Trichodesma indicum

Trichodesma indicum (L.)Sm
Family - Boraginaceae
Common name - Indian borage

Medicinal uses -
🍁 Externally the Leaf juice  Trichodesma indicum  was found to be useful in the treatment of ear pains and wound healing.
🍁 Decoction of whole plant Trichodesma indicum was found to be useful in the treatment of influenza and cough.
🍁 Trichodesma indicum and its warmed root poultice was effective when massaged on painful parts.
🍁 It was traditionally used for dysentery,
arthritis, arthralgia, skin disease.
🍁 It is also reported as antioxidant, antitussive, antidiabetic, antiinflammatory,
diuretic, antimicrobial, antifungal, dermal toxicity and metal chelating efficacy.

Sugimani Marndi 
Biodiversiry & Conservation lab.
Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

www.aprf.org.in

Snowy orchid tree

Bauhinia acuminata L.
Family: Caesalpiniaceae
Common name : Snowy Orchid Tree, Kanchana (Odia)
Location : Kalahandi, Odisha

Description :
Semi-decidous large shrub or small tree. The leaves are bilobed, shaped like cow's hoof . Having Butterfly-like white flowers with five petals.

Uses : Flowers and leaves are edible

Medicinal values:
🌷Mixture of its bark and leaves are used against Asthma.
🌷Decoction prepared from its leaves and bark is a pain reliever.
🌷The bark , flower, and root are used for various skin diseases, tumours , and diabetes.
🌷In Malaysia and Indonesia the plant is used in the treatment of common cold and cough.
🌷Leaves are used to treat bladder stone , leprosy and digestive diseases.

Sweta Mishra
Biodiversity and Conservation Lab.
Ambika Prasad Research Foundation
Bhubaneswar, Odisha
www.aprf.org.in

Prickly poppy

Argemone mexicana  L.

Family - Papaveraceae

Common name - kanta malati, prickly poppy.

Medicinal uses -

✨ The leaf is used to treat as malarial fever, ulcers, cough, wounds, warts, cold sores, cutaneous affections, skin diseases, itches.

✨ The root is used to treat as skin diseases, leprosy and inflammation, constipation.

✨ Seed is used as asthma, ulcers, dental caries, rheumatalgia, pertussis.

✨ Flowers is used as treat coughs.

✨ The latex of Argemone mexicana used to treat boils, good wound dressing, dermatitis, dropsy, blisters.

Sugimani Marndi

Biodiversiry & Conservation lab.

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

www.aprf.org.in

PEEPAL

Ficus religiosa L.

Family : Moraceae

Common name : Peepal

Location : Kalahandi, Odisha

It is the most sacred tree in India. It is believed as its roots, trunk and leaves represent Lord Brahma, Vishnu and 

Mahesh respectively. It provides a connection between earth and Heaven.

Worshipping the Peepal tree helps in controlling the thoughts, removes obstacles

in marriage and financial growth.

Medicinal uses :

🌳The bark is used to cure skin diseases, mouth ulcers, diabetes and bone fracture. 

🌳Leaves are used in vomiting, gonorrhea, asthma, cough, diarrhea, gastric problems. 

🌳Shoots are used in treating skin problems.

🌳Stems are used in treatment of urinary disorders and problems of digestive system. 

🌳The dried powder of fruits has been used in treatment of respiratory problems like asthma.

Sweta Mishra

Biodiversity and Conservation Lab.

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation

Bhubaneswar, Odisha

aprf.org.in

Merremia umbellata

Merremia umbellata (L.)Hallier f.

This is a synonym of Camonea umbellata  (L.) A.R.Simoes & Staples

Family - Convolvulaceae

 -It is mostly found in river banks, grasslands, wasteland

Medicinal uses  - 

🌸 A decoction of plant is used in the treatment of rheumatism, neuralgia, headache, auricular ulcers, abscesses.

🌸 The dried powdered leaves are used epilepsy, emolient, ulcers, burns, sores & scalds.

🌸 The seed is used as an aperient & alterative in the treatment of cutaneous diseases.

