Ethnobotanical and Morphological variations of Mahakaal (Trichosanthes tricuspidata Lour.) in three geographical zones of Simlipal Biosphere Reserve Forest, Odisha

This article is going to publish



Sanjeet Kumar

ABSTRACT

Ethnobotanical and Morphological variations of Mahakaal (Trichosanthes tricuspidata  Lour.) in three geographical zones of Simlipal Biosphere Reserve Forest, Odisha

P. K. Tripathy, Sanjeet Kumar, Shanti Prava Behera and P. K. Jena

Department of Botany, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack- 753003, Odisha

Simlipal Biosphere Reserve (SBR) forest is situated in the district of Mayurbhanj, Odisha. It is spreading over an area of 5,569 km² lying between 21⁰ 10’ to 22⁰ 12’ N and 85⁰ 58’ to 86⁰ 42’E. SBR is a treasure of medicinal plants. Among them wild cucurbits are common which are frequently used as medicine by the aboriginals of SBR. The common cucurbits are Trichosanthus tricuspidata (Lour.), Trichosanthus cucumerina (L.), Cucumis melo (L.), Diplocyclos palmatus (L.) Jeffrey., Solena amplexicaulis (Lam.), Mukia maderaspatana (L.), Luffa aegyptiaca (Mill.) etc. Among them Trichosanthus tricuspidata (Lour.) is common and very popular due to its red attractive fruits. It is locally known as Mahakaal. It is a climber commonly found over tree. It has white flowers with reddish fruits when ripen. It has sound ethnobotanical values. Fruits are used in asthma, leprosy and rheumatism. Seed are effective against fever. Mankardia tribal community use its fruit paste against eczema. Kharia tribe use the seeds for abortion. Richness of Mahakaal is declining at SBR due to anthropogenic activities. Therefore an attempt was made to study the therapeutic medicinal values and morphological variations in three locations Gurguria, Nawana and Karangia of SBR. Ampelographic and ampelometric study of leaf, flower and fruits character were carried out during 2010-2012. Fruit colour varied from Blood Red to Pink. Flower dimension varied from 2.4 to 3 inches. Leaf varied from 5.0 × 4.0 to 6.0 × 5.0 inches. Size of fruits varied from 5.44 × 5.01 to 6.24 to 5.82 cm. The number of seeds per fruit varied from 65 to 122. Weight of seeds per fruit varied from 61.77 g to 101.34 g. Richness of Mahakaal is more in Karanjia followed by Gurguria and Nawana. Variation of qualitative and quantitative character showed high morphological diversities. Variability of Mahakaal in SBR might be considered as characterising the large gene pool for conservation.