Economic importance of Papilionaceae

                         Economic Botany

                    Economic importance of Papilionaceae

                                   

                               Taxonomic position

                               Division:    Magnoliophyta

                               Class;         Magnoliopsida

                               Subclass:    Rosideae

                               Order:        Fabales

                               Family:       Fabaceae

                               Subfamily: Papilionoideae

    Papilionaceae :

• It is commonly called pea family.

• According to Gunderson papilionaceae is a family ofdicotyledonous plants closely related to family legumenoseae. The plants are often considered to be subfamily of legumenoseae.

• It is represented by the 480 genera and 12000 speciesbut in pakistan, it is represented by 82 genera and 600species. 

• The members of this family are xerophytes, mesophytes,hydrophytes and halophytes.

             Abrus precatorius l. (Chanothi, gunj)

                                   

  It is a deciduous climbing plant numerous stems from the base  that can be up to 6 meters, occasionally 9 meters long.   Range  Tropical Africa: E. Asia-India, China , through southeastern Asia  to the Philippines, Northern Australia.   Cultivation details

• Prefers a rich, well drained, sandy loam and position in full sun partial shade, tolerant of saline conditions. 

• The plants has escaped from cultivation in many areas outside itsnative range, and become established in the wild.

• It establishes well in disturbed sites and spreads rapidly after fires,becoming a weed of pastures and non-cropland. 

• Symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules onthe roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. 

  Edible uses :

• The roots contains the substances gylcyrrhizin, which is 50-60 times sweeter than sugar, is often use medicinally and as flavoring.

• Unfortunately the roots also contain toxic emetic compound so its usecannot be recommended. 

Tender young leaves, cooked in time of scarcity. Seeds, contain toxic substances but these are easily broken down by heat(65OC)

Medicinal uses

• The seeds contain a number of medically active ingredients,including the extremely toxic substances abrin, indole alkaloidsand anthocyanin. 

• They are extremely toxic but are used medicinally as an abortifacient, contraceptive, emetic andirritant. 

• Roots have been used to treat digestive disorder. ØThe stem bark is emollient. 

• A decoction is used as a tratment ofstomach ache, colds, cough, sore throat and asthma.

Other uses
1) The thin stem or branches are used as temporary tying material. 2) The bark is twisted into rough cordage. 3) The leaves are sensitive to light changes and droop from ahorizontal to a vertical position at night and during storms. Theplant is said to be able to be used as a predictor of stormsbased in the movement of leaves. 4) The bright colored, red and black poisonous seeds are used asbeads and to make necklaces.
Butea monosperma (palash, flame of forest)
               
Description: A medium size decidous tree, 12-15m in hightwith gum containing grey bark, crooked trunk, leaves 3 foliatelarge unequal, flowers bright orange, red, fruits pods. 
Regional habitat:
Rajistan, Thailand, Malaysia grows in opengrassland areas. Part used: Flower, leaves, bark, stemMedicinal use: seeds are useful in flatulence and piles. Leavesare used as febrifuge. Bark (butea gum) is used in diarrhoea anddysentery. The flowers are useful in the treatment of liver disorder.
Agroforestry Uses :

• Seedling and green branches are spread in rice fields as a saltfiltering agent and green manure. 

• Leaf decomposing bacteriaproduce a slime that is able to aggregate clay particles. In thecourse of this process micro cavities are formed loosening the compacted soil and allowing leaching of noxious salts from thesoil solution. 

 Other uses:

• The flowers are used for the preparation of a yellow dye (specially for silk)

• A red dye is obtained from the roots.

• The bark is a source of tannins.

    Cajanus cajan l. (pigeon pea)                         
Pigeon pea is short lived erect, woody shrub growing about 4
meters tall with erect ribbed, densely pubescent stems.Range: E. Asia , IndiaHabitat: Not known in a truely wild situation. it is sometimesfound in grassy habitats in savannahs, shrubland and waste land. Cultivation details:

• Grows well in lowland tropical areas up toan elevation of 1500 meters. There are some cultivars that are adapted to wet, humid tropics so long as the soil is well drained. a temperature of 20-30oC is preferred but under optimal cultural conditions good yeilds can be obtained with temperature up to 35oC.

