Studies on the traditional uses of plants of Malam Jabba valley, District Swat, Pakistan

By

Ilyas Iqbal¹ and Muhammad Hamayun²

¹Chairman Botany Department, Swat Public School and College, Swat, Pakistan

²Lecturer Govt. Degree College Kotha (Swabi), Pakistan

E.mail: M. Hamayun: smh_khan@hotmail.com

Abstract

This paper is based on the results of a project carried out in the remote Hindukush-Himalayan region of Malam Jabba, in order to study the ethnobotanically valued flora of the area. Malam Jabba valley contains 187 plant species of ethnobotanical importance, belonging to 75 families. The plants were classified as medicinal plants (95 Spp.), agro forestry based plants (57 Spp.), vegetable and pot herb (39 Spp.), ornamental (32 Spp.) honey bee attracting (31 Spp.), agricultural tool making (32 Spp.), plants yielding edible fruits (30 Spp.), thatching and sheltering (27 Spp.) fencing and hedge plants (19 Spp.), poisonous (16 Spp.) and timber yielding plants (14 Spp.).

The vegetation of the area is under high biotic pressure as a result of indiscriminate deforestation for different purposes and overgrazing as the locals are primarily dependent on the plant resources of the area. People utilize wood mainly as fuel and cut trees to make more land available for agriculture. Ruthless collection of medicinal plants in the area has threatened the existence of some indispensable and valuable medicinal plants like Paeonia emodi, Podophylum hexandrum, Valeriana Jatamansi and Acorus calamus in the area.

Key Words: Ethnobotany; Malam Jabba; Conservation; Hindukush-Himalayas

Introduction

Plants form the basis of life. They provide us ready made food, medicines to fight diseases, services to earn, fodder and forage for our cattle, fuel wood for burning, flowers for celebrations, materials for making agricultural tools, honey collected from its flowers, timber for construction and many more useful items. Plants form the basis of life. They provide us ready made food, medicines to fight diseases, services to earn, fodder and forage for our cattle, fuel wood for burning, flowers for celebrations, materials for making agricultural tools, honey collected from its flowers, timber for construction and many more useful items.

Ethnobotany is the most important approach to study natural resource management of indigenous people. The interaction between the mountain people and natural system through history has helped in maintaining the richness of species, communities and genetic materials in both productive systems and wild lands of the mountain environment. However, the rich Biodiversity is being disastrously impoverished due to human actions in the last few decades. Understanding the indigenous knowledge of mountain people in relation to biodiversity resource management is one of the key issues for sustainable development (Pie, 1991).

There are no provisions anywhere for the protection of knowledge rights of native people. Little action has been taken by legal professional Environmental, non governmental or even human rights groups to secure intellectual property rights (IPR) for native people Martin, 1995).

Malam Jabba Valley

Malam Jabba is located in the North of Pakistan between the Himalayan and the Hindukush foot hills. It belongs to Swat District, Which is part of Malakand Division situated in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP). The Swat District is dominated by the wide and fertile cultivated Swat Valley, which stretches in the North-South direction and is flown through by the Swat River. Malam Jabba lies at a distance of 52 kilometers from Saidu Sharif, the capital of Swat District.

About 8 kilometers North-East of Mingora, at the village of Manglaur, the Malam Jaba Valley branches off the Swat Valley. The altitude of Malam Jabba ranges from 990 m (3260 ft) at the valley entrance to 2880 m (9500 ft) at the highest peak of Shagar Sar. In the North of Malam Jabba lies Shangla District.

The lower Part of Malam Jabba Valley with the main Villages Ser, Telegram and Shagai stretches northeast and is rather narrow. At Ilanai (1270m) the valley is divided into a Northeast bound valley with main villages Shinkat (1500 m) Shaltalu, Mangarkot (1660 m), Serai and Ganajir and the wide Southeast bound valley with the main villages Murai, Kashora (1600 m), Malam (1800 M), Spin Obo (1900 m) and Kuh (2300 m). The whole Malam Jaba Valley has an estimated population of 20,000 inhabitants [Environmental Protection Society (EPS) Report].

Materials and methods

The project area was visited several times for collection of data during the year 1998. Plants were collected from the area, identified and preserved in the herbarium of Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad. Plants of ethnobotanical importance were classified on the bases of their local utility. For this purpose local people were interviewed. Questionnaire method was adopted for this purpose. The data obtained was then analyzed carefully.

Results

There were 187 spices which belong to 76 families. Among them fungi was represent by one family (Helevelaceae), Gymnosperms were represented by two families (Pinaceae, and Taxaceae). Pinaceae was represented by 4 species. Pteridophytes were represented by three families (Adiantaceae, Equisetaceae, Petridaceae), Monocots by six families were (Amarylilidaceae, Araceae, Liliaceae, Poaceae, Cyperaceae). The well represented families were Poaceae (16 Spp.) and Liliaceae (3 Spp.).The remaining 64 families were dicot. The well represented families were Rosaceae (14 Spp.), Solanaceae (9 Spp.), Lamiaceae (8Spp.), Cucubrbitaceae (7 Spp.), Brassicaceae and Papilionaceae (7 Spp.) each. They were followed by Euphorbiaceae, Polygonaceae (5 Spp.) each and Moraceae (4 Spp.). Amaranthaceae, Oleaceae, Ranuculaceae and Salicaceae each had three species.

The plants were classified according to local, traditional and economic uses. Much of the species were found to be used for multipurpose. The multipurpose species include Prunus armeniaca, Diospyrus lotus, Diospyrus kaki and Prunus domestica.

Based on the utility, there were 95 medicinal plants and 57 plants were cultivates and formed the basis of agro forestry, 48 species of fodder and forage, 47 fuel wood species, 39 species of vegetables and pots and herbs, 32 species were utilized to make agricultural toll, 31 were honey bee attracting species; 30 yield edible fruits, 28 plants were used in naming people and places, 27 were used for thatching and sheltering, 19 were used as fencing and hedge plants, 16 plants were consider as poisonous and 14 species were classified as timber trees. some miscellaneous uses of plants such as washing and cleaning utensils with, fish poison sacred and holy plants, plants specified for graveyard, mud supporting, making wooden utensils and spoons from and removing of spines are also given.

