Medicinal Plant Resource Diversity of Agroecosystem in Thiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu, South India

Abstract : The Agroecosystems provide food, fuel, fodder, medicines, etc. These are all natural resources and livelihood for rural people in India. The aim of the present study was to document the diverse medicinal plant resources available in the agroecosystem of Valayampattu village in Thiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu, India. The field study was carried out during October 2018 to march 2019. The diverse of medicinal plant resources include a total of 32 plant families comprising 52 medicinal plant species (36 Trees, 3 Shrubs and 13 Herbs). Of them, the share of dicotyledons was 86.54% and monocotyledon was 13.46%. Among the dicotyledons, the families of polypetalae contributed 48.08 %, gamopetalae 17.31%, and monochlamydeae 21.15% to the Siddha medicinal plants. A total of 27 plant families comprising 43 plant species are used in Ayurveda medicines. Of these plant families the contribution of dicotyledons was 88.37 % and monocotyledons was 11.63 %. Among the dicotyledons, the families of polypetalae contributed 48.84 %, gamopetalae 20.93 %, and monochlamydeae 18.60 % to the Ayurveda medicinal plants used in the cure of human diseases. Leafs were found to be the predominant plant part (16.79 %) used in Siddha. This was followed by barks (15.33 %), fruits (15.33 %), and roots (13.14 %). Whereas, the fruits (17.98 %) of medicinal plants were preferred, followed by barks (include root and stem) (16.85 %), leaf/ash (15.73 %) and seed (11.24 %) in Ayurveda. Polypetalae plant with 42%, gamopetalae plant with 26%, dominated among the Siddha medicinal plants followed by monocotyledons. While in the case of Ayurveda medicinal plant groups, polypetalae 41% and gamopetalae plant 26 % were predominantly used. Medicinal plants resources in agroecosystem are significant to the local people as they rescue them from their primary health diseases. Increasing awareness on the medicinal plant resources in agricultural landscape can contribute to the conservation and management of medicinal plant diversity and the agroecosystem.