Ethnobotanical surveys for the assessment of traditional knowledge of the local flora in Tehsil Gujrat, Pakistan

Authors

  • Khalid Hussain University of Gujrat http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0280-3515
  • Qudsia Sarwar Department of Botany, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Pakistan
  • Khalid Nawaz Department of Botany, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Pakistan
  • Noshia Arshad Department of Botany, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Pakistan
  • Samina Zafar Department of Botany, University of Gujrat (UOG), Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan.
  • Manal A. Alshaqhaa Biology Department, College of Science, King Khalid University [KKU], Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
  • Zahid Anwar Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, University of Gujrat (UOG), Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan.
  • Mounira Mkaddem-guedri Institut Supérieur des Sciences Appliquées et de Technologie de Gabès, Tunisia.

Abstract

Background: Ethnobotanical studies serve as a critical bridge between indigenous wisdom and modern drug discovery. Rapid urbanization and migration of younger generations have threatened the preservation of undocumented traditional knowledge. This study aimed to document the floristic diversity and traditional knowledge from unexplored areas of tehsil Gujrat, Pakistan, an ecologically rich region between Jhelum and Chenab Rivers.

Methods: Field surveys were conducted in tehsil Gujrat, Pakistan and data was gathered from 425 respondents through structured and semi-structured interviews using purposive and snowball sampling. Quantitative indices, including UV, RFC, ICF and FL were employed to determine the medicinal importance of documented species. To assess the uniqueness, cultural exchange and intergenerational retention patterns of traditional knowledge, Jaccard’s Similarity Index (JSI) and Novelty Percentage (NP) were employed.

Results: A total of 83 plant species from 40 families were documented, with herbs (40%) and the Rutaceae family being dominant. Leaves were the most utilized plant part (41%), primarily prepared through decoctions (39%). Mentha arvensis L. showed the highest UV (0.2565), while Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. exhibited the highest RFC (0.1929) and FL (19.3%) for skin health. The highest ICF (0.481) was recorded for musculoskeletal issues. Comparative analysis revealed JSI scores ranging from 12.9% to 50.4%, indicating low to medium similarity with neighboring areas. Notably, the study recorded a high Novelty Percentage (up to 79%), largely due to the medicinal use of ornamental species like Agave attenuata Salm-Dyck and Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd.

Conclusions: The study highlights that tehsil Gujrat possesses a rich and unique ethnobotanical heritage that is dynamically adapting, as evidenced by the integration of ornamental plants into traditional medicine. The high novelty and low similarity index underscore the necessity of site-specific documentation to prevent the erosion of localized indigenous knowledge.

Keywords: Flora, Gujrat, Regions, Culture, Medicinal, Commonalities

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Published

2026-06-05

How to Cite

Hussain, K., Sarwar, Q., Nawaz, K., Arshad, N., Zafar, S., Alshaqhaa, M. A., Anwar, Z., & Mkaddem-guedri, M. . (2026). Ethnobotanical surveys for the assessment of traditional knowledge of the local flora in Tehsil Gujrat, Pakistan. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 34, 1–24. Retrieved from https://www.ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/8208

Issue

Vol. 34 (2026)

Section

Research

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