Advanced Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN: 2812-3492 Vol. 3 (1), pp. 017-022, September, 2017. © Advanced Scholars Journals

Full length Research paper

Taxonomic evaluation of the medicinal and economic values of some species of Indigofera L. (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae

^*1Nwachukwu CU, ²Mbagwu FN, ¹Ukpai KU and ¹Omugo JE

¹Department of Biology, Alvan Ikoku University of Education, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

²Deptment of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

Corresponding Author :[email protected]

Accepted 29 July,2015

Abstract

Investigations on the medicinal and economic values of eight species of Indigofera from Eastern Nigeria were carried out. This is with a view of documenting the outcome which will serve as a data base that will provide basic phytochemical, pharmaceutical and industrial information on which further researches could be based.Results from this investigation revealed that various vegetative and reproductive organs of these taxa are important medicinally and economically. To this end the significance of these plant organs in traditional medicine as well as their potential as foreign exchange earner were documented. Emphasis on these plants stemmed from their popular usage in alternative medicine in Nigeria particularly by the people of Eastern Nigeria.

Key words: Indigofera, ethnomedicine, evaluation, habits, taxonomy, economic values.