THE MORNING GLORY'S MEDICINAL TREASURE: AN ETHNOBOTANICAL INVENTORY OF FAMILY CONVOLVULACEAE IN UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA.

Although the Convolvulaceae family is home to ornamental and agricultural species, ethnomedicinal knowledge accumulated in Uttar Pradesh, India largely goes undocumented. This study was conducted to systematically document the medicinal species of Convolvulaceae in Uttar Pradesh, documenting their botanical identity, vernacular names, habitats, and therapeutic applications. A widespread field survey took place in multiple districts of Uttar Pradesh between May 2015 and March 2021. Data were collected using field observations and interviews with local residents. Plant specimens were collected, identified, and deposited in the Duthie Herbarium. The research recorded 28 medicinal plant species from 12 genera. The genus Ipomoea was the most abundant (13 species). Leaves and the whole plant were the most commonly used elements, mostly for making pastes, juices or decoctions to treat a broad range of more than 50 ailments. An initial conservation assessment showed that 32% of these species are of High conservation priority due to rarity and overharvesting. This study makes the first combined ethnobotanical knowledge on the Convolvulaceae family of the Uttar Pradesh state which is regarded as vital in local traditional medicine and highlights the importance of conservation, and ongoing pharmaceutic study.