Diversity of Medicinal Plants of Panjab University, Chandigarh, India-A Review

The Present survey reveals the occurrence of 364 taxa belonging to 282 genera and 92 families. Majority of these are from to family Fabaceae [38 species], followed by Asteraceae [32 species], Euphorbiaceae [18 species] and Moraceae [13 species], Malvaceae, Solanaceae and Verbenaceae [12 species each], Acanthaceae, Apocynaceae and Scrophulariaceae comprised of 10 species each whereas other families such as Acoraceae, Anacardiaceae, Campanulaceae, Fumariaceae, Papaveraceae, Phytolacaceae, Proteaceae etc. are represented by only one species. Majority of the species are herbs. Out of total 364 species, 349 are known to be used for medicinal purposes. Evidences suggested that the study area is rich in medicinal plant diversity which may be due to favourable ecological conditions and variable habitats. In this investigation, the richest floral diversity present in Panjab University Campus has been recorded.