Volume 9 No.2, 2003 TheThe EasterEasternn GhatsGhats EPTRI - ENVIS Newsletter Endangered Medicinal of Eastern

Contents Foreword

♦Foreword 1 When the theme ‘Endangered Medicinal ♦ Threat to Indigenous Species of Plants of the region‘ was Hills of Eastern Ghats 2 announced in Vol. 9, No: 1, 2003, it was ♦Threatened Endemic Plants from Eastern Ghats 3 anticipated that we shall receive an ♦Study on Medicinal Plants overwhelming response that may prompt us suggested 7 to devote at least two issues to the topic. ♦Survey of Threatened and Rare Flora However, we are pleased to have received in Eastern Ghats, 8 six articles which, along with supporting ♦Medicinal Plants Conservation & Sustainable Utilization Project photographs, tabular data and two news (MPCSUP) 8 clippings of interest, compelled us to ♦A Note on some Endangered increase the number of pages of the Medicinal Plants as NTFPs of Newsletter from the regular 12 pages to 16 Eastern Ghats, 11 pages. The photographs on the cover page ♦Reproductive aspects of Medicinally and those included in the article entitled: important and Endangered Tree species, Santalum album and ‘Threatened Endemic Plants from Eastern Pterocarpus santalinus in the Ghats, India‘ are taken from Dr. S. N. k Eastern Ghats 13 Jadhav, IFS., the then Field Project Director ♦ beddomei Dyer : The Pride made available through the Proceedings of species of Eastern Ghats in the CAMP Workshop of Medicinal Plants Andhra Pradesh 15 Conservation Centre, Hyderabad.

The request to the researchers, NGOs and stakeholders is repeated to send us papers, details of work and news items relevant to the theme announced for the forthcoming issue of the Newsletter: Bird – Interactions in the Eastern Ghats region.

ENVIS Coordinator

Photograph shows Dendrobium macrostachium commonly knwon as ‘Radam’ grown in-situ at EPTRI Campus. Readers are...... Second photograph(from top) on cover shows the flowers of this orchid in bloom. WELCOME to contribute articles to our Newsletter. Theme of our next issue is Note The views expressed in the article/s are of the Authors. “Bird - Plant Interactions in Eastern Ghats”. 1 ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION TRAINING & RESEARCH INSTITUTE (EPTRI), HYDERABAD EPTRI - ENVIS Newsletter Vol. 9 No.2, 2003

Threat to Indigenous Species of Tirumala Hills of Eastern Ghats N. Savithramma Department of Botany, S.V. University, - 517 502, A.P. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

The Eastern Ghats are a Tors of geological antiquity with complex soils and reddish brown loams and elevated from isolated mountain ranges lying between Mahanandi and 380 to 930m above the Mean Sea Level (MSL) with an Vaigai rivers. The area is spread over 1750 km traversing the average rainfall of 1190 mm and temperature between 30.4°C length of the between 10° - 20° N latitudes to 41°C. The vegetation extention in Tirumala is around 85 with varied precipitation records under monsoon conditions. sqkm after that upto 500 km surrounding the Tirumala hills Floristically this region is very rich with more than 2000 the vegetation is nil. Tirumala - Cuddapah - Nallamalai hill species known so far of flowering plants which constitute range is eleventh one among 40 hot spots (endemic centres) about 13% of the flora of India. of India. Since geological factors of Cuddapah formation and soil types with red and calcarious shales the vegetation Most of the endemic taxa of Eastern Ghats are palaeoendemics. supports edaphic endemics like valuable red sanders and The distribution pattern of the endemic plants in E. Ghats several narrow endemics like Pimpinella tirupatiensis, Boswellia are quite different from those of . The species ovalifoliolata and Cycas beddomei. The forest of hills is an rich zones are isolated primarily because hill ranges with admixture of very rich deciduous, semi evergreen, evergreen innumerable small plains in between resulting in human and and hydrophytic plants represents about 1500 species tribal habitation. Thus the isolation and restricted belonging to 176 families of higher plants. Among these distribution of endemic plants might have resulted due to vascular plants one Gymnosperm and 5 Angiosperms are multiple factors such as geographical, ecological, edaphic and endemic. These seven endemic plant species are having high the climatic barriers are much more pronounced. Most of economic and medicinal values and distributed at the these are under commercial exploitation of land by building different altitudes. dams, monoculture and forest plantations have had a devastating effect on the vegetation and natural habitats of The amplitude of these plants got enormously depleted in the region. The southern dry deciduous zone is lying between the past few years due to increasing demand for wood and and Madhura hills. The isolated Tirumala plant drugs by local tribals. Hence in the present hills are part of Seshachalam hill range, which has many communication an attempt has been made to familiarise the interesting edaphic and narrow endemic plants. indigenous plant wealth of Tirumala to scientific community and other organisations as they are conservation dependent Tirumala hills are situated between 79°19' to 79°23' E and data deficient. longitude and 13°37 to 13°43' N latitude in of Andhra Pradesh, India. The hills are composed of granite ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Pterocarpus santalinus

Syzygium alternifolium 2 EPTRI - ENVIS Newsletter Vol. 9 No.2, 2003

Pimpinella tirupatiensis

Shorea tumbuggaia Boswellia ovalifoliolata Threatened Endemic Plants from Eastern Ghats, India Ch. Sudhakar Reddy, K.N. Reddy*, P.R.C. Prasad and V.S. Raju** Forestry & Ecology Division, National Remote Sensing Agency, Balanagar, Hyderabad-37, *Society for Conservation of Natural Resources and Indigenous Knowledge, Dharmavaram, Anantapur-515 672; **Department of Botany, Kakatiya University, Warangal-506 009 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

The Eastern Ghats are one of the richest floristic and Distr.: Restricted to Puri and Angul forests of Orissa. phytogeographical regions of India. Eastern Ghats are located Note: After Haines (1919) no recent collections between 76 56 and 86 30 E longitudes and 11 30 and 22 are available at CAL. N latitudes. They extend in a north east-south west strike in the Indian Peninsula covering an area of about 70, 000 sq. 2. Andrographis beddomei Clarke (Acanthaceae) km. with an average width of 200 km in the north and 100 Erect herb. km in the south. They extend over a length of 1750 km Distr.: Endemic to Cuddapah (Guvvalacheruvu) and between the rivers and Vaigai along the East coast. Visakhapatnam (Simhachalam) districts of Andhra Pradesh. On the basis of observation of existing literature and Note: Known from two collections only (S.K. Wagh herbarium collections, a short account of threatened endemic 4406 in 1955 at BLAT; R.V. Reddy 8124 in plants of Eastern Ghats was presented here. 1990 at MH and SKU).

