A floristic and ethnobotanical studies on the kattunaikan tribe of Wayand district was carried out. The study documented the use of 11 plant species of the family Convolvulaceae by the Kattunaika tribe. The different parts like leaves, stem, fruits, flowers and sometimes the whole plant are used to cure various diseases. Article Citation: Joseph MA and Antony VT. The Medicinally important Convolvulacean members used by the Kattunaikkan Tribe of Wayand District. Journal of Research in Plant Sciences (2012) 1(2): 093-097. Full Text: http:/www.plantsciences.co.in/documents/PS0025.pdf

1. The Medicinally important Convolvulacean members used by the
Kattunaikkan Tribe of Wayand District.
Keywords:
Kattunaikkan, Wayand, Convolvulaceae.
ABSTRACT:
A floristic and ethnobotanical studies on the kattunaikan tribe of Wayand
district was carried out. The study documented the use of 11 plant species of the
family Convolvulaceae by the Kattunaika tribe. The different parts like leaves, stem,
fruits, flowers and sometimes the whole plant are used to cure various diseases.
093-097 | JRPS | 2012 | Vol 1 | No 2
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Authors:
Joseph MA1
and
Antony VT2
.
Institution:
1. Research and
Development centre,
Bharathiar University,
Coimbatore.
2. Postgraduate and
Research Department of
Botany, St.Berchmans
College, Changanassery,
Kerala.
Corresponding author:
Joseph MA.
Email:
mannaprambil@hotmail.com
Web Address:
http:/www.plantsciences.info
documents/PS0025.pdf.
Dates:
Received: 08 Mar 2012 Accepted: 27 Mar 2012 Published: 07 Jun 2012
Article Citation:
Joseph MA and Antony VT.
The medicinally important convolvulacean members used by the
Kattunaikkan Tribe of Wayand District.
Journal of Research in Plant Sciences (2012) 1(2): 093-097
Original Research
Journal of Research in Plant Sciences
JournalofResearchinPlantSciences
Journal of Research
in Plant Sciences
An International Scientific
Research Journal
An International Scientific Research Journal

2. INTRODUCTION
For about four thousands of years, the tribal
people have been using various medicinal plants in the
treatment different diseases. After centuries of trial and
error they discovered the miraculous healing power of
certain plants. From their observation they formulated
some basic concepts of science which they have passed
on to the future generation. Hence a considerable part of
the knowledge of the primitive men regarding the uses of
plants have been transferred to the indigenous societies
which are the descendants of the primitive human
communities. The documentation of indigenous
knowledge on the utilization of local plant resources by
different ethnic groups or communities is one of the main
objective of ethnobotanical research. (Sasi et al., 2011).
In Kerala the major tribal communities are nearly forty in
number. Some of them are still nomadic and living in the
forests. The major tribes of Kerala are Kani, Kurichiar,
Kurumar, Eravallan, Kattunaikkan etc. Kattunaikans are
seen in and in the vicinity of forests in the Wayand
district of Kerala state, India.
Wayanad district lies between north latitude
110
27' and 150
58' and east 750
47' and 700
27'. It is
bounded on the east by Nilgiris and Mysore districts of
Tamilnadu and Karnataka, on the north by Coorg district
of Karnataka, on the south by Malappuram and on the
west by Kozhikode and Kannur respectively. The total
geographical area of Wayand is 2124 km2
which consists
of 5.48% of Kerala state. It is situated on the southern
top of the Deccan plateau. Its main feature is the majestic
Western Ghats with thick forest and deep valleys.
The unique feature of this district is the large aboriginal
tribal population, consisting mainly of Paniyas,
Kurumas, Adiyars, Kurichyas, Ooralis, Kadar,
Kattunaikkans. Wayanad district stands first in the case
of adivasi population (about 36%) among other districts
in the state.
The people of kattunaikan or Kattunaikka are
peculaiar in their habit and in their daily routine and are
variously referred to as Jenu Kuruman, Tenu kuruman
and Naikkan (Ratheesh Narayan et al., 2011). They are
seen in deep forests of high mountains. Their name
shows that they are the kings of the jungle. These people
mainly depend on forest for their livelihood. Their name
‘Tenu Kurumans’ indicate the habit of collecting honey.
In the ancient times they used bark of trees instead of
clothes to cover their nakedness. They are tall, long
armed and black skinned tribe with curly or wavy hair
(Louiz, 1962). Traditionally they were honey collectors,
food gatherers and hunters (Mathur, 1977). Majority of
them lives on vegetables, honey and fish. Some are
employed by the forest department and the rest lead the
life of food gatherers. Recently some have begun to raise
cash crops. Even today most of the tribal people depend
on the medicinal plants for various ailments. They collect
these plants from their local settlements. They use these
plants in treating various diseases and sometimes the
same plant is used for the treatment of different diseases.
Pawar SM and Sonawane SR (2011) enumerated
important medicinal plants along kanher and mahadare
reservoir from Satara District, Maharashtra and give a
detailed information on the medicinal uses of the plants.
A lot of ethnobotanical studies have been
conducted on the various tribes of Wayanad. Nagendra
Prasad and Abraham (1984) collected Ethnobotanical
information from the Nayadis of Wayanadu and
documented 74 medicinal plants. Thomas & Britto
(1999) collected information on different tribal groups of
Wayand. Pramod et al., (2003) have conducted study on
the ethnobotany of religious and supernatural beliefs of
Kurichya of Wayanad District, Kerala, India and
reported 40 plant species related to magico-religious
beliefs. Mini and Sivadasan (2007) collected information
from Kurichya tribe about the ethno veterinary plants
used by them. Udayan et al., (2008) studied the
kurichiar tribes of Tirunelli forest, Wayanad Dt.
They have investigated 48 plants used by the tribe in
medicine and other traditional uses. But no member of
Joseph and Antony, 2012
094 Journal of Research in Plant Sciences (2012) 1(2): 093-097