Botanical Name: Abies pindrow Royle

Local Name: Achar

Common Names: Zarnab (U); West Himalayan Silver Fir (Eng.)

Habit: Tall coniferous tree of temperate regions

Part Used: Bark, leaves, trunk, cones

Local Uses: The leaves are used as substitute for tea. The plant provides useful timber for building purposes. Wood is used in furniture, bridges, matches industry and beams. Branches are used for burning purposes; leaves are used for placing fruits in crates. Cones are used as fuel and decoration.

Botanical Name: Acacia modesta Wall

Local Name: Palosa

Common Names: Phulai (U)

Habit: Tree

Part Used: Gum, leaves, flowers, sticks, wood

Local Uses: Gum is used as tonic, also used for curing of dysentery and weakness, stimulant and demulcent. Branches are used as toothbrush. Leaves used as fodder for goats. Also used in fencing, as fuel wood and by honeybees.

Botanical Name: Achyranthus aspera L.

Family: Amaranthaceae

Local Name: Gishkay

Common Names: Puthkanda (U)

Habit: A perennial wasteland herb

Part Used: Root, whole plant

Local Uses: Root infusion is used for removing stones from kidneys. Decoction of the plant is diuretic, laxative and stomachic.

Botanical name: Acorus calamus L.

Local Name: Skhawaja.

Common names: Warch (U); Sweet flag (Engl.)

Habit: Herb of moist places

Part Used: Rhizome

Local Uses: The dried rhizome is crushed to powder and used in dysentery and chronic diarrhea. The powder is mixed with mustard oil and applied externally for rheumatism. The rhizome is given to children to bite during teething.

Botanical Name: Adiantum venestum D.Don.

Synonym: Adiantum capillus-veneris

Family: Adiantaceae

Local Name: Sumbal

Common Names: Persoshan (U); Maiden Hair Fern (Eng.)

Habit: Shade and moisture loving small fern

Part Used: Fronds, whole plant

Local Uses: Ornamental, fronds are used for curing scorpion bites. Juice of the frond is expectorant, emetic and diuretic.

Botanical Name: Adiantum nigrum L.

Family: Adiantaceae

Local Name: Sumbal

Habit: Shade and moisture loving fern

Part Used: Fronds, whole plant

Local Uses: Ornamental, fronds are used for curing scorpion bites.

Botanical Name: Aesculus indica (Wall. ex. Cambl.) Hk.f.

Family: Hippocastanaceae

Local Name: Jawaz

Common Names: Horse Chestnut (Eng.)

Habit: A large deciduous tree of temperate areas

Part Used: Fruits, leaves, wood

Local Uses: Leaves are used as fodder. Nuts are colic, used for the cure of chest diseases in horses, donkeys and mules. Wood is used in making furniture, agricultural appliances, gun buts, used for burning purposes. Shade tree.

Botanical Name: Ailanthus altissima (Mill) Swingle

Family: Simarubaceae

Local Name: Backyanra

Common Names: Tree of Heaven (Eng.)

Habit: Large size fast growing cultivated tree

Part Used: Leaves, trunk, and bark

Local Uses: Leaves are used as fodder for cattle. The wood is used for construction and making low class furniture, also used in making bee boxes and water-mill pulley. It is used as fuel wood. It is considered as an invader species. Bark is anthelmintic. Bark juice is mixed with milk for curing dysentery and diarrhea.

Botanical Name: Ajuga bracteosa Wall. ex. Benth.

Family: Lamiaceae

Local Name: Khwaga Bootei

Common Names: Kauri Booti & Neel Khanti (U)

Habit: Shade loving herb growing in crevices

Part Used: Whole plant

Local Uses: Used as internal colic, also used for the treatment of achenes, decoction is useful for curing jaundice, hypertension and sore throat.

Botanical Name: Allium cepa Linn,

Local Name: Piaz

Habit: A cultivated vegetable

Part Used: Bulbs, Leaves

Uses: The bulbs are stimulant. The leaves are diuretic, aphrodisiac and expectorant. Used extensively (both fresh and dry) in cooking as spices and condiment. It is also antiseptic. Its juice is applied to soothes the irritation caused by scorpion and hornet sting. Onion juice is administrated in Tobacco poisoning. Its juice is also used as and ink by wizards. The script is invisible until it is exposed to sunlight or smoke, after exposing beautiful pale brown orange writting appears on paper. It is also kept kept by the Drads with them while crossing high altitude passes as it enhances the intake of oxygen.

Botanical Name: Allium sativum Linn

Local Name: Ooga

Habit: A common cultivated vegetable

Part Used: Bulbs, Leaves

Uses: Used extensively in cooking as flavouring agent, specie carminative, aromatic and condiment. It is effective in heart diseases and hypertension. It is diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant and antiseptic. Decoction is effective in hysteria, flatulence, asthma and whooping cough. It is also used in epilepsy. It is famous superstitiously if one keeps it evils (ghost) will stay away from him.

Botanical Name: Alnus nitida Endl

Local Name: Geiray

Habit: Tree growing along water courses.

Part Used: Wood, catkins

Uses: Wood is used as fuel, also used for making agriculture appliances. It is very useful to prevent soil erosion. Catkins are used in cosmetics.

Botanical Name: Amaratus viridis Linn.

Syn: Amaranthus gracilis Linn

Local Name: Chalwaey

Habit: Annual herb every common in summer.

Part Used: Whole plant

Uses: Cooked as pot herb fresh fodder, used as emollient

Botanical Name: Andrancne cordifolia Muell.

Local Name: Krachay

Habit: A perennial herb

Part Used: Leaves, fruits

Uses: Vermifuge for cattle.

Botanical Name: Amaranthus spinosus Linn

Local Name: Chalwaey

Habit: A common annual weed at waste places

Part Used: Whole plant, leaves

Uses: Leaves are used as vegetable, it is fodder for sheep

Botanical Name: Apluda mutica Linn

Local Name: Wakha

Habit: Common grass

Part Used: Whole plant

Uses: It serves as fresh and dry fodder.

