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Angiosperm Flora of Sadar Upazila of Munshiganj District, Bangladesh

M. OLIUR RAHMAN
Department of Botany, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh

MOMTAZ BEGUM
Department of Botany, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh

MD. WAJIB ULLAH
Department of Botany, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Investigation to make inventory of the angiosperm species diversity in the local flora of Sadar Upazila of Munshiganj district had been made. A total of 240 taxa in 186 genera under 68 families are recognized, and enumerated citing each species with updated nomenclature, Bangla names, habit, habitat, phenology, potential value, status of occurrence in the area and voucher specimens. Of these 240 taxa, Magnoliopsida is represented by 195 taxa in 146 genera and 55 families, whereas Liliopsida by 45 taxa under 40 genera and 13 families. The local people of the area use over 50 medicinal plants as sources of medicine for their primary health care. Some species are assessed as rare to this local flora which need to be brought under conservation management for environmental sustainability of the area.

Keywords: Floristics, Angiosperms, Taxonomy

Location: Sadar Upazila of Munshiganj district

Start Date: 00-05-2012

End Date: 00-04-2013

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Commodity: Tree

Objectives:

To explore, identify and document the angiosperms of Munshiganj Sadar Upazila.

Methodology:

The work is based on fresh materials collected from Sadar Upazila of Munshiganj district from May 2012 to April 2013. Plant specimens were collected from different areas within nine unions of the Upazila and processed using standard herbarium techniques (Hyland, 1972). Collected plant specimens were critically studied, examined and identified at the department of Botany, University of Dhaka. Identification was confirmed by experts, by comparing with herbarium specimens deposited both at Dhaka University Salar Khan Herbarium (DUSH) and Bangladesh National Herbarium (DACB), and by consulting standard floras and literature, viz., Hooker (1872-1897), Prain (1903), Khan (1972-1987), Dassanayake and Fosberg (1980-1985), Khan and Rahman (1989-2002), Siddiqui et al. (2007), Ahmed et al. (2008a,b, 2009a,b,c,d) and Rashid and Rahman (2011, 2012). The identified families are arranged according to Cronquist’s system of plant classification (Cronquist, 1981), and the genera and species under each family are arranged in an alphabetical order. Each species is furnished with updated nomenclature, Bangla names (wherever available), habit, habitat, phenology, potential value, status of occurrence in the area and voucher specimens. Voucher specimens are deposited in DUSH.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 20(2): 213-231, 2013 (December)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The present study identifies over 50 medicinal plants used by the local people of Munshiganj Sadar Upazila for their primary health care. They use the medicinal plants for treatment of several common diseases including dysentery, diarrhoea, diabetes, fever, cold and cough, asthma, ulcer, constipation, abdominal pain, indigestion, gonorrhoea, jaundice, stop bleeding, piles, scabies and rheumatic pain. Some of the important medicinal plants used by the local people are Abroma augusta (L.) L. f., Acalypha indica L., Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f., Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br., Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Calotropis procera (Ait.) R. Br., Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt., Mikania cordata (Burm. f.) Robinson, Phyllanthus niruri L., Saraca asoca (Roxb.) Willd., Terminalia arjuna (Roxb. ex DC.) Wight & Arn. and Vitex negundo L. Apart from medicinal uses some species are used by local people in their religious festivals, viz., Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa, Areca catechu L., Bauhinia purpurea L., Butea monosperma (Lamk.) Taub. and Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. The study has also identified some rare plants in Munshiganj sadar upazila, i.e. Alternanthera paronychyoides St. Hill., Diospyros montana Roxb., Dipteracanthus prostratus (Poir.) Nees, Operculina turpethum (L.) S. Manso, Persicaria lanata (Roxb.) Hassan and Tiliacora acuminata (Lamk.) Hook. f. & Thoms. Though the study area has a moderately rich resource of angiospermic flora, it witnesses some threats which might cause this resource to extinct. Observations and group discussion with local people during field works resulted in identifying some major threats which include urbanization, modern agriculture, lack of awareness, exotic plantation and river erosion. Therefore, efforts should be undertaken to safeguard the plants through ex situ and in situ approaches, public awareness should be built up, and protection of habitats of the species should be ensured.

Knowledge Management: Journal