Abstract :
The present paper deals with floristic diversity of plants belonging to family Asteraceae
growing in district Bhiwani, Haryana, India. A sum of 36 species belonging to 26 genera of family
Asteraceae was identified. Exploration was carried out in different seasons from 2014 to 2019. Local
inhabitants were interviewed regarding ethnobotanical aspects of collected plants. Out of 36 species
identified, 29 species have medicinal value used to treat various diseases and health issues.
Ageratum conyzoides, Bidens pilosa, Eclipta alba, Erigeron canadensis and Tridax procumbens have
pharmacological value. The genera Blumea, Gnaphalium and Sonchus were found dominating
followed by Erigeron, Bidens, Ageratum and Launaea. Most of the species were seen in wild state but
few occurred as common crop weeds like Ageratum, Cichorium, and Cirsium etc. while Glossocardia,
Dicoma, Blainvillea etc. were found rarely and occurred mainly on hilly slopes. Parthenium
hysterophorus was found to be the strongest weed followed by Verbesina in the areas under
investigation. Nearly all the members were herbaceous and grow abundantly throughout the year in
the area studied.
Keyword :
Asteraceae, Bhiwani, Blainvillea, Ethnobotanical, Pharmacological value.