🌸 The decoction of root is used as haematuria, poultice to swelling, purgative.

🌸 Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activity, antibacterial activity.

Sugimani Marndi

Biodiversiry & Conservation lab.

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation Bhubaneswar, Odisha

www.aprf.org.in

Crape myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica (L.) Pers.

Family : Lythraceae

Common name : Crape myrtle

Location : Kalahandi, Odisha

Description : 

Crape myrtle is a large shrub or 

a small tree .

Flowering period:  June - September

It forms a cluster of flowers  develops on the tips of new growth and is composed of hundreds of  flowers. Flowers colour ranges from white, pink, mauve or purple.

Medicinal uses : 

▪️This plant helps in blood pressure control, urinary dysfunctions and also control the cholesterol levels

▪️It is used in treatment of diarrhea and diabetes.

▪️Seeds were used as narcotic. 

▪️Bark was used as stimulant and febrifuge.

▪️Leaves and flowers were used as purgative.

▪️The root was used as an astringent, detoxicant and as diuretic.

 

Sweta Mishra

Biodiversity and Conservation Lab.

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation

Bhubnaswar, Odisha

www.aprf.org.in

 

 

Food Plant of Asian Elephants

Food Plant Of Asian Elephant

Careya arborea

Local name: Kumbhi

Family: Lecythidaceae

☘️ Its leaf turn red in the cold season.

☘️ The tree grows throughout India in forests and grassland.

Parts consumed by elephants: Leaves and fruits

Uses

☘ Its bark is used to get relief from body swellings.

☘️ The juice of the bark, and the flowers, are used  for treating coughs and colds, and are applied externally as an ointment.

☘️ The pulped leaves are used as a poultice.

☘️ Young fruit is reported to be edible, though seeds are slightly poisonous.

Alaka Sanghamitra

Biodiversity and Conservation Lab.

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation

Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

www.aprf.org.in

Oxalis corniculata

Oxalis corniculata L.

Family - Oxalidaceae

Common name - Yellow sorrel

Medicinal uses - 

💫 The leaf juice is applied to insect bites, burns and skin eruptions.

💫 The plant is a good source of vitamin C & is used as an antiscorbutic in the treatment of scurvy.

💫 It is also used for the treatment of influenza, fever, urinary tract infections, enteritis, diarrhoea, traumatic, injuries, sprains & poisonous snake bites.

💫 Anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, antifungal, antiulcer, antinociceptive, anticancer, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, hypolipedemic, abortificient, antimicrobial and wound healing properties.

Sugimani Marndi

Biodiversity & Conservation lab.

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

www.aprf.org.in

South Indian Soapnut

Sapindus trifoliatus L.

Family : Sapindaceae

Common name :  South Indian Soapnut,    Ritha (Odia)

Location : Kalahandi, Odisha

Medicinal uses:

✨The plant is  used in treating asthma and cough.

✨It is an effective ingredient shampoos to keep hair long and healthy and also good for lice's and dandruff.

✨The decoction of the aerial parts of 

the plant used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus by the tribes of Odisha.

✨It is potential against skin problems like Eczema and Psoriasis. 

✨Soap nut powder having Anti bacterial and antifungal activities.

✨It is mostly used in the Cosmetic and 

Contraceptive creams. 

✨Powdered seeds are used for the treatment of Arthritis, Common cold, Constipation, Nausea and Dental caries . 

✨The poultice of soap nut  is used to relief from joint pains. 

Sweta Mishra

Biodiversity and Conservation Lab.

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation

Bhubaneswar, Odisha

www.aprf.org.in

Cleome rutidosperma

Cleome rutidosperma DC

Family - Cleomaceae

Common name - Fringed spider flower

➡️ It is mainly found in humid areas, moist area, waste grounds.

➡️ It has trifoliate leaves, and small blue, violet with whitish patches flower, which turns pink as they age.

Medicinal uses  - 

🌸 Leaf sap is applied for earache, ear-inflammation.

🌸 In South Nigeria a leaf extract is used to treat irritated skin, prickly heat, convulsions.

🌸 In Zaire, Cleome rutidosperma is used for deafness.