The present article focuses on about 33 endemic taxa of 3. Andrographis nallamalayana Ellis (Acanthaceae) Eastern Ghats. Of these 12 taxa are known from type A procumbent herb. collection only and 5 taxa are recollected from type locality Distr.: Endemic to Nallamalais of Kurnool district only, 12 species are included under different IUCN threat ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ of Andhra Pradesh. categories (based on Red Data Books on Indian Plants and Note: Known from Ellis collections only. Conservation Assessment and Management Planning (CAMP) workshop 2001, Andhra Pradesh). Each taxon is 4. Argyreia arakuensis Bal. (Convolvulaceae) briefly discussed. A climbing shrub. Distr.: Endemic to (Araku 1. Aglaia haslettiana Haines (Meliaceae) ) of Andhra Pradesh. Evergreen tree. Note: It is not collected since its discovery (i.e. after 1961). 3 EPTRI - ENVIS Newsletter Vol. 9 No.2, 2003 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Decalepis hamiltonii Hildegardia populifolia ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Terminalia pallida Pimpinella tirupatiensis 5. Boswellia ovalifoliolata Bal. & Henry (Burseraceae); 8. spiralis Wight (Asclepiadaceae); Vern: Guggilam. Vern: Nimmati Gadda. Medium sized tree. Slender, erect herb with depressed tuber and grass Distr.: Endemic to Chittoor (Tirumala hills), like . Cuddapah and Kurnool districts of Andhra Distr.: Endemic to Peninsular India. Pradesh. (En) Note: In Red Data Book of Indian Plants it was placed under the Vulnerable category. All Ceropegia 6. Brachystelma glabrum Hook.f. (Asclepiadaceae) species are kept under Plants and the Indian Wildlife Erect glabrous herb. (Protection) Act, Schedule II-Part-B and Negative Distr.: Endemic to Cuddapah hills [Hooker.f. list of Export Policy, 1997-2002. (1883), R.H. Beddome (RHB, s.n. MH)] of Andhra Pradesh. 9. Cleome viscosa var. nagarjunakondensis Sund.-Ragh. Note: It was not collected after Beddome (1881) (Cleomaceae) collection. Probably extinct. Erect herb. Distr.: Endemic to valley (Nalgonda 7. Brachystelma volubile Hook.f. (Asclepiadaceae) district), a type locality. Twining, perennial herb, with an underground tuber. Note: After 1964, there are no recent collections Distr.: Endemic to Cuddapah hills [Hooker.f. (1883) available in any herbaria (known from type R.H. Beddome (RHB, s.n. MH)] of Andhra collection only). Pradesh. 10. Chrysopogon velutinus (Hook.f.) Bor. (Poaceae) Note: It was not collected after Beddome’s (1881) A perennial, tufted grass. collection. Probably extinct. Distr.: This grass is extremely rare and reported to be endemic to Cuddapah district in Andhra Pradesh. 4 EPTRI - ENVIS Newsletter Vol. 9 No.2, 2003 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Note: It was described by Hooker.f. (1896) based Note: No other collections are available. (Mooney on the collection of Wight. The species may be 3652, 3657 (DD): near Raisili village, Koraput, 25- probably extinct. 10-1950.)

