Distribution and Taxonomy of Epilobium L.: A Review

Abstract

Abstract

Genus Epilobium L. belongs to family Onagraceae, a well-defined family of about 17 genera and 675 species belonging to temperate and subtropical areas. It is distributed in temperate western Himalaya at an altitude 1524–2133 m from Kashmir to Kumaon. The genus is spread throughout the temperate and cold regions of the World. It is plentiful in New Zealand, appearing in the mountains only of the warmer regions. It consists of approximately 200 species distributed worldwide. The highest antibacterial effect of the ethanolic extract of Epilobium may be due to its high content of flavonoids, tannins and steroids. This review is an attempt to assess the Distribution and taxonomy of Epilobium L. The family contains both woody and herbaceous species. Most of the species in the genus grow in diverse environments both in aquatic as well as terrestrial habitats. Family Onagraceae is monophyletic in origin with the genus Ludwigia as a basal group as suggested by molecular and morphological analysis.

Keywords: Epilobium hirsutm, Onagraceae, distribution, taxonomy

Cite this Article

Asma Ashraf, Afrozah Hassan, Irshad A. Nawchoo et al. Distribution and Taxonomy of Epilobium L.: A Review. Research & Reviews: Journal of Botany. 2017; 6(2): 37–42p.