An ethnobotanical analysis of parasitic plants (Parijibi) in the Nepal Himalaya

Abstract

Background: Indigenous biocultural knowledge is a vital part of Nepalese environmental management strategies; however, much of it may soon be lost given Nepal's rapidly changing socio-ecological climate. This is particularly true for knowledge surrounding parasitic and mycoheterotrophic plant species, which are well represented throughout the Central-Eastern Himalayas but lack a collated record. Our study addresses this disparity by analyzing parasitic and mycoheterotrophic plant species diversity in Nepal as well as the ethnobotanical knowledge that surrounds them. Methods: Botanical texts, online databases, and herbarium records were reviewed to create an authoritative compendium of parasitic and mycoheterotrophic plant species native or naturalized to the Nepal CentralEastern Himalaya. Semi-structured interviews were then conducted with 141 informants to better understand the biocultural context of these species, emphasizing ethnobotanical uses, in 12 districts of Central-Eastern Nepal. Results: Nepal is a hotspot of botanical diversity, housing 15 families and 29 genera of plants that exhibit parasitic or mycoheterotrophic habit. Over 150 of the known 4500 parasitic plant species (~3 %) and 28 of the 160 mycoheterotrophic species (~18 %) are native or naturalized to Nepal; 13 of our surveyed parasitic species are endemic. Of all species documented, approximately 17 % of parasitic and 7 % of mycoheterotrophic plants have ethnobotanical uses as medicine (41 %), fodder (23 %), food (17 %), ritual objects (11 %), or material (8 %). Conclusions: Parasitic and mycoheterotrophic plant species exhibit high diversity in the Nepal Central-Eastern Himalaya and are the fodder for biocultural relationships that may help inform future environmental management projects in the region.

Viscum articulatumBurm. f.: a review on its phytochemistry, pharmacology and traditional uses

“…5 In Nepal, the plant is traditionally used for curing sprains, bone fractures and dislocation and also used as fodder. [6][7][8][9][10] Viscum articulatum whole plant with Kaempferia rotunda rhizome, and Bergenia ciliata stern is grounded to paste and applied on the affected areas to treat sprains, bone fractures, wounds and boils by the Nepalese communities of East Sikkim, India. [11] A mixture of plant bark with hen egg and Pinus roxburghii leaves is given during bone dislocation.…”

“…Whole plant Sprains, bone fractures, dislocation and also used as fodder [6][7][8][9][10][11] swelling, pulmonary inflammation and intense burning sensation by various tribal communities of Rajasthan. [27][28][29] Garasia tribes in Rajasthan use stem juice to cure inflammation.…”

The diversity and ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in the southern slope of Mount Merapi, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

“…The usage of traditional medicine for self-care tends to increase globally (Bussmann and Douglas 2006). In India, Nepal, and Africa, 80% of people use traditional medicine as the major treatment for diseases, while Columbian residents that use traditional medicine are up to 40% of its population (Bhandary and Chandrashekar 2014; Bussmann and Douglas 2006;Mondal et al 2015;O'Neill and Rana 2016). Similar culture can also be found in Indonesia.…”

Determining bioclimatic space of Himalayan alder for agroforestry systems in Nepal

“…Encroachment, forest degradation, over-exploitation for fuel-wood and timber collection are known threats to A. nepalensis trees growing in the Nepal. Biological threats to A. nepalensis include the stem borers Batocera spp., an aphid Eutfichosiphym alnifoliae pest of economic importance, and a parasitic plant infestation ( O'Neill and Rana, 2016 ). Biological threats have yet to be identified for A. nitida ; however, forest degradation and habitat fragmentation are known to threaten the species.…”