Ethno-botanical Survey of Tree Species of Scarce Rainfall Zone of State Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

The scarce rainfall zone of Andhra Pradesh is home to a diverse range of tree species with significant ecological, medicinal, and economic value. This study presents an ethno-botanical survey conducted during the year 2022-23in the Anantapur (A.D.), Kurnool (K.D.), Nandyal (N.D.), and Sri Satya Sai (S.D.) districts of Andhra Pradesh, India. A total of 34, 53, 56, and 50 tree species belonging to 16, 21, 22, and 22 different families were recorded in A.D., K.D., N.D., and S.D., respectively. The study highlights the traditional knowledge associated with these species, particularly their medicinal applications. Several tree species recorded in the survey are extensively used in traditional medicine, such as Azadirachta indica (Neem) for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, Terminalia arjuna for cardiovascular health, Tinospora cordifolia as an immune booster, and Phyllanthus emblica (Amla) as a rich source of vitamin C. Other species like Moringa oleifera are known for their high nutritional and medicinal value, while Albizia lebbeck is used for respiratory ailments. The findings emphasize the importance of conserving these tree species and the indigenous knowledge associated with them for sustainable utilization and future research in phytotherapy.