Edible uses Seeds: very young seeds can be cooked and eaten liken    peas,going  well in rice dishes. Matures seeds are dried and added to soups. Leaves and young shoots: cooked and used as a vegetable. The leaves contain upto 9% protein. 
Medicinal uses:leaves: used as a treatment for pulmonary condition such ascough and bronchitis. Young leaves are chewed to treat boils onthe tongue.Young shoots and green seedpods are used to make agood pectoral infusion. Flowers and leaves: an infusion of the flowers and leaves isdiuretic and is used as a diabetes remedy. Leaf contains cholesterol.The root bark contains numerous flavones includingcajaflavanone, cajanone and triterpenes. An enzymes called Urease can be extracted from the plant. Ithas medicinal applications.
Agroforestry uses

• A good green manure crop. 

• The plant has an extensive root system and is often grown tp bind soil. It is also grown to provide shelter from the wind. 

• Leaf fall at maturity adds to the organic matter in the soil and provide additional nitrogen.

Other uses:

• The stems are used in basketry and thatching. The plants areoften used as brooms.

• The wood is used in light construction such as in roofing,wattling on carts.

           Canavalia gladiata (Sword Bean)
                       

• It is deep rooted, annual to perennial climbing plant. History: it is believed to have originated in eastern Asia and the seeds carried to many other areas of the tropics. 

• It is widely cultivated as an annual in tropical and some subtropical areas for its edible seeds and seedpots. 

• The plant is also grown as an ornamental on fences and against houses. Hazards: The mature seeds contain toxic alkaloids. These can be destroyed by thoroughly boiling the seeds twice in salt water.

Range: tropical Asia and AfricaEdible uses :Young seedpods: raw or more commonly cooked and used asvegetable. Seeds cooked, boiling is necessary in order to destroy a toxicalkaloid. 
Medicinal uses

• Ureases is extracted from the seeds. It is used in clinallaboratories for the in-vitro determination of urea in humanblood.

• In Korea it is used in the treatment of vomiting, abdominal dropsy, asthma, obesity, cough, headache, epilepsy etc

• A soap is marketed there which is based on the extracts of swordbean, it is used in the treatment of athlete’s foot and acne. 

• In Japan it is effective in treating boils and cancer, all kind ofinflammatory disease and atopic dermatitis. 

Agroforestry uses:The plant is sometimes grown as a green manure crop or as atemporary ground cover.
Clitoria ternatea ( bluebell vine, butterfly pea)
              
In India it is revered as a holy flower, used in daily puja rituals. The flowers of this wine were imagine to have the shape of human
female genitals.Distribution: It is a perennial herbaceous plant, with eliptic obtuseleaves. It grows as a wine or creeper, doing well in moist, neutralsoil. It is grown as an ornamental plant. Food: the young pods are eaten as vegetableFlowers are used to give a blue tinge to rice cake and boiled rice. Young leaves: cooked and used as a vegetable. The leaves can alsobe used to color food.
Medicinal uses
Flowers are mixed with water in a preparation used to treat eye
problems. Seeds: The powdered, ripe seeds are aperients and purgative. Roots are bitter, powerfully cathartic, diuretic and purgative. Roots bark is diuretic and laxative.Root bark contains tannins. Agroforestory uses :Butterfly pea has a reputation as a potential fodder plant. It isused as a cover crop in coconut in southern India and in rubberin Malaysia.
                       Crotalaria medicaginea
             
Crotalaria is a genus of flowering plants. The genus include 500species of herbs and shrubs.Africa is the continent with the majority of crotalaria species(500 species), which are mainly found in damp grassland,especially in flood plains, depressions and along the edges ofswaps and river. Crotalaria medicagenea is a prostrate to erect perennial plantwith slender, branched stems that become more are less woody and persist. It can grow 15-50cm tall. 
Range E. Asia- southern china, Afghanistan, Indian subcontinent,
Thailand, Philippines, Australia.
Habitat:seashore sandy areas, grassy slopes, along trails; at elevationaround 100-280 meters. Cultivation details:species in this genus generally thrive in a wide range of welldrained soils and a sunny position. This species has a symbioticrelationship with bacteria. Edible uses:unknown
Medicinal uses: •The plant is bitter and expectorant. It is used to help expel bileand phlegm. • The juice of the leaves is said to reduce salivation. It is used internally and externally in the treatment of scabies andimpetigo.  • A paste of leave is taken with milk to treat white discharge. Other uses:not known.
Alyscicarpus vaginalis (white moneywort, one leaf clover)
              
