The present study is based on extensive survey, collection of ethnobotanical information, indigenous knowledge and review of relevant literature on the traditional dye yielding plant resources used by the different tribal and rural... more
The present study is based on extensive survey, collection of ethnobotanical information, indigenous knowledge and review of relevant literature on the traditional dye yielding plant resources used by the different tribal and rural peoples of Birbhum and Burdwan districts of West Bengal. Field investigation was carried out in different villages and adjacent forest pockets in these districts. Total 32 natural dye yielding plants were reported. These 32 taxa spread over 30 species, 29 genera and 22 families of dicotyledons and 2 species, 2 genera and 2 families of monocotyledons. Among the recorded plant species, 26 are found in wild and 6 are grown as cultivated crops and as garden plants. The investigated plants have been enumerated alphabetically depending upon their botanical names along with their local and tribal names, parts used, name of the dye etc. Some noteworthy dye yielding plants are- Bixa orellana, Butea monosperma, Calotropis gigantea, Carthamus tinctorius, Curcuma longa, Lawsonia inermis and Nyctanthes arbor-tristis. The data of this study can further be exploited by the workers in the fields of phytochemistry, genetics, food and textile industries, conservation biology, etc.
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Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M. King & H. Rob. is a fast growing weed native to the Neotropics and introduced in several regions of Africa, the Pacific Islands, and Southeast Asia, including West Bengal in India. It is one of the world’s... more
Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M. King & H. Rob. is a fast growing weed native to the Neotropics and introduced in several regions of Africa, the Pacific Islands, and Southeast Asia, including West Bengal in India. It is one of the world’s most widespread and troublesome invasive alien plant species (IAPS) that severely infest natural habitats and crop fields. However, extensive data documents about the reproductive ecology are unknown, especially within West Bengal. This study assesses the floral biology, floral volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and floral visitors of the weed. The weed species flowers from October to January. Florets are white to purple, with short, narrow corolla tubes and deep-seated nectar.
Abundant VOCs are benzyl stearate, 2,4-decadienal, n-hexadecanoic acid, 1-hexyl-2-nitrocyclohexane, and o-decyl hydroxylamine. Flower heads were visited by numerous insect groups, though the diversity of Lepidoptera (mainly butterflies) was higher than the other insect orders. The weed is pollinated by diverse insect groups (e.g., butterflies, flies, honeybees, leafcutter bees, solitary bees, and wasps). However, vital pollination services to the weed were provided by butterflies (based on the ‘approximate pollination value’). Our findings may conclude that the clustered capitula, longer stigmatic receptivity, and broad array of pollinators resulted in too much fruit set. It is one of the critical factors that support the high growth rate and invasive nature of the weed in dry habitats.
Abundant VOCs are benzyl stearate, 2,4-decadienal, n-hexadecanoic acid, 1-hexyl-2-nitrocyclohexane, and o-decyl hydroxylamine. Flower heads were visited by numerous insect groups, though the diversity of Lepidoptera (mainly butterflies) was higher than the other insect orders. The weed is pollinated by diverse insect groups (e.g., butterflies, flies, honeybees, leafcutter bees, solitary bees, and wasps). However, vital pollination services to the weed were provided by butterflies (based on the ‘approximate pollination value’). Our findings may conclude that the clustered capitula, longer stigmatic receptivity, and broad array of pollinators resulted in too much fruit set. It is one of the critical factors that support the high growth rate and invasive nature of the weed in dry habitats.
Research Interests:
Article history: Received on: 04/03/2014 Revised on: 26/03/2014 Accepted on: 09/04/2014 Available online: 28/04/2014 In this study observations have been made on traditional knowledge related with ethnomedicinal uses of plants by the... more
Article history: Received on: 04/03/2014 Revised on: 26/03/2014 Accepted on: 09/04/2014 Available online: 28/04/2014 In this study observations have been made on traditional knowledge related with ethnomedicinal uses of plants by the tribal people of different forest areas of Birbhum and Burdwan districts, West Bengal, India. A total of 29 medicinal plants have been recorded from the study areas which are used by the tribal people in formulation of 19 types of herbal preparation for curing 15 types of diseases and ailments. Many of these preparations are new as they have not been recorded earlier in standard literature. The investigated plant taxa have alphabetically been enumerated providing their botanical names along with families, local or tribal names, parts used, name of the diseases, mode of administration, locality of collection, etc. Bioassay of these ethnomedicinal claims has to be carried out for their scientific validation in future.