Botanical Name: Arisaema flavum schott

Local Name: Marjarai

Habit: Perennial herb of moist shady habitat.

Part Used: Rhizome, fruit.

Uses: The rhizome is poisnous. The red fruit is also poisonous causing numbness of tongue. It is also believed to help in tracing bears.

Botanical Name: Artemisia scoporia Waldst and Ket.

Syn: Artemisia trichophylla Wall. Ex DC

Local Name: Jaukay

Habit: Leaves, shoots,seeds

Part Used: Leaves, shoots, seeds

Uses: Respiratory stimulant, anthelimintic and purgative. Used as cure for ear ache. Used for burning. Shoots are used for making brooms for sweeping lawns and roofs of muddy houses, also used in making edges of mud roofs. It is used for naming persons i.e Jaukay Sobidar.

Botanical Name: Aristida cyanatha Neez ex Steud

Local Name: Wakha

Habit: Common grass growing everywhere in plains and foot hills.

Part Used: Whole plant

Uses: Fresh and dry fodder for cattle

Botanical Name: Asparagus officinalis Linn.

Local Name: Tendorai

Habit: Perennial herb.

Part Used: Young shoots

Uses: Young shoots are used as vegetable.

Botanical Name: Asphodelus tenuifolius Cavan

Local Name: Piazakay, Oogakaey

Habit: Common spring weed

Part Used: Fresh leaves.

Uses: It is cooked with maize bread. Used as a condiment.

Botanical Name: Avena sativa Linn.

Local Name: Jamdar

Habit: An annual weed of wheat field.

Part Used: Whole plant

Uses: It is used as fodder for cattle.

Botanical Name: Berberis lycium Royle

Local Name: Kwaray

Habit: Spiny shrub of exposed places

Part Used: Leaves, stem, root, bark, branches.

Uses: Stomachic, intestinal colic, expectorant. Used in diarrhea, diuretic. Used in the treatment of internal wound. Used in piles. It is also used in jaundice and other liver disorders. The fruits are edible it is also used in fencing and Hedges specially against procopines. Name of a place “Kwaray”, notorious for local wine distilleries.

Botanical Name: Bergenia himalyca Boriss

Local Name: Makanpat

Habit: Rhizomatous plant of shady moist habitat.

Part Used: Rhizome

Uses: It is used for discharge of pus in animals. It is used as a tonic, also used in muscular pain.

Botanical Name: Brassica camapestris Linn.

Local Name: Sharshum

Habit: A cultivated vegetable and oil seed crop.

Part Used: Leaves, seeds

Uses: Young leaves and flowering tops are used as vegetable. Oil is extracted from seeds which is used in cooking, massage of body and hair, used as ointment. Seed cakes locally known as “Khal” is obtained after extracting oil and are used as fodder for cattle.

Botanical Name: Brassica campestris Linn . Var. rapa.

Local Name: Tepar

Habit: A cultivated vegetable

Part Used: Leaves, roots

Uses: Leaves and root is common vegetable. It is good for stomach and ulcer problems.

Botanical Name: Brassica olaraceae Linn . Var. botrytis

Local Name: Ghobi

Habit: A cultivated vegetable.

Part Used: Flower

Uses: Common vegetable. It usually causes gas trouble.

Botanical Name: Buxus sempervirense HK.f.

Local Name: Shamshad

Habit: Shrub growing under trees

Part Used: Whole plant, leaves, stem.

Uses: Used as fuel, also used in Rheumatism. It is diaphoretic, purgative, poisonous and febrifuge, used in making wooden spoons and utensils.

Botanical Name: Calotropic procera (Willd.) R.Br.

Syn: Asciepias procera Willd.

Local Name: Spulmaey

Habit: Common weed of waste, dry and exposed.

Part Used: Whole plant.

Uses: Plant parts are crushed with raw sugar (gur) to make a paste which is applied over to dog bites. Leaves are smoked to cure asthma and cough. Latix is utilized commonly in skin disorders. It is poisonous.

Botanical Name: Calendula arvensis Linn.

Local Name: Zair gulae.

Habit: An annual wild herb.

Part Used: Leaves, flowers

Uses: The leaves and flowers are given to children who are suffering from scrofula. It is used as tonic, it is diaphoretic and anthelmentic. The powdered leaf is used as snuff for the discharge of mucus. It is honey bee species.

Botanical Name: Calendula officinale Linn.

Local Name: Zair gulae

Habit: A cultivated ornamental herb.

Part Used: Flowers, leaves.

Uses: Flowers and shoots are used to treat wounds. Flowers along with honey are stimulant, astringent and antispasmodic. Honey bee species.

Botanical Name: Canabis sativa Linn.

Syn: Canabis indica Lamk.

Local Name: Bhang

Habit: An annual wild herb of waste places.

Part Used: leaves, flowering tops.

Uses: Sedative, tonic, narcotic, anodyne refrigerant. Juice added with milk and nuts to make “Tandai” a cold drink which produces a pleasant excitement. “Charas” is also prepared from it. Honey bee species.

Botanical Name: Caralluma edulis (Edgew.) Bth ex HK.f.

Syn: Boucerosia edulis Edgew.

Local Name: Pamankay

Habit: A succulent perennial herb.

Part Used: Succulent stem

Uses: Vegetable, it is carminative. It is used by patients with diabetes. It is also used in hypertension.

Botanical Name: Conyza canadensis Conquist

Local Name: Malloch

Habit: Common wild herb.

Part Used: Vegetative portion.

Uses: Fresh fodder, homeostatic, stimulant, diuretic,astringent, used in diarrhea and dysentery.

Botanical Name: Capsella bursa-pastoris (Linn.) Medic.

Local Name: Bambaisa

Habit: An annual weed.

Part Used: Leaves, flowering tops, seeds.

Uses: It is less commonly used as vegetable. Seeds are stimulant, diuretic astringent, also used in dropsy. It is serves as fresh fodder.

Botanical Name: Capsicum annum Linn.

Local Name: Ghat Marchakay

Habit: An annual cultivated herb.

Part Used: Fruits

Uses: Vegetable, condiment, carminative. It is used as flavouring agent in rice.

