VIOLACEAE
(Violet family)
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| Pansy |
Violaceae is a family of about 22 genera and 900 species. It usually comprises perennial or annual herbs (Viola, Hybanthus), or shrubs (Alsodeia); rarely trees (Rinorea) or woody climbers (Agatea). Only 3 genera (Hybanthus, Vahila and Viola) have been reported from India. Famous pansies, violas and violets belong to this family. Majority of Indian Violaceae are found in Himalayas and hills of southern and western India.
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE
Ornamentals
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Except for garden favourites like pansies, violas and violets the family is of little economic importance. Over 100 species of Viola are being grown as ornamental plants. Common cultivated violet is Viola odorata and common pansy V. tricolor.
Medicinal
Dried flowers of Viola odorata (Vern. banafsha) are used against cough, influenza and lung troubles. Roots of Hybanthus enneaspermus are used against urinary tract infections and gonorrhoea, and also to cure bowel troubles of children.
Oil and perfumery
Oil obtained from the flowers of Viola odorata are used in perfumes and flavourings. Its leaves yield an essential oil used in scenting soaps.
CARYOPHYLLACEAE
(Pink family)
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| Dianthus |
Mostly annual or perennial herbs with often swollen nodes. Represented any about 75 genera and 2000 species, Caryophyllaceae are cosmopolitan in distribution, and mainly found in the north temperate or warm temperate regions of the world. Arctic forms are reduced and possess caespitose habit. Over 20 genera and about 100 species have been reported from India.Some selected Indian genera are:
- Antigonon,
- Dianthus,
- Drymaria,
- Gypsophila,
- Saponaria,
- Silene,
- Spergula
- Stellaria.
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE
Ornamental plants
Amongst several ornamentals of the family, some important ones include:
- Dianthus caryophyllus (carnation),
- D. berbatus (sweet William),
- D. plumarius (pink),
- D. sinensis (rainbow pink),
- Gypsophila paniculata (baby's breath),
- Silene pendula (catchfly),
- Lychnis alba (white campion),
- Saponaria vaccaria (cow cockle),
- Arenaria grandiflora,
- Cerastium arvense and
- species of Petrocoptis.
- Medicinal plants
- Dianthus anatolicus is used to cure intermittent fever;
- D. sinensis is used as a diuretic and also against gonorrhoea;
- Lychnis coronaria is used against diseases of liver and lungs;
- Silene apetala is useful in eye troubles;
- Spergula arvensis seeds are used in lung tuberculosis;
- Saponaria vaccaria sap is used against urinary bladder diseases;
- Stellaria media leaves are used against inflammations of digestive and respiratory tracts;
- The extract of the entire plant of Stellaria semivestita has anti cancerous properties.
- Fodder for cattle is obtained from Spergula arvensis and several other species of this family.
- Root of Saponaria vaccaria (var. Vaccaria pyramidata), Gypsophila, etc. contain saponin and used for washing wood and silk.
- Perfume is obtained from the flowers of Dianthus caryophyllus.
- Drymaria cordata is used to check soil erosion.
- Troublesome weeds of the family include Stellaria media, Cerastium, Silene conoidea, Saponaria vaccaria and Polycarpaea.
PORTULACACEAE
(Purslane family)
These are annual or perennial herbs with usually fleshy leaves. It is represented by about 20 genera and 500 species. Though cosmopolitan, the members are mainly distributed in western North America and southern South America. Only 7 species of portulacaceae have so far been reported from India.Selected Indian genera are- Portulaca and Talinum.
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE
Portulacaceae are of little economic importance some well known garden ornamentals such as:
- Portulaca grandiflora for its pink, red, yellow or white flowers.
- P. afra for its rose-coloured flowers, and
- P. oleracea for its showy flowers.
- Other ornamental plants of the family include several species of Calandrinia, Talinum and Lewisia.
- Portulaca oleracea is sometimes used as a pot herb and in salads and also in the ailments of kidney and urinary bladder.
- P. quadrifolia proves effective in cough and asthma.
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