Autumn Olive a Medicinal Plant from Azad Jammu and Kashmir

The present investigation was carried out on autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata), a medicinal shrub. Populations were taken from Drake, Trar, Trar-Poth, Chotagala, Hussain Kot, Chak, Khaigala, Shamsabad, Pothi and Mutialmaira, of District Poonch Azad Kashmir. The comparisons were based on genetical and biochemical analysis. The data for morphological traits were analysed statistically. The mean values for each trait were used to run Single Factor analysis. Elaeagnus umbellata is a member of Elaeagnaceae family and is also called cardinal olive or autumn olive. It is native to China, India, Pakistan, Korea and Japan and was introduced to United States in 1930. It is found commonly at altitudes ranging from 1200 to 2100 m. It is common specially on dry and exposed places on hills. It does very well on infertile soil because its root nodules house nitrogen-fixing actinomycetes. It is an ideal plant for preventing soil erosion and land reclamation and grows well under drought conditions and variable soil pH ranging from 5.5 to 8.0. The plant is also important as fuel wood, fencing, fodder, basket making and for the purpose of shelterbelts.