Fir

Nepali : Talispatra,
Sanskrit: Talispatra
English name: Fir
Hindi: Bang
Sherpa: Thaasing

Family : Pinaceae
Habit: Tree
Flowering Period : October to December
Fruiting Period : April-August

Chemical Constituents:
       Tree yields white resin. The needle contain alkaloid and an essential oil
Occurence :
 Temperate to alpine zone (2700-3900m)

Description :
       A tall, evergreen tree, up to 60m in height and 3-10m in girth, with a crown broader than that of A. pindrow , commonly found at temperate and alpine Zone.

Uses:
            Needle is used for cough and bronchitis.

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

Carb's eye

Nepali: Ratiged
Sanskrit: Gunja
English : Carb's eye , Jaquirity
Hindi: Ganchi

Family: Leguminosae
Habit : A perennial Shrubby twiner or climber
Flowering Period : July-August
Fruiting Period : October - November
Parts Used : Root, Leaf and Seed
Taste: Bitter

Chemical Constituents:
      Seeds contain albumotoxin abrine and abralin, Lupeol acetae, sitosterol, Sucrose, Gallic acid, Orientin , Abrussic acid, Haemaglutinin.

Occurence: Subtropical zone (1000m)

Description:
A much-branched climber with a woody stem. Flowers reddish or white , in dense pedunculate racemes, which are shorter than or as long as the leaves.

Uses:
    The roots and leaves contain glycyrrhizin and are used as a substitute for liquorices in coughs and catarrhal affection. The bruished seeds have been used for poisoning cattle, for homicidal purpose and as abortifacient.

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

Gum arabic tree

Nepali : Babul
Hindi : Babul
English : Gum arabic tree
Sanskrit : Babbol
Synonym: Acacia nilotica , A. indica 

Family : Leguminosae
Habit : Tree
Flowering and Fruiting Period : August-January

Chemical Constituents:
         The bark contains tannin materials and sucrose. Pods also contain tannin.

Occurence: Tropical to Subtropical Zones

Description :
A moderate-sized, almost evergreen tree with a short trunk, a spreading crown and feathery foliage , found throughout the drier parts of Nepal.

Uses:
 Babul bark is the most important tannin material and is used in village tanneries.

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

Cutch tree

Nepali : Khair
Sanskrit: Khadira
English: Cutch tree
Hindi : Khair

Family : Leguminosae
Habit: Spiny Tree
Flowering Period : May -July
Fruiting Period: October - December

Chemical Constituents :
            Heartwood contains Catechin and Catechutannic acid.

Occurence:
        Tropical zone in riverine forests

Conservation Status:
       GN/N protection: under the Forest Act 1993 , GN has banned for transportation , export and felling.

Description :
       A moderate sized , deciduous tree with a light feathery crown, occuring throughout mixed forest on a variety of geological formations and soils.

Uses:
  The most important product obtained from Acacia catechu is catechu. Bark is astringent .

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

snake's tail

Nepali : Apamarga
Sanskrit : Apamarga
English : Chaff flower , snake's tail

Family : Amaranthaceae
Habit : Herb
Flowering and Fruiting Period: August-November

Chemical Constituents:
              The dried seeds give proteins, fat, carbohydrates, fibre , ash, calcium, phosphorous and iron.

Occurence :
      Tropical and Subtropical Zones

Description :
   An erect or procumbent , annual or perennial herb, 1-2m in height, often with a woody base, commonly found up to an alititude of 2100m.

Uses:
     The young leaves are eaten a a pot-herb. The seeds are nutritious when cooked with milk and are potential source of food.

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

Hill chaff flower

Nepali: Datiwan, Raato apamarga
Sanskrit: Apamarga
English : Hill chaff flower
Hindi : Chirchira
Mag: Datiwan

Family : Amaranthaceae
Habit : An erect or ascending , annual or perennial , herb or shrub
Flowering and Fruiting Period : July-October

Chemical Constituents :
   Seed contains Saponins and alkaloids Achyranthine. The root contains ecdysterone, inokosterone and rubrosterone.

Occurence :
         Tropical to temperate zones

Description
       An erect or ascending , annual or perennial herb or a shrub, sometimes with woody rootstock, closely related to  A. aspera.
             
Uses:
          The seeds are used as food during times of scarcity as a substitute for cereals.

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

Bisma

Nepali : Bisma
Sanskrit : Bikha
English : Aconite
Scientific Name: Aconitum ferox Wall. ex Ser.

Family :  Ranunculaceae
Habit: A perennial herb
Flowering Period: July -August

Chemical Constituents :
              Pure root contain the alkaloids pseudaconitine, chasmaconitine, indaconitine and bikhaconitine.

