A Study of Flora of Pilkhuwa in Uttar Pradesh With its Medicinal Values

Abstract

The present study was carried out to document the flora of Pilkhuwa, Uttar Pradesh, with special reference to their medicinal importance. A total of 34 medicinally important angiosperm species, belonging to 34 genera and 24 families, were recorded during the study. The plants showed different growth forms, including trees, herbs, shrubs, climbers, palms, and parasitic plants. Among these, trees were the most common (41.2%), followed by herbs . Families such as Apocynaceae, Myrtaceae, Moraceae, Rutaceae, Rosaceae, Combretaceae, and Arecaceae were represented among the recorded plants.

The study also recorded the traditional medicinal uses of different plant parts. Leaves were the most commonly used plant part (32.4%), followed by stem bark (23.5%). Other parts used included fruits, seeds, flowers, roots, latex, and the whole plant in the case of parasitic species. The recorded plants were traditionally used for various health-related conditions and were grouped into 11 broad therapeutic categories, including skin-related problems, digestive disorders, respiratory problems, metabolic disorders, renal problems, and cardiovascular conditions.

Some commonly recorded medicinal plants, such as Azadirachta indica, Terminalia arjuna, Syzygium cumini , and Kalanchoe pinnata, indicate the importance of plants in traditional healthcare practices. At the same time, plants such as Datura metel, Calotropis procera , and Cascabela thevetia require particular care because of their known toxic or potentially harmful properties. Therefore, their traditional use should be considered with appropriate safety precautions.

The present study provides baseline information about the plant diversity and medicinal importance of the flora of Pilkhuwa. The findings may be useful for further studies on ethnobotanical knowledge, phytochemical composition, pharmacological activities, and conservation of medicinal plant resources in the region.