Plant Names Research Articles

The Meaning of Plants' Names: A New Discovering Approach to Its Medicinal and/or Toxic Properties.

Some of the vernacular or scientific names are related to possible medicinal and/or toxic properties that can reveal the presence of potential bioactive agents, contributing to the discovery of new drugs and/or knowledge of the risks associated with their use. This study sought to list the scientific and vernacular names of plants whose lexicons are related to those possible properties of plants and to compare them with the "ethno" (ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological) and pharmacological data available in the scientific literature. A floating reading of the two classical and reference works on Brazilian medicinal plants was performed, and plants with vernacular and/or scientific names related to the possible medicinal and/or toxic properties were listed. Correlations between the meanings of the species' names (lexicon) and their possible biological properties were made from their translation from Latin by consulting dictionaries. A bibliographic survey was conducted on the "ethno" and pharmacological data for each species. Finally, data from these three dimensions (lexicon, "ethno," and pharmacology) were classified and compared using a bioprospection classification. It resulted in a list of 90 plant species belonging to 47 families. 66 of the 90 species presented "ethno" data from the scientific literature, while 46 species presented pharmacological data. Of these, 46 (69.7%) and 27 (58.7%), respectively, showed equivalence with the possible medicinal and/or toxic properties of plants according to their lexicons. According to this study, half of the plants investigated demonstrate equivalence in the three dimensions analyzed (lexicons, "ethno," and pharmacological data from the scientific literature). Gastrointestinal and nervous system categories are among the most common in all three dimensions. Plant lexicons may be closely linked to the possible medicinal and/or toxic properties and the study of plant lexicons may represent one more approach for the search for new drugs, mainly considering the gastrointestinal, nervous, and parasites categories.

A Study on Nutrient Evaluation of Sesbenia Grandiflora Flower Powder Incorporated in Soup Varieties

The agathi is a fast -growing tree The plant (botanical name Sesbania grandiflora) the flower white, pink and red. Sesbenia grandiflora, commonly called as vegetable hummingbird, katurai, agathi.The flowers hang in bell-like clusters behind the thicket of leaves. the flowers rank high in nutritional and medicinal value. The flowers growing most in February-March. . the flower rich in calcium, phosphorus, fat, iron,vitamins A, B, and C. Sesbania grandiflora plant is important medicinal plant .the flower cure in heart palpitation, inflammation, kidney related diseases including cancer. The Sesbenia grand flora highly nutrient rich in vitamins and minerals. The leaves of Sesbania grandiflora flower have been used in local traditional medicine.

REVIEW OF THE PHYTOTHERAPY FOR NEPHROLITHIASIS

Nephrolithiasis (kidney stone) cases have a prevalence ranging from 1% to 13%. The disease not only hampers kidney function but also elevates the risk of chronic kidney diseases. The pathophysiology of nephrolithiasis is closely linked to elevated concentrations of calcium, oxalate, and/or uric acid in the urine. Pharmacotherapy to manage nephrolithiasis includes thiazide diuretics, allopurinol, citrate supplements, and alpha-blockers that have been prescribed to relieve symptoms. In addition, there is growing interest in exploring the potential of phytotherapy. This review aims to identify suitable phytotherapy approaches by examining relevant articles on nephrolithiasis. The research methodology involved searching PubMed articles using the keywords of (("Plant Extracts") AND ("Nephrolithiasis")) OR ("Ureterolithiasis"). The articles obtained from the initial search were n =123. 2 authors screened articles for their eligibility. The inclusion criteria were limited to articles written in English, topics related to nephrolithiasis and not other kidney diseases, the botanical names of the plants and the method of extraction are clearly described, complete studies with clear descriptions regarding the methods and results, not synthetic drugs, and not involving medical instruments or laser to remove the stones. Articles included in the review were n = 17. Water and hydro-alcohol were the solvents used to extract the plants. Twenty-two plants have confirmed their anti-nephrolithiasis activity, and nine articles described the assay by in vivo study, two by in vitro study, three by both in vitro and in vivo study, and only one article mentioned a study in humans by a randomized-control trial on a mixture of herbs. It is concluded that Rhizoma alismatis, Poria cocos, Polyporus umbellatus, Atractylodis macrocephalae, and Cinnamomi Cassiae prepared as a mixture in the Wu-Ling-San formula have a potential therapeutic effect on nephrolithiasis, as this formula has been studied in humans.