3. the family Convolvulaceae has been reported. Silija et
al., (2008) have studied the Mullukurma tribe in detail to
collect information regarding ethnomedicinal plant
knowledge. Their study included 136 plant species.
Ipomoea marginata found to be the only
Convolvulaceaen member among other species.
Ethnobotanically important trees and their uses by
Kattunaika tribe in Wayand wild life sanctuary by
Ratheesh Narayan et al., (2011).
Eventhough a lot of studies have been done on
the tribals of Wayand no detailed study on various plant
species of the family Convolvulaceae used by the
kattunaikan tribe of wayand district is not yet conducted.
The present study has been undertaken with the aim of
recording various Convolvulacean members used by
them.
METHODOLOGY
Extensive field trips were carried out between
August 2010–May 2011 in different kattunaikan colonies
of Wayand district. Five tribal colonies were randomly
selected for documenting the traditional knowledge.
The information about the medicinal use of the plants
were collected by interviewing people both men and
women of age ranging from 20-70. Repeated field trips
were carried out in different seasons to collect the
flowers and fruits of the plants (Plate 1).
DISCUSSION
A large number of plant species occur in their
localities where these tribal people live. They possess
tremendous knowledge regarding the use of these plants.
In the study 11 plant species belonging to the family
Convolvulaceae were found to be useful in curing
various diseases. Roots, leaves, fruits and sometimes the
whole plant is used in preparing the medicine. They are
taken either internally or applied externally in the form
of decoction, paste or powder.
CONCLUSION
The present study shows that the Kattunaika
communities possess great knowledge about the use of
various herbal medicines to cure different ailments and
they are also conscious about the loss of their traditional
medicinal practices. As the tribal communities are
getting modernized there is an imminent danger in losing
their traditional medicinal knowledge. Due to human
invasion, modernization and habitat destruction many of
valuable plant species are vanishing from the face of the
earth. So efforts should be taken to preserve our plant
resources for a right management of our biodiversity.
Joseph and Antony, 2012
Journal of Research in Plant Sciences (2012) 1(2): 093-097 095
Plate 1. A Argyreia nervosa; B. Cuscuta reflexe;
C Evolvulus alsinoides varalsinoides; D. Ipomoea
carnea ssp. Fistulosa; E.Ipomoea obscura; F.
Ipomoes pes-tigridis; G. Ipomoea quamoclit; H.
Xenostegia tridentate ssp. Tridentate.

4. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors express their sincere gratitude to the
principal, St. Berchmans College, Changanassery,
Kerala. They also extend their gratitude to the members
of the tribal group (Kattunaikkan) in Wayand district.
REFERENCE:
Louiz AAD. 1962. Tribes of Kerala. New Delhi.
Bhaathiya Adimajati Seva Sang.
Mathur PGR. 1977. The tribal situation in Kerala.
Kerala historical society, Trivandrum.
Mini V and Sivadasan M. 2007. Plants used in Ethno
veterinary medicine by Kurichya tribe of Wayanad
District in Kerala, India. Ethnobotany 19:94-99.
Nagendra Prasad P and Abraham Z. 1984.
Ethnobotany of the Nayadis of north Kerala.
J.Econ.Tax.Bot., 5(1):41-48.
Pawar SM and Sonawane SR. 2011. Enumeration of
medicinal plants along kanher and mahadare reservoir
from Satara District, Maharashtra, India. Journal of
Research in Biology. 6: 461-466.
Joseph and Antony, 2012
096 Journal of Research in Plant Sciences (2012) 1(2): 093-097
SI No. Botanical Name /Local Name Parts used Used for Mode of use
1.
Argyreia nervosa
(Burm.f.) Bojer.
Local name: Marikkunni,
Samudrappacha
Leaf Acidity
Leaf paste is made into a
decoction and administered orally
2.
Cuscuta reflexa Roxb.
Local name: Moodillathali
Whole plant
Swelling in
joints
The whole plant is cooked
without salt and taken internally
to reduce swelling in joints.
3.
Ipomoea obscura (L.)
Ker-Gawl
Local name: Thiruthali
Leaf, flower
and fruit
Malaria
The leaves, flower and fruits are
crushed and made in to paste and
is applied on the head against
malarial fever
4.
Ipomoea pes tigridis l.
Local name: Pulichevidu
Leaves
Body pain
Leaves are crushed together with
coconut and made in to paste and
is administered orally to reduce
pain
5.
Ipomoea marginata
(Desr.) Verdc.
Local name: Kolambi
Leaves
Cough
Ten to twenty leaves are folded
together and kept in a pot on an
oven. When it is cooked it is
taken out and eaten
6.
Ipomoea deccana Austin
Local name: Mooval Kodi
leaves furuncles
The leaves are crushed along with
oil and applied on the affected
part.
7.
Xenostegia tridentate (L.)
Austin & Staples
Local name: Pradharini,
Prasarini, Thalanili
Leaves
Mad dog bite
Leaves are crushed and is then
mixed with milk and administered
orally
8.
Evolvulus alsinoides(L.)
L. var.alsinoides
Local name: Krishnakranth
Whole plant
To increase
memory
Whole plant is made into a paste
and is mixed with milk and taken
orally
9.
Ipomoea quamoclit L.
Local name: Akasha-mulla
Leaves Head ache
Leaves are pressed the juice
obtained is applied on the
forehead
10.
Ipomoea mauritiana Jacq.
Local name: Anchilathali,
Palmuthukku, Mutalakizhang
Tuber Impotency
The tuber is made into a paste and
is administered orally twice a
day to treat impotency
11.
Ipomoea carnea Jack. ssp.
fistulosa ( Mart.ex Choisy)
Austin Local name: Vellappo
Leaves Ulcers and
boils
Leaf paste is applied over boils

5. Pramod C, Sivadasan M and Anilkumar N. 2003.
Ethnobotany of religious and supernatural beliefs of
Kurichya of Wayanad District, Kerala, India.
Ethnobotany. 15:11-19.
Ratheesh Narayan MK, Mithunlal S, Sujanapal P,
Anil Kumar N, Sivadasan M, Ahmad H, Alfarhan A,
Alatar A. 2011. Ethnobotanically important trees and
their uses by Kattunaikka tribe in Wayanad Wild life
sanctuary, Kerala, India. Journal of medicinal plant
research. 5(4):604-612.
Sasi R, Rajendran A and Maharajan M. 2011.
Wild edible plant Diversity of Kotagiri Hills - a Part of
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Southern India. Journal of
Research in Biology. 2: 80-87.
Silija VP, Varma KS and Mohanan KV. 2008.
Ethnomedicinal plant knowledge of the Mullukurma
tribe of Wayanad dt, Kerala. Indian Journal of traditional
knowledge. 7(4):604-612.
Thomas J and de Britto AJ. 1999. An ethnobotanical
survey of Naduvil Panchayat in kannur
District,kerala,India. Ancient Scence of Life. 18(3 and
4):279-283.
Udayan PS, Harinarayanan MK, Thushar KV and
Indira Balachandran. 2008. Some common plants used
by Kurichiar tirbes of Tirunelli forest, Wayanad District,
Kerala in Medicine and other Traditional uses. In. J.
Trad. Knowl., 7(2):250-255.
Joseph and Antony, 2012
Journal of Research in Plant Sciences (2012) 1(2): 093-097 097
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