Ethnobotanical Leaflets 12: 647-66. 2008.
Ethnobotanical Observation on Tuberous Plants from Tribal Area of Rajasthan (India)
*Shweta Swarnkar and S.S. Katewa
Laboratory of Ethnobotany and Agrostology, Department of Botany, College of Science, M.L. Sukhadia University, Udaipur, 313001 Rajasthan *Corresponding author: E mail:
Issued 12 September 2008
ABSRACTThe present paper gives an account of 42 tuberous plants of Ethnobotanical interest from Aravalli hills of Rajasthan. Main tribes inhabiting the study area are Bhil, Meena, Garasia, Damor and Kathodi. These tribes use the tuberous plants for various purposes in their daily life. Health, vitality and longevity enjoyed by the tribals have been attributed by them to these wild tuberous plants. On account of environmental changes and lack of insight of conservation of tuberous plants, many of them have become rare, threatened and endangered. If proper attention is not given, extinction of these plant species is certain and this is beyond doubt. Therefore identification and utility of these tuberous plants and compilation of a database on local information held by the tribes is stressed. Ethnobotanical information about tuberous plants is given by mentioning their botanical name, family, local name, time of flowering and fruiting, ecology and uses.
Key words: Tuberous plants, Ethnobotany, Tribals, Aravalli hills, food plants, medicinal plants, Rajasthan.
INTRODUCTION Tuberous plants characteristically have a storage organ on or below the soil surface; this organ may be a true bulb, corm, tuber, tuberous root, rhizome, stolon or psudobulb. Storage organs evolved over the years allowing the plants to survive for an extended period of environmental stress such as cold, heat or drought. Carbohydrate and nutrient reserve are stored in these organs to support the growth of shoot, root and flower after the stressful period has passed. Rajasthan is the largest state of India, located in the north-western part of India. Geographically it lies between 23030 to 30012 longitude and 69030 and 78017 latitude. The most striking geological feature of Rajasthan are the Aravalli ranges the oldest mountain range in the world, which runs from Khetri in north east to Khed Brahma in south west, a length of about 550 km. The variability in climate, edaphic, and topographic conditions causes diversity of vegetation in the Aravalli ranges. These hills ranges possess an abundant population of various tribes. The main tribes of the study area are Bhil, Meena, Garasia and Kathodi, which form 12% of the total population of the state. Ethnobotanical survey of Aravalli hills revealed that the tribal communities use a number of tuberous plants, which are commonly available in and around their habitat and also cultivate such plants in their agricultural fields. Ethnobotany has been defined as the study of direct interaction between humans and plants (Ford, 1978.a) .As ethnobotanical studies have emphasized the use of plants by hunter gathered and agricultural societies, it is often assumed that it is restricted to those societies only. As plants play important role in almost every realm of human activity, Ethnobotany encompasses many field including botany, biochemistry, pharmacgnosy, toxicology, medicine, nutrition, agriculture, ecology, evolution, sociology, anthropology, linguistic, history and archeology. (Balick, M. J. et al (1995), Black et al (2001 Studies on Ethno-food and ethno-medicinal plants has been carried out all over the world in tribal areas.(Akarele,O 1990, Balick,M.j.1990, Bye,R.A1986, Croom,E.M.1983 Domingunz, X.A. et al 1985). Ethnobotanical studies in the tribal dominated area of Aravalli hill of Rajasthan have been carried out by Joshi, P. and Aawasthi A.( 1991), Joshi, P.(1995b) , Joshi, P. (1995a), Joshi, P. (1995), Jain. S.K. (1991), Jain, S.K. (1981), Katewa, S.S. and Galav, P.K. (2005a.) Katewa, S.S. and Galav, P.K. (2005b ) , Katewa, S.S. and Jain Anita. (2006.), Shetty B.V. and Singh V. (1993), Singh, V. and Pandey ( 1996) Katewa, S.S. and Guria, B.D.(1997)., Asha Arora (1997); Singh V. and Pandey, R.P. (1998), Nag, Ambika (1999 ) Singh V. and Pandey, R.P. (1998). A perusal of the literature reveals that there is still an ethnobotanical gap in knowledge about tuberous plants in these regions. The present paper therefore is an attempt to fill this gap. Apart from it and some new ethnobotanical uses have also been reported.