From the name to the popular image of the plant: the Polish names for the black elder (Sambucus nigra)

The names of plants convey information on their appearance (shape, structure, colour), taste or smell, their uses (practical, ceremonial, magical and medicinal) as well as the beliefs and convictions associated with them. Assuming that the particular features of plants, entrenched in their names, must have been important to language users for some reason, the analysis of plant names can help reconstruct traditional knowledge about plants. The author analyses the standard and dialectal names for the black elder (Sambucus nigra) in Polish, juxtaposing the plant’s features revealed in its names (linguistic data) with the cultural accounts associated with the plant (“with-linguistic” data). This allows for the reconstruction of the following features of the plant: (a) the appearance of the shrub, (b) the properties of its fruit, (c) the smell of the plant, (d) the place where it grows, (e) the time of harvesting, (f) its use in folk medicine and (g) the association of the plant with impure powers and diseases. The conducted analyses show that reaching for hard “linguistic evidence” (standard and folk names) makes it possible to compile hierarchies of the characteristics of the plants described. Situating these names against the background of “with-linguistic” data leads to the conclusion that folk nomenclature and folk knowledge enrich and complement each other. The vast number of names for the black elder with different onomasiological bases, presenting different points of view, also demonstrate the relationship between the degree of lexical differentiation and the cultural meaning of the plant. The ethnolinguistic analysis of the names for the black elder (Sambucus nigra), similarly to ethnobotanical studies of folk plant names, provides insights into past and contemporary uses of the plant. Thus, it can provide a starting point for further ethnobotanical research.

Polytomous key for selecting plants according to decorative, phenological, phenotypic traits when landscaping cities in the south of Russia

The classic selection of plants for landscaping the urban environment is a rather labor-intensive process involving the use of a large number of reference materials, atlases and plant catalogs. It is necessary to consider various characteristics of plants, taking into account their decorativeness, mutual compatibility, survival in the natural conditions of each region, etc. The purpose of the research was developing a polytomous key and creating it using a modern computer program to simplify the selection of plants according to decorative, phenotypic and phenological characteristics for landscaping cities in the southern Russia. The method of compiling a polytomous key was used as a way to identify plants by several leading characteristics, when the original groups were simultaneously divided into several smaller ones. The life forms, size, habitus of plants, characteristics of the trunk and crown, characteristics of flowering and fruiting, as well as environmental requirements were taken into account. On the basis of the research results the assortment of ornamental plants in large nurseries of the Krasnodar Territory and the Republic of Adygea, a list of plant names was compiled and their characteristics were encoded using a polytomous key. The key consisted of 8 sections, thanks to which it was possible to give the most complete description of the plant according to 36 parameters. The resulting database received state registration certificate No. 2023621905. The base and operation of the polytomous key are like a computer program. The functioning of the program has been successfully tested. The created program greatly simplifies the work of choosing an assortment of plants for landscaping, reducing it to a few minutes.

Effect of deforestation on soil organic carbon fate and pool, a case study in Mazandaran, Iran

Deforestation and agricultural operations greatly impact soil organic carbon (SOC) and its fractions. In order to decrease carbon dioxide emissions, prevent threats to ecosystem stability, and apply efficient land use planning for sustainable soil management, it is essential to have a deep understanding of variations in soil organic carbon pools and their fractions. Soil samples were collected from six land uses of the undisturbed forest, pasture, orchard, and agricultural lands (cultivated with Oat, Maize, and three-carbon plants including wheat and soybean, which are indicated by the plant names of Oat, Maize + C3, and Maize + C3 (R) (R = rotationally)) with three replications at 0–30, 30–60, and 60–100 cm depths. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of land use on SOC, active carbon (AC), passive carbon (PC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) content and pools, its fractions, carbon management index (CMI), soil respiration (SR), soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), invertase (INV), and cellulase (CEL) enzymes activities in Dasht-e Naz region of northern Iran. Results illustrated that the different forms of organic carbon and enzyme activities were sensitive to land use change. The highest values of SOC (167.197, 39.179, 33.211 Mg ha−1), AC (24.596, 1.955, 1.637 Mg ha−1), and PC (142.6, 37.224, 31.575 Mg ha−1) pools were observed in the pasture land at all three depths. the highest value of DOC was seen in the pasture land at 0–30 and 60–100 depths and in the orchard at 30–60 cm depth. The values of SR (1.001 mg CO2 g dry soil−1 week−1), MBC (1367.7 µg organic carbon g soil−1), and CEL enzyme activity (648.04 µg glucose g dry soil−1 24 h−1) in the undisturbed forest were significantly greater relative to other land uses in 0–30 cm depth, along with significantly higher INV enzyme activity in the pasture and the orchard lands. The largest amount of SOC in 2–4.75 and 0.053–0.25 mm aggregates in all depths was related to the pasture and Maize + C3 land use, respectively. The concept of physical protection confirms the importance of aggregation in the stabilization processes of soil organic carbon, as a physical shield against microorganism attacks. The results of CMI demonstrated that the carbon storage capacity decreased due to the agricultural and orchard lands establishment in the region. Also, the change of land use towards pasture land increased the amount of organic carbon, preventing soil degradation.

