Botanical identification and ethno-medicinal uses of some underground part of medicinal plants collected and traded in Marrakech region

To establish a standardized and reliable data basis on the medicinal species used for their underground organs, many specimens were collected in the Marrakech region in collaboration with collectors and herbalists. The local ethno-medicinal uses of these medicinal underground organs were also recorded. The result showed that forty one medicinal species are exploited for their underground organs to treat a variety of human diseases. All species are wild collected and the root represents the most underground organ used. The families Asteraceae, Apiaceae and Caryophyllaceae are the more represented with respectively 10, 8 and 3 species. Comparing our data with the scientific literature showed that for each species identified, we have a complex of species and in some cases we have completely different species. On the human disease, we have identified 30 different types that have been cured using these underground organs. Rheumatism, cough and common cold, weight gain and stomach problems are the major problems treated.   Key words: Underground organs, medicinal plants, identification, ethno-medicinal uses, Marrakech region.