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A survey of ethnobotanically important trees of Central Punjab, Pakistan

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Arifa Zereen Zaheer-Ud-Din Khan

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BIOLOGIA (PAKISTAN) 2012, 58 (1&2), 21-30
PK ISSN 0006 - 3096
A survey of ethnobotanically important trees of Central
Punjab, Pakistan
*ARIFA ZEREEN & ZAHEER-UD-DIN KHAN

Department of Botany, GC University, Lahore, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

The present study was carried out to document the ethnobotanical

knowledge of local people on wild trees of eight districts of Central Punjab, viz.,
Vehari, Pakpattan, Lahore, Faisalabad, Nankana Sahib, Sahiwal, Sialkot and
Narowal. Regular field trips were made during 2008-09 and information was
gathered by interviewing local people. The plant inventory of 48 plant species
belonging to 23 families was constructed, including their utility by indigenous
people of respective districts for various purposes, i.e., medicine, fodder, fuel,
vegetables, fruits, timber, etc. Phenological behavior of plants was observed
either from February to June or July to January but some trees (4.2 %) were
found to flower throughout the year.
Key words: Ethnobotany, Trees, Medicinal plants, Central Punjab.

INTRODUCTION

The second largest province of Pakistan is Punjab comprising 205,344

2
km area, next to Baluchistan and is located between latitudes 27.42º and 34.02º
N and longitudes 69.81º and 75.23º E at the northwestern edge of the geological
Indian plate in South Asia. Punjab, etymologically it is the land of five rivers
namely the Sutlej, Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum and the Indus (Govt. of Punjab, 1994).
Four out of these five rivers are the tributaries of the Mighty Indus River. The
province comprises fertile river valleys, while sparse sandy deserts are found as
extensions of Rajasthan desert (India) and the Sulaiman Range (Pakistan),
including the Cholistan and Thal deserts. The Indus River and its tributaries pass
through the Punjab from North to South. The landscape is largely irrigated with a
network of canals all over the province. Intensity of the weather is noticeable
from hot and infertile southern region to cool Himalayan Mountains in the North.
The variation in temperature and rain fall occur throughout the year, however, the
temperature hardly exceeds the limit of 46ºC according to metrological records.
All soil types, i.e., sandy, clay and loamy are found in the province (Ahmad,
1986). The population of the province has been estimated as 70 million by the
Punjab-World Gazetteer (2009) and about half of the population of Pakistan is
owned by Punjab consisting of diverse tribes and communities, sometimes
known as castes. Punjabi is the common language of Punjab.
The science of ethnobotany, i.e., the relationship between people and
plants has made tremendous progress in recent decades and now the trend is
shifting from mere documentation of the indigenous knowledge to conservation
*Corresponding author: arifazereen@yahoo.com
22 A. ZEREEN & Z. KHAN BIOLOGIA (PAKISTAN)
and sustainable usage of plant resources as well. Man has had close contact
with plants for his survival since prehistoric time. Plants both cultivated and
natural perform a vital role in the lives of rural people particularly in developing
countries. The main usages of plants include: sources of food, vegetables, fruits,
beverages, drinks, spices, condiments, etc. (Schutles, 1992).
Plants are also used as: insecticidal to protect the crops, wood for
making implements, utensils, tools, musical instruments, boats, oars and other
household goods; cordage, commercial plants, crude drugs, packaging material,
agricultural implements, fuel, for religious ceremonies and ornamentation (Shah,
2005). Plants have always been centrally important for the wellbeing of human
beings and will always remain so. Plants are primary producers, forming the base
of food webs and support almost all other forms of life. Information, foresight and
practices of local people can play their role through applied ethnobotany to
identify and find solutions to the problems of sustainable development and
conservation of plants (Hamilton et al., 2003).
In Pakistan the discipline of ethnobotany is at preliminary stage. Ahmad
(2007) conducted ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal study of Lahore- Islamabad
motorway (M-2) and recorded 81 plant species belonging to 44 families, having
medicinal value. Jan et al. (2011) gathered some ethnobotanical information on
62 plant species of Dir Kohistan Valleys. These plants were found in use by local
people as medicines and for other purposes. Ahmad et al. (2010) enlisted 62
grass species that were ethnobotanically important in Salt Range area of
Northern Pakistan. Khan (2009) and Ajaib et al. (2010) discussed the importance
of plant species having ethnoveterinary uses in Cholistan desert of Pakistan.
Sardar & Khan (2009) conducted an ethnobotanical study on flora of Tehsil
Shakargarh, District Narowal, Pakistan and the indigenous knowledge of local
people on 102 plant species of 62 families was documented.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The data was collected by regular visits to the study area, comprising
eight districts of central Punjab, during the year 2008-09. The ethnobotanical
uses were documented by interviewing the local people including common plant
collectors, herbal practitioners/Hakims, etc. A semi structured questionnaire was
used for interviewing people to collect ethnobotanical information. It was
crosschecked with existing literature on ethnobotany. The plant species were
collected, pressed and identified with the help of Flora of Pakistan (Nasir & Ali,
1970-1989; Ali & Nasir, 1990-1992; Nasir & Rafiq, 1995; Ali & Qaisar, 1992-
2010).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The data collected was arranged in alphabetical order of family name,

