Thakal

Nepali: Thakal
Hindi: Bharbhand
English : Prickly poppy
Sanskrit: Brahmadandi
Scientific Name: Argemon mexicana Linn.

Family: Papaveraceae
Habit: An erect , prickly annual herb
Flowering and Fruiting Period: December-June

Chemical Constituents:
        The fatty acid composition of the oil from the seeds obtained is myristic,1; Palmitic, 12; stearic,5; arachidic,1; oleic,23 and linoleic , 58%.

Occurence:
    Tropical to Sub-tropical zones.

Description :
    An erect , prickly annual herb, up to 1.2m height, naturalized upto an altitude of 1500m.

Uses:
  The seeds are emetic and narcotic. Seeds are reported to be used for diarrohea and dysentry.

Source: Dutta, I.C. (2007). Non Timber Forest Products of Nepal.

Alaichi

Nepali: Alaichi
Sanskrit: Bahula
English: Large or greater cardamom , Nepal cardamom
Hindi: Bari-elachi
Scientific Name: Amomum subulatum Roxb.

Family: Zingiberaceae
Habit: Herb
Forest type: Temperate to sub-tropical
Flowering Period: March
Fruiting Period: August-September

Chemical Constituents:
           An essential oil extracted from the seeds which is rich in cineole.

Occurence:
    Grown best between altitudes of 500-1800m.

Description:
     Leafy stem, 0.9-1.2m in height , leaves 30-60 by 7.5-10 cm; calyx and corolla tube 2.5cm ; capsule 2.5cm globose, red-brown and densely echinate.

Uses:
    The seeds are aromatic and pungent, with a sharp, pleasant taste. It is also used in the preparation of snuff and Agarbatti, an incense stick.

Source: Dutta, I.C. (2007). Non Timber Forest Products of Nepal.

KandeLunde

Nepali: KandeLunde
Sanskrit: Tanduliya
English : Spiny amaranth, Spiny pigweed
Hindi: Kantabhaji
Scientific Name: Amaranthus spinosus Linn.

Family: Amaranthaceae
Habit : A spinous annual or perennial herb
Flowering and Fruiting Period: Almost throughout the year

Chemical Constituents:
       The leaves and stems contain alpha-spinasterol and hentriacontane.

Occurence:
          Tropical zone
Description:
    An erect spinous annual or perennial herb varying in color from green to purple, native to tropical America.
Uses:
     The ash of this plant is used either alone or mixed with equal quantities of powdered tobacco in making snuff.

Source: Dutta, I.C. (2007). Non Timber Forest Products of Nepal.

Chhatiwan

Nepali: Chhatiwan
Sanskrit: Saptaparna
English: Dita bark, devil's tree
Hindi: Chatium
Scientific Name: Alstonia scholaris (Linn.) R. Br.

Family: Apocynaceae
Habit: Evergreen glabrous tree
Flowering Period: March-April
Fruiting Period: May

Chemical Constituents:
              Alkaloides- ditamine and echitamine, echitamidine.

Occurence:
    Tropical zone and low level in Nepal.

Conservation Status
  IUCN-Rare

Description:
            A large , buttressed , evergreen tree, 12-18m in height, sometimes reaching upto 27m, and 2.4m in girth with a straight bole of 12m , found up to an altitude of 800m.

Uses:
     Bark is acrid, bitter, healing astringent , tonic, alternative and febrifuge.

Source: Dutta, I.C. (2007). Non Timber Forest Products of Nepal.

Gheukumari

Nepali: Gheukumari
Sanskrit:Ghrita-kumari
English: Indian aloe
Hindi: Ghee-kanwar
Synonym : Aloe barbadensis

Family: Liliaceae
Habit: Perennial herb
Flowering Period: September-January

Chemical Constituents:
             Glycodise, aloesin, malic, citric and tartaric acids.

Occurence:
        Mediterranean (Cultivated)

Description:
       A coarse-looking perennial plant with a short stem, found in a semi-wild part of the country.
Uses:
    The plant is sweet, bitter and cooling.

Source: Dutta, I.C. (2007). Non Timber Forest Products of Nepal.

Rato Pate

Nepali : Rato Pate
Sanskrit: Nilkanthi

Family: Labiatae
Habit: A diffused branched aromatic annual herb.
Flowering Period: March-May
Fruiting Period: March-May
Scientific Name: Ajuga bracteosa wall.ex Benth.


 Chemical Constituents:
         The petroleum ether extract of the plant contains ceryl alcohal .

Occurence:
           Subtropical zone (2000m)
Description:
      A diffusely branched, aromatic annual.


Uses:
     The herb is credited with astringent , febrifugal , stimulant, aperient , tonic and is used for the treatment of gout and rheumatism, palsy and amenorrhea.

Source: Dutta, I.C. (2007). Non Timber Forest Products of Nepal.

Ketuki

Nepali: Ketuki
Hindi: Kantala
Sanskrit: Kantala
English : American aloe
Scientific Name: Agave americana Linn.

 Family: Agacaceae
Habit: A stemless, stout shrubby plant
Flowering and Fruiting Period: December-March

Chemical Constituents:
     The leaves contain ten steroidal saponins.

Occurence:
     Subtropical Zone

Description:
    A stemless plant, native to America, often met with as an escape in waste places.

Uses:
    Leaves furnish a strong and durable fibre. It is used for ropes, cordage, lashing , calico, bales, long lines for ships, mats, carpets, sacking and for making scrubbing brushes.

Source: Dutta, I.C. (2007). Non Timber Forest Products of Nepal.