Notes on Thalictrum L. (Ranunculaceae) from Indian Himalayas with some Ethnobotanical Uses

Genus Thalictrum is rather controversial in terms of its taxonomical status with many taxonomic disarrangements which lead to different inter and infra-specific complexes. The members of this genus have high medicinal value such as antitumor, antimicrobial, antitussive, hypotensive, antiamebic effects, etc. due to the presence of chemical components viz., bisbenzylisoquinolines, proberberine, aporphine, etc. This paper is an attempt to provide an overall glance of Indian Himalayan Thalictrum species with their correct nomenclature, synonyms, habitat, distribution and uses. The work is based on own collections from different parts of Indian Himalayan region as well as herbarium specimens deposited in various known herbaria. In India, highest diversity of Thalictrum species is found in
Uttarakhand state (17) followed by Sikkim (16), Himachal Pradesh (14) and Jammu & Kashmir (10). Many of the taxa are endemic and threatened, thereby necessitating their propagation and conservation.