Nelumbo - The Bulletin of the Botanical Survey of India

R. B. Mohanty ¹, B. K. Tripathy ², T. Panda ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Botany, N.C. (Autonomous) College, Jajpur - 755001, Odisha, IN
2 Department of Botany, Dharmasala College, Jaraka, Jajpur - 755050, Odisha, IN
3 Department of Botany, S.N. College, Rajkanika, Kendrapara - 754220, Odisha, IN

Abstract

Pith plant (Aeschynomene aspera L., Leguminosae:Papilionoideae) is found abundantly in the wetlands of Jajpur district, Odisha. The traditional florists and many craftsmen attached to various temples make good use of this plant for decoration purposes. The soft stem of the plant are used in many religious and socio-cultural functions in the district and has been instrumental in providing livelihood to this section of people. But with rapidly shrinking water bodies and loss of its natural habitat, the availability of this species is getting scarce. The fate of this traditional craft and of the craftsmen in the changing scenario is analysed.

Keywords

Pith Plant, Water Bodies, Traditional Craftsmen, Temple Rituals.

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