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This paper documents the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants that are in use in Nayakpod tribal people residing in and around the Pranahita Wildlife Sanctuary, Mancheryial district, Telangana, India. Ethnomedicinal uses of plant species along with botanical name, vernacular name, family and mode of administration are presented. Most remedies were taken orally, accounting medicinal use. Most of the remedies were reported to have been from trees and climber species. The most widely sought after plant parts in the preparation of remedies in the study area are the leaves and root. High number of medicinal plant species available for the treatment of skin diseases and indigestion. The study emphasizes the potentials of the ethnobotanical research and the need for the documentation of traditional knowledge pertaining to the medicinal plant utilization for the greater benefit of mankind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article critically examines the assumptions and processes involved in identifying historically distinctive plant identities by their Latin botanical names. By following late-colonial efforts to identify a medicinal herb mentioned in some versions of the Ramayana, this paper argues for a historicist analysis of the process of “retro-botanizing.” In so doing, it also distinguishes between two different forms of “tradition,” the “factualized” and “embedded.” Finally, it blurs the allegedly watertight distinction between historical and mythic pasts. Instead of trying to distinguish these pasts ontologically, I argue that it is more productive to see specific pasts in relation to the sorts of futures they produce, that is, their respective historicities. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Present paper deals with the diversity of Orchid species in Darjeeling Himalaya of India. A total of 311 Orchids species under 85 genera have been recorded from the region. Of them, 17 species with 6 genera are semi saprophytic, 77 species with 29 genera are terrestrial and the rest 217 species with 52 genera are epiphytic. 42 species found in the regions are medicinally important. This attempt is the first step to correct taxonomic identification to workout currently accepted botanical names, habitat, altitudinal ranges, phenology and locality of Orchid species occurring in Darjeeling Himalaya of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the 18 species of Litsea Lam. endemic to India with special emphasis to the rare elements. Correct nomenclature, brief morphological description, flowering and fruiting period, subject to availability, ecology, distribution and uses, if any, have been provided for each species. The status of the relevant species included in the latest version of IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has also been provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper deals with the field observations recorded on the traditional indigenous therapeutic applications of the plants used by the inhabitants of the Parvati valley of Kullu district in western Himalaya of India. The Parvati valley is inhabited by different ethnic groups like Gujjars, Gaddis, Malanis, Kulluvis and others. These inhabitants have been dependent on the ambient plant resources for food, fuel, fiber, timber, household articles and medicines to a great extent for ages. Even today a number of plants of the local flora are used for curing various ailments and diseases. First-hand information about 50 plant species belonging to 45 genera and 28 families were recorded during extensive field surveys carried in Parvati valley during 2000–2002. The information is given in a tabular form as scientific names of plants in alphabetic order followed by family and field numbers of the voucher specimens collected. Information on local/vernacular names of plants, uses, parts used, names of ailments and modes of usage are given in detail. Information on traditional uses and commercial uses as well as biological activities of the related species is included on the basis of the existing relevant literature so as to present a comprehensive account. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]