🌸 The root were used as hypoglycemic effect and anthelmintic activity.

🌸 Anti-oxidant, anti-plasmodial, analgesic, locomotory, anti-microbial, diuretic, laxative, anthelmintic and anti-diabetic activity.

Sugimani Marndi

Biodiversiry & Conservation lab.

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

www.aprf.org.in

INDIAN SKIMMER

Rynchops albicolis

Common name- Indian skimmer

Description- They are easily recognised birds with black white plumage,black head cap,white face,long,thick bright orange bill with yell tip.Their wings are long pointed and black in colour.Legs,feet are red.Male and female are similar in appearance however males are larger than female.

Habitat- Lakes, brackish water,rivers,calm water body,pool

Ecology and Behaviour- They breed colonially on large exposed sand bars.They display courtship behaviour.The male offers a fish and female accept it in her bills.only then she will allow male to mating with her.They are gregarious and it is reported that they make nest with other terns.Breeding season occurs from february to may.

Call- It has sharp kyap-kyap sound but usually it is very silent.

Food- They feed on crustaceans ,small fish,insects,tadpole,shrimps.

Alibha P.Jyethi

Biodiversity and conservation Lab

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, Bhubaneswar, Odisha,India.

www.aprf.org.in

Turmeric

Curcuma longa L.

Family - Zingiberaceae

Common name - Turmeric, Haldi (Odia)

Location - Kalahandi, Odisha

Medicinal uses:

🍀For bites of King Cobra, turmeric is the natural antivenin

🍀Turmeric plant was an excellent natural antiseptic, disinfectant, have antiinflammatory and analgesic activities.

🍀It improves our digestion and used to treat skin irritations.

🍀Turmeric is also used in the treatment of dental diseases.

🍀Powdered turmeric with boiled milk is helpful in curing cough and related respiratory disorders.

🕊️Turmeric is known as the golden spice of the nation &  India is the world’s largest producer of turmeric .

Sweta Mishra

Biodiversity and Conservation Lab

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation

Bhubnaswar, Odisha

www.aprf.org.in

Eclipta prostrata

Eclipta prostrata L.

Family : Asteraceaea

Location: Keonjhar, Odisha

Medicinal uses:

🍃 Whole plant ash is given orally with honey for the treatment of asthma.

🍃 Whole plant decoction is used for the treatment of bronchitis and pneumonia.

🍃 The root powder acts as cure of constipation.

🍃 Plant decoction is given orally  for the treatment of diarrhea, dysentery, high blood pressure.

🍃 The plant extract is used for the treatment of fever, jaundice.

🍃 Fresh leaf extract is used for the treatment of body pain, weakness of vision.

🍃 Root extract is used to cure Haemorrhoids.

🍃 Plant paste is applied externally in eczema and leaf paste is applied externally to boils.

🍃Leaf extract is used to wash open wounds.

Laxmipriya Das 

Biodiversity and conservation lab,

Ambika Prasad research Foundation.

Bhubaneswar,Odisha,India

www.aprf.org.in

Duckweed

Spirodela polyrhiza (L.)Schleid.

Family - Araceae

Common name - Duckweed, greater duckweed, duckmeat.

(Perrenial aquatic plant)

➡️ It produces several minute roots.

➡️ It produces a pouch containing male & female flowers.

➡️ It is ideal system for biofuels, bioremediation & carbon cycling due to its aspects of fast growing.

Medicinal uses -

❇ ️The whole plant is used as antipruritic antipyretic, cardiotonic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic.

❇ ️It is used in the treatment of measles, oedema and difficulty in urination.

Sugimani Marndi

Biodiversiry & Conservation lab.

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

www.aprf.org.in

Chilli

Capsicum annum L.

Family : Solanaceae

Common name: Chilli, Lanka (Odia)

Location : Kalahandi, Odisha

It has been traditionally used as food products due to itsdistinctive flavour, colour and aroma.

Medicinal uses:

🌶️ It has been used for the treatment of cough, toothache, sore throat and have wound healing properties.

🌶️It has the ability to control our obesity, 

🌶️It is potential against diabetes and its complications.