botanical name, local name, part used, traditional uses with flowering period
(Table:1).
 VOL. 58 (1&2) ETHNOBOTANICALLY IMPORTANT TREES 23

Table 1: Plant Inventory of Central Punjab.

Sr.# Family Botanical Name/ Habit Local Part Traditional Uses and Flowering Period
Name Used
1 Averrhoaceae Averrhoa carambola Linn. Kamrnga Fruit, Fruit is eaten raw or cooked. Juice of twigs removes
Shoots stain from linen. Fl. Per. January-February and
August- September.
2 Bombaceae Bombax ceiba Linn. Simbal Whole Musical instrument “Dholak” is made from its wood.
Plant Young root- tips are cooked as vegetable. Extract of
flower cures leucorrhoea. Fl. Per. December-March.
3 Boraginaceae Cordia gharaf (Forssk.) Liyaar Whole Plant is used in hepatitis and against infections after
Ehren. Ex Asch. Plant injury. Fl. Per. April-June.
4 Cordia myxa Linn. Lasura Whole Leaves are used in treatment of jaundice. Fl. Per.
Plant March-April.
5 Ehretia laevis Roxb. Koda Whole Bark of the plant cures diphtheria. Fl. Per. March-
Plant April.
6 Oroxylum indicum (Linn.) Talwar Whole Bark and fruit are used in tanning and dyeing, also for
Vent. phali Plant the treatment of animal’s stomach problem. Wood is
used as fuel. Fl. Per. May-August.
7 Caesalpinaceae Bauhinia racemosa Lamk. Jhinjera Stem, Inner bark gives fiber that is used for ropes. Green
Leaves leaves are eaten by cattle. Gum and leaves are
medicinally important. Fl. Per. March-June.
8 Cassia fistula Linn. Amaltas Whole Bark is used as tanning material. The pod pulp is
Plant used for tonsils and motions. Wood is used as fuel. Fl.
Per. April-June.
9 Capparidaceae Crataeva adansonii DC. Berna Whole Bark cures urinary bladder stones. Fl. Per. March-
Plant June.
10 Combretaceae Terminalia arjuna (Roxb. Arjun Whole Fresh juice of leaves is used to cure earache. Leaves
ex DC.) Wt. & Arn. Plant are eaten by cattle. Stem and branches are used as
fuel wood. Fl. Per. April-May.
11 Terminalia bellirica Bahra Stem, Wood of the plant is not very durable and fruit is used
(Gaertn.) Roxb. Fruit in dyeing and tanning. Fl. Per. March-April.
12 Terminalia chebula Retz. Harar Whole Astringent, purgative, stomachic and laxative. Used
Plant for healing wounds. Fl. Per. April-June.
 24 A. ZEREEN & Z. KHAN BIOLOGIA (PAKISTAN)