MATERIAL AND METHOD Ethnobotanical survey of tribal areas of Rajasthan was conducted repeatedly in 2006-08 during different areas and seasons. Before laying hands into the field work, administrative things were worked out (like meeting the chief of the community, convincing and seeking the support from tribal people). The local informants were gathered, field sites were visited. The purpose of our survey was brought to their notice. For this we mainly targeted aged people, local vaid (doctor of the tribal community), priests, etc. a conversation was then sought with the local people selected at random and then the ones who were well versed in the use of these plant species. Public meeting was also held to arrive at a general view point; this all helped in maintaing the most expected data like what main purposes does a kind of plant fulfill and where they can be found in abundance. The secondary informations were collected form non tribal people like forest official, government physician, reason being their long association with the tribes and that area. List of informants of different area with name, tribe, sex, age and their occupation is given in Appendix 1. During our survey, it was observed that women of the tribal areas also have good knowledge of plants. In forest with the ambient vegetation before them, tribals are promoted to remark on the utility of species especially when accompanied by a group. Both sexes were present in large and small groups. This all resulted in heterogeneity of information, like when will tuber sprout, when shall flowering and fruiting take place , when shall they go into dormant phase? etc etc. In order to determine the authenticity of information collected during field work, repeated verification of data from different informants at different times was done. Thus, only the specific and reliable information cross checked with at least 10 informants has been incorporated in the present study. During the ethnobotanical survey some interesting uses of tuberous plants have come into picture, which was not mentioned in the important ethnobotanical herbal literature. The collected herbal plants were identified up to genus level from the local flora of Singh and Shetty (revised 1999). Then final confirmation up to species level at the herbarium of Forest Research Institute, Dehradun (INDIA). The entire collected specimens were deposited in the Herbarium of Laboratory of Ethnobotany and Agrostology, Department of Botany, College of Science, M.L. Sukhadia University, Udaipur for authentication of information and further references. Numbers of voucher specimen is also provided. The information about the food and medicine are given by mentioning their botanical name, ecology, flowering and fruiting and mode of administration.
ENUMERATION Ampelocissus latifolia (Roxb.) Planch. (Vitaceae) 1EA 205 2Ln. : Tita 3Fl. & Fr.: May-Sept. 4Ln. : Jhadol Ecology : Common among hedges and as forest undergrowth. Ethnobotanical uses: 1. Fresh crushed tuber is boiled in Ricinus communis oil and then applied externally for the treatment of gout. 2. Crushed tuber with water is given to animal with the help of drenching tube to cure fractured bone. 3. The extract of tuber is given orally to cure dyspepsia and indigestion. 4. Extract of tuber is given orally to cur tuberculosis 5. Infusion of whole plant is used as tonic by aged person. Asparagus racemosus Wild. (Liliaceae) EA 160 Ln. : Naharkanta Fl. & Fr.: Aug.-March Loc. : Ruthi Rani Mahal (Jaisamand) Ecology : Common in the forest either spreading or climbing on shrubs or bushes. ____________________________________________________________________ 1EA Ethnobotany and Agrostology Herbarium number 2Ln. Local name 3Fl. & Fr.: Flowering and Fruiting 4Loc. Locality
Ethnobotanical uses:
Decoction of about 10 gm of tuber is also given to animals for a week to increase lactation.