Botanical Name: Celtis caucasica Linn.

Local Name: Tagha

Habit: A medium to tall size tree of foot hills

Part Used: Leaves, fruits, wood

Uses: Fuel wood, used in making agricultural tools, leaves are used as fodder, fruits are edible which are refrigerant, also applied in colic, amenorrhoea and allergy.

Botanical Name: Clematis grata Wall.

Local Name: Ghrazela

Habit: Common wild climbing herb.

Part Used: Vegetative portion.

Uses: Fodder for sheep.

Botanical Name: Chenopodium album Linn.

Local Name: Sarmay

Habit: An annual wild weed of fields.

Part Used: Vegatative portion, roots.

Uses: It is used as pot herb, laxative, anthelmintic, roots used in Jaundice and urinary problems. Also serves as a fresh fodder.

Botanical Name: Convolulus arvensis Linn.

Local Name: Prewatai

Habit: An annual climbing herb.

Part Used: Vegetative part

Uses: Fresh fodder, purgative, also applied in skin disorders. Wheat field weed.

Botanical Name: Colocasia esculentum Linn.

Local Name: Kachaloo

Habit: Cultivated vegetable

Part Used: Leaves, Underground stem.

Uses: Common vegetable, demulcent.

Botanical Name: Cotonester microphylla Wall

Local Name: Kharawa

Habit: A medium sized shrub.

Part Used: Whole plant.

Uses: It is used for thatching and sheltering roof. Used as fuelwood. It is also used for fencing.

Botanical Name: Colchicum Luteum Baker.

Local Name: Suranjan-e-sherin

Habit: Rhizomatous plant of moist temperate forests.

Part Used: Rhizome

Uses: Used as blood purifier, it is laxative and aphrodisiac.

Botanical Name: Citrulus colocynthis Shard.

Syn: Cucumis colocynthis Linn

Local Name: Kalkundaey

Habit: A prostrate herb found in dry maize fields.

Part Used: Fruit

Uses: Fruit is administrated to cattle for intestinal disorders. Its juice is given in dropsy, fruits are bitter and poisonous, careless use may proves fatal. Children play with the fruits.

Botanical Name: Coriandrum sativum Linn.

Local Name: Dhanyal

Habit: An annual cultivated herb

Part Used: Leaves, seeds

Uses: Condiment, aromatic, stimulant, flavouring agent, carminative, used in piles, increases the secretion of gastric juices, used as Corrigan, fragrance digestive, fruits decoction is given in colic, seeds create apetite. Oil is extracted from it, also used in naming i.e. Danyal.

Botanical Name: Cucumis sativus Linn.

Local Name: Badrang

Habit: Prostrate to climbing herb.

Part Used: Fruits

Uses: It is extensively used as salad. It is refrigerant.

Botanical Name: Cucurbita Spp.

Local Name: Bindol

Habit: A cultivated climbing herb.

Part Used: Long snake like fruits

Uses: It is a common vegetable. It is stomachic

Botanical Name: Cucurbita maxima Linn.

Local Name: Khog Kadoo

Habit: A cultivated prostrate to climbing herb.

Part Used: Fruits, seeds, leaves, young shoots, flowers

Uses: Young shoots, flowers and fruits are used as vegetable. It is used in ulcer or other digestive problems, stomachic. Famous “Kadoo halva” is prepared from the fruit. Fruit pulp is also used in confectionery, Jams and Jelleys. Seeds are used as anthelmintic. Seeds are also used in confectionery and cakes. The name “Kadoo” is termed for an idiot person.

Botanical Name: Cucurbita pepo Linn.

Local Name: Gharangy Kadoo

Habit: An annual prostrate to climbing cultivated herb.

Part Used: Fruit

Uses: Fruit is used as vegetable. It is diet for patients suffering from Jaundice, heart and stomach problems.

Botanical Name: Daphne oloides Schreb. Syn: Daphne mucronata Royle

Local Name: Laighonai

Habit: Common chrub.

Part Used: Fruits

Uses: The fruits are edible. It is poisonous to animals. Its poultice is used for sweeping and rheumatism. It is also used as fuelwood. It has beautiful flowers and can be used as ornamental plant.

Botanical Name: Datura innoxia Mill

Local Name: Dhatura/Mangaz

Habit: Common waste land herb.

Part Used: Leaves, seeds

Uses: Leaves are applied externally in selling of limbs. Extract of leaves is helpful in toothache, headache and epilepsy. Leaves extract effect the nervous system, overdose may induce vomiting, coma and even death. Seeds are antipyretic and narcotic.

Botanical Name: Debregeasia salicifolia (D. Don) Rendle Syn: Boehmeria salicifollia D.Don

Local Name: Ajlai

Habit: A water course shrub.

Part Used: Branches, wood and fruits.

Uses: Fruits are edible. It is used as fuelwood. Branches are used in thatching. It is also used as Hedge plant.

Botanical Name: Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) P.Beauv.

Local Name: Wakha.

Habit: A common grass.

Part Uses: Whole plant.

Uses: It serves as fresh and dry fodder.

Botanical Name: Dicanthium annulatum (Forssk)

Local Name: Wahka

Habit: Common medium sized grass.

Part Uses: Whole plant.

Uses: It serves as fresh and dry fodder.

Botanical Name: Diospyrus lotus Linn. (Fig. 3)

Local Name: Toor amlook

Habit: A wild medium sized tree.

Part Uses: Fruit, wood, leaves.

Uses: The wood is used in furniture. It is also used as fuel wood. Fruit are edible which are carminative, putgative and causes flatulence, leaves serves as fodder.

Botanical Name: Diospyrus kaki Linn .(Fig. 4)

Local Name: Ziar Amlook

Habit: This Japanese persimmon is grafted in the local Diospyrus lotus.

Part Uses: Fruit, wood.

Uses: It is very common commercial fruit tree of Malam Jabba valley. It is used in dry and fresh form and is very delicious. It is laxative. The wood is utilized as fuel.

Botanical Name: Diplachne fusca (L.) P. Beauv.

Local Name: Bangaya

Habit: A medium sized grass of dry habitat.