🌶️Chili has antioxidant, anti-mutagenesis, anti- parasitic, antiseptic properties.

🌶️It is also act as an appetite stimulator.

Sweta Mishra

Biodiversity and Conservation Lab.

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation

Bhubnaswar, Odisha

www.aprf.org.in

Spermacoce latifolia

Spermacoce latifolia  Aubl. is a synonym of Spermacoce alata Aubl.

Family - Rubiaceae

Medicinal uses  -

🍁 The root juice of the plant is used for the treatment of malarial fevers. 

🍁 Leaf paste is used for the treatment of boils by Tanchangya ethnic people in Bangladesh.

🍁 It is also included in the treatment of fever, hemorrhage, skin diseases, urinary and respiratory infections.

🍁 Antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, anti-leukemic and larvicidal properties.

Sugimani Marndi

Biodiversity & Conservation lab.

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

www.aprf.org.in

Importance of Asian elephant

Importance of Asian elephant

🐘 Elephant's habit of uprooting trees and undergrowth can transform the savannah into grasslands.

🐘 When they dig for water during drought, they create waterholes that can be used by other animals.

🐘 They enlarge water holes when they bath and roll in them.

🐘 Elephants are important seed dispersers, they ingest and excrete seeds, with either no effect or a positive effect on germination.

🐘 The seeds are typically dispersed in large amounts over great distances.

Alaka Sanghamitra

Photo from Internet

Biodiversity and conservation Lab.

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation

Bhubaneswar,Odisha

www.aprf.org.in

PAPAYA

Carica papaya L.

Family : Caricaceae

Common name : Papaya, Amrutabhanda (Odia)

Location : Kalahandi, Odisha

Medicinal uses:

🦋Dried leaves are used as blood purifiers and taken as tonic. 

🦋Papaya leaf tea is used to treat obesity and helps in losing weight

🦋Seed juice is used to treat piles.

🦋Papaya fruit is a rich source of

provitamin A , Vitamin B, C.

🦋Flowers are used to treat jaundice.

🦋Root is chewed and swallowed for cough, bronchitis and other respiratory disease.

🦋It has anticancer, antiviral, anti- inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic activities.

Sweta Mishra

Biodiversity and Conservation Lab.

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation

Bhubaneswar, Odisha

www.aprf.org.in

Water morning glory

Ipomoea aquatica Forssk

Family - Convolvulaceae

Common name - Kalama saga, water morning glory

               (Semi-aquatic)

Medicinal uses  -

🌸 Ipomoea aquatica leaves leads to cure ailments such as jaundice, nervous debility.

🌸 The crushed leaves are applied as a poultice on sores and boils.

🌸 The dried juice has purgative properties, leaves & stem are said to be cooling.

🌸 A paste made from the buds is used to treat ringworm.

🌸 The plant is used in the treatment of liver diseases, constipations, diabetes, abscesses, mental illness, anthelmintic, central nervous system depression(CNS) depressant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant.

🌸 It is also used as against nose bleed & high blood pressure, piles, anthelmentic, leprosy, jaundice.

Sugimani Marndi

Biodiversiry & Conservation lab.

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

www.aprf.org.in

Black bellied tern

Sterna acuticauda

Common name- Black bellied tern

Description- Generally they are 32-35 cm long.In breeding period plumage,crown nape are black,upper parts are pale grey,belly in darkening black,wings are long,pointed and sharp tips,bill and feet  are yellow/orange.Outside breeding season belly is whitish and bill has dark tip.

Habitat- Lakes, brackish water,rivers,calm water body,pool

Ecology and Behaviour - It has long wings but flight is slow.It skimming over surface of water and ground to pick up insects,plunging in to water to pick up crustaceans and tadpoles.Breeding takes place from February to April.It doesn't nest colonially but may nest with other birds such as River tern and Indian skimmer.It is gregarious and hunt in groups.

Call - pleasant krek-krek

Food - They feed on crustaceans ,small fish,insects,tadpole.