An Inventory of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants of the National Veterinary Research Institute Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria

Traditional medicinal plants are still commonly used for primary healthcare in developing countries, and this study seeks to identify the types of medicinal plants present in our community and document the knowledge of poisonous plants. The study area was divided into four blocks, and the plants within each block were identified through a field survey using Android phones equipped with Google lens and GPS. Local and scientific names of the medicinal plants were identified using photographs, herbaria, and references. The study found a total of 98 medicinal plant species belonging to 41 plant families, with Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Lamiaceae families having the highest number of species. This study is significant for conserving traditional medicinal plants and adding to the inventory of medicinal plants in the area for conservation purposes. Furthermore, it is essential for public health and safety, as proper identification of medicinal plants is crucial to avoid poisoning

Принципи номінації лікарських рослин в українській та польській мовах

The work focuses on the problem of the formation of names of plants that increase immunity in the Ukrainian and Polish language. The author demonstrates the basic principles of the formation of medicinal plants in these two languages and the history of the creation of these names. In the contrastive aspect, convergence or divergence in the motivation of assigning Ukrainian and Polish names of plants is considered. The main reasons for mixing plant names are identified.

Shelf Life Improvement of Okra: A Review

Okra is a vegetable crop belonging to family Malvaceae. Its botanical name is Abelmoschus esculentus (Linn.), the plant originated from West Africa. Food content of okra pods include minerals salts, vitamins and proteins and roughages. Okra is a highly perishable commodity, after harvest of Okra, a great loss occurs because since the fruit undergoes continued respiration. Many post-harvest practices such as use of calcium chloride, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), heat treatment, cold storage, use of plant extract, have been used to extend the shelf life okra and the use of plant extract is regarded as the cheapest, most practicable method but the extraction of compounds should be safe and eco-friendly.

Angiosperm weeds diversity of Kohima District, Nagaland, Northeast India

The paper presents a comprehensive study of 118 common angiosperm weeds from Kohima District, Nagaland. These weeds represent 33 families and 92 genera. The botanical names, vernacular names, common names, family, habit, lifespan, voucher number and uses are enumerated systematically. The study reveals that certain plant families predominate in the study area, with Compositae (19.49%), Leguminosae (16.95%), and Poaceae (7.63%) being the most dominant. These families have a significant presence among the recorded weeds. Herbaceous plants were represented with the highest number of species (68%), followed by shrubs (16%), under shrubs (10%), climbers and vines (2%), creeping herb and lianas (1%). The paper also highlights the utilization of some weed species as medicines and vegetables for consumption by the local population as well as fodder for animals. The current study will provide an inventory of the common angiosperm weeds in Kohima District providing a valuable resource for local biodiversity preservation and also help researchers, scientists, farmers, and students who want to conduct further studies in this field.

An inventory of potential medicinal plants common in Purba and Paschim Medinipur districts of West Bengal, India to Treat leprosy

Present survey reported 66 species (dicots 56, monocots 9 and pteridophyte 01) of medicinal plants under 63 genera (dicots 55, monocots 7 and pteridophyte 01), 38 families (dicots 30, monocots 7 and pteridophyte 01) from different parts of Purba and Paschim Medinipur districts. In ancient times traditionally drugs were extracted from different parts of the plants like roots, stems, barks, bulbs, seeds, fruits, tubers, wood and as a whole from the all parts of a plant. Besides the above mentioned parts, some drugs are also collected from excretory plant products like gums, seed oil, latex, juice/ plant sap etc. as a novel source of active principles for the preparation of medicine as an antidote for their daily life health care management. Mycobacterium leprae, is a bacteria that causes a chronic disease called Leprosy and consequently damages peripheral nervous system and skin. Present investigation recorded 66 plants bearing medicinally active compounds in their different parts ultimately that can be administered for the treatments of leprosy. The botanical name, Bengali name (s), habit, parts used and mode of applications of these compounds under references are also discussed in this paper.

