A Comprehensive Review on the Wetland Flora in Lakhimpur District of Assam, India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36808/if/2025/v151i6/170533Keywords:
Anthropological threats, Aquatic plants, Communities, Ethnobotanical, Hydrophytes.Abstract
The wetlands of Northeast India are one of the most biologically diverse habitats, supporting the survival of both the human and the wildlife of the region. Aquatic plants, one of the primary producers in the aquatic ecosystem plays a key role in maintaining the ecosystem of the area. The Lakhimpur district of Assam falls under the Indo-Burma Biodiversity hotspot of the world and houses a diversity of aquatic flora within the wetlands of the district. A total of 268 aquatic plant species were recorded, belonging to 69 families. At least 29.47% (79 species) aquatic plants were found to be documented and used for ethnobotanical purpose by the 9 local communities such as Assamese, Bodo, Rabha, Bengali Muslim, Bengali Hindu, Nepali, Mishing, Deori and Karbi in Lakhimpur district. Parts such as the rhizomes, leaves, tubers, petioles, stems, shoots, seeds and flowers were found to be extensively used by the communities for purposes such as in culinary, medicine, biofertiliser and biocultural significance. The family Araceae Juss., was found to be used the most for vegetables and medicine.
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