Folklore use of Common Hydrophytes Found in and around ‘The Jagannath Temple’, Puri, Odisha

Abstract

Background: Wetlands are rich in aquatic resource which maintains biodiversity and offers support to various aquatic lives. This atmosphere is generally supports hydrophytic plants or hydrophytes.^[1] In India wetlands occupy 59.2 million hectres.^[2] Puri is a coastal district of Eastern Odisha famous for “The Jagannath Temple” and associated ponds, wells and host of other ancient monuments along with long sea beaches and many rivers. Much survey has been done previously for hydrophytes in India and other districts of Odisha, but not much for Puri district. This work is important as many folklore practicing peoples are using various aquatic herbs for treatment purpose. Methodology: The study was conducted during 2022-2023, involving field visit, meeting with folklore practicing people and taking the photographs of plants for identification. The plants were identified based on The Flora of Odisha^[3] and Botany of Bihar & Odisha^[4] and contemporary monographs and reviews.^[5,6] Results & Discussion: A total number of 36 species belonging to 22 families were documented and their supposed folklore medicinal uses have been recorded.