Vitaceae
(Grape family)
A small family of only 12 genera and 700 species, Vitaceae are mostly distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Most genera are vines or climbing shrubs and they have climbing habit with the terminal buds of plants developing into tendrils. 8 genera and 70 species have been reported from India, mostly grown in plains. Most important and universally known plant of the family is Vitis vinifera (Grapevine).Some other selected Indian genera are-
- Ampelocissus,
- Cayratia,
- Cissus and
- Leea.
Economic Importance
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| A Vineyard |
Fruits: Principal economic plant is Vitis vinifera (grapevine) whose several varieties are grown for their edible fruit, the source of raisins, wines, sultanas and currants. Other species of Vitis known for their less palatable edible fruits include V. aestivates and V. labrusca. Fruits of Leea crisps and L. microphylla are also edible.
Ornamental vines:
- Parthenocissus tricuspidata (Japanese creeper),
- P. quinquefolia (Virginia creeper) and
- several species of Ampelopsis,
- Cissus,
- Rhoicissus, etc. are cultivated as ornamental vines on walls.
Medicinal value:
- Leaves and roots of Cayratia carnosa are used in high fever.
- Tubers of Cissus adnata are used as blood purifier.
- The essential oil obtained from the plant of Leea aequata are used against tuberculosis.
- Roots of L. indica are used in diarrhoea.
- Tubers of L. macrophylla are used in ringworm disease.
Minor uses:
- Indian lac insect is grown onLeea crisps and L. edgeworthi.
- Leaves of several species of Parthenocissus are used as fodder.
- A strong cordage fibre is obtained from the stems of Cissus adnata and C. quadangularis.
Sapindaceae
(Soapberry family)
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| Acer |
Usually trees or shrubs with pinnately compound leaves. A family of 155 genera and over 2200 species, Sapindaceae are distributed mainly in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. About 25 genera and 75 species of this family have been reported from India, mainly from tropical Eastern Himalayas and Western Peninsular India.
- Sapindus saponaria (soapberry tree) provide the common name 'soapberry family' to this family.
- Litchi chinensis (Litchi),
- Acer saccharinum (sugar maple),
- Paullinia (Guarana),
- Aesculus,
- Dodonaea,
- Schleichera and
- Cardiospermum (balloon vine) are other famous genera of the family.
Economic Importance
The economic importance of Sapindaceae lies in the fact that it provides several edible fruits (e.g. Litchi), saponin, guarana, akee plus some ornamental plants.
- Delicious edible fruits are obtained from Litchi chinensis (Litchi), Blighia sapida (Akee), Euphoria longana (anshphal), Melicocca bijuga and Nephelium lappaceum (rambutan). The edible part of litchi is sweet pulpy aril which surrounds the seed.
- Acer hippocastanum (horse chestnut tree) fruits are given to horses as well as used for manufacture of starch. A. indica is a timber-yielding plant and its fruits and seeds are used in rheumatic complaints. A.saccharinum (sugar maple) is the source of maple sugar and timber.
- Dodonaea viscosa (vilayati mehndi), an evergreen shrub, is a popular ornamental hedge plant.
- Nephelium lappaceum (rambutan or malaya) fruits are edible and the fat obtained from its seeds is used in making candles and soap.
- Paullinia cupana (Guarana) seeds are used like cacao in Brazil to make a drink having high caffeine content.
- Sapindus mukorossi (Rita or soap nut tree) and S. saponaria (soapberry tree) fruits contain saponin. On being moistened saponin forms a lather and is used as soap. Ritha is used for washing hair and clothes. Saponin is used in the preparation of soaps, tooth pastes, shampoos as well as some insecticides.
- Schleichera oleosa yields edible fruit and this tree is used for rearing lac insects. It also provides a good timber and the oil obtained from its seeds is used for cooking.
Anacardiaceae
(Cashew family)
Anacardiaceae is a family of about 80 genera and 600 species. It is mostly tropical but found also in temperate regions of Mediterranean, America and Eastern Asia. 23 genera and 115 species of Anacardiaceae have been reported from India.Selected Indian genera are-
- Mangifera,
- Rhus,
- Anacardium,
- Spondias,
- Buchanania and
- Lannea.
Economic Importance
Anacardiaceae is important for the mango, cashew, pistachio, resins, oils, tannic acids, chironji, lacquers, several ornamentals as well as for causing dermatitis in humans.
- Mangifera indica (mango) is universally known for its delightful and delicious fruit as well as providing pickles and timber.
- Anacardium occidentale (cashew nut) is famous for its edible nuts (seeds). The fruit and seed coat of the cashew contain a poison, however its seeds are edible.
- Buchanania lanzan (chironji) seeds are commonly used in sweet-meats in India. Its bark is used for tanning.
- Harpephyllum caffrum (kaffir plum) is famous for its edible fleshy fruits.
- holigarna arnottiana provides useful timber for match industry and packing cases.
- Lannea coromandelica bark is used for tanning and provide a gum used in calico painting.
- Parishia insignia provide useful timber for railway sleepers.
- Pistacia vera (pistachio-nuts) is the source of famous edible nuts used sweet-meats, ice creams, etc. P. lentiscus (mastic tree) yields a mastic resin used in chewing gums, alcoholic beverages, etc.
- Rhus vernicifera (lacquer tree) is grown for its milky poisonous latex. Contact with this plant may cause dermatitis in humans. Tannic acids obtained from R. coriaria R. parviflora fruits are used as tamarinds.
- Schinopsis lorentzii is used in leather-tanning industry.
- Semecarpus anacardium (dhobis nut) fruits provide a black ink used for dyeing textiles.
- Spondias axillaire and S. pinnate (hog plum) fruits are edible and made into pickles.
- Taxicodendron vernicifera provide us resins and oils.
- Some ornamental plants of Anacardiaceae include Cotinus coggygria, Rhus typhina and Spondias pinnata.
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