11. Crotalaria madurensis Wight var. kurnoolica Ellis 17. Dimorphocalyx kurnoolensis R. Raju & Pullaiah and Swaminathan (Papilionaceae) (Euphorbiaceae) Erect undershrub. Small tree. Ellis and Swaminathan (1969) reported it from R.R. Raju and T. Pullaiah (1994) reported Srisailam of Kurnool district. Later R.R. Venkata it from Owk forest of Erramalais of Kurnool district. Raju recollected this variety from Balugram RF of Distr.: Endemic to Erramalais (Owk forest), type Kurnool district. locality. Distr.: Endemic to Nallamalais of Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. 18. Heterostemma deccanense (Talb.) Swarup. and Mangaly (Asclepiadaceae) 12. Crotalaria paniculata var. nagarjunakondensis Thoth. Vern: Pedda Gana Joola. (Papilionaceae) A wiry climber. Undershrub. Distr.: Endemic to West and East Godavari Distr.: Endemic to Nagarjunakonda valley (Nalgonda and Khammam districts. district.), a type locality. Note: The species was described by Talbot (1911) Note: After 1958, there are no recent collections based on the specimens collected by Krishna from available in any herbaria. Recently K.N. Reddy West Pune in 1887. After the type collection the (January, 2002) rediscovered this rare taxon from species has not been collected. Hence Nayar and type locality. Sastry (1987) recorded this species as endangered and possibly extinct. Recently K.N. Reddy and C.S. 13. Cycas beddomei Dyer (Cycadaceae) Reddy (2000) rediscovered this taxon from Vern: Pareetha. Maredumilli MPCA of East Godavari district and Large shrubby gymnosperm. It is restricted to hills Sukkumamidi MPCA of Khammam district. above 650 m only. Distr.: Restricted to Sheshachalam hills of Chittoor 19. Hildegardia populifolia (Roxb.) Schott. & Endl. and Cuddapah districts of Andhra Pradesh. (Sterculiaceae) Status: Critical Endangered Globally (CAMP., A.P., Vern: Gali Budda, Delibuda. 2001); (CR) G. Small tree. Distr.: Endemic to Middle and southern Eastern Note: It is the only gymnospermous species, endemic ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ to Middle Eastern Ghats. It was included in the list Ghats (Andhra Pradesh: Nigidi hills of Anantapur, of specified plants, as per schedule 6 of Indian Ankalammakonda of Chittoor; : Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. Villupuram (Kalyrayan hills, Pakkamalai hills) and Salem. 14. Decalepis hamiltonii Wight & Arn. (Asclepiadaceae) Note: In Red Data Book of Indian Plants it was Vern: Nannari, Maridi placed under the Endangered category. Large glabrous climbing shrub. [Vulnerable, CAMP., A.P. (2001)] Distr.: Endemic to Southern India; Status: Endangered Globally (CAMP., A.P., 2001). 20. Lasianthus truncatus Bedd. () Note: It was facing threat due to over exploitation A shrub. and habitat destruction. Distr.: Hills of Visakhapatnam, at 1300 m (Beddome (1874) described the species A.W. Lushington). 15. Dimeria mahendragiriensis Ravi, Saxena and Note: No recent collections are available at CAL or Brahmam (Poaceae) MH. Perennial herb. Distr.: Endemic to , a type locality. 21. Leucas indica (L.) R.Br. ex Vatke var. nagalapuramiana (Chandr. & Srin.) Moulali & Pullaiah (Lamiaceae) 16. Dimeria mooneyi Raizada ex Mooney (Poaceae) Erect herb. Annual herb. Distr.: Endemic to Nagalapuram hills of Chittoor Distr.: Restricted to type locality. district. (type locality). [M. Chandrabose and 5 EPTRI - ENVIS Newsletter Vol. 9 No.2, 2003 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Srinivasan (1975)] 27. Phyllanthus narayanaswamii Gamble Note: There is no recent collection of this taxon (Euphorbiaceae) since 25 years. Undershrub. Gamble (1925) described this taxon based on the 22. Leucas mollissima Wall. ex Benth var. sebastiana collections of V. Narayanaswami (1920) from East Subbarao and Kumari (Lamiaceae) Godavari district. After, G.V. Subbarao (1974) Erect herb. recorded it from Cherukonda (GVS 28184, MH) of Distr.: Endemic to Visakhapatnam district Visakhapatnam district. (Cherukonda, Simhachalam hills) of Andhra Pradesh. Distr.: Endemic to East Godavari (Rampa hills) and ( R) Visakhapatnam (Cherukonda) districts of Andhra Pradesh. 23. Memecylon madgolense Gamble (Melastomataceae) Shrub. 28. Pimpinella tirupatiensis Bal. & Subr. (Apiaceae); Gamble (1919) described this species based on the Vern: Konda Kottimeera. collections of A.W. Lushington from Madgol hills. Erect herb. It is restricted to hilltops about an altitude of 1000- N.P. Balakrishnan & K. Subramanyam (1960) 1500 m. described this species from Tirumala hills. Distr.: Endemic to Madgol hills (type locality) of Distr.: Endemic to Tirumala hills of Chittoor district Visakhapatnam of Andhra Pradesh. of Andhra Pradesh. Note: It is known from single collection (Lushington, Status: Endangered (CAMP., A.P., 2001). 1900) only. 29. Rostellularia vahlii (Roth) Nees var. rupicola Ellis 24. Mimosa barberi Gamble (Mimosaceae) (Acanthaceae) Shrub. Herb. Distr.: Gamble bases his description on sheet (Barber Distr.: Endemic to Nallamalais of Kurnool district 5282 MH) collected by C.A. Barber from Tummaluru [J.L.Ellis (1967) described this variety from (Godavari agency, East Godavari district) in 1914. Srisailam] of Andhra Pradesh. Note: Any specimens of this species are not available Note: Known from collections of Ellis (JLE 32698 in MH (except Barber), CAL and University herbaria MH) and Moulali (DAM 5912, SKU) from Srisailam of Andhra Pradesh. only. 25. Ophiorrhiza chandrasekharanii Subbarao & Kumari 30. Shorea tumbuggaia Roxb. (Dipterocarpaceae);

(Rubiaceae) ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Vern: Thamba jalari An erect herb. Large tree. Subbarao and Kumari (1984) reported the new Distr.: Endemic to Middle Eastern Ghats of Andhra species from Vankachinta of Visakhapatnam district Pradesh (Chittoor, Cuddapah and Nellore districts) (GVS & GRK 30040, CAL & MH). Moulali (1990) and Tamil Nadu (Chengalpattu, N. Arcot districts). collected it from Galikonda (DAM 6515, SKU). It Status: Endangered (Globally, CAMP, 2001). is restricted to the altitude of above 1000 m. Distr.: Endemic to Visakhapatnam district of Andhra 31. Syzygium alternifolium (Wight) Walp. (Myrtaceae); Pradesh. Vern: Mogi. Large trees. 26. Pterocarpus santalinus L.f. (Papilionaceae) Distr.: Endemic to Chittoor, Cuddapah and Kurnool Vern: Erra Chandanam, Rakta Chandanam, Red districts of Andhra Pradesh (Middle Eastern Ghats). Sanders. Status: Endangered (Globally, CAMP., A.P., 2001). Large deciduous tree. Distr.: Endemic to Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh 32. Terminalia pallida Brandis (Combretaceae); (Chittoor, Cuddapah, Nellore and Prakasam Vern: Tella Karaka. districts) and Tamil Nadu (Chengalpattu, Large evergreen tree. Dharmapuri and Salem). Distr.: Endemic to Chittoor and Cuddapah districts Status: CR (Globally, CAMP., Andhra Pradesh, of Andhra Pradesh. 2001). Status: Endangered (Globally, CAMP., A.P., 2001). 6 EPTRI - ENVIS Newsletter Vol. 9 No.2, 2003 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ 33. Toxocarpus roxburghii Wight & Arn. (Asclepiadaceae) for efforts in plant diversity research are training of amateur Slender climber. and professional experts in the especially in the Distr.: Endemic to hills of East Godavari identification of flora is very much essential. There is urgent (Maredumilli) and Visakhapatnam (Ananthagiri) need of intensive and extensive exploration studies to know districts of Andhra Pradesh. It is restricted to hills the species populations, proper distribution of species and above 800m altitude. over all phytodiversity to conserve the biological wealth. Status: Endangered. Note: In Red Data Book of Indian Plants it was References placed under the Endangered category. Only collections of G.V. Subbarao (1977) are available Gamble, J.S. & C.E.C. Fischer 1915-1935. Flora of the at MH. Presidency of Madras. London. (Rep. Ed. 1957. BSI, Calcuta). 34. angustifolia Wight ex Hook.f. Jadhav, S.N., D.K.Ved, U. Ghate, K.N. Reddy & C.S. Reddy (Rubiaceae) 2001. Proceedings of the workshop on Conservation Assessment Small tree. and Management Planning (CAMP) for Medicinal Plants of Distr.: Endemic to Cuddapah hills of Andhra Andhra Pradesh. MPCC, Hyderabad. Pradesh. Nayar, M.P. & A.R.K. Sastry 1987. Red Data Book of Indian Status: Extinct. (2000). Plants. Vol. 1. BSI, Calcutta. Note: It was not collected since 150 years, after Rao, R.S. 1998. Vegetation and valuable plant resources of the Beddome (RHB 1880, MH). Eastern Ghats. Proceedings of the National Seminar on Conservation of Eastern Ghats 59-87. EPTRI, Hyderabad. The need for further study: Reddy, C.S. & V.S. Raju 2002. Endemic flowering plants of Andhra Pradesh, Peninsular India. Higher Plants of Indian Representatives of all groups of plants contribute to the health Subcontinent, Indian J. Forestry 13: of global ecosystem and to human welfare. As such, any loss Saxena, H.O. & M. Brahmam 1994-96. The Flora of Orissa. of biodiversity has the potential to negatively impact the ○○○○○○ Vol. I-IV Regional Research Laboratory, Bhubaneswar. future of the human population. Among the top priorities

