Abstract

The drug source of Pashanbheda in Himalayan region is usually a mixture of plant parts of two species of Bergenia Moench (Saxifragaceae), namely B. ciliata (Haw.)Sternb. and B. pacumbis (Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don) C.Y.Wu & J.T.Pan =B. ligulata Engl.) There exists certain confusion about the identity of both the species as their habitat ecology and morphology overlap. These two species are strikingly similar in pubescent-ciliate leaves and long-stalked inflorescence though they are distinct in their overall morphology, nature of ligules, rhizome and the distribution along altitudes and latitudes. Several research studies of drug efficacy have shown that B. pacumbis is more effective than B. ciliata. The present study, through a field and lab-based comprehensive study revisited these species in terms of habit, habitat, external morphology, macromolecules and pharmacog- nosy to diagnose and distinguish them which are often confused, misidentified and continued to be gathered in the field and/or used as mixed crude drug as a source of Pashanbheda. The principal source of the bioactive compound bergenin is in its rhizome though bergenin, with its structural diversity and analogues, is not specific to the genus Bergenia but also found in Saxifraga siberica of the family and reported from as many as 33 different Angiosperm families, from no less than 120 species. By shedding light on these aspects, this study contributed to a refined understanding of Pashanbheda’s sourcing and potential applications, addressing the intricate interplay between taxonomy, pharmacology and tradi- tional knowledge. More importantly, the two contested species of Bergenia are now treated as infraspecific taxa (varieties) of B. ciliata based on nomenclatural priority and taxonomic need. The required new combination and a status novum was proposed for B. pacumbis under B. ciliata.