dangaria Kandha, Didayi, Gadaba, Kandha, Koya, Kuti Kandha, Langia-Saura, Paika, Paraja, Sabara, Saura Young shoots As vegetable [43] 39 Odisha Jajpur District Braahmi Kolha, Munda, Bonda and Santal Leaves Memory power, to treat chickenpox [44] 40 Tamil Nadu Kolli hills Neerbrami Malayali tribals Whole plant Paste of the whole plant applied externally for dog bite [45] 41 Tamil Nadu Palamalai Neer brammi Malayali tribals Whole plant Memory power [46] 42 Tamil Nadu Servarayan hills Niirbrahmi Malayali tribals Whole plant Epilepsy, memory power, mental disorder, nervous weakness [47] 43 Cooling effect, tonic [48] 44 Tripura…”