Survey And Documentation Of Medicinal Climbers In VTM NSS College Campus, Dhanuvachapuram, Thiruvananthapuram

Abstract

Climbing plants are a vital yet often overlooked group of flora that contribute significantly to traditional medicine and biodiversity. This study was undertaken to survey and document the medicinally important climbers present within the campus of VTM NSS College, Dhanuvachapuram, located in the southern part of Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. A field survey conducted between January to March 2020 resulted in the identification of 20 species of climbers belonging to 16 genera and 11 families. For each species, the botanical name, family, local name, parts used, and medicinal applications were recorded through field observations, literature review, and informal interviews with local resource persons. The most commonly used plant parts were leaves and roots, and many climbers were traditionally used to treat conditions such as skin diseases, respiratory ailments, digestive issues, fever, and wounds. The dominance of families like Fabaceae, Cucurbitaceae, and Apocynaceae reflects their widespread use in Kerala's folk medicine. The findings underline the importance of conserving medicinal plant resources in educational ecosystems and creating awareness about the medicinal wealth present in our immediate environment.