Table 1: Continued …
13 Euphorbiaceae Ricinus communis Linn. Arind Whole Decoction of stem and barriers used in rheumatic
Plant swelling and arthritis. Seeds are used in scorpion
sting. Fl. Per. Throughout the year.
14 Fabaceae Pongamia pinnata (Linn.) Sukhechain Whole Used for brushing teeth “Miswaak” and also used as
Merrill Plant shade tree. Fl. Per. April-May.
15 Malvaceae Tecomella undulata Lahura Whole Bark possesses medicinal properties. Fl. Per. April-
(Roxb.) Seeman. Plant May.
16 Meliaceae Azadirachta indica (Linn.) Neem Whole Inflorescence and leaves are used in blood purifying
A. Juss. Plant and malarial medicines. Its wood is used for second
quality furniture. Fl. Per. April-May.
17 Cedrela toona Roxb.ex Tun Whole The plant yields timber of good quality. Flowers yield
Willd. Plant a dye. Bark is used in medicines. Fl. Per. March-April.
18 Chukrasia tabularis Dalmara Stem Tree yields timber for furniture. A yellow gum is
Adr.Juss. obtained from the plant that is astringent. Fl. Per.
February-April.
19 Melia azedarach Linn. Bakiain Whole Used for timber and fuel wood. Leaves used as
Plant fodder. Flowers and leaves are applied as poultice in
headache. Fl. Per. March-April.
20 Swietenia macrophylla Mahogany Stem Wood is used for house hold furniture. Fl. Per. May-
King June.
21 Mimosaceae Acacia modesta Wall. Phulahi Stem, Wood is used in farmer tools and as fuel wood. Fresh
Leaves stem is used as miswak. Leaves are used for
treatment of gas trouble. Fl. Per. March-April.
22 Acacia nilotica Desi Kikar Whole Gum increases human male sexual potentiality. The
(Linn.)Delile. Plant leaves and fruits serve as fodder for cattle. Stem and
branches are used as fuel. March-May and August-
October
23 Albizia lebbeck (Linn.) Siris Whole Fresh leaves are eaten by sheep. Wood is used for
Benth. Plant medium class utilities. Seeds are used in the
medicines of human sexual problems. Fl. Per. April-
May
 VOL. 58 (1&2) ETHNOBOTANICALLY IMPORTANT TREES 25

Table 1: Continued …
24 Albizia procera Safed siris Whole Wood is useful in making furniture. Leaves are used
(Roxb.)Benth. Plant as fodder for animals. It serves as a shade tree. Fl.
Per. June-August
25 Pithecellobium dulce Jangal Fruit, Fresh pulp of fruit is eaten. Wood is used as fuel. Fl.
(Roxb.) Benth. jalebi Stem Per. October-April.
26 Prosopis cineraria (Linn.) Jhand Whole Its branches, leaves and pods are used as fodder by
Druce Plant browsing animals while wood in agricultural tools and
fruit in the treatment of chronic dysentery. Fl. Per.
December-March.
27 Prosopis glandulosa Torr. Waliaty Stem Wood is used as fencing posts and fuel. Fl. Per.
Jhand March-September.
28 Prosopis juliflora (Swartz) Phari Kikar Leaves, Bark is used to treat asthma and flowers to prevent
DC. Wood miscarriage. Wood is used as fence and fuel. Leaves
are eaten by goat. Fl. Per. March-June.
29 Moraceae Ficus benghalensis Linn. Bohr Leaves, Leaf and root is used for increasing human male
Bark, sexual power. Stem is used in furniture utilities and as
Root fuel. Fl. Per. April-July.
30 Ficus racemosa Linn. Gulhar Fruits Fruits are astringent and carminative. Wood is good
for making furniture. Fl. Per. March-May and
September-November.
31 Ficus religiosa Linn. Peepal Whole Its leaves and shoots are purgative, moreover, used
Plant for skin diseases. Wood is used as fuel and in quality
furniture. Fl. Per. March-October.
32 Morus alba Linn. Tut sufaid Whole Fruit is used against tonsils and liver disorders. Wood
Plant is used for sports items and for fuel. Fl. Per. April-
September.
33 Morus nigra Linn. Tut siah Fruit, Fruit is edible, refrigerant and cools the blood.
Wood Furniture is made from wood. Fl. Per. March-July.
34 Moringaceae Moringa oleifera Lam. Sohanjna Whole Flowers and fruits are used in curries, seed oil for
Plant lubricating machinery and branches as fodder. Fl.
Per. January-April.
 26 A. ZEREEN & Z. KHAN BIOLOGIA (PAKISTAN)