Description:Alysicarpus vaginalis is a species of flowering plant in thelegume familyØ This species is annual or perennial herbØ It is native to parts of the Africa and Asia , it has beenintroduced to other continents such as Australia and America. ØThey reach 1m in length and usually have branchesØ The flower color is red, yellow, purple and blue. CultivationØ It is cultivated as fodder for livestock, for erosion control and asgreen manure.
Cyamopsis tetragonolaba (Guar, guvar bean)
Origin:Ø Origin of cyamopsis tetragonoloba is unknown. It is assumed tohave developed from the African species cyamopsis senegalensis. itwas further domesticated in India and Pakistan. Guar grows well insemi-arid areas. Uses:Agriculture :• Forage: Guar plant can be use as cattle feed. But due tohydrocyanic acid in its beans, only mature beans can be used. • Green manure: guar plantings increase the yield of subsequentcrops as this legume conserves soil nutrients contents.
Domestic use :
• Vegetable: gaur leaves can be used like spinach, and the pods are
prepared like salad or vegetables. Its beans are nutritious, but guarprotein is not usable by humans unless toasted to destroy thetrypsininhibitor.Guar gum: the seeds of the guar bean contain a large endosperm. This endosperm consist of a large polysaccharide of galactose and mannose. This polymer is water soluble and exhibit a vescosifying effect in water. Food: in several food and beverages guar gum is used as additive to change its viscosity or as fiber source.Baked goods: Dough improverCheese: texture improver
Desmodium heterocarpon (Asian tick trefoil)
                     
Desmodium heterocarpon is an aggressively creeping,stoloniferous perennial plant that can grow from 30-150cm tall,producing dense stands. Range: E. Asia- China, Japan, Indian subcontinent, Thailand,Malaysia, Philippines, Australia. Habitat: grasslands, grassy slopes, watersides, thickets forest. Medicinal use: The whole plant is used medicinally forreducing fever and for treating contusions and strains. Agroforestry uses: the plant produce a heavy, matty growth inopen sandy area making it useful as a weed controlling groundcover. Prevent soil erosion.

Pongamia pinnata is a fast growing, medium sized, evergreenor briefly deciduous, glabrous shrub or tree with a broad crownof spreading or drooping branches. Range:E. Asia-Indian subcontinent, through south-east Asia to north- eastern Australia, Fiji and Japan. Known hazards:Seeds are poisonous. Pounded and roasted seeds are used to beutilized as fish poison. Edible uses:not knownPongamia pinnata (Indian beech tree)
Medicinal usesThe seeds oil is given as a stomachic and cholagogue in theteatment of dyspepsia and cases of sluggish liver. The powdered seed is given as an expectorant in the treatmentof bronchitis and whooping cough, also described as a febrifugeand tonic. The leaves are crushed and applied as a poultice for thetreatment of parasitic skin diseases and to relieve bleedingThe flowers are claimed to have anti-diabetic action. The root bark contain a bitter alkaloid and is used as anabortifacient.
Agroforestry uses :Because of its extensive lateral roots, and ability to fixatmospheric nitrogen, this is a preferred species for controllingsoil erosion and binding sand dunes. Due to high salinity tolerance ability it is used in Saline soilreclamation. Other usesThe roots yield a natural pigment called pinnatin. ØThe wood ash is employed in dyeing. The bark fibre is made into string, twine or ropes.
 Melilotus indicus (annual yellow sweet clover)
              
Melilotus indicus is an erect, annual herb growing about 1m
tall. The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild as a localsource of food medicines and as insect repellent. Range :southern Europe, north Africa, china, Pakistan, India and Nepal. Habitat :Fields and waste places, alkaline soils of meadow, roadsides inchina. Edible usesLeaves -cooked
Medicinal usesThe seeds are made into gruel and used in the treatment ofbowel complaints and infantile diarrhea.The plant contain coumarin which is an anticoagulant. ØThe plant also contains dicumarol, which is a broad spectrumbactericide. Other uses :The leaves repel insects. They have been placed in beds to repelbedbugs.
List of some papilionaceous plants

• Scientific names          common name       plant form

• Zornia gibbosa             span biyo, kino tree       Tree

• Uraria picta                  burn-mouth                     climbers

• Tephrosia villosa          shevari, jayanti              shrub

• Tephrosia subtriflora    wild indigo, 

•                                       fish poison                     shrub

• Tephrosia purpura                                                herb

• Sesbania sesban            runchhalo-sarpankho      herb

• Rhynchosia minima      dabra, pithwan                herb

• Pterocarpus marsupium  grass like zornia            herb

List of some papilionaceous plants
Crotolaria spectabilis  Dalbergia sissoo  Desmodium gangeticum  Erythrina suberosa  Gliricidia sepium  Indigofera cordifolia Medicago sativa