Study on Medicinal Plants suggested The Hindu, 18th Feb 2003,Tirupati, Chittoor district, A.P. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ The Forest Department officials have been asked to take up Mr. K.S. Rao, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of a comprehensive study on conservation of medicinal plants Forests, Andhra Pradesh, stressed the need to train his men in and document the endangered plants before on the rare medicinal plants and document them, before initiating steps to conserve them. creating awareness among the public. The list of 600 to 800 valuable plants found in the State included high value plants At the inaugural session on “Policy consultation on grown in the Khammam and Rayalaseema belts. threatened medicinal plants of Eastern and Western ghats, trading and promoting their cultivation”, organised here Mr. A.B. Bhangre, Chief Conservator of Forests, , by FRLHT, a -based foundation, and the Ministry said that foresters, who were just out of the timber-oriented of Environment and Forests on Monday, it was felt that a forestry mode, should first know what they were conserving. balance had to be struck between conservation and Mr. J.C. Kala, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Tamil Nadu, spoke on the poor financial position of the State and commercial use of the medicinal plants with a rise in ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ awareness on and preference for naturo-therapy. sought help from the Centre.

Senior officials, including Dr. G.V. Sarat Babu, Additional Mr. S. Rajendran of the Medicinal Plants Authority Director (CS), Mr. M.A. Haque, Director, Union Ministry said that of the 300 types of plants, farmers cultivated only of Forests and their colleagues in the Southern States and 10 per cent leaving the rest to be extracted from the wild. Maharashtra shared the view that they have to study more He said that the ‘tribal growers-middlemen-pharma on the plants grown in the forests, their medicinal value companies’ link, being a buyer’s market, gave less to the and market potential and to initiate steps for “controlled growers and a lion’s share of the profit to the intermediaries. commercialisation.’’ 7 EPTRI - ENVIS Newsletter Vol. 9 No.2, 2003 ○○○○○○○○○

Steps were taken to make it a seller’s market to leave 30 per He wanted the Government to liberalise the stringent laws cent margin to the growers. to promote the industry. For example, prohibition on sale of ivory and opium, being used in manufacture of drugs, could Mr. N. Gopinathan, Managing Director, Aushadhi, be relaxed. State-owned pharmaceutical company, said that collection ○○○○○ and processing were not being done in a systematic manner.

