ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF WEEDS AT MOHMAND AGENCY, PAKISTAN

Ethnobotanical study at village Ato Khel Tehsil Halimzai district Mohmand Agency Pakistan revealed a total of 63 ethno botanical plant species belonging to 55 genera and 33 families. These species used traditionally for various daily requirements. Among this Asteraceae were the dominant family having 8 species (12.6%) followed by Euphorbiaceae and Apocynaceae 4 species each (6.4%) Solanaceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, Amaranthaceae, Mimoceaceae, Moraceae 3 species each (4.8%) and Meliaceae, Papilionaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Zygophyllaceae, Chenopodaceae, Rhamnaceae with 2 species each (3.1%). The rest of 16 families were represented by one species (1.5 %) each. Maximum plant species were used for fuel (17 species 27.4%) followed by shelter (12 species 19.3%) vegetable (6 species 9.6%) and fencing and furniture 5 species each (8.0%). Rests of families represented were less uses. Most common plant parts used for the different ethnobotanical purposes were whole plant (32 species 50.7%), followed by stem (18 species 28.5%), roots (12 species 19%) and wood (5 species 7.9%). The current study concluded that the Ato khel village has rich weed flora that not only play a role in the beautification of the area but also provide cheap fuel, fodder and medicinal values to the local community. Hence, more comprehensive study recommended to chemically analyzing the medicinal worth that will be helpful in preparing herbal medicines.