Part Uses: Whole plant.

Uses: It is used as fodder for cattle.

Botanical Name: Dodonea viscosa (L.) Jacq. (Fig. 5)

Local Name: Ghwaraskay.

Habit: A shrubby plant of exposed dry habitat.

Part Uses: Leaves, seed, wood.

Uses: It is used as astringent. It is used as rheumatism, swelling and burns. It is used in thatching and fencing. Its shoots are tied to make brooms. It is fragrant. It is also planted as ornamental and hedge plant.

Botanical Name: Dryopteris stewartii More K ze.

Local Name: Unknown.

Habit: A fern of moist shady areas.

Part Uses: Young fronds.

Uses: It serves as ornamental plant.

Botanical Name: Fragaria indica Andrew.

Local Name: Da Zamki Toot.

Habit: A perennial prostrate herb.

Part Uses: Fruits.

Uses: Fruits are edible and are laxative.

Botanical Name: Echinops graffithianus Boiss.

Local Name: Unknown

Habit: A common spiny weed of exposed sites.

Part Uses: Roots and stem.

Uses: It is considered as spiny weed. Stem and leaves are diuretic and aphrodiasic.

Botanical Name: Equisetum arvense Linn.

Local Name: Bandakay.

Habit: A tall narrow herb of moist habitat.

Part Uses: Shoots.

Uses: The extract of shoots mixed with mustered oil I used as hair tonic and antilice. It is used for cleaning and washing utensils.

Botanical Name: Ehretia obtusifolia Hochst . ex DC. (Fig . 6)

Syn: Ehretia obvata R. Br.

Local Name: Ghada botay.

Habit: A medium sized shrub.

Part Uses: Leaves, braches.

Uses: Leaves serves as fodder for cattle, fuel wood.

Botanical Name: Euphorbia helioscopa Linn.

Local Name: Prewatka.

Habit: An annual weed of fields.

Part Uses: Shoots, roots and latex.

Uses: It is cathartic, anthelmintic. Juice is applied to eruption; latex is poisonous and causes swellings on skin. It also causes irritation. It is also used as fish poison. When it is cooked with other pot herb, it depresses its flavour.

Botanical Name: Euphoriba prostrata Ait.

Local Name: Warmaga.

Habit: A prostrate annual herb.

Part Uses: Whole plant.

Uses: The decoction and its paste is used for dermatophytes, specially ring worms. Paste is also applied in skin diseases. It is grazed by goats. Bad looking weed in lawns.

Botanical Name: Euphorbia wallichii Hk.f.

Local Name: Shangla

Habit: A common herb in moist temperate forests.

Part Uses: Latex, shoots.

Uses: It is poisonous; highly laxative causes severe diarrhea and dysentery. It is name of a place i.e. Shanglapar District.

Botanical Name: Eriophorum comosum (Wall ex Roxb) Nees.

Local Name: Wakha

Habit: Grass of dry habitat.

Part Uses: Shoots

Uses: It is fodder of low quality.

Botanical Name: Eucalptus globulus.

Local Name: Lachi.

Habit: Tall cultivated tree.

Part Uses: Leaves, oil, stem.

Uses: Fuel wood, used in making furniture, beams. It is used as flavoring agent, antiseptic, ant periodic. Leaves used in the form of cigarette for asthma. Introduced species. Honey bee species.

Botanical Name: Ficus carica Forsk

Local Name: Inzar

Habit: Medium sized cultivated tree.

Part Uses: Fruits, latex, leaves, wood.

Uses: It is laxative and demulcent. Used in constipation, piles and urinary bladder problems. Latex is used to make removal of spines and thorns easy. It is considerd as a holy tree. Superstitious stories are related, if one saw its flower will become rich. Inzargul (flower of fig) is used for a person who meets after a long time, it is also name of a person. Fuel wood, fruits are also dried. Leaves serve as fodder.

Botanical Name: Ficus palmate Forsk

Syn: Ficus varigata Roxb.

Local Name: Inzar

Habit: A medium sized wild tree growing on slopes.

Part Uses: Fruits, latex, leaves, wood.

Uses: Laxative, demulcent. Used in constipation, piles and bladder diseases. Fruits are used both dry and fresh. It is holy, superstitious and used for naming. Leaves are used as fodder. Braches are used as fuelwood.

Botanical Name: Gentiana kurroo Royle.

Local Name: Unknown

Habit: Small herb is exposed habitat.

Part Uses: Corms, root.

Uses: Root is tonic, stomachic, febrifuge. Used for fattening of horses.

Botanical Name: Geranium collinum Steph ex Willd.

Local Name: Srazella

Habit: A perennial herb.

Part Uses: Whole plant.

Uses: Decoction of plant is antipyretic tonic and also used for curing cough and cold.

Botanical Name: Gymnosporia royleana Wall ex Lawson

Local Name: Soor azghay.

Habit: A spiny shrub of foot hills

Part Uses: Whole plant.

Uses: Young shoots are fodder for goat. It is also used as a hedge plant and fuel wood.

Botanical Name: Hedera nepalensis K. Koch.

Local Name: Da Wano kalay.

Habit: Tall liana climbing trees.

Part Uses: Leaves.

Uses: It is used as fresh fodder. Juice is used in first aid. It is ornamental. It is famous as an anticancer.

Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus Linn.

Local Name: Nwar parast.

Habit: A tall cultivated herb.

Part Uses: Seed, flowers.

Uses: Seeds yield edible oil used as best oil for cooking, seeds are laxative and diuretic. It is planted for ornamental purposes. Honey bee species.

Botanical Name: Heteropogon contortus (L.) P. Beauv. Ex. Roem. & Schult.

Local Name: Barwaza.

Habit: A medium sized grass.

Part Uses: Leaves.

Uses: It is layered on the floors of old mosques and serves as a mat and insulting agent.

Botanical Name: Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.

Syn: Hibiscus esculentus Linn.

Local Name: Bhindi.

Habit: A cultivated vegetable in summer.

Part Uses: Fruits

Uses: It is extensively used as vegetable. It is emollient, demulcent and diuretic, it causes constipation.

Botanical Name: Indigeofera heterantha Wall. Ex Brand.