Survey of Threatened and Rare Flora in Eastern Ghats, India Surya N. Reddy (Source: I BOY Satellite Projects- Asia, http://www.icsu.org) ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ The Chittoor district, one of the most outstanding vegetation ♦ Support traditional in-situ conservation programs. zones in the Eastern Ghats, is located in the Southern most region of Andhra Pradesh, India. This area shelters forest types ♦ Organise awareness camps for the public (especially in like tropical thorn, southern tropical moist deciduous and fringe areas of the forests and tribal areas) to engage tropical dry deciduous trees. It is endowed with vast natural them in the conservation of germplasm and ecology/ resources including floristic diversity that is rich and environmental protection programs. diversified. Some floristic components have great potential in terms of medicinal, botanical and economical aspects. ♦ Establish a botanical museum including a threatened Unfortunately due to indiscriminate biotic interference, the and rare plants herbarium. species are being depleted and becoming threatened at an alarming rate. Intensive exploration will identify and document threatened, rare indigenous plant taxa in the various habitats of the There is an urgent need for comprehensive studies regarding Chittoor district including areas such as Sri Venkateswara species’ habitats, their specific locality and causes of the threat. National Park at Tirupati and the Kaundinya Elephant The data available is very limited, and previous workers Sanctuary at Palamaneru. Experienced specialists will assess surveying floristic components left many areas of the district the plant species on the basis of their population, exploitation untouched also leaving behind data on threatened and rare and biotic interference. The taxa will be demarcated according flora. to IUCN guidelines as Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable and Rare. This will be useful for various The NGO Grameena Vikas Samithi (GVS) is a member of departments dealing with eco-development programs, the Commission on Education and Communicator of IUCN forestry, Biosphere Reserves, conservation of eco-types and and a partner NGO of Agriculture Man Ecology (AME) a community education. bilateral program of the Government of India and the Netherlands that seeks to implement integrated farming The project also plans to establish a botanical museum to systems for sustainable development. GVS is coordinating house the collected threatened and rare herbarium specimens the projects to: and to enhance public knowledge in biodiversity and conservation of rare and threatened plant species in the ♦ Survey threshold areas of extraction to delineate status Eastern Ghats. of the threatened and rare flora. TheAncient Indian Literature incorporates a remarkably broad definition of medicinal plants and ♦ Identify critically endangered, vulnerable, and rare considers “ all plant entities to be potential plant species. sources of medicinal substances” ○○○○○○○○○○○○ ♦ Study economic utilization of plants by tribes and “Jagatyevananaoushadham na kincit vidyate villagers (For example, the marketing and processing dravyam vasannaanartha yogayoh” aspects of Non-Timber Forest products and the collection of medicinal plants by traditional healers and (Source: Ashtanga hridaya, SU. 9-10) pharmaceutical industries). [http:\\www.envirodebate.net\medicinal_dis\forum\ medicinal_plan.html.] 8 EPTRI - ENVIS Newsletter Vol. 9 No.2, 2003 Medicinal Plants Conservation & Sustainable Utilization Project (MPCSUP) Abridged from the Final Project Report on ‘In-situ conservation & Sustainable Utilisation of Medicinal Plants in Andhra Pradesh’ Dr. S.N. Jadhav, IFS, Field Project Director, Medicinal Plants Conservation Centre, EPTRI, Hyderabad ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Introduction: most important Government agency, which can conserve Indian medicinal plants, is the State Forest Department. Thus A multi-jacketed scientific program, embodying a national far “Medicinal Plants Conservation” has not been in forestry strategy for medicinal plants conservation and sustainable agenda and hence the Andhra Pradesh has taken a conscious utilization was initiated in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, agenda by signing an MOU with FRLHT in 1998 for embodying different ecosystems lying in the Western and establishing medicinal plants conservation areas (MPCAs). Eastern Ghats with participation of major stockholders. These The project was to thus demonstrate how the forest include State Government (Forest Department), Industry, department could take practical steps to conserve In-situ research institutes and traditional custodians of medicinal medicinal plants that occur in the State. This experience is

plants. The project titled “Medicinal Plants Conservation & ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ bounded to have a multiplier effect in other states. Sustainable Utilization Project” (MPCSUP) was sanctioned by Government of India / UNDP - Country Cooperation This project demonstrated how local communities could Framework (CCF-1) 1997-2001 under thrust area of the be meaningfully involved in protection and management of management of natural resources and has been implemented the medicinal plants conservation area (MPCAs) and deriving in the State of Andhra Pradesh through Forest Department health and economic benefits in the process. In each of the and Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions conservation sites, the forest department established a local (FRLHT) in collaboration with the Environment Protection management committee (LMC) for joint protection and Training and Research Institute (EPTRI). management of the site. The LMC encouraged to suggest and implement community benefit activities related to It is noted that about 10% of all plant species are medicinal plants that are supported by this project. These endangered indicating widespread degradation of ecosystem activities are ranging from promotion of home herbal garden & therefore the urgent need for strategic conservation action. (for primary health care) to growing and processing of selected economically valuable species by women self-groups in the Today the availability of medicinal plants is under serious villages around the conservation sites. threat. Over 95% of medicinal plants used by Indian industry are collected from the wild. Threat assessment experiences as Activities: per latest IUCN guidelines, for southern and northern India have already listed around 200 species of medicinal plants To achieve the theme of conservation of medicinal plants that are rare, endangered and threatened. Government of in-situ the areas having India banned export of more than 50 species, believed to be threatened in the wild. 1. higher biodiversity and endemism, 2. absence of Biotic pressure, For India medicinal plants are important natural resource, 3. presence of Micro water shade Natural boundaries because their continued availability can ensure health security 4. sites traditionally reputed for medicinal plant wealth for millions. One-fourth (8000 species) of world known and medicinal plants occur in forest habitats. Hence the single 5. population of threatened species are selected. Comparison of flora statistics of MPCAs Particulars A.P. MPCA %age No. of families 125 121 96% No. of flowering plant genera 700 441 63% No. of flowering plant species (estimated in India 17500) 2700 810 30% No. of Medicinal plants (estimated in India 7319) 1956 685 35% No. of threatened plants (Red data book & CAMP 2001) 123 50 41% No. of threatened species (CAMP 2001) 39 26 67% No. of endemic plants 400 58 15% 9 EPTRI - ENVIS Newsletter Vol. 9 No.2, 2003