Arisaema tortuosum (wall.) Schott. (Araceae) EA 359 Ln. : Halida Fl. & Fr.: July-Nov. Loc. : Jhadol Ecology : Rare, in shady localities in the forest. Ethnobotanical uses :
Costus specious (Koen.) J.E. Smith (Zingiberaceae) EA 87 Ln. : Mahalakari Fl. & Fr.: June-Oct. Loc. : Sitamata wild life sanctuary. Ecology : In shady and moist places in forests. Ethnobotanical uses:
Curculigo orchioidies Gaertn. (Hypoxidaceae) EA 126 Ln. : Kali musali Fl. & Fr.: Aug.-Nov. Loc. : Jaisamand Ecology : In grassy plain or on the hills. Ethnobotanical uses:
Crinum asiaticum L. (Amaryllidaceae) EA322 Ln. : Jahari Kanda Fl. & Fr.: After rainy season Loc. : Kewda Ki Nal Ecology : Commonly grown in garden as ornamental purposes. Ethnobotanical uses :
Ceropegia bulbosa Roxb. (Asclepiadaceae) EA 211 Ln. : Khadula Fl. & Fr.: July Dec. Loc. : Kewda Ki Nal Ecology : Rare, in exposed rocky habitat, particularly on hillock. Ethnobotanical uses:
Ceropegia tuberosa Roxb. (Asclepiadaceae) EA 212 Ln. : Khadia Fl. & Fr.: June Oct. Loc. : Kewda Ki Nal Ecology : Rare, in exposed rocky habitat, particularly on hillock. Ethnobotanical uses:
Chlorophytum tuberosum (Roxb.) Baker (Liliaceae) EA 293 Ln. : Safed moosli Fl. & Fr.: June Oct. Loc. : Dhimda Bag (Jaisamand) Ecology : Frequent on the hill in protected area. Ethnobotanical uses:
Corallocarpus epigaeus (Rottl. & Willd) Hook.(Cucurbitaceae) EA 227 Ln. : Mirchia Kand Fl. & Fr.: Aug. Nov. Loc. : Jaisamand Ecology : Found in sandy to gravelly habitat, not common. Ethnobotanical uses:
Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott. (Araceae) EA 413 Ln. : Arbi Fl. & Fr.: Aug. Oct. Loc. : Jhadol Ecology : Found wild in the marshy or moist shady localities in forest. Ethnobotanical uses:
Curcuma amada Roxb. (Zingiberaceae) EA 323 Ln. : Amba haldi Fl. & Fr.: Aug. Oct. Loc. : Kotda (Bhula Ki Amali), Kota (Darah) Ecology : Rare, in the forest. Ethnobotanical uses:
Canna indica L. (Cannaceae) EA 528 Ln. : Keli Fl. & Fr.: Flowering almost throughout the year. Loc. : Kewada ki nal Ecology : Common near moist places and canal side, often cultivated in garden as ornamental purpose. Ethnobotanical uses:
Cayratia trifolia (Linn.) Domin. (Vitaceae) EA 331 Ln. : Khhata nimba Fl. & Fr.: July Dec. Loc. : Rudhi Rani Ka Mahal (Jaisamand) Ecology : Common among bushes in wasteland, forest and boundaries of field. Ethnobotanical uses:
Dioscorea bulbifera L. (Dioscoreaceae) EA 276 Ln. : Jatashankari Fl. & Fr.: Aug. Dec. Loc. : Kotda Ecology : Common in wasteland and open forest among bush and shrubs and along hedges often cultivated for its edible bulbils and tuber. Ethnobotanical uses:
Dioscorea hispida Dennstedt. (Dioscoreaceae) EA 391 Ln. : Jatashankari Fl. & Fr.: Aug. Oct. Loc. : Kotada (Bhula Ki Amali) Ecology : Occasionally found in the forest. Ethnobotanical uses:
Dioscorea pentaphylla L. (Dioscoreaceae) EA 392 Ln. : Jatashankari Fl. & Fr.: Aug. Oct. Loc. : Kotada (Bhula Ki Amali) Ecology : Occasionally found in the forest, particularly in moist place. Ethnobotanical uses:
Dioscorea tomentosa Roxb (Dioscoreaceae) EA 529 Ln. : Jangali ratalu Fl. & Fr.: Aug. Nov. Loc. : Kewada ki nal Ecology : Generally found in moist places of forest. Ethnobotanical uses:
Daucas carota L. (Apiaceae) EA 177 Ln. : Gajar Fl. & Fr.: Nov. - March Loc. : Jhadol Ecology : Cultivated in agricultural field Ethnobotanical uses:
Eulophia ochreata Lindl. (Orchidaceae) EA 403 Ln. : Salam mishri Fl. & Fr.: May Sept. Loc. : Sitamata wild life sanctuary Ecology : Rare, usually found as undergrowth in the forest. Ethnobotanical uses:
Euphorbia fusiformis Don. (Euphorbiaceae) EA 330 Ln. : Pahari mooli Fl. & Fr.: April - June Loc. : Sitamata wild life sanctuary Ecology : Rare in protected area. Ethnobotanical uses:
