Taxonomic and Medicinal Study of Papilionaceae of District Upper Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Ali Hazrat1*, Mohammad Nisar1, Khan Sher2, Jehandar Shah2, Tour Jan1 and Abid Ullah1
1Department of Botany, University of Malakand at Chakdara, Dir Lower, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; 2Department of Botany SBBU, Sheringal, Dir Upper, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
Abstract | Twenty seven plant species of the Papilionaceae were collected from Dir Upper, with elevation ranges from 1200-4000 meters during 2015-2017. They were taxonomically determined with the help of key characters, the uses of these native plants were recorded such type of study was concluded for the first time in the selected area of Dir (Upper). In view of the fact that these plant species are scarcely distributed, hence struggle should be made to protect them. The key objective of the present study was to file the taxonomic knowledge and the local and medicinal uses of the root juice of Desmodium elegans DC, combined with the bark juice of Bauhinia malabarica for the treatment of cholera, branches of the Indigofera heterantha Wal. ex Brands vari; gerardiana used in basket making, twig bridges making, soil cover for preventing erosion. Similarly, Astragalus genus used as a fodder, fuel wood, miswak, fatigue, tooth ache, Crotalaria juncea forage for goats and cattle and also toxic alkaloids, particularly in the seeds and pods, Lathyrus cicera is used as a green manure, soil cover for preventing erosion and in breeding program for the plant species, Medicago minima is rich source of vitamins A, C, and E, green manure and fixes atmospheric nitrogen, Robinia pseudo-acacia is astringent, diuretic, emetic, emollient, laxative, poison, purgative, sedative, tonic, emetic and for toothache, Sophora mollis is seed destroying verm, wood used as fuel, Trifolium repens antirheumatic tonic and ointment, Trigonella emodi flowers and leaves are dried and powdered. One spoon of powder is taken twice a day for one week to cure jaundice, Vicia faba can be eaten before it is fully ripened in the same way as broad beans, fully ripened seed requires overnight soaking to soften it before cooking. All the species of the selected family are reported for the first time and studied for medicinal purposes.
Received | June 17, 2019; Accepted | August 21, 2020; Published | September 08, 2020
*Correspondence | Ali Hazrat, Department of Botany University of Malakand at Chakdara, Dir Lower, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; Email: [email protected]
Citation | Hazrat, A., M. Nisar, K. Sher, J. Shah, T. Jan and A. Ullah. 2020. Taxonomic and medicinal study of papilionaceae of District Upper Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Sarhad Journal of Agriculture, 36(3): 974-978.
DOI | http://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.sja/2020/36.3.974.978
Keywords | Papilionaceae, Taxonomy, Dir Upper, Key to species and Genera and Medicinal/ Local uses
Introduction
The investigation was completed in Dir upper. The zone is situated between 34º 10’ N, latitude and 72 º 20’ E, longitudes in a subtropical dry temperate bit of Hindu Kush range. Region Dir (Upper) is among the 26 districts of KP region and spreads a territory of 3699 Km2.Kohistan valley begins with its portal called “Khawgo Ooba” and reached out to Kumrat around 120km. According to the forest division the area of Dir Kohistan is 645 square miles. Out of this a zone of 1, 40351 sections of land were secured by coniferous/pine forest (Hazrat et al., 2010; Hazrat, 2020). The relative humidity is very high consistently, while most extreme humidity has been recorded in the month of Jan; to February. The zone gives natural habitat to the development of an expansive number of plants. It has a rich diversity of plant resources (Bhatti et al., 2010).
Papilionaceae usually known as of the pea family is comprised of herbs and shrubs of about 375 genera and 500 species found extremely varied soil and climatic conditions. The family is cosmopolitan and rank second among the dicot families including other two sub families of Leguminosae (Philcox, 1990) carry out a preliminary study of the flora of Hindukush Range and published a checklist of 144 medicinal plants from the selected region. Furthermore, the floristic and Ethnobotanical study from some parts of this area (Bhati et al., 2010). Since, Papilionaceae on this name is poorly known and not so far published from this area; an effort has been made to report the members of the Papilionaceae from the study area. The present paper is the only source of systematic account of the Papilionaceae from the selected area.
Materials and Methods
Field trips were arranged in the whole areas of Dir upper in different seasons of 2015-2017. The area information was collected with respect to the plant species from locals through individual meetings questionnaires and dialogs and so on. The indigenous knowledge incorporates the local name of the plant sample, blooming and fruiting seasons, flower color, lifetime and so forth. The identification of the scientific names of the plants was made with the assistance of authentic literature of various authors (Ali and Nasir, 1989-1992; Ali and Qaiser, 1993-2018; Nasir and Ali, 1980-1989; Jafri, 1966; Philcox, 1990; Hazrat et al., 2020). The plant samples have been housed in the herbarium of Botany Department; SBB University, Wari Campus and the University of Malakand Chakdara for future research exercises of BS to Ph.D. level.
Results and Discussion
Floristic survey of the district was conducted with regular intervals in summer and spring in the years of 2015-2017 for collection of plant samples. Twenty seven plant species distributed across eleven genera of the selected family have been identified. Their serial number (S.N), Voucher number (V.N), Botanical name, Vernacular name (Vern; N) Research area and Local/Medicinal uses are given Table 1.