Occurence:
    Temperature to alpine zone (2700-3600m)

Conservation Status
         IUCN-Category . Vulnerable         

Description
         A perennial herb growing wild in the alpine Himalayas of Nepal at an altitude of about of 2700-3600m.

Uses:
        A preparation of the root is much used to poison arrows.

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

Atis root

Nepali : Atis
Sanskrit: Ativish
English : Atis root
Hindi : Atis
Scientific name: Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. ex Royle.

Family : Ranunculaceae
Habit: A herb
Flowering Period : July-September
Fruiting Period : October-December

Chemical Constituents :
               Atisine, Histine, Heterophyllisine

Occurence:
      Sub Alpine and Alpine Zones   (1800-4500m)

Conservation Status:
          IUCN-Category : Vulnerable
Description :
              A tall herb. Roots biennal, tuberous, paired; daughter tuber cylindric or conic.

Uses: This plant is considered a valuable febrifuge and a bitter tonic especially in combating debility after malaria and other fevers.

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

Aconite

Nepali : Bikh
Sanskrit : Bikha
English : Aconite
Hindi: Bikhma
Sherpa: Chendu
Gurung: Glatu

Family : Ranunculaceae
Habit : Perennial erect herb
Flowering Period : August-September

Chemical Constituents:
         The roots yield mainly pseudaconitine and bikhaconitine .

Occurence:
        Alpine zone ( 3000-3600m)

Description :
     A robust and characteristic species of Nepal.

Uses:

  The roots used for the treatment of diseases of the nervous system and digestive system and for rheumatism and fever.

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

Sweet flag

Nepali : Bojho
Sanskrit: Vacha
English : Sweet flag
Tharu: Bach
Hindi: Bach

Family: Araceae
Habit: Rhizomatous herb
Flowering Period: April-May
Fruiting Period: June-August

Chemical Constituents :
           Volatile Oil- Asaryl aldehyde, bitter glycoside, Acrorin
Occurence:
           Sub-tropical to temperate zones (1200-2700m)

Description :
     A semi-aquatic, perennial, aromatic herb with creeping rhizomes, growing wild.

Uses:
       Rhizome is emetic, stomachic. Rhizome is used to treat cough, cold and throat infection.

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

Malabar nut

Nepali: Asuro
Sanskrit: Vasa
English: Malabar nut
Hindi: Arusa
Synonym: A. zeylanica, Justicia adhatoda

Family : Acanthaceae
Habit: Shrub
Flowering Period : December-April
Fruiting Period: February-May

Chemical Constituents:
          Alkaloid, vasicine and as essential oil
Occurence:
       Tropical to sub-tropical Zone
Description :
  An evergreen , gregarious, stiff, perennial shrub, 1.2-6m in height, distributed upto an altitude of 1200m.

Uses:
      The shrub is the source of the drug, vasak , well known in the indigenous systems of medicine for its beneficial effects, particularly in bronchitis.

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

Beal fruit

Nepali : Bel
Sanskrit: Vilra
English : Beal fruit
Hindi: Bel
Scientific name : Aegle marmelos linn. correa ex Roxb.

Family: Rutaceae
Habit: A spinous tree
Flowering Period: March-July
Fruiting Period: April-June (next year)

Chemical Constituents :
              Vitamins and Xanthotoxins. Umbelliferone, skimmianine from bark, roots and mucilage and pectin from fruit.

Occurence:
          Tropical to Sub-tropical zone (upto 1200m)

Description :
       A moderate-sized , slender, aromatic tree, 6-7.5 m in height and 90-120cm in girth , with a somewhat fluted bole of 3-4.5m, growing wild throughout the decidous forests.

Uses:
    The fruits are official in the pharmacopoeia. They are valued in Ayurvedic medicine.

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

Horse Chest nut

Nepali: Ghode pangro
English: Horse chest nut
Hindi: Pangar

Family: Hippocastanaceae
Habit: A large deciduous tree
Flowering Period: April-May
Fruiting Period : July-October

Chemical Constituents :
           Seed oil contains alkaloid. The seed give protein, fat, crude, fibre , sucrose and ash.
Occurence:
   Wet temperate zone (1200-3000m)
Description:
      A large, decidous tree, with a short, straight, cylindrical bole and spreading crown, 30m in height and 7.5m in girth in favourable localities.

Uses:
   In time of scarcity, the shoots and leaves are eaten by hill tribes. The crushed fruit is used for washing clothes.

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

American aloe

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.

Nilkanthi

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.

Aloe Vera

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.

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.

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.

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.