Syn: Indigeofera gerardiana Wall ex Baker.

Local Name: Ghoureja.

Habit: A medium sized shrub of exposed habitat.

Part Uses: Shoots, braches.

Uses: Shoots serve as fodder for goats. Young branches are twisted into ropes, they are tied to make brooms for cleaning roofs and lawns. It is used for thatching and fencing. It serves as fuelwood, wood ash is used for making snuff. It is honey bee species. Name of place i.e. Gjpireja.

Botanical Name: Ipomoea carica Jacq.

Syn: Ipomoea palmata Forssk.

Local Name: Unknown.

Habit: A wild climbing weed in maize field.

Part Uses: Whole plant.

Uses: It is used as fodder when weeded out.

Botanical Name: Jasminum humile Linn.

Local Name: Zair Rambail Chambail/Yasmin.

Habit: A wild ornamental climbing shrub.

Part Uses: Flowers, whole plant.

Uses: It is ornamental. Root decoction is used for curing ringworms.

Botanical Name: Jasminum officinale Linn.

Local Name: Spin Rambail Chambail, Yasmin.

Habit: A wild cultivated ornamental plant.

Part Uses: Whole plant.

Uses: Diuretic, anthelmetic. Flowers used in skin diseases, headache. Used in mouth rash. Oil is rubbed on heart as nerve sedative. Ornamental and fragrant. It is famous that when it blooms its fragrance attracts snakes.

Botanical Name: Justicia adhatoda L.

Synonym: Adhatoda vasica Nees .

Family: Acanthaceae

Local Name: Baikar

Common Names: Arusa & Bhekar (U); Malabar Nut & Casaka (Eng.)

Habit: Non palatable shrub

Part Used: Root and leaves

Local Uses: Roots are used in rheumatism, pneumonia and cough. Leaves are applied to reduce swelling. The decoction of leaves is antispasmodic, expectorant, abortifacient and also used for curing dysentery in cattle. It is also used in scabbies and other skin disorders. Used in snakebites, eye and ear ailments. Antiseptic and insect repellent. Honey Bee species.

Botanical Name: Juglans regia Linn.

Local Name: Ghuz

Habit: A wild/cultivated large deciduous tree.

Part Uses: Nut, bark, leaves, wood.

Uses: It is used in standered furniture, also used for carving. Bark (Dandasa) is used for cleaning and sparkling of teeth. Leaves are also used as lips make up. Nuts can infect throat due to its oily nature. It has warm nature and can cause jaundice. It is also used as a dye. Used in naming i.e. “Ghuz”. Decoction of leaves is given in eczema and intestinal worms.

Botanical Name: Limmonium gilesii (Hemsl. & Aitch) Rech. f.

Local Name: Watwatakay.

Habit: Succulent herb of dry exposed hills.

Part Uses: Whole plant.

Uses: Plant can be used as ornamental.

Botanical Name: Lathyrus sativus Linn.

Local Name: Chillo.

Habit: A prostrate herb.

Part Uses: Seeds, vegetative portion.

Uses: It is used as a fresh fodder. Seeds are also eaten.

Botanical Name: Lathyrus apache Linn.

Local Name: Kurkamanay.

Habit: Prostrate herb.

Part Used: Young shoots.

Uses: It is used as pot herb, also eaten by children as it has a very pleasant taste. It is also used as a fodder.

Botanical Name: Luffa cylindrica (L.) Room.

Syn: Luffa aegyptica Miller. ex Hk. f.

Local Name: Torai.

Habit: A cultivated climbing vegetable.

Part Uses: Fruits.

Uses: Fruits are used as vegetable, good for stomach and ulcer problems. Dried fruit case is used for cleaning utensils.

Botanical Name: Malus pumila Mill.

Syn: Pyrus malus Linn.

Local Name: Manra.

Habit: A cultivated fruit trtee with many varities.

Part Uses: Fruits, flowers, wood.

Uses: Valuable commercial fruit, purgative, source of iron, expectorant, used in jams, jelleys and good for heart. Wood is hard and is used for agriculture tools, branches serves as fuelwood.

Botanical Name: Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds.

Syn: Mentha sylvestris Linn.

Local Name: Villanay.

Habit: A perennial herb of moist area.

Part Uses: Whole plant.

Uses: Dried leaves powder is used in chatney, stomachic, carminative. It is used in diarrhea and dysentery. It is used with boiled eggs as tonsilites. It is stimulant and Rheumatic. It is aromatic and applied in various gastric problems. It is cooked with maize cobs as flavouring and carminative agent.

Botanical Name: Mentha spicata Linn.

Syn: Mentha viridus Linn.

Local Name: Podina.

Habit: A perennial cultivated herb.

Part Uses: Leaves.

Uses: The leaves are used in chatnies, leaves used as salad, spice, stimulant, carminative. Decoction of leaves is used as mouth wash. It is helpful in dyspepsia.

Botanical Name: Melia azedarach Linn.

Local Name: Tora Bikyana, Shandai.

Habit: A medium sized wild/cultivated tree.

Part Uses: Whole tree.

Uses: Bark is cathartic and emetic. Flowers applied as poultice, decoction of leaves is used in hysteria. Seeds used in rheumatism, also used in blood pressure. Ripened fruits are used against diabetes. Timber wood, used in making furniture. Shade tree. Leaves used as fodder. Ornamental. It is also a honey bee species.

Botanical Name: Malva neglecta Wall.

Local Name: Panerak, Samchal

Habit: A cultivated hurb

Part Uses: Leaves

Uses: It is used a pot herb. It is also ornamental.

Botanical Name: Mirabilis jalapa Linn.

Local Name: Gul-e-Bada.

Habit: A perennial ornamental herb.

Part Uses: Leaves.

Uses: A hot poultice of leaves is used to mature and resolve boils.

Botanical Name: Morchella esculenta (Linn.) Pers ex Fr.

Local Name: Goujai

Habit: Mushroom of moist temperate habitat.

Part Uses: Whole

Uses: It is very costly and delicious mushroom. It is collected, sold in the local market and then exported. It has also medicinal value.