Key to the genera
1. Shrub, tree---2
+ Herbs---5
2. Stamens free---Sophora
+ Stamens not free ----3
3. Leaf trifoliolate---Desmodium
+ Leaf not trifoliolate ----4
4. Tree with stipular spines----Rubinia
+ Shrub without stipular spines----Indigofera
5. Leaves with tendrils-----6
+ Leaves without tendrils -----7
6. Staminal tube with truncate mouth----Lathyrus
+ Staminal tube with oblique mouth-----Vicia
7. Leaf simple----Crotalaria
+ Leaf compound-----8
8. Fruit, spirally, coiled----Medicago
+ Fruit otherwise----9
9. Leaf trifoliate ------10
+ Leaf pinnate-----Astragalus
10. Fruit 1-2 seeded----- Trifolium
+ Fruit many seeded----Trigonella
Genus: Desmodium DC. 1825.
Key to the species
1. Fruit stipe and bent at right angles to it’s stalk-----Desmodium podocarpum
+ Fruit usually sessile, not bent at right angles to its stalk-----Desmodium elegans
Genus: Indigofera L., 1753.
Key to the variety
1. Fruit 1-1.6 cm long---Indigofera heterantha var. heterantha
+ Fruit 2-5.0 cm long ----Indigofera heterantha var. gerardiana.
Genus: Lathyrus L., 1753.
Key to the species
1. Leaflets, absent-----Lathyrus aphaca
+ Leaflets, present-----2
2. Leaflets -------Lathyrus humilis
+ Leaflets 2-------3
3. Inflorescence 5-12 flowered----Lathyrus pratensis
+ Inflorescence one flowered-----4
4. Fruit upper suture broadly wing; 3-5 seeded----Lathyrus sativus
+ Fruit upper suture flattened, with two narrow lateral keels; 2-6 seeded----Lathyrus cicera
Table 1: Check list of Papilionaceae plant species collected from the selected research area.
S.N |
V. N |
Botanical name |
Vern; N |
Research area |
Local/Medicinal uses |
1 |
415 |
Astragalus pyrrhotrichus Boiss. |
Mamol |
Sheringal, Dogdara, Sunderae |
Diarrhea, fatigue, infections, heart disease, hepatitis and therapy for cancer |
2 |
434 |
Astragalus anisacanthus Boiss. |
Mamol |
Kumrat, Dogdara |
Fodder and fuel wood |
3 |
695 |
Astragalus graveolens Buch.-Ham. ex Bth. |
Kachmamol |
Sheringal, Sunderae, Lamutai, Janus candio |
Miswak, fodder and fuel wood |
4 |
425 |
Astragalus psilocentros Fisch. |
Mamol |
Kumrat, Sunderae, Lamutai, Janus candio |
Flue and tooth ache |
5 |
395 |
Crotalaria juncea L. |
Nil |
Sunderai , Dogdara, Sheringal |
Forage for goats and cattle and also toxic alkaloids,particularly in the seeds and pods |
6 |
692 |
Desmodium elegans DC. |
Chamkat |
Thall, Dogdara, Sunderae |
Roots are diuretic, carminative and tonic, also used in the treatment of bilious complaints, juice of the root combine with the bark juice of Bauhinia malabarica, for the treatment of cholera |
7 |
443 |
Desmodium podocarpum DC. |
Chamra |
Dojanga, Dogdara, Sunderae, Lamutai, Janus candio |
Whole plant used for reducing fever, malaria, coughs, bleeding wounds, treating dysentery, rheumatism, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic. |
8 |
715 |
Indigofera heterantha Wal. ex Brands vari;gerardiana (Wal. ex Bker) Ali |
Ghwaraja |
Shahoor , Dogdara, Sheringal, Sunderae, Lamutai, Janus candio |
Branches are used in basket making, making twig bridges and fuel |
9 |
725 |
Indigofera heterantha Wal. Ex Brands var;Heterantha |
Ghwaraja |
Common |
Branches are used in basket making, making twig bridges and fuel |
10 |
414 |
Lathyrus cicera L. |
Wara Chilo |
Thall, shahoor |
Used as a green manure, soil cover for preventing erosion and used in breeding program for the species. |
11 |
862 |
Lathyrus humilis (Ser.) Fischer ex Sprengel. |
Juga |
Shahoor, Dogdara |
Ripe seeds are said to be antibacterial and narcotic |
12 |
842 |
Lathyrus aphaca L |
Sperabota |
Kumrat |
For the treatment of toothache |
13 |
672 |
Lathyrus sativus L. |
GhataChilo |
Kumrat, Dogdara |
Seed oil is powerful and dangerous cathartic |
14 |
682 |
Lathyrus pratensis L. |
Ziara Chilo |
Thall, Patiobanda |
Used to repel mice |
15 |
735 |
Medicago laciniata (L.) Mill. Var laciniata |
Shpeshtarae |
Sheringal, Dogdara |
Used in condiment for tea, or is mixed with boiled water and sugar to form a beverage |
16 |
745 |
Medicago lupulina L. |
Shepesther |
Sheringal, Dogdara, Sunderae, Lamutai |
Leaves are antibacterial |
17 |
755 |
Medicago minima (L.) Grufb. |
Kachspester |
Sheringal, Kumrat |
Rich source of vitamins A, C, and E, green manure and fixes atmospheric nitrogen |
18 |
404 |
Medicago polymorpha L. |
