Mural Vegetation and their Traditional Medicinal uses dwelling in Nalbari district of Assam, India

Author: 
Gunajit Kalita and Sahabuddin Ahmed

Mural vegetation is a very fascinating group of plants that can tolerate stress and are capable in thriving in nutritionally deficient substrates and can withstand different types of abiotic stresses like intense light, heat, cold, drought etc. Wall creates opportunities and shelter for assemblage of different plant mural species. Nalbari district is situated in lower Assam which is a rural area with a district headquater town Nalbari. The town area has lots of walls, bridges and other concrete structures which are conducive for the growth of mural vegetation and in villages, mural vegetation occurs in the shady backyards where sunshine is less and the places are continuously drenched with water. Mural vegetation thrives in moist and humid condition. Mural vegetation often prove damaging to buildings, walls, bridges and other concrete structures. Mural vegetation has ecological significance in being pioneer species which build up substrata and thus pave the way for ecological succession. This study highlights plant assemblages that are found on walls and other places within the Nalbari district. Decay and deterioration of walls and other structures provides a conducive environment for the first footholds of mural flora. In the present study, a total of 77 plant species are observed, out of which 7 species are pteridophytes, 58 species are dicotyledons and only 12 species are monocotyledons. A total 66 genera comprising 39 families are documented. The Compositae, Gramineae and Euphorbiaceae are the dominant families of the wall flora. Herbs and shrubs are dominant growth forms on the walls whereas climbers and trees are least observed in walls. Majority of the species were observed in winters and rainy season of the year. Local people used most of the plant species in the treatment of wound healing, fever, skin disease, urinary problems, dysentery etc. Mural flora thrives during rainy season and is less during winter and dry season.

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DOI: 
http://dx.doi.org/10.24327/ijcar.2025.0533.0083