Abstract

REVIEW ON SCIRPUS ARTICULATUS: A WEED WITH MANY PROSPECTIVE

Richa Gupta*, Amit Agarwal and Navjit Kaur

ABSTRACT

Scirpus articulatus (Bulrush/Chichora) is very well distributed sedge of genus Scirpus and family Cyperaceae. It is known by a lot of local names at different places. It mostly grows near wet or marshy areas. The plant is perennial, erect, glabrous and non-rhizomatous, height ranges between 30-90 cm. The main characteristic feature of Chichora is thick and tufted strong stems of light green in colour. Its germination is done by Seed propagation and flowers appear near the stem base. According to the analysis, this plant is rich in water content and contains good amount of protein, fat and many minerals. The GC/MS analysis of seed hexane, chloroform and Methanol extracts has shown the presence of saturated fatty acids and various phytosterols. Presence of Diosgenin, Vanillin, Anthranilic acid and Carbonic acid was confirmed in seed extracts using Thermal Desorption System. S. articulatus is also rich in phenolic and flavonoid constituents. It can also be used as bioindicator for contamination detection of Chlorine, Rubidium, Mangneese and Titanium because of high concentration of these elements in it. The plant is used traditionally as purgative and tuber part is indicated for the treatment of vomiting and diarrhoea. Other reported activities are antibacterial, febrifuge, contraceptive, anthelmintic, antifungal, digestive, antiemetic, sedative and carminative. Its seeds and nuts are used for preparation of sweet dish as laddu in lower Assam and Khubani in districts of Bihar. According to veterinary practice, this whole plant can be used as food of cattle for more lactation. Pharmacologically it is proved to be used as an antioxidant, antibacterial against both gram positive & gram negative bacteria and as Phytoremediator. As compared to other species of Scirpus, this plant is lesser explored and the current review is an effort to collect and present all characteristics of Scirpusarticulatus plant.

Keywords: Isolepis articulata, Khubani, Physoderma thirumalacharii, Phytoremediation, Schoenoplectiella.