Nil |
Siasheringal, Dogdara |
Rich source of vitamins A, C, and E |
19 |
850 |
Robinia pseudo-acacia L. |
Kikar |
Patrak, Dogdara |
Astringent, diuretic, emetic, emollient, laxative, Poison, purgative, sedative, tonic, emetic and for toothache |
20 |
384 |
Sophora mollis (Royle) Baker ssp mollis |
Badaga |
Shahoor, Dogdara, Lamutai, Janus candio |
Seed destroying verm, wood hard used is fuel |
21 |
364 |
Trifolium repens L. |
Shaftal |
Sheringal, Dogdara |
Antirheumatic tonic and ointment |
22 |
931 |
Trifolium resupinatum L. |
Shaftalkach |
Shahoor |
Antirheumatic, detergent and tonic |
23 |
921 |
Trigonella emodi Both. |
Nil |
Sheringal |
Flowers and leaves are dried and prepare powder. One spoon of powder is taken twice a day for one week to cure jaundice |
24 |
911 |
Trigonella foenum-graecum L. |
Malkhuzay |
Sheringal, Dogdara |
Antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, carminative, demulcent, emollient, expectorant and febrifuge, |
25 |
891 |
Vicia faba L. |
Marghai Khpa |
Sheringal, Dogdara, Sunderae, Lamutai, Janus candio |
It can be eaten before it is fully ripe in the same way as broad beans, fully ripe seed requires overnight soaking to soften it before cooking. |
26 |
344 |
Vicia monantha Retz. |
Maregkpa |
Sheringal, Dogdara, Sunderae, |
The seed can be dried, ground into a powder and mixed with cereal flour to make bread, biscuits, cakes and rich source of protein. |
27 |
354 |
Vicia hirsuta (L.) S.F.Grey |
Mardikakh |
Shahoor, Dogdara, Sheringal, Sunderae, Lamutai, Janus candio |
The seeds, leaves, and stem can be cooked and also be used as a cover crop to add nitrogen to the soil, which can then be used by other plants. |
Genus: Vicia L., 1753.
Key to the species
1. Leaf rachis terminating in a leaflet, bristle--------2
+ Leaf rachis terminating in a tendril--------V. hirsuta
2 Herbs annual legumes50-100 × 20-30 mm: racem; rachis short to absent-------------------------V. faba
+ Herbs perenial legumes 20-50 × 5-8 mm: racem; rachis obvious ----V. monantha
Genus: Medicago L., 1753.
Key to the species
1 Fruits, echinulate -----2
+ Fruits not echinulate----Medicago lupulina
2 The spine of the fruitsorientedeparallels to the exterior of the discs----Medicago polymorpha
+ The spine of the fruits oriented at rights angle to the exterior of the disc-----3
3. Leaflets cuneat;pubesscent on the lowers surface only, spine of the fruit inserted on the dorsals sutures------Medicago laciniata
+ Leafletobovat; rarely oblanceolat; pubescent on both surface, spine of the fruits not inserted on the dorsals sutures-----Medicago minima
Genus: Astragalus L., 1753.
Key to the species
1. Fruiting calyx does not become inflate-----------2
+ Fruiting calyx become inflate-Astragalus anisacanthus
2. Leaf imparipinnately compound-----------------3
+ Leaf paripinnately compound-Astragalus psilocentros
3. Flowers sessile or subsessile, forming a compact head-----Astragalus graveolens+ Flowers pedicellate, not forming a compact head---Astragalus pyrrhotrichus
Genus: Trifolium L.1753.
Key to the species
1. Inflorescence a peduncled head; Leaflets 7-30 mm long----------------------------------T. resupenatum
+ Inflorescence a globose raceme; Leaflets 1-4 cm long ---------------------------------------T. repens
Genus: Trigonella L., 1753.
Key to the species
1. Perennial herbs; legume linear-oblong-----T. emodi
+ Annual herbs; legume cylindrical or ovoid---T. foenum-graecum
Conclusions and Recommendations
These data showed the Papilionaceae species provide scientific basis to the local/medicinal uses. Further studies are required to find out the nature of chemical constituent and pharmacological effects of the species selected family.
Novelty Statement
All the plant species of the selected family are reported for the first time from the selected area and studied for Taxonomic and medicinal purposes.
Author’s Contribution
Ali Hazrat: Designed and performed the experiments
Mohammad Nisar: Wrote the manuscript.
Khan Sher: Proofread the manuscript.
Jehandar Shah: Identification of plants.
Tour Jan: Data analysis.
Abid Ullah: Reviewed the manuscript.
Conflict of interest
The authors have declared no conflict of interest.
References
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