Usage of exotic plant species by native people in the Bargarh district of Western Odisha, India: an ethnobotanical study

The study aimed to document the usage of exotic plant species in Bargarh district, Western Odisha, India. It was based on both bibliographic sources and the survey to the documentation of exotic plants in Bargarh district, western Odisha, India. Periodic field surveys were carried out as interviews with 46 well-known inhabitants, the local villagers and practitioners involved in herbal medicines from Binjhal tribes. Seventy four species belonging to 65 genera and 33 families are reported. Asteraceae family contributed the highest number of species (11), six species were from both Amaranthaceae and Fabaceae, five from Poaceae; four species of Euphobiaceae; three species each from four families viz. Convolvulaceae, Malvaceae, Onagraceae, and Verbenaceae; two species each from six families i.e. Arecaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Capparaceae, Lamiaceae, Portulacaceae, Solanaceae; one species each from rest 18 families. Out of 74 species, a total of 41 species are native to Tropical America; five species are native to Mexico; each of three species to America; each of two species to Africa, Brazil, Europe, the Mediterranean, and South America; each of one species to Australia, Central America, China, Madagascar, Malaysia, North America, Pantropic, Peru, South America (1824), South America (17th cent.), Tropical West Asia, Tropical Africa, Tropical America (Bf1824), Tropical South America, and West Indies. The uses of exotic plants for various purposes indicated by the native peoples are discussed here. The present study gives complete and efficient documentation of exotic plants in the Bargarh district of Western Odisha that will provide a tool for maintaining the local biodiversity. Some plant species, such as Alternanthera sessilis, Borassus flabellifer, Cassia tora, Cleome gynandra, Datura metel, Gomphressa globosa, Sida acuta, Zinnia elegans, etc. may have potential as medicinal plants.