Table 1: Continued …
35 Myrtaceae Eucalyptus citriodora Safaida Leaves, Leaves cure headache. Wood is used as fuel, and to
(Hook) K.D. Hill & L.A.S. Wood make match stick and paper. Fl. Per. June-
Johnson September.
36 Oleaceae Nyctanthes arbor- tristis Kuri, Har Leaves, Leaves and flowers are used for polishing and in
Linn. singhar Flowers medicines as a febrifuge. Fl. Per. August-October.
37 Palmae Phoenix dactylifera Linn. Khajoor Fruit, Fruits are nutritive, laxative and useful in fever and
Leaves gonorrhea. Leaves serve as hand fans. Fl. Per.
March-April.
38 Papilionaceae Butea monosperma Plata Arial Leaves are used as fodder, flowers in sexual tonics
(Lam.)Taubert Parts and wood as fuel. Fl. Per. March-April.
39 Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. Tali Whole Stem is used in furniture and fuel. Its bark is used in
Plant medicines of skin allergy. Fl. Per. March-May.
40 Rhamnaceae Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk. Bairi Whole Fruit has medicinal value, wood is used for furniture
Plant and fuel purposes. Fl. Per. September.
41 Salicaceae Populus euphratica Bahan Stem, The wood is used for fuel, well curbs and for ternary.
Olivier, Voy. Leaves Leaves are fed to the goats. Resin of bark has
medicinal properties. Fl. Per. February.
42 Salix tetrasperma Roxb. Bed-i-laila Stem The bark is used as febrifuge. Fl. Per. October-
March.
43 Salvadoraceae Salvadora oleoides Van Whole Used as fodder for cattle. Fruit is appetizer, laxative
Decne. Plant and carminative. Wood is used for fuel and other
purposes. Fl. Per. March-June.
44 Salvadora persica Linn. Pilu Aerial Branches and leaves are used as fodder. Ripe fruit is
Parts of medicinal value. Fl. Per. March-June.
45 Sterculiaceae Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. Tanbachi Stem, Fruit’s pulp is valuable for cattle. Bark is used in skin
Fruit diseases. Fl. Per. March-May and September-
December.
46 Tamaricaceae Tamarix aphylla (Linn.) Frash Whole Wood is used in making furniture and as fuel. Fl. Per.
Karst. Plant June-October.
47 Tamarix dioica Rroxb. Ex Ukan Bark Bark is externally applied as an ointment on ulcers
Roth. and piles. Fl. Per. April-November.
48 Tiliaceae Grewia optiva Drummand Dhamna Bark, Leaves as fodder increase milk yield. Bark is used by
ex Burret Leaves women for clearing hair. Fl. Per. April-September.
VOL. 58 (1&2) ETHNOBOTANICALLY IMPORTANT TREES 27

Human activities have strong impact on plant communities with which

they interact, the humans themselves are also influenced by plants, such
complex interactions are the main focus of ethnobotany (Pie, 1999). Man has
been depending upon plants for his survival since ancient time. The plants are
used as food and fodder, source of honey for bees, cultural uses, source of
medicine, environmental uses and for gene sources, etc. The indigenous
knowledge on plants and their products is in danger of disappearing, forever.
Ethnobotanical awareness among people will reinforce the use of local remedies,
measuring the sustainability of local remedies and devise methods of transferring
knowledge from generation to generation (Martin, 1995). The present study was
conducted to evaluate the traditionally important trees from Central Punjab,
Pakistan with general information and their folk uses.

