LEPTADENIA RETICULATA(RETZ.) WIGHT & ARN. ( JIVANTI): A REVERED ETHNOMEDICINAL CLIMBER OF BANASKANTHA DISTRICT NORTH GUJARAT, INDIA

In various cultures and traditions of India, plants hold deep spiritual, medicinal, and ecological significance. Revered plants are an integral part of indigenous knowledge systems, symbolizing the profound connection between humans and nature. Leptadenia reticulata (Retz.) Wight & Arn., commonly known as Jivanti, is one such sacred plant valued for its multifaceted roles in traditional practices. This study aims to document the ethnobotanical knowledge associated with Jivanti in the Banaskantha district of Gujarat. Field observations and interactions with local communities were conducted to explore their use in traditional medicine, rituals, and cultural ceremonies. This document has importance not only as a medicinal resource but also as a cultural symbol preserved through generations. This research contributes to the conservation of indigenous knowledge and promotes awareness of the sustainable use of revered plant species in local traditions.