There are eight Medicinal Plants Conservation Areas Abstract of threatened medicinal plant species assessed (MPCAs) spread from sea level to 1150m and most of these in CAMP workshop: areas are falling on the Eastern Ghats running through Critically Endangered CR 4 Globally - 1 Andhra Pradesh. They are Mallur in Warangal district, Endangered EN 24 Globally - 8 Sukkumamidi in Khammam district, Maredumilli in East Vulnerable VU 11 Globally - 2 Godavari, Lankapakala in Visakhapatnam district, Coringa Total threatened 39 11 in East Godavari district, Peddacheruvu in Kurnool district, Kuntlapalli in Anantapur district, in Chittoor The list of these species and their threat status with a district. (Five of the said MPCAs fall in the districts covered basis of threat status was ascertained in CAMP workshop. by the Eastern Ghats) 26 out of above 39 species are present in MPCAs. The species, which are not located in the MPCA gains, further priority The conservation areas are located in the reserve forest for their conservation. It is required to locate those species in having less biotic interference and away from habitations but the State and bring them under the umbrella of conservation in approachable distance and locations. Andhra Pradesh is areas. having geographical area of 2,75,068 sq. Kms. In this we have 23% of forest area i.e. 63,814 sq. Kms. There are several There are 3 plants, which are endemic to Andhra Pradesh. forest types occurring in the state. They are southern tropical: They are Cycas beddomei, Pimpinella tirupatiensis, Boswellia semi evergreen, moist deciduous, dry deciduous, open scrub ovalifoliolata. They have been categorised as Critically and mangrove forest. In 0.03% of forest area (2015 Ha.) the Endangered (Globally) former one and Endangered MPCAs at 8 different locations are established covering all (Globally) the latter two. Some taxa are endemic to southern forest types and almost all altitudes. The areas taken under India studied for threatened status. There are 8 such plants, MPCA are distinctly demarcated on the ground. As such which categorised ‘Globally’ threatened in various status. they are also natural boundaries for the area. They are Butea monosperma var. lutea, Decalepis hamiltonii, Pterocarpus santalinus, Syzygium alternifolium, Terminalia In Andhra Pradesh lot of work about identification of floral pallida, Urgeria nagarjunae,(Endangered Globally), and species has been done and it is estimated that more than Hildegardia populifolia, Phyllanthus indofischeri (Vulnerable 2700 species are present in Andhra Pradesh. The MPCAs Globally). established are thoroughly visited and survey of vegetation in different seasons was carried out in the area. In the MPC Out of 39 threatened medicinal plant species 26 are Area, which is 0.03% of forest area 810 different species about located in the MPCAs that means they are protected and 31% of total flora including Herbs, Shrubs, Climbers, conserved in situ. However remaining 13 threatened Rhizome, Tubers, Trees etc are found. medicinal plant species Embelia ribes, Butea monosperma var. lutea, Urgeria nagarjunae, Acorus calamus, Angiopteris evecta, There is overlapping of species from one MPCA to another Plectranthus barbatus, Lassia spinosa, Plumbago indica, Saraca showing the spread of certain species in certain areas. About asoca, Strychnos colubrina, Phyllanthus indofischeri, Amorphyllus 810 species have been identified giving their availability in sylvaticus, Euphorbia fusiformis are not located in MPCAs. different locations of MPCAs with the respective medicinal However they are present in the forest and require special value tag. attention for their conservation.

It is estimated that there MPCA wise details of species identified: are 1800 medicinal plants present in Andhra Pradesh. S.No Name of District, AP Vegetation. Type Total No of MPCA No. of threatened During the scientific survey of species species MPCAs and collection of data recorded (as per of ethno medicinal uses of CAMP certain plants occurring A.P.2001) locally from the tribes like 1 Mallur Warangal Dry deciduous forest 266 5 Koyas, Konda reddies, 2 Sukkumamidi Khammam Dry deciduous forest 299 9 Nayakpod, Valmikies, 3 Maredumilli East Godavari Moist deciduous forest 286 10 4 Lankapakala Visakhapatnam Semi evergreen forest 200 12 Lokadora, Bhagatas, Konda 5 Coringa East Godavari Mangrove 40 0 doras, Chenchus and 6 Peddacheruvu Kurnool Dry deciduous forest 287 8 Lambadas. We found that out 7 Kuntlapalli Anantapur Scrub forests 313 7 of 810 species identified 685 8 Talakona Chittoor Dry deciduous forest 319 13 are having medicinal value. 10

EPTRI - ENVIS Newsletter Vol. 9 No.2, 2003 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ This shows more than 84% of the taxa present around us is Flora at EPTRI Campus used for medicinal purpose. EPTRI has a campus of about 20 Acres with good number Some of the threatened species are raised in nursery; they of plants. A floristic study done in the campus found 263 are also planted in forest area for creation of seed plot for the species including the planted ones. Further, 40 different species recovery. Two of such plots of are already plants from Eastern Ghats region were brought and planted. raised in East Godavari district. More number of such plots These species include orchids and threatened plants. They is required to be raised for threatened species for their are: Acamphae praemorsa, Adiantum lunulatum, Adiantum sp. recovery. The threatened species are not seen to be cultivated Aegle mormelos, Amorphophallus paenolifolius,Angiopteres evecta, and no cultivation practices are established for most of the Anodendron paniculata, Arisaema tortuosum, Aristolochia threatened species. Propagation method of tropical Indian indica, Baliospermum montanum, Bambusa vulgaris, medicinal plants including threatened species has been Bulbophyllum nilgherensis,Caryota urens, Cassia senna, Cayratia published by FRLHT, Bangalore. pedata, Chlorophytum tuberosum, Colocasia sp., Curculigo orchioides, Curcuma pseudomontana, Dendrobium herbaceum, People have to be made aware about the medicinal plants, Dendrobium macrostachium, Dillenia pentagyna, Dioscorea sp., their threatened status, their importance and easy usage for Geodorum densiflorum, Gymnema sylvestre, Hemidesmus indicus, small ailments. They are also made aware to have home herbal Hemigraphis latebrosa, Liparis sp. Lusia zeylanica, Nervilia gardens community herbal gardens for ready use. aragonana, Ophiorrhiza mungos, Persitylus lawii, Pholidota imbricata, Polygonum chinensis, Pupalia lappacea, Rhaphidophora decursiva, Schefflera stellata, Vanda testacea, Wattakaka volubilis and Zingiber roseum. A Note on Some Endangered Medicinal Plants as NTFPs of Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh Mr. K.R.S.L. Narasimham and Dr. Bharath Kumar Ravuru, EPTRI, Hyderabad.

constituting about 13% of the flowering plants of India. Eastern Ghats are a long chain of broken hills and elevated (T. Pullaiah et.al., 1997). plateaus, running about 1750 km between the rivers Mahanadi and Vaigai along the Indian East Coast through Among the tribes of Eastern Ghats, nearly 33 tribal Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Tamilnadu. A little more than communities ( Rao & Henry, 1996) indirectly or ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ 50% of the forest area of Andhra Pradesh region lies in the directly depend on forests for their daily needs like food, Eastern Ghats. fodder, shelter, medical lore and magico-religious practices. They collect seasonal tubers, rhizomes, roots, leaves, flowers, The region has a mega thermal regime of climate that favours resins, honey and fruits etc. growth of vegetation and forest. The vegetation types vary from semi-evergreen forests to scrub jungles. Their activities related to Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) have been confined to collection, processing and Eastern Ghats comprise rich floristic diversity with more marketing. Some endangered NTFPs are listed in the Table. than 2531 species under 700 genera and 125 families