Fig., 1: Showing comparative number of species per use category.

It looks as if the people of Central Punjab depend on the local vegetation

for their various daily requirements, for example cutting of trees was seen in the
area. Utilizing wood as fuel and also it’s selling in the indigenous market as
timber and fuel wood was observed in different districts of Central Punjab.
People also collect the medicinally important plants, sell them in the local market
and also utilize them for the treatment of different human and domestic animal
diseases. They use local plants for various other purposes, such as agricultural
implements, roof thatching, mats and baskets, religious purposes, etc. As a
consequence, the natural tropical thorn forest of Punjab comprising Prosopis
cineraria (Linn.) Druce, Tamarix aphylla (Linn.) Karst, Salvadora oleoides Decne.
and Capparis decidua (Forssk.) Edgew, is disappearing at alarming rate. Human
interference, uncontrolled urbanization, agricultural practices, grazing and
deforestation are posing tremendous pressure on the local flora and thus causing
28 A. ZEREEN & Z. KHAN BIOLOGIA (PAKISTAN)

environmental deterioration. During ethnobotanical studies of the Central Punjab,

a total of 48 species belonging to 23 families were documented. A range of parts
of these plants were found in use e.g., roots (01 species), shoots (12 species),
flowers (01 species), fruit (07 species), wood (16 species) and whole plants (26
species), for various purposes. Most of the species are reported to have
multipurpose uses by the inhabitants of the respective areas e.g., Acacia
modesta, Acacia nilotica and Albizia lebbeck. These plants were reported in use
by the local inhabitants for medicinal purposes (38 species), fodder (14 species),
wild fruits (06 species), multifarious use (37 species), veterinary medicines (02
species), fire wood (19 species), farmer tools (03 species), furniture (15 species),
etc. (Fig.1).
Most of the plants found in the study area had medicinal value and for
this purpose, various plant parts were being used to treat various diseases like
dermatological problems (06 species), gastrointestinal disorders (12 species),
urinogenital problems (10 species), blood purifiers (02 species), general health
(03 species), fever (02 species), pulmonary diseases (05 species), arthritis (01
species) and jaundice (01 species), etc. The comparative number of plants used
for different diseases is presented in Fig. 2.

Fig., 2: Showing comparative number of plants used for different ailments.

It was noticed during the present study that several plants had the same
medicinal usage. Such observations have also been reported by different
workers (Ahmad et al., 2003 and Ashfaq et al., 2003). In a study conducted by
Sardar & Khan (2009) the indigenous knowledge of local people of Tehsil
Shakargarh, District Narowal, Pakistan was reported on traditional and medicinal
uses of plants and a total of 102 species belonging to 93 genera and 62 families
were recorded in use by local inhabitants for various purposes such as fuel,
furniture, fodder, medicinal, vegetables and edible fruits. Bussmann & Sharon
VOL. 58 (1&2) ETHNOBOTANICALLY IMPORTANT TREES 29

(2006) studied the use of medicinal plants in North Peru and about 510 plant
species belonging to 250 genera and 126 families were collected that were found
in use for medicinal purposes. Uprety et al. (2012) published the traditional uses
of medicinal plants in the boreal forest of Canada and also suggested the future
research perspectives. Mahmood & Shah (2012) conducted an ethnomedicinal
survey to collect data from traditional healers about the use of medicinal plants in
Poonch, District of Jammu and Kashmir. A total of 65 species distributed across
32 families were recorded in use to cure various diseases.

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