Gloroisa superba L. (Liliaceae) EA 222 Ln. : Kalihari Fl. & Fr.: Aug. Nov. Loc. : Dhimda bag (Jaisamand) Ecology : Rare in the forest. Ethnobotanical uses:
Globba marantina Linn. (Zingiberaceae) EA 472 Ln. : Runo Fl. & Fr.: Aug. Sept. Loc. : Gamadi Gam (Jaisamand) Ecology : Common on the hedges of cultivated field and outskirt of forest. Ethnobotanical uses:
Iphigenia Indica L. (Liliaceae) EA 530 Ln. : Dholi mooli Fl. & Fr.: June Sept. Loc. : Phalasia Ecology : Occasionally found in the rock crevices on Aravalli hills among grasses. Ethnobotanical uses:
Leea indica (N. Burn.) Merrill. (Leeaceae) EA 245 Ln. : Hastipalash Fl. & Fr.: July Nov. Loc. : Sitamata wild life sanctuary Ecology : Occasional in the forest, in shady habitat. Ethnobotanical uses:
Leea macrophylla Roxb. Ex. Horenem. (Leeaceae) EA 389 Ln. : Lalpatta Fl. & Fr.: Aug. Nov. Loc. : Sitamata wild life sanctuary Ecology : Rare, in shady habitat of forest. Ethnobotanical uses:
Langenandra toxicaria Dalz. (Zingiberaceae) EA 531 Ln. : Khariya Fl. & Fr.: Aug.-Nov. Loc. : Salumber Ecology : Common in hedges of cultivated field and outskirt of forest. Ethnobotanical uses:
Momordica dioica Roxb. ex Willd. (Cucurbitaceae) EA 175 Ln. : Kinkoda Fl. & Fr.: Aug. Oct. Loc. : Jaisamand Ecology : Common on hedges of cultivated field and outskirt of forest. Ethnobotanical uses:
Momordica balsamina L. (Cucurbitaeace) EA 530 Ln. : Jangali Karela Fl. & Fr.: July Oct. Loc. : Rawali Tadgarh Ecology : Common in wasteland on the boundary of field and garden. Ethnobotanical uses: Although no specific use of tubers is reported but tribals sell fruits in market but consumption of higher quantity is reported to have poisonous to have poisonous effect causing vomiting etc. & the unripe fruits are cooked as vegetable.
Mirabilis jalapa L. (Nyctaginaceae) EA 480 Ln. : Gulabbas Fl. & Fr.: Almost throughout the year Loc. : Jaisamand Ecology : Naturalized as weed in cultivated field. Ethnobotanical uses:
Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (Nelumbonaceae) EA 248 Ln. : Kamal Kakari Fl. & Fr.: Aug. Nov. Loc. : Aaspur Ecology : Common in ponds. Ethnobotanical uses: The petiole and rhizome is cooked as vegetable and often sold in market by tribals.
Pupalia atropurpuria Mog. (Amaranthaceae) EA 533 Ln. : Palakia Fl. & Fr.: July Sept. Loc. : Kotada Ecology : Commonly in gravelly to rocky habitat in wasteland. Ethnobotanical uses: 1. The tuberous root is edible and eaten raw like radish.
Pureria tuberosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) DC (Fabaceae) EA 264 Ln. : Ghora bel Fl. & Fr.: Feb. - April Loc. : Kewada Ki nal Ecology : Rare, in wasteland among clumps of tree and shrubs. Ethnobotanical uses: 1. The tuber is having food value and eaten raw. 2. The tuber is supposed to be an antinematodal. Small quantity of paste of tuber is given to patient for easy expulsion of guinea worm.
Raphanus sativaus L. (Brassicaeae) EA 536 Ln. : Moolo Fl. & Fr.: Oct. Nov. Loc. : Phalasia Ecology : Often cultivated Ethnobotanical uses:
Ruellia tuberosa L (Acanthaceae) EA 537 Ln. : ---- Fl. & Fr.: Aug. Nov. Loc. : Som Ecology : Common in wasteland and forest.
Ethnobotanical uses: Tuber powder (5-10gm) is given with milk for checking abdominal pain after delivery.
Sauromatum venosum (Ait.) Kunth (Araceae) EA 358Ln. : Halida Fl. & Fr.: March-April Loc. : Chhota nala (Jhadol) Ecology : Found in moist and shady places. Ethnobotanical uses: 1. The tuber is having antidotal activity; so the paste of tuber is applied on the affected part in case of snake bite. 2. In case of protuberance on back, the tuber of this plant is sliced and after heating, tied over protuberance.
