Phyto-diversity Study with Special Reference to Herbaceous Medicinal Plants

Chhattisgarh is rich center of Biodiversity also known as an Herbal state in India. Among the diversity of species, Medicinal plants diversity is of great importance. The state is covered with 44.00% area by forest cover. Traditional medicinal plants are used by local people to cure many diseases over the state. The plant resources are a remarkable natural source for providing many useful products. Medicinal plants diversity with special references to herbaceous plants was assessed and documented in this study. Information on Medicinal plants was recorded by surveying the area during July 2010 to June 2011. Based on the field survey there are 116 Medicinal plants belonging to 43 families were documented in and around area of Bilaspur (C. G.). Leaf is recorded as maximum used plant parts, Seed is shown as a main source to multiply the plants and the data are discussed furthermore.


Introduction
Bilaspur is the major District of Chhattisgarh state located in South-West part of the state enriched with plant diversity. The study area is located between 21º47' and 23º8' north latitudes and 81º14' and 83º15' east latitudes and average elevation of 264 meters (866 ft). The climate of the area is humid and monsoon type. In summer season temperature is in the range of 30-47 °C and in winter between 5-25 °C. The areas having black-sandy soil is rich in water holding capacity.  [4]. India is a rich center of plant diversity having around 45000 species spread over the country [5].
India is also known as a mega-diversity center among 12 in the world [6]. There are 16 Agro-climatic zones, 10 Vegetative zones also. Gradually the demand of herbal medicines is increasing due to its ecofriendly, low cast, easily availability and effectiveness to cure many diseases Destruction of the natural habitat, Over-exploitation, Nontechnical collection, Developmental activities etc. are responsible for loss of the Medicinal plants in any specified area. A sharp decreasing trend of the biological species is coming on light day by day. So, it is necessary for assessment of plant diversity, so that it can be made effort to conserve the needful bio-species. Due to use of synthetic drugs many diseases are increasing in such condition utility of herbal medicine is increasing.
Scientifically documentation and researches on Medicinal plants are increasing in India due to their remarkable role in human life in the world. Now a day focuses on plant diversity assessment, Use and conservation is needful aspects towards scientific awareness and for maintaining existence of plants life on the earth. Many important drugs are derived from Medicinal plants are a major source for treatment of many diseases among the peoples.
The aim of the present research was to explore and assesses the Plant diversity especially herbaceous Medicinal plants in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India.

Materials and Methods
The study area was periodically surveyed and observations on plant diversity were made over the year in (2010-11). Collections of various plant species were made from different parts of the study area.
Collected Plants were documented following their Botanical name, Family, Habit, Useful parts and their propagation methods with the help of the literatures such as flora/ Encyclopedia like De LC, Hooker's, Sharma R, Tivedi PC, and Pullaiah T et al. [12][13][14][15][16].

Results and Discussion
The study was done to know the eco-taxonomical position of the One disorder can be treated by a group of the plants and one plant is also capable to treat many disorders as example the plant Andrographis paniculata Nees is known as a king of bitter due to presence of Andrographin. This plant is used for treatment of various disorders like in Diabetes control, Malaria fever, Blood purification, worm killing etc. Important plant species useful in many disorders are grouped in Table 4 (See Appendix-1).
Due to easily availability, low cost and less side effect the use of the medicinal plants is increasing day by day.
Medicinal plants showed variable tendency in their propagation. Maximum percentage of Seed (65%) is observed as a source of plant propagation. In second position Rhizomes (14) are used than Stem cutting [9), Seed/Stem cutting (4), Bulb, Tuber (3), Bud, Corm, Leaf (2) are recorded. Only one Medicinal plant Asparagus racemosus Wild is propagated by their Seed and Tuber also.