Ethnobotany and Ethnomedicinal Uses, Chromosomal Status and Natural Propagation of Some Plants of Lahaul-Spiti and Adjoining Hills
Table 1
Family, species and its vernacular name, meiotic chromosome number, ploidy level, locality and altitude, habit and habitat, natural regeneration, flowering and fruiting period, plant part used and ethnobotanical uses in the wild plants of Lahaul-Spiti, and adjoining high altitude hills.
Family/species (vernacular name)/meiotic chromosome number “”/ploidy level
Locality and altitude in meters (m)
Voucher specimen number (PUN)
Habit and habitat
Natural regeneration
Flowering and fruiting period
Plant part used
Ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal uses
Apiaceae
(1) Angelica glauca Edgew. (Choru, Chora) (2x)
Dhancho, 3,030 m
51529 PUN
Tall perennial herb; shady moist places
Seeds, rootstock
July–September
Whole plant, roots
Stomach troubles and stimulant Spices and condiments Bronchitis
(2) Bupleurum falcatum L. (2x)
Bharmour, 2,130 m
51524 PUN
Perennial herb; dry slopes
Seeds, rootstock
June–September
Roots
Liver troubles
(3) Chaerophyllum aromaticum L. (2x)
Koksar, 3,140 m
51546 PUN
Herb; moist slopes
Seeds, rootstock
June–September
Roots
Plant eaten raw or used as pot herb Along with mint is used as flavouring agent
(4) Heracleum lanatum Michx.(Raswal) (2x)
Trilokinath, 3,020 m
51542 PUN
Perennial herb; along water courses and amongst stones and open slopes
Seeds, rootstock
June–September
Leaves, tender shoots, and fruits
Check the excessive menses and bleeding, abdominal pain and gastric disorders Fodder Aphrodisiac
Balsaminaceae
(5) Impatiens sulcata Wall. (Don) (2x)
Sissu, 3,170 m
51627 PUN
Annual herb; along streams
Seeds
June–August
Whole plant
Paste made by mixing it with lichens and Rumex sp. is used as nail polish
(6) I. brachycentra Royle (2x)
Jhalama, 3,070 m
51632 PUN
Annual herb; glacial streams and moist shady places
Seeds
July–August
Leaves
Red dye obtained is used as nail paint
Biebersteiniaceae
(7) Biebersteinia odora Steph. ex Fish. (Figure 3(a)) (2x)
Baralacha Pass, 5,030 m
51587 PUN
Perennial herb; alpine meadows and dry rocky and scree slopes
Seeds, rootstocks
July–October
Rootstocks
Antiseptic and blood purifier
Brassicaceae
(8) Lepidium latifolium L. (Tharag-Thokpa) (2x)
Bahu, 2,830 m
51618 PUN
Perennial herb; open slopes and around cultivated fields
Perennial herb; rock crevices and dry sandy slopes
Seed, offsets
June–September
Whole plant
Juice—considered good for health
Datiscaceae
(12) Datisca cannabina L. (2x)
Jahlama, 3,070 m
49418 PUN
Perennial robust herb; dry sandy slopes
Seeds, rootstocks
July–September
Roots
Yellow dye
Fumariaceae
(13) Corydalis govaniana Wall. (2x)
Gauri Kund, 3,930 m
51673 PUN
Perennial herb; rock crevices and glacial moraines
Seeds, rootstocks
July–September
Whole plant
Leprosy and rheumatism
Geraniaceae
(14) Geranium pratense L. (Porlo, Likatur) (4x)
Lossar, 3,900 m
51573 PUN
Perennial herb; moist places
Seeds, rootstocks
July–September
Whole plant, roots flowers
Cough, jaundice, and gastric disorders Poultice to bruises. Black dye obtained by boiling roots along with Naktsur (sulfurous raw mineral) Offered to deities
(15) G. wallichianum D. Don ex Sweet 2x)
Rohtang Pass, 3,980 m
51190 PUN
Perennial herb; moist slopes
Seeds, rootstocks
July–September
Whole plant
Stomachaches, cough, cold, and throat infections
Leguminosae
(16) Astragalus bicuspis Fischer (2x)
Gondhla, 3,160 m
51179 PUN
Under shrub: open, dry, and sandy slopes
Seeds, rootstocks
July–August
Whole plant
Soil binder
(17) A. himalayanus Klotzsch (Kayabachhutup) (2x)
Zingzingbar, 4,350 m
51288 PUN
Herb; meadows, dry slopes, and around cultivated areas
Seeds
July–September
Seeds, flowers
Strangury
(18) A. rhizanthus Royle ex Benth. (Figure 6(a)) (Zomoshing) (2x)
Chandartal Lake, 4,300 m
51276 PUN
Perennial herb; dry slopes, riverbeds, and among stones