List of Some chief Endangered NTFPs collected by the Tribals of Eastern Ghats:

Botanical Name Family Local Name Part (s) Uses Medicinal other uses Acorus calamus Araceae Vacha Rhizome Indigestion, Flavour in Throat drinks ailments Vermifuge, insecticides Rutaceae Bilva, Maredu Leaf, Flower, Cold, cough Worships, Fruit Refrigerant Edible. Tanning

11 EPTRI - ENVIS Newsletter Vol. 9 No.2, 2003

Botanical Name Family Local Name Part (s) Uses Medicinal other uses Angiopteris evecta Polypodiaceae Gundedada Root Refrigerant ---- dumpa Cordiac tonic Boswellia ovalifoliolata Burseraceae Guggilum Stem, Flower Stomach ache, Resin Edible Ulcers Ceropegia bulbosa Asclepiadaceae --- Tuber, Leaf --- Edible Ceropegia candelabrum Asclepiadaceae --- Root --- Edible Ceropegia hirsuta Asclepiadaceae Earragadda Tubers --- Edible Chlorophytum Liliaceae Kuchala chettu Root Wounds, ulcers Vegetable arundinaceum

Cycas beddomei Cycadaceae Perritha Pith --- Flour, Starch Plant Ornamental Dendrobium herbaceum Orchidaceae Radam Stem Ear ache Juice Dendrobium Orchidaceae Radam Stem Ear ache, Paste macrostachium Fracture Decalepis hamiltonii Asclepiadaceae Nannari Root Refrigerant gaddalu Stem Appetizer Fibre Embelia ribes Myrsinaceae Vayu vidangalu Fruit, Root Astringent, --- bark AnthelmenticA sthma Embelia tsjeriam - cottom Myrsinaceae --- Fruit Anti --- spasmodic, anthelmintic Entada pursaetha Papilionaceae Gilla chettu Seed Arthritis, Edible Stem. Ulcers Fibre, Fish poison Eulophia nuda Orchidaceae Bala kanda Tubers Tumors, --- Bronchitis Heterostemma deccanense Asclepiadaceae Pedda julapala Root. Stomach ache, --- Kidney ailments Lasia spinosa Lauraceae Salava dumpa Rhizome Body pains Edible Litsea glutinosa Lauraceae Naramamidi Fruits, Wood Diarrhoea, Edible Dysentery Furniture Nervilia aragonana Orchidaceae Vantelu dumpa Leaf. Skin ailments --- Root. Cuts, Wounds Operculina turpethum Convolvulaceae Nalla tegada Root, Constipation, Resin Stem bark Fever, Obesity Piper longum Piperaceae Pippali Root, Stem, Bronchial Spice, Fruit asthma, Throat Condiment infection Piper nigrum Piperaceae Miriyalu Seed Dysentry, Spice, Stimulant Condiment

Plumbago indica Plumbaginaceae Erra Root, Leaf. Leucorrhoea chitramoolam Plant Opthalmia Ornamental Pterocarpus santalinus Papilionaceae Errachandana Bark Constipation, Dye m Wood Fertility Furniture

12 EPTRI - ENVIS Newsletter Vol. 9 No.2, 2003

Botanical Name Family Local Name Part (s) Uses Medicinal other uses Plumbago indica Plumbaginaceae Erra Root, Leaf. Leucorrhoea chitramoolam Plant Opthalmia Ornamental Pterocarpus santalinus Papilionaceae Errachandana Bark Constipation, Dye m Wood Fertility Furniture Rauvolfia serpentina Sarpagandhi Root Hypertension, --- Epilepsy, Fevers Santalum album Santalaceae Srigandham Heart wood Expectorant, sticks, Cardiac tonic Cosmetics Saraca asoca Caesalpiniaceae Asoka Bark, Leaf, Ulcers, Diabetes, Ornamental Fruit Dysentery Sterculia urens Sterculiaceae Tapasi Leaves Source of Vitamin Stem ‘A’, Activates Resin, Wood parturition pulp Terminalia pallida Combretaceae Tella karaka Bark Diuretic Tanning Fruit Vanilla wightiana Orchidaceae Vanilla Fruit --- Flavour, Perfume, Confectionaries Wendlandia Rubiaceae --- Leaves, Wood --- Ornamental angustifolia Construction Zanthoxylum rhesta Rutaceae Racha Fruit --- Ornamental, Spice Perfume oil Zingiber roseum Zingiberaceae Rajula gadda Rhizome Stimulant, Condiment, Carminative, Perfumes Vermifuge

References: 1. Anonymous. 1948-76.The Wealth of India-Raw Materials. (Vol 1 – 11) C.S.I.R. New . 2. Jadhav, S.N., D.K. Ved, U. Ghate, K.N. Reddy & C.S. Reddy 2001. Proceedings of the workshop on Conservation Assessment and Management Planning for Medicinal Plants of Andhra Pradesh. (CAMP). MPCC, Hyderabad. 3. Jadhav.S.N.& K.N.Reddy. 2003. Threatened Medicinal Plants of Andhra Pradesh, UNDP - FRLHT, MPCC - EPTRI, Hyderabad. 4. Nayer. M.P., K.Ramamurthy & V.S. Agarwal. 1989. Economic Plants of India. (Vol. 1-2). B.S.I., Kolkatta. 5. Pullaiah.T. et.al. 1997. Flora of Andhra Pradesh (Vol 1- 3), Scientific Publishers, Jhodpur. 6. Rama Rao, N.& A.N.Henry, 1996. The Ethnobotany of Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh, India. B.S.I., Kolkatta. 7. Rao.P.S., K.Venkaiah & R.Padmaja. 1999. Field Guide on Medicinal Plants, Research & Development Circle, Forest Department, Andhra Pradesh 8. Umrao Singh, A.M. Wadhwani and B.M.Johri. 1996. Dictionary of Economic Plants in India, ICAR, New Delhi. Reproductive aspects of Medicinally important and Endangered Tree species, Santalum album and Pterocarpus santalinus in the Eastern Ghats Dr. A.J. Solomon Raju and Dr. S. Purnachandra Rao Department of Environmental Sciences. Andhra University,Visakhapatnam-530 003; E-mail: [email protected]

