S. Saeed, R, Qureshi, M. A. Ullah and M. Nasir, “Herbaceous Flora of Chotran Area, Rawalpindi in Pakistan,” Agricultural Science Research Journal, Vol. 40, No. Figure 2. A. Jabeen, M. A. Khan, M. Ahmad, M. Zafar and F. Ahmad, “Indigenous Uses of Economically Important Flora of Margallah Hills National Park, Islamabad, Pakistan,” African Journal of Biotechnology, Vol. 2006-2013 Scientific Research Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. The soil of Cholistan desert is mostly alkaline, saline, and gypsiferous composed of schists, gneiss, granites, and slates (Arshad et al., 2008). According to the results, Blepharis sindica was used as galactagogue. Asteraceae is present with 9 species. Native trees, shrubs, and grasses are drought tolerant. In the present study, crude methanolic extracts containing secondary metabolites of some xerophytic plants from the Cholistan desert of Pakistan were analyzed for quantification of primary and secondary metabolites. Wealth of medicinal plants of Cholistan desert, Pakistan The habits of the plant species found as, 75 species (49%) were herbs, 34 species (22%) were grasses, 21 species (14%) were shrubs, 10 species (6%) were trees, and 9 species (6%) were subshrubs, 2 species (1%) were sedges and 3 species (2%) were climbers ( Figure 3 ). Prof Dr Shazia Anjum, Director, Cholistan Institute of Desert Studies briefed that Cholistan was a fragile ecosystem which was losing its native flora and fauna ultimately losing its potential to support migratory birds. M. Arshad, H. Anwar, M. Y. Ashraf, S. Noureen and M. Moazzam, “Edaphic Factors and Distribution of Vegetation in the Cholistan Desert, Pakistan,” Pakistan Journal of Botany, Vol. Among families, 33 families belong to Dicotyledons of 79 genera and 115 species, while the 38 species of 26 genera belong to 4 families of Monocotyledons and 1 family of gymnosperms with 1 genus and 1 species. 979-992. College Bosan Road Multan, Multan, 2006. 5, No. The local name, life cycle and habit wise distribution of the plants were also described. Cholistan word is originated from the Turkish word Chol, which means the land of desert.Cholistan desert locally known as Rohi desert that surrounds near about 30 km from Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan and covering an area of 26,000 km 2 which is full of resources of medicinal plants. National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad  established in 1984, is the largest research centre of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC). Cold Desert, Skardu 3, 2008, pp. The plants are 2, No. M. M. Bhandhari, “Flora of Indian Desert,” Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur, 1978. 15: Chaudhry, M.S., Z. Batool and A.G. Khan, 2005. 85-92. Subsoil water in Cholistan is typically brackish, and unsuitable for most plant growth. 29, No. 5, 2007, pp. 1589-1596. J. Geography, 1-2: 83-100. Cholistan Inst. A. Chaudhary, M. A. The plant specimen was identified by research officer/ taxonomist, Mr. Hafiz Muhammad Waris from Cholistan Institute of Desert Studies (CIDS), The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. 18, No. 615-625. The life form of all plants determined and plants classified followed after Raunkiaer [33] and MuellerDombois, & Ellenberg [34]. Migratory birds feed on desert insects and plants but due to overgrazing, drought, over exploitation of vegetation for fuel, timber and medicinal purposes, Cholistan desert is losing its biodiversity. 3, 2012, pp. K. Ahmad, Z. I. Khan, M. Ashraf, M. I. Hussain and E. H. Aleem, “Status of Plant Diversity at Kufri (Soone Valley) Punjab, Pakistan and Prevailing Threats There in,” Pakistan Journal of Botany, Vol. The largest family of the area is Poaceae with 34 species. Its length is 480 km and 32-192 km varying breadth[].Cholistan desert is uniquely located wild land of its … Because of the diverse topographic features and microhabitats, the study area had a great potential for flourishing a rich plant biodiversity. Preliminary assessment of plant community structure and arbuscular mycorrhizas in rangeland habitats of Cholistan desert, Pakistan. Deserts are very much alive, and they host a wide range of fascinating plants … Figure 4. M. Arshad, G. Akbar and S. Rashid, “Wealth of Medicinal Plants of Cholistan Desert, Pakistan: Conservational Strategies,” Hamdard Medicus, Vol. A. R. Rao, M. Arshad and M. Shafiq, “Perennial Grass Germplasm of Cholistan Desert and its Phytosociology,” Cholistan Institute of Desert Studies, Islamia University, Bahawalpur, 1989. 1, 2005, pp. 967-971. 1Cholistan Institute of Desert Studies, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan; 2The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan; 3Shakarpur Campus, Shah Abdul-Latif University, Khairpur, Pakistan. 1, 2006, pp. Int j pharm phytopharm res 2020;10(2):138-47 2, 2009, pp. Home | About SCIRP | Sitemap | Contact Us. M. Hameed, A. A TOKTEN Con- sultancy Report,” Cholistan Institute of Desert Studies, Islamia University, Bahawalpur, 1992, p. 34. 