Page 447 - e-Book

Morphology

Walnut is a large, extensive and deciduous tree attaining a height of 27-40 m, and a trunk
take up diameter up to 2.5 m diameter, usually has a short base trunk and wide upper crown,

still taller and narrower in dense forest competition. The walnut trees grow well in full
sunlight as it is light demanding or sun loving species. When the tree is young it possesses

bark which is smooth, olive-brown and on older branches bark is silvery-grey which has
rougher texture with some scattered broad fissures. The leaves are present in clusters of 4-7

leaflets which are paired in alternate manner and contain a single leaf slightly larger at the

terminal position. Each clusters of leaves are borne on twigs; every leaf is 25-42 cm long
with tapering ends and broad middle having a 2 cm petiole. There are present male flowers

which are drooping catkins 4-10 cm long, and the female flowers are present at terminal,

generally present in groups of 2 to 5, which formed into a fruit that is green, fleshy outer husk

and inner brown corrugated nut in the autumn season (Sharma et al. 2020; Thakur et al. 2020;
AbuTaha and Wadaan, 2011). The morphological illustrations are showed in (Fig. 2-4).
Almost all parts of the walnut are well illustrated.

Walnut composition and nutritional value
Since from the ancient times walnut has been used in human nutrition. It is being included in

the priority list of plants in the world due to its rich phytochemistry that makes it as a source

of rich nutrients. The kernels have high protein and oil content which make this fruit essential
for human nutrition. Walnut are rich in nutrients due to the presence of high amount of

proteins, vitamins, fats and minerals. Besides these, they are also an efficient source of
polyphenols, phenolic acids and flavonoids (AbuTaha and Wadaan, 2011; Gandev, 2007).

The nutrient values and content of phytochemicals are influenced by genotypes, cultivar,
ecology and nature of soil. Fats is found to be present in higher amount about 68% and

proteins are also present about 16% in the kernels of walnut fruits (Martinez et al., 2010;

Muradoglu et al., 2010; Gupta et al., 2019).
Ethnomedicinal uses

An extensive survey carried out in the major walnut producing areas of J&K UT. The

traditional ethnomedicinal knowledge was documented by taking interviews and open-end
discussion about the uses of walnut as a medicinal plant. The local peoples include

inhabitants, herbalists, medicinal healers, tribes, Gujjars and Bakerwals and was from 18 to
80 years age range. The interviewed revealed that Tribes, Gujjars and Bakerwals use the plant

more frequently than local inhabitants. This means that there is improper sharing of
ethnomedicinal knowledge. Among all, they cited the use of walnut maximum and hence,

437