Some important Ranunculaceae of Odisha, India



Sanjeet Kumar
Ravenshaw University, Cuttack

Plants belongs to ranunculaceae are herbs, shrubs and climbers. Usually stems are woody. Leaves are alternate, opposite, simple or compound and stipules usually absent or represented by petioler sheaths. Flowers are bisexual or unisexual. Bracts are very rare. Sepals are 5 or more. Stemans are hypogynous and usually many.  Carpels are usually many and ovary superior. Fruits are berries, follicles and aggregate of distinct achenes. Seeds are albuminous and small.

The genera found in Odisha are:

Clematis: climber; leaves opposite and terminal leaflets normal.
Naravelia : climber; leaves opposite and terminal leaflets transformed into a tendril.
Ranunculus: Erect herb; leaves are alternate and petals present.
Thalictrum: Erect herb; leaves alternate, pinnately or ternately decomposed.

The important species found in Odisha are:

·       C. smilacifolia
·       C. gouriana
·       C. nutans
·       N. zeylanica
·       R. Scleratus
·       T. Foliolosum

Medicinal Values of Some important Ranunculaceae of Odisha:

C. smilacifolia is native to India. This is used as a remedy in leprosy, blood diseases and fevers. In the Concan the juice of the leaves of the plant, mixed with that of Holarrhena anti-dysenterica, is dropped into the eyes for the cure of staphy-loma. C. gouriana leaves are poisonous. In Indian system of medicine N. zeylanica has been used in the treatment of pitta, helminthiasis, dermatopathy, leprosy, rheumatalgia, odontalgia, colic inflammation, wounds and ulcers. The root of T. foliolosum is diuretic, febrifuge, ophthalmic, purgative, salve, stomachic and tonic. It is considered to be a good remedy for atonic dyspepsia and is also useful in treating peptic ulcers, indigestion, fevers, toothache, haemorrhoids and for convalescence after acute diseases. It is a valuable remedy for ophthalmia. The juice of the leaves is applied to boils and pimples too.


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