The Study of Potential Medicinal Plants of Badulla District(Hali-Ela,Haldummulla) And the Conservations in The Vicinity of Their Habitats

Abstract

Medicinal plants used in herbalism have medicinal activities, nutritional values and recommended for their therapeutic values.The objective of the study is to determine the medicinal plants of Badulla district(Hali-Ela,Haldummulla).Badulla,an intermediate climatic zone area contains rarely found plants in other areas. A survey study has been carried out for three months (Dec 2013- Feb 2014) in some abandoned lands, places rich with medicinal plants through field trips and made conversation with old generation people connected with them.Total of 154 medicinal plant species belonging to 79 families were identified This comprises perennials (36.3%), annuals (42.9%) and biennials (20.8%). Based on morphology herbs(35), trees(52), shrubs(42), climbers(13), cactus(2), aquatic medicinal plants(2) and poisonous plants(8). According to the parts use of medicine whole plants(15), leaves(61), barks(15), flowers(6), roots(13), seeds(9), fruits(26), rhizomes(5) and woods(4). Considering with disease diabetes mellitus(10), skin diseases(20), vatha diseases(15), respiratory diseases(15), hypertension(2) and poisonous bites(2) are used in medicinal purposes. Among these medicinal plants (13) are proportionately found higher in the hill station than other climatic zones of Sri Lanka. Some of these comprises Ruta graveolans, Anoectochilus setaceus, Zeuxine regia and Hydnocarpus laurifolia.Red listed plants are namely Celastrus paniculatus and Coscinum fenestratum. Carnivorous Medicinal plants namely Nepellia distillatoria. Epiphytes(2), plants used as substitutes for genuine plants(3), misidentified plants(2), invasive plants(1) and (30-40) are used by Siddha and Ayurvedic traditional medicine practitioners. Though Badulla is an intermediate zone it contains of plants from dry and wet zones too. Such are Diospyros malabarica Erythroxylum monogynum and Acronychia pedunculata. The conservation achieved through in-situ and ex-situ to promote the sustainable use via socio awareness education.