763-784. Figure 1. It is also known to be the prime wintering habitat of the wild migratory houbara bustard. Life form distribution of plant species of Cholisitan desert. The distribution of plant life form species at the Cholistan desert were found as Therophyte 74 species (48%), Chamaephyte 40 species (26%), Hemicryptophyte 18 species (12%), Phanerophyte 19 species (12%) and Cryptophyte 3 species (2%) (Figure 2). The vegetation of this desert consists of xerophytes, adjusted to low moisture, extremely hot temperature, and more salinity with wide variation of edaphic factors. It will be helpful and serve for the conservation and sustainable utilization of plant resources of the study area. The families with 4 species are Boraginaceae, Convolvulaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Mimosaceae. Leaves of 17 plants are used to prepare different medicines. Therophytes comprised of 74 species (48%), Chamaephyte 40 species (26%), Hemicryptophyte 18 species (12%), Phanerophyte 19 species (12%) and Cryptophyte 3 species (2%) of the flroa of the area. 8, 2006, pp. 599- 603. While the roots of 17 plants and fruits of 16 plants are commonly used for the treatment of various diseases. 1, 2011, pp. They were sampled by repeated 100-m long transects at 55 sites. The study was conducted to accumulate information about the plant resources used by various communities of Cholistan desert. Cholistan Desert is locally known as "Rohi 'and covers the area of Bahawalpur, Punjab.It adjoins the Thar Desert, extending over to Sindh and into India. M. Udayakumar, M. Ayyanar and T. Sekar, “Angiosperms, Pachaiyappa’s College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India,” Check List, Vol. The following genera were containing more than one number of species in the study area. 7, No. A gradual change in monsoon winds along with other causes increases the aridity and ultimately converts the area into a desert [5]. Medicines prepared from the local plants are extensively used by the inhabitants of Cholistan desert to cure various diseases. A study on the ethno-veterinary usage of wild medicinal plants of Greater Cholistan desert of Pakistan was conducted from January, 2007 to December, 2008. 993- 997. In Cholistan desert whole plants of 35 species are used for curing different ailments. Graphical respresntastion of life cycle of plant species of Cholistan desert. H. Shaheen and R. A. Qureshi, “Vegetation Types of Sheosar Lake and surrounding landscape in Deosai Plains of North Pakistan, Western Himalayas,” Journal of Medical Plants Research, Vol. The mean annual rainfall varies between 100 mm to 250 mm. 40, No. 12, 1954, pp. The habits of the plant species found as, 75 species (49%) were herbs, 34 species (22%) were grasses, 21 species (14%) were shrubs, 10 species (6%) were trees, and 9 species (6%) were subshrubs, 2 species (1%) were sedges and 3 species (2%) were climbers ( Figure 3 ). 2, 1980, pp. R. Akhter and M. Arshad, “Arid Rangelands in the Cholistan Desert (Pakistan),” Sécheresse, Vol. The Cholistan is the cradle of precious desert livestock breeds and camel is one of the core livestock. S. I. Ali and E. Nasir, “Flora of Pakistan, 01-215,” Department of Botany, University of Karachi, Karachi, 1970-2002. 4, No. Malvaceae, Portulaceae, Tamaricaceae and Tiliaceae are represented by 2 species. Lahore District, ” Sécheresse, Vol a gradual change in monsoon winds along with other increases. Treatment of various floras, illustrations & monographs [ 35- 45 ] //dx.doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2002.1110.1113! Local area of desert of Bahawalpur represented by 2 species Solanaceae are by... Often duned about SCIRP | Sitemap | Contact us Significance of Flora with Special Reference to Pakistan, Sécheresse! Lyallpur, 1969 working on establishing a seed bank and conservation of desert plants Cholistan. Of Karachi, ” Book Corporation, Karachi, 1972 separately for trees, shrubs, and are. “ Flora of Indian desert, Pakistan, 4 families of monocotyledons and 1 of. Area help us to evaluate the plant resources of the area varies between 100 mm 250! Being made to collect plant specimens at regular intervals during 2009-2011 in each season made to basic. Medicines prepared from the local people, professionals and available concerned literature margins adjoining canal... ( 1990 ) on Flora of Lyallpur and Adjacent canal Colony District ”... Rawal Lake, six kilometers south-east of Islamabad plants of F. hamiltonii were collected “! 29 ] Hameed et al Cholistan [ 8-10 ] can germinate, grow and reproduce successfully in saline which. ( 1990 ) on Flora of Rajasthan, Botanical Survey of India ”... By repeated 100-m long transects at 55 sites and V. Singh, V. “ Flora of,... Hosts an annual Jeep rally, known as Cholistan desert to cure various diseases “ of. 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