Tacca leontopetaloides (L.) Kuntze (Taccaceaea) EA 535Ln. : Jadi Fl. & Fr.: Aug-Oct. Loc. : Sitamata wild life sanctuary Ecology : Rare, in moist and shady places. Ethnobotanical uses: Decoction of tuber is taken once a day for 2-3 days to cure severe headache.
Trichisanthes cucumerina L. (Cucurbitaceae) EA 306Ln. : Nagfani beldi Fl. & Fr.: Aug-Oct. Loc. : Kotada Ecology : Particularly in wasteland. Ethnobotanical uses: 1. In case of snake bite, the powder of tuber is applied locally. 2. Decoction of tuber is given with drenching tube in case of Volvo-vaginal-uterine prolapsed in animals.
Trapa natans (Trapaceae) EA 534 Ln. : Singhara Fl. & Fr.: Aug. - June Loc. : Oghana Ecology : Marshy and aquatic places. Ethnobotanical uses: Bhil tribe cooks the rhizome and tender shoot as vegetable during the scarcity of food.
Urginea indica (Roxb.) Kunth( Liliaceae0 EA 402 Ln. : Koli Kanda Fl. & Fr.: Feb. - May Loc. : Pai Ecology : Common in wasteland and open forest in gravelly rocky habitat. Ethnobotanical uses: 1. Powder (1-2 gm) of bulb is given once to female with mild in case of leucorrhoea. 2. Leaves are cooked as vegetable. 3. This plant act as indicator of rain. If the growth of this plant is full it is an indication of heavy rain ahead. If this plant dried earlier it is the indication of low rain or famine ahead. 4. Decoction of tuber is taken orally to cure respiratory trouble.
Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Solanaceae) EA 81 Ln. : Ashgandha Fl. & Fr.: Most part of the year Loc. : Gogunda Ecology : Common in dry wastelands, preferably in fertile soil. Ethnobotanical uses: 1. The dried powder of tuber is given to check constipation. 2. One teaspoon full of root powder is given with 250ml. milk twice a day in rheumatism.
Zingiber officinale Rose (Zingiberaceae) EA 282 Ln. : Aado Fl. & Fr.: Sept. Nov. Loc. : Phalasia Ecology: In wasteland, often cultivated. Ethnobotanical uses: 1. One teaspoon powder of rhizome is taken with water in abdominal pain. 2. One teaspoon powder of rhizome with small amount of salt is taken with water in vomiting.
RESULT AND DISCUSSIONThe traditional knowledge system in India is fast disappearing. So there is an urgent need for inventorying and recording all ethnobotanical information among the diverse ethnic communities. In this paper ethnobotanical uses of 42 tuberous plants belonging to 21 families have been documented for their food value and their interesting therapeutic properties for various ailments. Thus plants have dual significance; firstly they can be promising future food, secondly these medicinal tuberous plants can have some active constituent for future pharmaceutical analysis. The results show that gender and age class differ in their traditional knowledge with regard to medicinal plants reported. Males above 50 year of age had more traditional knowledge about medicinal plants and their uses than females. This may be attributed to their involvement in trade related activities. In most of the cases the older people were noted as being better informants and the vivid reason for this may be their personal experience of using these plants since old times. We learned through the survey that local people are still dependent on plant resources for treatment of various ailments, but this kind of dependence is decreasing. This is likely due to multiple reasons. One such reason is lack of belief of the young generation in the traditional medicine systems and increasing use of allopathic medicines due to their availability and efficacy. Another reason likely is the harvest by drug manufacturers especially in areas near settlements and pastures, leaving behind very little for access by local communities. Mostly the tuberous plants grow in shady and moist places but due to habitat destruction, climatic changes, introduction of exotic species (Lantana amara, Parthenium etc), overexploitation for food and medicine; the natural wild tuberous plants are facing the threat of extinction e.g. Ceropegia odorata which was endemic in eastern Rajasthan ( Mt.Abu) but now it has not been reported in last decades that means it has been extinct now. Most tuberous plants have been categorized into rare and endangered. This lack of effort to sustain resources may result in their depletion from natural habitats. There is a great need to create awareness among the indigenous communities about endangering medicinal plants, if over exploited to meet market demand. Arisaema tortuosum, Costus specious, Eulophia ochreata, Leea