Evaluation of Local Weed Flora of South Gujarat for Dry Flower Products

An investigation was carried out to explore and evaluate the weed flora to obtain dried ornamentals for making of dry flower products. Nine species of weeds viz., Dinebra arabica, Argyreia speciosa, Setaria verticillata, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Cyperus rotundus, Celosia argentea, Digitaria sanguinalis, Echinochloa colonum and Eragrostis pilosa growing locally in the south Gujarat region were evaluated for the study. Either inflorescence or leaves of the weeds employing press drying method were evaluated for their dried ornamental value in the year 2015-2017. Among different weeds, maximum percent loss in weight after drying was observed in the leaves of Argyreia speciosa followed by the inflorescence of Echinochloa colonum after drying. No shattering was observed in the dried leaves of Argyreia speciosa and dried inflorescence of Celosia argentea and Cyperus rotundus while maximum shattering in the inflorescence was observed in the dried inflorescence of Echinochloa colonum. Maximum time taken for drying (5.87-6.1 days) was required in Argyreia speciosa (leaves) followed by inflorescence of Celosia argentea (4.34.41 days) and Setaria verticillata (4.34.37 days) in both the years and pooled data. Maximum shelf life after drying (more than 170 days) was observed in the dried leaves of Argyreia speciosa which was at par with dried inflorescence of Celosia argentea. Ornamental value was found to be the best in the dried leaves of Argyreia speciosa and dried inflorescence of Celosia argentea and Setaria verticillata with highest visual score of (5), followed by Echinochloa colonum and Eragrostis pilosa with 4 as visual score as observed in both the years. Article History Received: 28 November 2017 Accepted: 20 December 17