Номинация растений по признаку сходства с другими растениями в финно-пермских языках

Phytonymy, an important part of the nominal vocabulary, is a subject of study that has significance in linguistics and other disciplines such as history and ethnography. This paper examines the nomination of plants by comparing them with other plant names from the vocabulary of Finno-Permic languages. The aim is to describe how the folk names of a plant are nominat-ed based on their similarity to other plants by analyzing common nomination patterns in relat-ed languages and examining various aspects of the nomination process. The data were taken from various lexicographic sources, monographs, and articles. In total, more than a hundred folk phytonyms were considered. These are complex nouns comprising two or three components connected by a subordinating conjunction. The plant name to which the nomination object is compared takes the last place in such phytonyms. The names under consideration were found to be produced mostly based on two main attributes: resemblance to another plant and an additional characteristic such as color, habitat, growth period, taste, or fragrance. Flora vocabulary was studied mainly by descriptive methods, with component and semantic analysis approaches used in some cases. In the Finno-Permic languages, plant nomination based on similarity with another plant is less prevalent compared to nominations based on other features. We believe that it is due to the late origin of this intricate form of nomination that has led to its separate development in each language. Several plants, such as willow, peas, anemone, and horsetail, are particularly prevalent as objects of comparison.

Названия растений в Словаре Академии Российской (1789–1794): источники и принципы лексикографирования

The 18th century was the time of dramatic transformations in various life spheres of the Russian Empire. Significant changes occurred in scientific knowledge as well. After founding the Academy of Sciences and creating botanical and apothecary gardens in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Astrakhan, and Tobolsk, scientific botany was being established and botanical terminology was being formed. In 1789-1794, the Dictionary of the Russian Academy (DRA) was published. It was the first academic dictionary, and many famous natural scientists of that time participated in its compilation. The project authors actively used their predecessors’ works. Since DRA was conceived as a normative dictionary, not all phytonyms could be included. A thorough discussion of the materials preceded the work on the explanatory part. The headwords selection was based on analogous tables. They contain approximately 55,000 headwords; more than 1,800 are plant names, names of plant parts (such as apple), and adjectives derived from them. In analogous tables, we find references to the travels by 1.1. Lepekhin, P.S. Pallas, and I.G. Gmelin. Many of these references are confirmed on addressing the sources. Depending on the volume, 30% to 70% phytonyms from the analogous tables were included in DRA. DRA entries describing flora and fauna are notable for their encyclopedic style and include Linnaean Latin taxonomic names. Researchers see the reason in the fact that these entries were taken from a natural science reference work - the Lexicon of Natural History, compiled by 1.1. Lepekhin at that time. DRA also included phytonyms from the works by S.P. Krasheninnikov. Synonymous names with various geographical or stylistic marks could be explained independently of each other in different dictionary entries or through references from one entry to another. In DRA, as in other lexicographic works, there are looped references and so-called “blind links” leading to non-existing dictionary entries. To find the denotation of a phytonym without interpretation, researchers often need to address other texts containing the lexemes of interest. We are especially grateful to the project participants M.M. Pirogovskaya, O.S. Belichenko, and G.A. Molkov for valuable comments. The authors declare no conflicts of interests.

Place and usage characteristics of Turkic elements in plant names in East Slavic languages

Place and usage characteristics of Turkic elements in plant names in East Slavic languages

Reading Mustawfī in Turkish: A Study on Translation as a Means for the Transfer of Botanical Knowledge in Ottoman Kurdistan

This article examines a mid-seventeenth century Turkish translation of the Persian encyclopaedic work Nuzhat al-Qulūb by Ilkhanid historian Ḥamdallāh Mustawfī Qazvīnī (d. after 744/1344). Composed in the Kurdish emirate of Bidlīs, southwest of Lake Van, at the request of its ruler Abdāl Khān (r. 1031–1074/1622–1664), this translation is extant in two manuscripts, both kept in Ankara’s Millî Kütüphane as MSS A 957 and A 979. I will focus on the translation of the Nuzhat’s botanical section as it appears in MS A 979, and, more specifically, on the plethora of marginal and interlinear notes left by two later readers of the manuscript. These two annotators give the Turkish names of the various plants, which were not provided by the translator, and they also occasionally provide information on their medicinal and pharmacological properties. As a case study on these paratextual elements, this article also contributes to our understanding of translation as a means for the transfer of knowledge in the Ottoman Empire.

Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used in cosmetics in Ketama (North of Morocco)

Medicinal plants serve as a significant source of bioactive molecules, with their utilization in the medical realm dating back to ancient times through herbal preparations. In Morocco, the utilization of plants remains integral to traditional medicine. Despite numerous studies documenting indigenous knowledge regarding plant use, scant attention has been given to northern Morocco, particularly the Rif region. This study seeks to enrich and consolidate our understanding of plant utilization in this area. The ethnobotanical investigation was centred on medicinal plants employed in cosmetics within northern Morocco. A questionnaire was disseminated, gathering data encompassing plant names, utilized plant parts, and preparation methods. The study identified 32 plant species utilized in cosmetics, including Cannabis sativa L., Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter, Juglans regia L., and Rubus fruticosus L. Leaves emerged as the most used plant parts, with decoction and infusion being the predominant preparation methods. This survey facilitated a comprehensive examination of ethnobotanical knowledge, shedding light on the primary plants employed in cosmetics. Prudent management of these resources is imperative to prevent future shortages.

