Diversity of the Family Leguminosae in Koch Bihar District, West Bengal

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Diversity of the Family Leguminosae in Koch Bihar District, West Bengal

Journal Title: International Journal of Current Research and Review - Year 2018, Vol 10, Issue 20

Abstract

Introduction: Legume - a fascinating group of flowering plants belongs to the family Leguminosae or Fabaceae is deserve special attention as they play vital role both in human welfare as well as in ecological aspect. The district of Koch Bihar of West Bengal state has no account about the diversity of leguminous plants and their utilization by the ethnic and local peoples which initiates to undertake the present work. Methods: Extensive field surveys in different parts of Koch Bihar in different seasons of five consecutive years were conducted to record the legumes of the district and their uses following the standard methods. Voucher specimens were processed and identified by using relevant literature and matching with herbarium specimens. Result and Discussion: It is evident from the present study that the legumes of Koch Bihar district are represented by 81 species under 36 genera with Desmodium as dominant genus having 9 species. Maximum number of species have been recorded in the subfamily Faboideae (47 species) followed by Caesalpinioideae(18 species) and Mimosoideae(16 species). Among the 81 species of legumes there are 29 species of herbs, 28 species of trees, 16species of shrubs and 8species of climbers. It is interesting to note that a good number of legumes are exotic in origin and American elements are more dominant among the alien species. During the field study utilization of legume by the major ethnic communities (viz. Kheria, Oraon, Rabha, Rajbanshi, and Santal) and the local inhabitants of the district have also been recorded. It reveals that 31 species under 24 genera which is about 38% of the legume flora of the district are used in various purposes and several species have more than one kind of use. Conclusions: Destruction of the habitat and the anthropogenic interferences are identified as the basic causes for the loss of diversity of legumes of the district. Similarly, acculturation is the reason for extinction of traditional knowledge regarding herbal therapy.

Authors and Affiliations

Subhajit Bandyopadhyay

Keywords

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EP ID EP536221
DOI 10.31782/IJCRR.2018.10207
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