FLORISTIC DIVERSITY AND ETHNOBOTANICAL USES OF WILD FLOWERING PLANTS IN TEHSIL TAXILA, DISTRICT RAWALPINDI, PAKISTAN

Conservation and Traditional Utilization of Wild Plant Resources in Taxila, Punjab

Abstract

The present study was meant for the enlisting of the wild flowering plants of Tehsil Taxila located in District Rawalpindi. The study area was thoroughly visited twice a month. Moreover, ethnobotanical knowledge was collected and documented by interviewing the locals through a questionnaire. In total 78 plant species of 72 genera belonging to 35 families were reported in the study area. Among the families of the plants, only two were monocotyledonous while the remaining 33 were dicotyledonous. The monocotyledonous families were Cannaceae and Poaceae having in total 8 genera, 8 species. The dicotyledonous families included 64 genera, 70 species. A total of 36 medicinal plant species were collected, from which 6 species were found to be related to skin diseases and 10 with digestive problems. About 30 species were being used up as food while 9 plant species were used as fodder. In addition, 9 species were commercial timber producing plants. One species was found to be useful as biofuel. Most of the discussed plants species have multiple usages in medicines and have very important commercial values. This study emphasizes the need to protect traditional knowledge and offers useful guidance for regional governments in creating plans that promote environmental conservation and the sustainable use of plant resources.