Distributional Status of Apocynum venetum L. (Sword-Leaf Dogbane) in Sham Valley, Ladakh Himalaya
摘要
The presence of Apocynum venetum L. (Apocynaceae) is documented from two sites at a distance of approximately 15 km from each other in the Sham Valley of the Union Territory of Ladakh in the Northwestern Himalaya, at ~2700 masl. The species was identified and validated by comparing the peculiar morphological characters with the key of the species available in the literature and floras, which confirmed the occurrence of Apocynum venetum L. in Ladakh. The collected plant samples were processed, Herbarium sheets prepared, and deposited in the Herbarium of the Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Jammu (RJH) for future reference. A. venetum L. is used in the traditional medicine system of many Asian countries for the treatment of hypertension, anxiety, and liver disorders.