Alibha P.Jyethi

Biodiversity and conservation Lab

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, Bhubaneswar, Odisha,India.

www.aprf.org.in

Spine gourd

Momordica dioica Roxb. ex Willd.

Family : Cucurbitaceae

Common name : Spine gourd, Kankada(Odia)

Location: Kalahandi, Odisha

Fruits of plant are generally used as vegetable.

Medicinal uses:

👉Fresh fruit juice is used for hypertension and are used to treat diabetes, pimples and acne. 

👉Seeds are roasted and taken for eczema 

👉Leaves of the plant are antihelminthic. It is also used to cure fever, jaundice, asthma, and piles.

👉The juice of the leaves mixed with coconut, pepper, red sandalwood etc used as an ointment and applied to the head to relieve pain in the head. 

👉Juice of root is used as a good antiseptic,

root is applied to skin to make it soft.

👉Tubers of female plants used in bleeding piles.

Sweta Mishra

Biodiversity and Conservation Lab.

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation Bhubaneswar, Odisha

www.aprf.org.in

Lantana camara

Lantana camara L.

Family : Verbanaceae

Location : Keonjhar, Odisha

🍀 Lantana camara is one such pantropical weed which is affecting ecosystem and causing biodiversity loss at  greater extent.

🍀It is highly invasive and currently occupies a large percentage of the vegetation cover wherever it was introduced.

Medicinal uses

🍀 Leaves are used to treat cuts, rheumatism, ulcers, cancer, chicken pox, swellings, blood pressure.

🍀 Infusion of the whole plant is used to cure bronchitis.

🍀 Powdered root in milk is given to children for stomach-ache and as a vermifuge.

🍀 Lantana oil is used in the treatment of  skin, itches, as an antiseptic for wounds.

🍀 Flowers have mosquitoes repellent activity.

🍀 Potatoes are stored with Lantana leaves which nearly eliminates damage caused by Phthorimaea operculella Zeller, the potato tuber moth.

🍀 In India the leaves of the plant are boiled for tea and the decoction is a remedy against cough and it is used as a lotion for wounds and pounded leaves are applied to cuts, ulcers, swellings.

🍀 In leprosy and scabies decoction were applied externally.

Laxmipriya Das 

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation 

Biodiversity and conservation lab 

Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.

www.aprf.org.in

Callophyllum inophyllum

Callophyllum inophyllum L.       

Family : Clusiaceae                     

Local Name : Polanga, Naga pushpa             Location : Mahanadi River Area, Cuttack, Odisha.        

                        

Medicinal Uses : 

🍀The latex and pounded bark are applied externally on wounds, ulcers and to treat phthisis, orchitis and lung affections, and internally as a purgative, after childbirth and to treat gonorrhoea

🍀A leaf infusion is used to treat sore eyes, haemorrhoids and dysentery

🍀Heated leaves are applied to cuts, sores, ulcers, boils and skin rash; 

🍀Leaves are used in inhalations to treat migraine and vertigo;

🍀The seed oil is applied externally as an analgesic against rheumatism and sciatica, and as a medication against swellings, ulcers, scabies, ringworm, boils and itching.

www.aprf.org.in

Potamogeton natans

Potamogeton natans  L

Family - Potamogetonaceae

Common name - Broad-leaved pondweed

         (Submerged aquatic plant)

🌼Small green flowers

🌼It produces both floating and submersed leaves on the same plant.

🌼The shape of the floating leaves depends on the shape of the current, with faster current resulting in more elongated the leaves and less cordate leaf bases.

🌼It can be used as an oxygenator of ponds.

🌼 Medicinal uses -

The plant is used as  febrifuge.

Sugimani Marndi

Biodiversiry & Conservation lab., Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

www.aprf.org.in

Juvenile shoots of Bamboo

Juvenile shoots of Bamboo

Family : Poaceae

Location: Kalahandi, Odisha

Fresh, dried, fermented or pickle form of the shoot is used as popular food item in different parts of the world.

Medicinal values:

✨Bamboo shoot are helpful in mitigating the problem of malnutrition.

✨It is used for the treatment of irregular menstrual cycle, heavy bleeding after

delivery, infertility problems, reducing labour pain, and also for inducing puberty in young female. 

