Distribution of Grewia species in Kachchh Gujarat, India: Taxonomy, Traditional Knowledge and Economic Potentialities

Abstract

Grewia tenax (Forsk.) Fiori, and G. villosa Willd. (Tiliaceae) are locally known as Gangeti and Luska respectively. These are medium size shrub species with multipurpose uses. Its fresh and dry fruit are utilized as food by the local peoples, leaves as forage for livestock. Plant parts of G. tenax like fruit pulp and root bark are used to cure swelling and dysentery. While fruit of G. villosa is used to cure different ailments like stomach upset, cough, genitourinary infections etc. These species are abundantly distributed in arid and semiarid region of India and have multiple use in food and medicines. However, its systematic utilization and domestication for cultivation is limited and only scanty information about various aspect of species is available. Grewia species is studied in this paper for distribution of diversity, taxonomy, utilization potential. The information with respect to its geographical distribution in Kachchh and potential food values, fodder utilization and possibility of large scale cultivation of this underutilized, wild plant species has been discussed in detail.