Ecological, Taxonomical and Ethenobotanical Study of Wild Fruit Producing Xerophytes of District Bannu, Kpk

Abstract

The present study was carried out, to assess record and report the ecological, taxonomical and medicinal propertiesrnof wild fruit producing xerophytes of District Bannu. A total of 6 wild fruit producing plants species belonging to 5rnfamilies of Angiosperm were recorded. Based upon their utility, all plants are wild and fruit producing plants and arernused as a honey bee species, fuel, timber, control erosion as well as protect environment from pollution. Alsornprovide best quality wood as well as fruits for economically weak people. The most important families of wild fruitsrnproducing xerophytes are Rhamnaceae having two plants i.e. Zizyphus mauritiana Z. numalria, while the remainingrn4 families have one species each, i.e. Mimosaceae (Acacia senegal), Capparadaceae (Capparis deciuda),rnSalvadoraceae (Salvadora oleoides) & Eleagnaceae (Elaeagnus angustifolia). Most plants are wild shrub or treernfound in xeric habitat some can also grow in sandy soil such as Acacia senegal while some of them grow in clayrntype of soil such as Capparis deciuda and Salvadora oleoide. Informants including local people i.e. Farmer,rnHerbalists, Hakim and Medicinal plants user were interviewed for the collection of data through questionnaire. It isrnsuggested that vulnerable and over-exploited medicinal plants may be conserved for sustainable use and to protectrnenvironment and also prevent soil erosion in desert. Some medicinal plants are depleting in Bannu District due tornlack of interest by the local people e.g. Elaeagnus angustifolia. If local community does not give proper attention tornthe plant then soon a time will come that this species will be depleted from this area.