A checklist of European butterfly larval foodplants.

Butterflies are charismatic insects and have been well studied, particularly in Europe. They are disproportionately used in generating and testing hypotheses; on everything from general evolutionary processes, such as speciation or host association dynamics; to conservation-related studies, such as climate change or habitat loss. Accurate lists of the larval foodplants for European butterflies are not readily available. Mistakes are propagated and information cannot be checked for accuracy. The level of evidence is unknown, and how usage varies between countries is poorly understood. The study consulted 1119 references to produce 19,488 records of larval foodplants for European butterflies. This resulted in 5589 larval host plant records for 464 European butterfly species, with multiple references, enabling information to be checked. Information was unavailable for 59 species. The level of evidence for each relationship shows the current state of knowledge. Significant issues were identified for 3.9% of records extracted from references due to mistakes, ambiguous or unknown plant names, distribution issues, resulting in information being lost. Plants with questionable distributions suggest either mis-identification or species that have been split. Little is known about plant usage in Eastern Europe. The larval foodplants of many monophagous and Satyrinae butterflies are poorly studied. Only 63% of threatened 2010 Red Listed butterflies have reliable host plant records. The study has provided ecologists with a valuable resource, of a more accurate checklist of the larval foodplants for each European country. Why plant usage varies over a butterfly's distribution opens up some interesting research questions.

Биоразнообразие растений коллекционного фонда Ботанического сада БФУ им. И. Канта

The article is dedicated to summarizing the results of the inventory of the plant collection at the Botanical Garden of the Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University (IKBFU). Over the past 20 years, the taxonomic composition has nearly doubled. New collection sections have been created (for fruit plants, magnolias, lilacs, rhododendrons, medicinal plants, and others), and the reconstruction of the greenhouse collection has significantly enriched the assortment of tropical, subtropical, and arid plants. The inventory was conducted using standard methodologies applied for plant accounting in botanical gardens. The plant names comply with the requirements of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (2017), taking into account the modern International Taxonomic System of Classification (APG IV) and the database of the International Plant Taxonomy Encyclopedic Internet Project (The Plant List). As a result of the inventory of the taxonomic composition of the collections, a new “Catalogue of Plants of the Botanical Garden of IKBFU for the 120th Anniversary of its Founding” has been prepared for publication. The catalogue provides an informational resource on the biodiversity of the garden’s collection, a systematic characterization of taxa, and the scientific organization of the objects.

A Critical Analysis of Kushthaghna Dravyas Mentioned in Sushrutokta Gana with Commentators View on Controversial Drugs

Ayurveda is one of the oldest medical systems with a holistic approach to health and individualize medicine. All the skin diseases in Ayurveda have been discussed under the broad heading of Kushtha. The literal meaning of Kustha is “Kushnati tad vapuhu” which means the Roga which causes discoloration, disfiguration. Acharya Charaka, Sushruta, and Vaghbhata mentioned Kushthghna Dravyas (drugs acting on skin diseases) in their books respectively. Sushruta Samhita is one of prime compendium of Ayurveda where various categorization (Gana) of drugs acting according to different ailments is mentioned in Sutrasthana 38th chapter named Dravyasangrehniya-adhyaya. The objective of the present article is to study the drugs which are mentioned in the category of the drugs which acts on Kushtha (Kushthghna), with their chemical constituents, and pharmacological actions with special reference to Sushruta Samhita and other related books. Rasa-panchaka, botanical names with family, contraversial identification according to commentator’s views are also discussed for better understanding of Dravyas. The review concluded that herbs mentioned in Ayurveda (Sushrutokta Gana) are beneficial in skin diseases and cosmetics in one or another way and also this article will help Ayurvedic UG/PG students, PhD scholars and Ayurveda physicians in both academics and clinical aspect.

Notes on Egyptian Plant Names in Pseudo-Dioscorides

Among the many phytonyms transmitted in the manuscript branch R of Dioscorides’ De materia medica, 149 names can be found which are marked as Egyptian. With only a few exceptions (e.g. αἷμα ὄνου ‘male fern’), almost all seem to be of foreign origin. The paper presents, on the one hand, the history of research in this field, and on the other, sheds new light on several glosses. Particular attention is paid to plant names for which some Egyptian or Coptic equivalents can be found.