Elaboration of phylogenetic studies in Berberis spp. from Karakoram Ranges. I. Morpho-pathological data.

Berberis, an important genus belonging to family Berberidaceae, comprises of approximately 500 species. Berberis species (spp.) are perennially deciduous and evergreen shrub; with a thick woody spiny shoot. Different Berberis spp. and their parts are commonly used in Eastern, Ayurvedic, Unani and modern system of medicines. Berberis spp. are traditionally being used to treat of jaundice, enlargement of spleen, AIDS, osteoporosis, heart, ocular trachoma, hypertension, infectious diseases, cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, eye troubles, leprosy, bone fractures and cancer. Although numerous studies have been performed on the genus Berberis but still the taxonomy of the genus is somewhat uncertain. Present study was therefore designed to elaborate phylogenetic relationships of various accessions of Berberis from CKNP area using morpho-pathological characters. Twenty four morpho-pathological characters were studied in 11 Berberis natural populations from Karakoram mountainous ranges. Relatively lower range (0.01-0.25) of GD estimates was observed among 11 Berberis accessions which indicated close genetic relatedness among the accessions. Dendrogram based on morphopathological characters was constructed. Accessions were classified in 4 clusters comprising upon 4, 3, 3, and 1 accession, respectively. Most distant accessions found during present study were those collected from Juglot and NaltarE areas.