✨The shoots have anticancer, antibacterial, and antiviral activity.

✨It is useful in the management of hypertension and obesity.

✨Some tribes believe that bamboo shoot causes abortion

in pregnant women. They are often advised not to consume

bamboo shoot during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Sweta Mishra

Biodiversity and Conservation Lab.

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation

Bhubnaswar, Odisha

www.aprf.org.in

Bergia ammannioides

Bergia ammannioides Roxb

Family - Elatinaceae

➡️ It is found mostly in marshes, swamps and moist area.

➡️ Leaves opposite decussate with serrate margins.

➡️ Flowers in very tight clusters around leaf axils all along the stems, Buds reddish. 

💉 Medicinal uses  -

🌺 The whole plant infusion of Bergia ammannioides is applied to cure scabies, wounds, cuts.

🌺 Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial activity.

Sugimani Marndi

Biodiversiry & Conservation lab.

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

www.aprf.org.in

Bulbophyllum polyrrhizum

Bulbophyllum polyrrhizum Lindl.

Location: Indo-Myanmar Border, Manipur

Date: March 2018

Habitat: Rock orchid

Botany: 

It was looks like a golden bed of small flowers on the rock. Leaves are absent during flowering with closed pseudobulbs.

Photo Credit: Dr. Sanjeet Kumar

APRF, Odisha (www.aprf.org.in)

Food behaviour of Asian Elephants

Food Behaviour of Asian Elephant

🐘 The Asian elephants are grazers as well as browsers.The elephant feed on diverse plants and browsing tree species are more than grass species.

🐘 Feeding patterns were strongly of two modes, with peaks in the morning and evening. 

🐘 They are poor digesters as they assimilate 50% of the consumed food. 

🐘 They are born with sterile intestines and require bacteria obtained from their mother’s feces to digest vegetation.

🐘 The diet of grass and bark could add sufficient amount of calcium intake to a good level. 

🐘 The water and soil rich in salt are known to be preferred by elephant in order to overcome low sodium content. 

🐘 Intestinal microbes are helpful in synthesizing Vitamin B12 with the usage of the Cobalt which has to be present in the diet.

🐘 There are certain plants in which the levels of Hydrogen Cyanide concentrations are high in their immature tissues which includes the plants from the families Gramineae and Leguminosae. So, the elephants avoid them by feeding on fully grown plants where HCN level is negligent.

Photo from Internet

Alaka Sanghamitra

Biodiversity and Conservation Lab.

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation

Bhubaneswar, Odisha

www.aprf.org.in

Bulbophyllum careyanum

Bulbophyllum careyanum (Hook.) Spreng.

Syn: Anisopetalum careyanum Hook.

Common name: Carey's Bulb-Leaf Orchid, Iswarimul

Habitat: epiphytic

Location: Senapati, Manipur

Date: October 2017

Medicinal values:

In traditional medicine the fresh pulp of pseudobulb is used to treat burns, powder of leaves is used to cause abortion and for recovery in childbirth.

Photo Credit: Dr. Sanjeet Kumar

www Aprf.org.in

Pomegranate

Punica granatum L.
Family: Lythraceae
Common name : Pomegranate, Dalimba (Odia)
Location : Kalahandi, Odisha

Medicinal uses :
⭐In Ayurvedic medicine the pomegranate is  used as a “blood tonic,” maintain good flow of the blood in the body.
⭐Pomegranates peel, bark and leaves are used to calm the stomach disorder or diarrhea.
⭐Pomegranate also serves as a remedy for diabetes
⭐The potential therapeutic properties of pomegranate include treatment and prevention of cancer, cardiovascular disease.
⭐It is also potential against dental caries.
⭐The seeds and juice are considered a
tonic for the heart, throat, eyes, stops nose bleeds and gum bleeds, toning skin.

Sweta Mishra
Biodiversity and Conservation Lab.
Ambika Prasad Research Foundation
Bhubnaswar, Odisha
www.aprf.org.in

Hydrilla verticillata

Hydrilla verticillata (Linn.f.)Royle

Family - Hydrocharitaceae

Common name - Waterthyme

_(Submerged aquatic plant)_

-It is well- known as Chingudia dala in the Mayurbhanj district of Orissa.

