Ethno-medicinal uses of floristic diversity of sub-tropical forests of Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India

The study was conducted to record the diversity, traditional uses and the utilization pattern of medicinal plants in sub-tropical forests in and around erstwhile district Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir. During the survey, out of total 395 plant species recorded, 118 species belonging to 107 genera in 56 families revealed the ethno-medicinal relevance to the area. These belonged to 42 trees, 27 shrubs, 39 herbs, 08 climbers, 1 epiphyte and 1 bamboo species. Leaves (46 species) were among the largest of the plant parts used followed by roots (38), fruit (31), bark (27), seeds (20), flowers (11), tubers (4), whole plants (4), gum (3), buds (2), latex (2), oils (2), bulbs (1) and fiber (1). The paper highlights the present status of ethno-medicinal diversity and suggests the strategies for conservation and efficacious management of medicinal plants around Jammu Siwaliks.