Abstract
Indigenous knowledge regarding the local and medicinal uses of 34 species belonging to 21 families and 30 genera by the inhabitants of Landi Kotal Valley, Khyber Agency was documented. It is noted that 2 species were monocot while 32 were dicot. Lamiaceae and Solanaceae are represented by 4 species each, Asteraceae by 3 and Asclepiadaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Mimosaceae, Moraceae and Oleaceae are represented by 2 species each. Apocynaceae, Cannabaceae, Celastraceae, Colchicaceae, Elaeagnaceae, Fumariaceae, Liliaceae, Meliaceae, Papillionaceae, Salicaceae, Sapindaceae, Simaroubaceae, Zygophyllaceae are represented by 1 species each. It is concluded that 29 different diseases and ailments are cured through using these species. Different parts including bark, flowers, fruits, leaves, root, rhizome and seeds of these plants are used by the local inhabitants. All these species are collected from the wild and are regularly utilized by the local inhabitants. Various anthropogenic activities, over exploitation, over harvesting, grazing, soil erosion and unscientific collection are depleting the local flora and eroding the genetic diversity therein. The inhabitants of the Landi Kotal valley are mostly dependent on these plant species and it is important to carry out measures for the conservation of local knowledge and plant natural resources especially medicinal plants growing in the valley for future planning and research endeavors.