-It is found in lakes, ponds, rivers, streams & marshes.

-It is used as phytoremediation.

Medicinal uses -

🌼 Antibacterial activity, antioxidant activity, analgesic activity, anticonvulsant activity.

🌼 It is used for the treatment of digestion & gastrointestinal function, improves blood circulations, helps in detoxification, good for neurological health, cardiovascular function.

🌼 It increases endurance, help in blood sugar control, strengthens immunity to protect the body from invaders & slows ageing.

Sugimani Marndi

Biodiversiry & Conservation lab.

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

www.aprf.org.in

River tern

Sterna aurantia

Common name - River tern

Description- Generally they are 38-43cm long.Sexes are alike.They have light grey above,black cap,white bellow,bright yellow pointed beak,red legs.

Habitat- Lakes, brackish water,rivers,calm water body

Ecology and Behaviour - Solitary  or travelling together.Flying is about in a manner of irregular movement.catching of prey by pulging method.They are submerging themselves completely in water and reappearing immediately with food in its beak.Breeding takes place from early May.Nests were observed on dry,sand bank of river.

Call- An occasional harsh tone.

Food- They feed on crustaceans ,insects,worms,small frogs,molluscs,aquatic insects.

Alibha P.Jyethi

Biodiversity and conservation Lab

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, Bhubaneswar, Odisha,India.

www.aprf.org.in

Autumn lady's-tresses

Spiranthes spiralis

Common Name: Autumn lady's-tresses

Location: Loktak Lake, Manipur

Date: January 2018

Medicinal values: 

It is used against skin affections, painful breasts and eye complaints.

LEMON

Citus lemon (L.) Osbeck

Family : Rutaceae

Common name : Nimbu

Location : Kalahandi, Odisha

Traditional uses: 

🍋The intake of lemon juice and honey is help in Weight loss.

🍋Lemon juice is rich in Vitamin C can helps in lightening the skin.

🍋It is also used for cold fevers, sore throats,  bronchitis, as well as helping in asthma. 

🍋Its oil and juice is mainly used for

refreshment to the tide mind.

🍋Having insect repellent activity.

Sweta Mishra

Biodiversity and Conservation Lab.

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation Bhubaneswar Odisha

www.aprf.org.in

Cucurbita pepo

Cucurbita pepo L.

Family: Cucurbitaceae

Common name: Boitalu(O), Kakharu(O) Pumpkin(E)

Location: Keonjhar, Odisha

Medicinal uses:

🍁 Leaves are used for strengthening the digestive system and as anti-scrobtic.

🍁 Fruits are good for teeth, eyes, throat, astringent to the bowels and laxative.

🍁 Fruit is boiled in water and serve with salt and black pepper and its decoction is used to cure intestinal disorders and gastric problems.

🍁 Leaves are used in the treatment of bladder disorders, stomach upsets, intestinal worms, rheumatism, burns and wounds.

🍁Fruit stalks are used for heart burns.

🍁 Seeds are used in urination problems, for curing bladder disorders, stomach ulcers.

🍁Regularly use of seeds can cure prostate cancer.

🍁 Pulp are used against tape worms in children and in pregnant women.

🍁 Seeds are stimulant, diuretic, fattening cure sore chests, good for kidney and brains, bronchitis, fever.

🍁 Whole plant is beneficial for night blindness and habitual miscarriage. It is useful in headache, cold, heart diseases, lung infection, maleness, arthritis, fever.

Laxmipriya Das 

Biodiversity and Conservation Lab 

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation 

Bhubaneswar, Odisha

www.aprf.org.in

Potamogeton crispus

Potamogeton crispus L.

Family - Potamogetonaceae

Common name - Curled pondweed

(Submersed aquatic plant)

🍁Mostly found in ponds, lakes, rivers and paddy fields.

🍁It has phytoremediation of heavy metals

🍁Leaves are conspicuously toothed along leaf margins, sessile(attached directly to the stem), it is olive green.

