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S. S. Hebbar , V. H. Harsha , V. Shripathi , G. R. Hegde

Abstract

Since the work of Cooke (1903) there is no extensive survey made on the angiosperms of Dharwad-one of the 27 districts of Karnataka State. In a taxonomic exploration of this area during 2000-2001, authors recorded more than 300 plants, of which Synedrella vialis (Less.) A.Gray. (Asteraceae) and Passiflora suberosa L. (Passifloraceae) were found to be newly introduced weeds to Karnataka State.

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V. H. Harsha ¹, S. S. Hebbar ¹, G. R. Hegde ¹, G. Shripathi ¹

Affiliations
1 P. G. Department of Botany, Karnataka University, Dharwad, IN

Abstract

In India, Western Ghat is one of the biodiversity hotspots. The total number of flowering plants in this area is estimated to be more than 3500. Many of these plants are having important healing properties, which are unknown to the modem world. However, the rich knowledge of traditional herbal medicine has been preserved by many of the tribal and rural communities of this locality. The present work is focused on ethnomedical knowledge of different communities of Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka state which is situated in the heart of Western Ghats. In all, thirty plants, having highest utilization in folk medicines are described here. These plants are used to treat wide range of discomforts ranging from cough and cold, leprosy, jaundice, and cancer. Among these plants Calotropis gigantea (43 claims), Tinospora cordifolia (42 claims), Sida rhombifolia (42 claims) and Ficus glomerata (39 claims) are the most widely used plants in native medicine.

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