Botanical Name: Micromeria biflora (Bunhi Ham ex D. Don. Benth)

Local Name: Unknown

Habit: Small herb of crevices.

Part Uses: None.

Uses: No local use known

Botanical Name: Morus alba Linn.

Local Name: Spin toot.

Habit: A cultivated or wild deciduous tree.

Part Uses: Fruit, leaves, branches, trunk.

Uses: Fruit are eaten both fresh and dry. They are laxative, purgative. Leaves are emollient, used for cleaning throat, cooling agent, anthelmintic and astringent. Baskets are also made from the flexible branches. Wood is used in furniture. Leaves were once used in rearing silk worms. Leaves are eaten by goats and sheep. Planted as shade tree.

Botanical Name: Morus nigra Linn.

Local Name: Toor Toot.

Habit: A cultivated or wild deciduous tree.

Part Uses: Leaves, wood, branches, tree.

Uses: Fruits are eaten however they are laxative, leaves are emollient, used for cleaning throat, cleaning agent, anthelmintic and astringent. Baskets are made of flexible branches. Wood is used in making furniture. Shade tree, fuelwood, leaves are fodder for sheep and goats.

Botanical Name: Myrsine Africana Linn.

Local Name: Maru-rang

Habit: A medium sized shrub.

Part Uses: Whole plant.

Uses: Used in mudroof thatching, fuelwood and fodder for goat.

Botanical Name: Myrtus cummunis Linn.

Local Name: Manro

Habit: A medium sized shrub.

Part Uses: Leaves, fruits.

Uses: Used for fragrance in tea, used as spices. Carminative, appetizer, flavouring agent, digestive. Fruits are edible, develop taste. Used in naming by Dards i.e. “Manro”.

Botanical Name: Memordica charantia Linn.

Local Name: Karela

Habit: A cultivated prostrate to climbing herb.

Part Uses: Fruit

Uses: It is used as vegetable, also used for curing fever. It is expectorant.

Botanical Name: Narcissus tazetta Linn.

Local Name: Gul-e-Gangass, Gul-e-Nargis.

Habit: A perennial herb of graveyards flowering in early spring.

Part Uses: Flowers.

Uses: Cultivated for ornamental purposes. Juice is purgative and emetic. Used in naming i.e. “Nargis”. It is honey bee species.

Botanical Name: Nasturtium officinale R. Br.

Local Name: Talmeera.

Habit: A perennial herb of moist habitat.

Part Uses: Vegetative portion.

Uses: It is used as vegetable, salad and pot herb, it is anticorbic, stomachic, Apitizer and diuretic and it is also used in chest problems.

Botanical Name: Nerium indicum Mill .(Fig.7)

Syn: Nerium odorum Soland.

Local Name: Ganderay

Habit: A huge shrub of water courses.

Part Uses: Flowers, leaves, root.

Uses: Decoction of leaves in paste form is applied externally on the skin to cure certain skin diseases. Root is used in snake bites. It is poisonous. It is ornamental. Honey bee species.

Botanical Name: Nicotiana tabaccum Linn.

Local Name: Tambacco

Habit: Cultivated herb.

Part Uses: Leaves

Uses: It is important cash crop. Used in snuff, applied to wounds, antiseptic, narcotic, used for making cigararettes. After removal of leaves the stems are dried and used for burning.

Botanical Name: Olea ferrugenea Royle

Local Name: Khona

Habit: Tall evergreen tree specified to graveyards.

Part Uses: Fruits, leaves, trunk

Uses: Fruit is eaten, antidiabetic, leaves used in toothache, astringent, antiseptic, diuretic, antiperiodic. Used in soar throat. Oil is obtained from seeds. Holy tree, grown in shrines and grave yards. Used for making agricultural tools, fuelwood. Used in naming i.e. “Khona Gul”

Botanical Name: Origanum vulgare Linn.

Syn: origanum normal D.Don

Local Name: Shamakay

Habit: A perennial herb.

Part Uses: Vegetative portion.

Uses: Used as fresh fodder. Used in tooth ache and ear ache, it is diuretic also used for washing utensils.

Botanical Name: Oryza sativa Linn.

Local Name: Sholy

Habit: Cultivated staple crop where there is plenty of water.

Part Uses: Graoms, straw

Uses: It is important cereal crop. Source of starch, Hay is used as fodder. It is also for cleaning and washing utensils.

Botanical Name: Onychium japonicum (Thunb.). Kze

Local Name: Not known

Habit: Fern of moist temperate forests.

Part Uses: Whole plant.

Uses: It is ornamental.

Botanical Name: Otostegia limbata (Bth.) Boiss

Syn: Ballota limbata Bth.

Local Name: Spin azghay, Pishkanr.

Habit: A small sized shrub.

Part Uses: Leaves.

Uses: Used in gum diseases and curing of wounds.

Botanical Name: Oxalis corniculata Linn.

Local Name: Manzakay Tarookay.

Habit: A perennial herb.

Part Uses: Leaves

Uses: Used in stomach problems, refrigerant, vermifuge, it is used for developing taste, also used for sensitive teeth. Decoction of leaves is given in fever and dysentery.

Botanical Name: Papaver rhoeas Linn

Local Name: Alak Janaey

Habit: An annual plant flowering early in spring.

Part Uses: Flowering tops, fruits

Uses: Slight sedative, children play games with flower buds.

Botanical Name: Papaver somniferum Linn.

Local Name: Qash-Qash

Habit: A rarely cultivated herb on margins of gardens

Part Uses: Latex, seeds.

Uses: Latex is obtained from unripe fruit by making incision in it which is norcotic, anodyne, sedative increases excitement and physical vigor, source of some 24 alkaloids however due to its narcotic use it is completely banned by the government (with USAID). It is a source of afyne and heroin. It was used as a weapon of war against the Chinese. Seed are used as tonic. It is now restricted to gardens and is planted for ornamental purposes. It is honey bee species.

Botanical Name: Paeonia emodi Wall ex Hk. f.

Local Name: Mamaikh

Habit: A perennial herb.

Part Uses: Rhizome.