🍁The inflorescence is a short spike of flowers emerging above the water surface.

💉 Medicinal uses  - 

Antioxidant, immunity -regulation, tumour proliferation.

Sugimani Marndi

Biodiversiry & Conservation lab., 

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

www.aprf.org.in

Gum of Moringa oleifera

Gum of Morninga oleifera

Location : Kalahandi, Odisha

Medicinal uses of gum:

✓It is used for dental caries, and as astringent and rubefacient; 

✓It is potential against typhoid.

✓Gum, mixed with sesame oil is used to 

relieve headaches, fevers, intestinal complaints, dysentery, asthma.  

✓It is used for diuretic.

✓It is also used to treat syphilis and rheumatism

Sweta Mishra

Biodiversity and Conservation Lab.

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation Bhubaneswar Odisha

www.aprf.org.in

DRUMSTICK

Moringa oleifera Lam.

Family : Moringaceae

Common name : Drumstick tree, Sajana ( Odia)

Location : Kalahandi, Odisha

Among myriad of natural plants, Moringa oleifera is called miracle vegetable because it is medicinal as well as functional food. The flowers, fruits as well as leaves have culinary uses.

Medicinal uses:

✨Moringa is used for malnourished children and for improvement of the immune system, against AIDS and HIV linked illnesses. 

✨Flowers are potential against Throat infection, common cold, anthelmintic, anti-tumor, rheumatism, tonic, abortion.

✨Moringa leaf powder encourages neuro-protection.  

✨Having anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, hypotensive, anti-diabetic, antiasthmatic, anthelmintic, anti-fertility etc. activities.

✨Bark is used in Toothache, Common cold, External Sores/Ulcer, Anti-Tumor, Snakebite, Scorpion bite, Headache etc.

✨Roots are used against Fever, Asthma, Diuretic, Diarrhea etc.

Sweta Mishra

Biodiversity and Conservation Lab.

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation Bhubaneswar, Odisha

www.aprf.org.in

Life Leaf

Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.)Oken

Family - Crassulaceae

-Bahamians call it "Life Leaf" or "Ploppers". 

-In the Bahamas it is mostly used for Asthma or shortness in breath.

💉 Medicinal uses  - 

⚡It is used for the treatment of easache, burns, abscesses, ulcer, insect bites, diarrhea & lithiasis.

⚡It is also used as  hypertension & for the treatment of kidney stones.

⚡ In South eastern Nigeria, it is used to facilitate the dropping of the placenta of a newly born baby.

⚡ Leaves are known to possess neurosedative and muscle relaxant, antimicrobial, antiulcer, uterine contractility, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic, antihypertensive and nephroprotective activities.

Sugimani Marndi 

Biodiversity & Conservation lab.

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

www.aprf.org.in

Birth and development in Asian Elephants

Birth and development in Asian elephant

🐘 The gestation period in elephant is about 2 years.

🐘 During wet season, generally births take place. 

🐘 When elephants are born, they are known as calves.

🐘The height is about 85 cm and weight is about 120 kg.

🐘 This comparatively prolonged pregnancy is taken care by five corpus leuteum and allows the foetus to develop for more time, especially the brain and the trunk. 

🐘 First few days, the newborn is not stable on its feet and require its mother support. 

🐘 It completely depends on touch, smell and hearing as its eye sight is very weak. 

🐘 It has just a little control over its trunk. After one month, a calf is able to pick up, hold and put objects in its mouth, but is unable to suck water through the trunk & drinks directly through the mouth. 

🐘 After three months of their birth, the calf is dependent on mother’s milk for nutrition; gradually, it starts to forage for vegetation and uses trunk to drink water. 

🐘 Within 9 months; mouth, trunk and foot are properly coordinated. 

🐘 In a year, calf is able to drink, feed itself and is fully developed. 

🐘 It still requires its mother for nutrition and defense for another year.

Alaka Sanghamitra

Photo from internet

Ambika Prasad Research Foundation

Bhubaneswar, Odisha

www.aprf.org.in