indica, Leea macrophylla, Pureria tuberosa, Corallocarpus epigaeus etc. have medicinal value belonging to rare category while Ceropegia bulbosa, Ceropegia tuberosa and Pureria tuberosa having food value, but due to overexploitation now they have become rare and endangered and there is great threat of extinction. Genus Dioscorea which was much abundant previously has been kept into rare category. Many plants are cultivated by tribals abundantly and sold in nearby market. These plants have much nutritional valve. Ceropegia bulbosa Ceropegia tuberosa,, Colocasia esculenta, Curcuma amada, Dioscorea bulbifera, Dioscorea hispida, Dioscorea tomentosa, Daucas carota, Iphigenia indica , Nelumbo nucifera,Pupalia atropurpuria, Pureria tuberose , Raphanus sativaus, Zingiber officinale are wild tuberous plants which are used by tribals as food . If proper strategies are proposed then this plants may become the part of tribal economy. Some tuberous plants e.g. Curcuma amada a.nd Zingiber officinale are widely used as spice and condiment not only by the tribals but also by the urban peoples. Along with food value some plants e.g. Crinum asiaticum and Gloroisa superba now have become beautiful ornamental plants but both are rare plant and found only in protected forest. Some plants are poisonous too e.g. Gloroisa superba , Crinum asiaticum, Urginea indica, , Withania somnifera,, ( Seed) , Dioscorea bulbifera . It is reported that being poisonous they have great medicinal value too. The tribal people have much knowledge about the detoxification; they use Dioscorea bulbifera, Urginea indica after detoxification, they either keep them overnight in running water or boil with water and after that they cook them. Nearly about all plants are reported to be medicinal having medicinal value of curing various ailments. Arisaema tortuosum, Curculigo orchioidies, Ceropegia tuberoae, Curcuma amada, Cayratia trifolia Trichisanthes cucumerina, Sauromatum venosum are widely used as antidote. Several plant species e.g. Curcuma amada, Cayratia trifolia, Arisaema tortuosum and Chlorophytum tuberosum are used for curing bone fracture. Tacca which is reported for the first time just little while ago in Rajasthan, (India) ( Sharma, S. (2005), has medicinal value of curing severe headache or migraine. Leea macrophylla is reported to be anti cancerous .It is also observed that some tuberous plant species are used by tribals to cure various sexual disease , menorrhage to regularize menstruation , to increase fertility etc. the knowledge of tribals about contra receptive, which is one of the informal innovation by them, is quite relevant in present day situation . In this context Gloriosa superba used to develop sterlity. Curculigo orchioidies incareas sexual vigor. Dioscorea bulbifera is used by tribal ladies as contra receptive. Arisaema tortuosum , Ampelocissus latifolia , Curculigo orchioidies Corallocarpus epigaeus Colocasia esculenta , Curcuma amada, Dioscorea bulbifera, Dioscorea pentaphylla , Eulophia ochreata , Leea macrophylla, Withania somnifera, Ruelia tuberosa are common important plants which are used by tribals to cure various ailments related to digestive tract like constipation, indigestion, abdominal pain, dysentery etc. Skin diseases like wounds, tumors, boils, sunburn, cut, injury, and carbuncle are among tribals. Few important plant species which cure these diseases are Sauromatum venosum, Cayratia trifolia, Raphanus sativaus, Zingiber officinale, Corallocarpus epigaeus and Crinum asiaticum. Most of the skin diseases may be cured by application of a poultice or a paste which is applied locally. Various ailments related to respiration like cough, cold, tuberculosis and asthma are cured by the tribals either using single herb or mixture of more than one herb i.e. Costus specious, Dioscorea bulbifera, Dioscorea pentaphylla, Urginea indica, Ampelocissus latifolia. Stones in the urinary tract, bladder, kidney and inflammation in urinary tract are some common disease of urinary system in the tribals of the study area which is cured by Ceropegia bulbosa. Eulophia ochreata is reported for curing fever. Corallocarpus epigaeus is used for curing typhoid. Costus specious, Crinum asiaticum, Ceropegia bulbosa are widely used to cure various ailments of ear. Asparagus racemosus, Cayratia trifolia and Withania somnifera are widely used for curing diabetes. Ampelocissus latifolia .is effective against gout. Costus specious, Euphorbia fusiformis Withania somnifera are used against rheumatism. Ampelocissus latifolia , Chlorophytum tuberosum, Daucas carota are used as tonic . Due to absence of proper hygiene, tribals are infected by nematodes, so they use Arisaema tortuosum, Curculigo orchioidies , Gloroisa superba, Urginea indica, Pureria tuberose against nematodal infection.