Uses: Roots and rhizomes are used to cure backbone ache. It is also tonic, emetic and cathartic. It is blood purifier. It is also used in dropsy, epilepsy. It is colic.

Botanical Name: Plantago lanceolatum Linn.

Local Name: Jabai

Habit: An annual herb.

Part Uses: Leaves, fruits, seeds

Uses: Extract of leaves is applied to sore, wounds and inflamed surface laxative, used in dysentery, mouth diseases. Check taste power.

Botanical Name: Polygonum arenastrum boreau

Local Name: Not known

Habit: A perennial herb of moist habitat.

Part Uses: Whole plant

Uses: Astringent, used for curing ulcer and warts.

Botanical Name: Polygonum barbatum Linn.

Local Name: Pulpulak

Habit: A perennial herb of moist habitat.

Part Uses: Shoots

Uses: Used as fish poison. The leaves are crushed with sand to kill fish.

Botanical Name: Polygonum amplexicaulis HK. f.

Local Name: Tarva parna.

Habit: A perennial herb of temperate habitat.0

Part Uses: Shoots, leaves.

Uses: The youngest shoots are used for curing ulcer.

Botanical Name: Portulaca olearacea Linn.

Local Name: Warkharae.

Habit: A cultivated herb.

Part Uses: Vegetative portion

Uses: It is used as pot herb which is refrigerant, alterative, it is also used in kidney, liver, urinary bladder and lungs problems.

Botanical Name: Podophyllum emodi Wall. Ex Royle

Local Name: Kakora

Habit: A shade loving herb

Part Uses: Rhizome

Uses: It is used as hepatic stimulant, purgative and emetic.

Botanical Name: Populus caspica Bornm

Syn: Pinus longifolia Roxb. Ex Lamb

Local Name: Nakhtar

Habit: A characteristic tree of subtropical pine forest.

Part Uses: Whole tree.

Uses: Timber wood, fuel wood, used for making furniture, cones are used for burning and decoration purposes. It yields edible seeds. Leaves are used for sheltering and for keeping fruits in crates. It yields Resin and turpentine. Resin locally known as “Jaula” is stimulant used in ulcer, snake bites, scorpion stings and blood purifier. It is used in skin diseases. Saw dust is used by barbars to warm water; it is also used for cleaning utensils. Its name “Nakhtar” is termed for a tall person.

Botanical Name: Pinus wallichiana A.B. Jackson

Syn: Pinus excelsa Wall

Local Name: Peeuch

Habit: A characteristic tall tree of moist temperate habitat.

Part Uses: Whole tree

Uses: Turpentine is obtained. Tar is applied as protective varnish to wood work. Sugary exudant is eaten by people. It is second best timber wood in Pakistan used for house building, making furniture, used in match industry, making bridges and beams. Used in paper industry. Cones are used for burning and ornamental purposes. Branches are used as fuel wood.

Botanical Name: Picea smithiana (Wall) Boiss

Local Name: Mangazaey

Habit: Characteristic conifer of moist temperate forest.

Part Uses: Whole tree

Uses: It provides timber wood, used in bridges, building houses, fuel wood. Used in match industry. Leaves are used to keep fruits in crates.

Botanical Name: Pisum sativum Linn.

Local Name: Matar

Habit: A cultivated climbing herb

Part Uses: Seeds, leaves.

Uses: Its leaves and seeds are extensively used as vegetable in winter. Honey bee species.

Botanical Name: Platanus orientalis Linn

Local Name: Chinar

Habit: A cultivated/wild huge deciduous tree.

Part Uses: Whole tree

Uses: It is best hard wood for making furniture it is planted as a shade

and ornamental tree. Bark is given in tooth ache and diarrhea.

Used as fuel wood. Its name “’Chinar’’ is used in naming people a

and Places i.e. Chinar camp, Chinar and parachinar. Maple leaf is

Symbol of Kashmir and Canada.

Botanical Name: Plectranthus rugosus Wall. Ex Bth

Local Name: Burtus, Spirkay

Habit: A medium sized shrub of exposed dry places.

Part Uses: Branches

Uses: It is used for thatching and sheltering, it is fodder for goats. Decoction of leaves is antiseptic. It is aromatic. It serves as fuel wood. It is honey bee species.

Botanical Name: Prunus domestica Linn.

Local Name: Alucha.

Habit: A medium sized cultivated fruit tree with many varieties.

Part Uses: Fruit, wood, leaves.

Uses: Commercial fruit tree used in Jams and Jelleys. It is laxative. In dry form the fruits are used as flavouring agent in rice and meat. Fruit pulp is also used in chutnies (Murabba). Wood is used for burning. Leaves serves as fresh foddedr . it is honey bee species.

Botanical Name: Prnus armeniaca Marsh.

Local Name: Khubanai

Habit: A cultivated fruit tree with many varities.

Part Uses: Fruit, wood, leaves, seeds.

Uses: Fruit and seeds are eaten both dry and fresh. Gum is obtained from stem, famous as anticancer. People who eat its fruit are said to be long-lived, fuel wood. Its leaves serve as fresh fodder.

Botanical Name: Prunus persica Linn.

Syn: Amagdalus persica Linn

Local Name: Shaltalu

Habit: A small sized wild/cultivated fruit tree with many varieties.

Part Uses: Fruit, leaves, wood.

Uses: Fruits edible, fuelwood, leaves as fodder. Name of a place i.e. “Shaltalu”.

Botanical Name: Punica granatum Linn.

Local Name: Ananghorai

Habit: A wild/cultivated fruit yielding small bush like tree.

Part Uses: Fruit, bark, leaves.

Uses: Leaves are used in skin diseases, also used in dysentery. Fruit is astringent and cooling, its juice is syptic and blood purifier. Fruit pericarp is used for whooping cough, it is laxative. Seeds are dried and used as “anardana” which is condiment and used as spices, used in place of tomato in curries. Bark of stem and root is anthelimintic. It is used as mouthwash, antipyretic and expectorant. It is also used in naming i.e. “Anar Gul”.

Botanical Name: Pteredium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn

Syn: Pteris equilinum Linn

Local Name: Kwanjai

Habit: A perennial fern of moist shady area.

Part Uses: