Broussonetia papyrifera (Paper Mulberry) - Description and Uses : Indian Forestry

PAPER MULBERRY

Broussonetia papyrifera

SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION

Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Rosales
Family:	Moraceae
Tribe:	Moreae
Genus:	Broussonetia
Species:	B. papyrifera

This species is a deciduous shrub which usually attains the height of about 10 to 20 meters tall, The leaves varies in shape, even on one individual. The leaf blades may be lobed or unlobed, but they usually have a rough texture. They are up to about 15 to 20 centimeters long. The species is DIOECIOUS (male and female flowers on separate plants).

USES OF PAPER MULBERRY

1. Cultivated in Asia for food and fibre.

2. Leaves are used to feed silkworms.

3. Had been used for the manufacturing of Paper.

4. Fruits are edible.

5. Furniture making.

ETHNOBOTANICAL USE OF PAPER MULBERRY

The Bark of the tree and the fruit is used for the treatment of constipation as well as to reduce fever by the tribal communities.

..........Ashutosh Lohani.

Argeratum conyzoides - CHEMICAL COMPOSITION & MEDICINAL USES : INDIAN FORESTRY

Ageratum conyzoides (Billygoat-weed, Chick weed, Goatweed, Whiteweed)

Scientific Classification

Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Tribe:	Eupatorieae
Genus:	Ageratum
Species:	A. conyzoides

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF A. CONYZOIDES

There is high variability in the secondary metabolities of A. conzyoide which include flavonoids, alkaloids, cumarins, essential oils, and tannins. Many of these are biologically active. Essential oil yield varies from 0.02% to 0.16% (Jaccoud 1961). Vyas and Mulchandani (1984) identified conyzorigum, a cromene. Borthakur and Baruah (1986) identified precocene I and precocene II, in a plant collected in India. These compounds have been shown to affect insect development, as antijuvenile hormones, resulting in sterile adults (Borthakur and Baruah 1987). Ekundayo et al. (1988) identified 51 terpenoid compounds, including precocene I and precocene II. Gonzales et al. (1991) found 11 cromenes in essential oils, including a new cromene, 6-angeloyloky-7-methoxy-2,2-dimethylcromen. Vera (1993), in Reunion, found ageratocromene, other cromenes, and beta cariophylene in its essential oil. Mensah et al. (1993) and Menut et al. (1993) reported similar yields of precocene I in the essential oil of plants collected in Ghana.
Vyas and Mulchandani (1986), in India, identified flavones, including some considered new such as ageconyfavones A, B, and C. Horrie et al. (1993) reported hexametoxyflavone. Ladeira et al. (1987) in Brazil, reported three cumarinic compounds, including 1-2 benzopirone. The species contains alkaloids, mainly the pirrolizidinic group, which suggest that it may be a good candidate for pharmacological studies. Trigo et al. (1988) found several alkaloids, including 1,2- desifropirrolizidinic and licopsamine which can have hepatotoxic activity. Alkaloids also were found by Weindenfeld and Roder (1991) in a hexane extract of A. conyzoides in Africa.

ETHNOBOTANICAL USES OF A. CONYZOIDES

It is mainly used to cure cuts and wounds, and also used as an anti-dysentric,bacteriocide by the tribals.



.......
By Ashutosh Lohani.

Pseudocaryopteris bicolor

Pseudocaryopteris bicolor (Bluebeard)

Flowering - Feb - May.

Pseudocaryopteris
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Lamiaceae
Genus:	Pseudocaryopteris (Briq.) P.D.Cantino

Also Known as Blue Bearded in English and Van Baasuti in Hindi.

Description:-

• Blue beard is an attractive, compact, mounding  shrub.
• The height of this plant is about 1-3m and bluish purple blooms.
• It is found is sub-tropical, outer Himalayas, from Pakistan to Bhutan , India and Bangladesh.

Characterstics:-

Leaves :-

Acuminate

• It is lance shaped to elliptic.
• It is accuminate, 4- 10 cm long, 1 - 2.5 cm broad.
• It is crenate - serrate, pubescent , shortly petiolate.

Flower:- 

• The flower of this plant is about 1.2-1.3 cm across.
• The colour of the flower may be Purple, blue or mauve (pale purple color)
• Sometimes white and bluish tinge are also there.
• Flower tube is about 1-1.2 cm long , limb 5 lobed and upper 4 oblong

Bracts:-

• Bracts of this flower is  2-2.5 mm long, linear, acute, velvety.

Taxacum officinale - Dandelion, Kanphool, Kukraundha : Description and Medicinal Uses

Taxacum officinale (COMMON DANDELION)

SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION

Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Tribe:	Cichorieae
Genus:	Taraxacum
Species:	T. officinale Taxacum officinale

Taraxacum officinale is native to Europe and Asia,and was originally imported to America as a food crop.This species is a somewhat prolific seed producer, with 54 to 172 seeds produced per head, and a single plant can produce more than 5,000 seeds a year. It is estimated that more than 97,000,000 seeds/hectare could be produced yearly by a dense stand of dandelions.

It can be found growing in temperate regions of the world, in lawns, on roadsides, on disturbed banks and shores of water ways, and other areas with moist soils. T. officinale is considered a weed, especially in lawns and along roadsides, but it is sometimes used as a medicinal herb and in food preparation.

NOTE :-

 Common dandelion is well known for its yellow flower heads that turn into round balls of silver tufted fruits that disperse in the wind called "blowballs" or "clocks" 

BLOW-BALLS

SOME SIGNIFICANT USES OF DANDELION

The plant is known to have high medicinal value. It has been mentioned for its reliever properties in Arabian medical history records, Welsh Manuscripts and English Herbal literature written in the 17th century. The plants roots have been used by renowned herbalists as a tonic. It is known to increase secretion and urine. It also acts a placid purgative.
The root of the Dandelion is a registered drug in Canada and is primarily sold as a diuretic. The hepatoprotective effect of the plant is also known widely. It is also used as a mild laxative. The plant is also used to improve digestion and in increasing appetite. The milky latex that is extracted from the plant is used to relieve warts and as a mosquito repellant.
Dye colors yellow and green are obtained from the flowers of the plant. The caterpillars are also fed this herb.

ETHNOBOTANICAL USES OF DANDELION

• Bone Disorders: The high content of organic magnesium in the plant makes it very good for relieving bone disorders. The juice of the leave with carrot or turnip is used to relieve bone ailments.
• Liver and Gall Bladder ailments: Taraxacum Officinale is beneficial for relieving liver and bladder problems. It plays an important role in handling fat levels in the body. It also has properties that help in flushing toxins out of the body. Tea made of Dandelion is known for its benefits.
• General Debility: Taraxacum Officinale is a general body tonic that supports the waste disposal function of the human body. It helps in bowel movement and improves skin conditions.
• Urinary disorders: Dandelion Tea is used to relieve urinary dysfunctions. The tea of the plant is made from its flowers, fresh leaves and buds.
• Warts: Milk extracted from the cut of the Taraxacum Officinale if applied on warts is benefiting.

............By Ashutosh Lohani.

Daedlacanthus nervosus - Blue sage or Gulsham : Indian Forestry

Daedlacanthus nervosus (Gulsham)

FAMILY - Acanthaceae

Common Names 

Blue Sage (English) and Gulsham (Hindi).

DESCRIPTION

1. This plant is native to Himalayas.

2. Flowers are Blue coloured and occurs at the terminal spikes.

3. Flowering season is during Early winter season.

4. After 2,3 seasonal growths the plant eventually dies.

5. Usually 2 to 4 ft. tall.

6. Spreads through 1 to 2 ft.

....... By Ashutosh Lohani.