( Appendix 3). These highly interesting finding require further research, while the efficacy of the various indigenous remedies will need to be subjected to pharmacological validation. During the ethnobotanical survey, observation on importance of tuberous plants has been observed as presented in Appendix 2. It is observed that the dosages and duration of medicine generally depend on the intensity of the disease and age of patient. It is observed that tribal harvest that plant part used for medicinal purpose at particular growth period or season e.g. before flowering and fruiting period etc. presumably to obtain maximum concentration of the active principle. As tuberous plants remain in dormant phase and have a limited period for completing their life cycle, tribal preserve the tuber for various remedies, which is harvested in their particular period. Hence, the tribals have a specified way of collecting the herbs, preparing and applying the medicine. It is observed that single plant species or a combination of different plant species is used for curing various diseases . We think that the present status of the economically and medicinally important plants of the study area needs to be determined in order to develop plans for their protection. Improved awareness of conservation issues is needed. Proper documentation of indigenous knowledge about the plants could be supportive in achievement of objectives. Local cultivation of medicinal plants and other economic species can play an important role in economic development of the area. For sustainable and long term conservation of natural resources of the area; there is a need to actively involve the quiescence of local people in evaluation, planning, implementation and monitoring processes as they are the best judges of the area.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors are highly thankful to the CSIR, New Delhi (India) for providing financial assistance under which this work was carried out. The authors are also thankful to tribal people for giving information about the tuberous plants.
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Appendix 1 Detailed information about the informants of the study area.
Appendix 2. Plants list.
Appendix 3 Diseases plant species Abscess Arisaema tortuosum Anti cancerous Leea macrophylla Antidote Ampelocissus latifolia, Ceropegia tuberose, Arisaema tortuosum, Curculigo orchioidies , Cayratia trifolia ,Curcuma amada ,Sauromatum venosum ,Trichisanthes cucumerina Antinematodal Arisaema tortuosum, Curculigo orchioidies , Gloroisa superba Pureria tuberose,, Urgenia indica Anti tumour Sauromatum venosum Asthma Globba marantina Dioscorea bulbifera Body ache Costus specious \Curcuma amada Leea indica (Leea macrophylla Boils Raphanus sativus Bone fracture Arisaema tortuosum Chlorophytum tuberosum Curcuma amada Cayratia trifolia Carbuncle Cayratia trifolia Constipation Curculigo orchioidies Contra receptives Dioscorea bulbifera Diabetes Asparagus racemosus, Momordica dioica Withania somnifera Dysentery Curcuma amada Withania somnifera Leea macrophylla Dyspepsia Ampelocissus latifolia Ear-ailment Costus specious, Crinum asiaticum, Ceropegia bulbosa Gastrointestinal disorder Zingiber officinale Gout Ampelocissus latifolia Hair lengthening Colocasia esculenta\ Momordica dioica Health tonic Ampelocissus latifolia ,Chlorophytum tuberosum Daucas carota Headache Tacca leontopetaloides Indigestion Ampelocissus latifolia Irregular menstruation Raphanus sativaus Kidney stone Ceropegia bulbosa Lactogogue Asparagus racemosus Leuchorrhoea Chlorophytum tuberosum Curculigo orchioidies Withania somnifera Leukemia Eulophia ochreata Pyrexia Urginea indica Respiratory trouble Urginea indica Rheumatism Withania somnifera , Costus specious ,Euphorbia fusiformis Sexual delibity Leea macrophyllaDaucas carota Sexual vigour Curculigo orchioidies Skin disease Zingiber officinale Stomach ache Dioscorea pentaphylla, Ruellia tuberosa Sunstroke Corallocarpus epigaeus Tuberculosis Ampelocissus latifolia ,Lagenandra toxicaria Typhoid Corallocarpus epigaeus Vulvo-vaginal uterine prolapse Asparagus racemosus Gloroisa superba Withania somnifera Wound healing Crinum asiaticum
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