The conservation of biodiversity and its sustainable medicine or other products at rates which are unsustainable. management are globally recognised as vital global concerns. Suryanarayana et al. (2002) state that indiscriminate and illicit Of different life-forms, tree species are ecologically, felling operations of forest species have led the forests severely culturally, economically and medicinally valuable degraded. These operations are paving easy way for exotics components of biodiversity and their conservation is essential and thorny bushes. Loss of habitats due to agro-social to the well being of people in all parts of the world. The developmental activities by tilling the forest land is leading to threatened status of tree species results from processes of uprooting of valuable rhizomatous and tuberous species which habitat modification and destruction. Specific threats may are valuable in medicine. result from direct exploitation of the species for timber or 13 EPTRI - ENVIS Newsletter Vol. 9 No.2, 2003 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Information on medicinal trees /plants in India had been for its heavy, dark claret-red heartwood, which yields 16% provided primarily on experiences by various authors of of red colouring matter to santalin (Anon 1966). In recent Indian medicine. Each species that is used in medicine is years, a variant in this species which has wavy-grained wood quite often found to be useful to a variety of diseases and has leapt into sudden prominence because it is highly valued most of the plants are tried for the same and different types in the export market (Kedharnath 1984). The wood of P. of complaints on a regional trial. Individuals use medicinal santalinus is considered astringent, tonic and diaphoretic. A plants in their own way to achieve specific benefits in the paste of the wood is used to give cooling effect, applied form of cure (Thammanna and Narayana Rao 1990). In externally for inflammations and head-ache. It is useful in recent years, there is a growing awareness or switch over to ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ bilious affections and skin diseases. A decoction of the fruit medicinal plants for cure for a number of health problems. is used as an astringent tonic in chronic dysentry. An infusion In this context, workshops on conservation and management of the wood is used in the control of diabetes (Anon 1966; planning for medicinal plants in each region are being held Thammanna and Narayana Rao 1990). in order to develop coherent strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants. Rao and Solomon Raju (2002) published a detailed account of the pollination ecology of P. santalinus in its native habitat. In this paper, we describe the details of medicinal value and This tree species blooms once in a year during dry season reproductive aspects of two endangered tree species, ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ from late March to late May. Only honey bees visit the Santalum album L. (Santalaceae) and Pterocarpus santalinus flowers of P. santalinus. Apis dorsata is the principal pollinator L.f. (Fabaceae); the former is endangered in certain regions and visits the flowers soon after flower-opening under moon- while the latter is an endemic and endangered globally light and continues until sunrise only. Apis cerana and A. (Suryanarayana et al. 2002). florea visit the flowers during early morning hours in order to avoid high temperature during day time. This tree species S. album commonly called “white sandal wood tree” is found fruits through self and cross-pollination, but mostly eliminates in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and also in growing fruits from self-pollinated flowers. The pollination other states. Heartwood portion of the tree contains the ecology of P. santalinus is vulnerable to dry and hot conditions. essential sandal oil which has export value. Both wood and The flowers remain unvisited day-long because of the absence oil have long been employed in medicine. They are credited of pollinator activity. The ability to have self-pollination is with cooling, diaphoretic, diuretic and expectorant virtually inevitable for P. santalinus to produce fruits in properties. A paste of the wood is applied to burns, in situations when pollinators are scarce. The breeding system fevers and head-ache. It is applied to the fore-head and possessed by P. santalinus is advantageous as an endemic and upper eyelids for relief from head-ache or for cooling. The endangered species, to ensure continued survival. oil is prescribed for the treatment of gonorrhoea. Seed oil is used in treatment of skin-diseases (Thammanna As both the tree species are valued for medicine and wood, and Narayana Rao 1990). they are under great pressure for exploitation. In course of time, they have become endangered, S. album in certain Jyothi et al. (1991) worked out the pollination ecology of regions and P. santalinus globally. Therefore, immediate S. album. This tree species blooms thrice in a year: May- attention is needed to reverse the progression towards June, August-September and November-February. It extinction for these two tree species and also all other produces small, bisexual flowers with trace amount of nectar. endangered plant species in order to use them not only for It is an obligate outcrosser and essentially requires insects medicine but also for various other uses. It should be for seed set. A variety of insects visit the flowers and effect remembered that when a species is gone, it means it is loss of pollination but cross pollination is effected only when they genetic heritage. make successive conspecific inter-plant visits. Therefore, seed-setting in S. album is a direct function of cross- References pollination effected by insects. Anonymous 1966. The Wealth of India: A Dictionary of Indian Raw P. santalinus commonly called “Red Sanders” is a deciduous Materials and Industrial Products, CSIR, New Delhi, 1966, tree restricted to Cuddapah and Kurnool districts in Andhra Vol. VII. Pradesh and Arcot and Chengelpet districts in Tamil Nadu Jyothi, P. V., Atluri, J. B. and Subba Reddi C 1991. Pollination up to 500 m (Rao 1998). It has been reported to be a ecology of Santalum album (Santalaceae). Tropical Ecology native of Africa (Roubik 1995) but its entry into a restricted 32(1): 98-104. Kedharnath S 1984. Forest tree improvement in India. Proc. Indian part of India remains a mystery. This species is highly valued Acad. Sci. (Plant Sci.) 93: 401-412. Rao R. S. 1998. Vegetation and valuable plant resources of the Eastern Ghats 14 EPTRI - ENVIS Newsletter Vol. 9 No.2, 2003

with specific reference to the Andhra Pradesh and their conservation. Suryanarayana B, Madhusudhana Rao A and Sreenivasa Rao A 2002. In: The Eastern Ghats, Proceedings of the National Seminar on Plant Wealth of Veligonda Hill ranges and environs of Eastern Conservation of Eastern Ghats, Envis Centre, EPTRI, Ghats and need for its conservation. In: Proceedings of the National pp. 59-86. Seminar on Conservation of Eastern Ghats, Envis Centre, Rao, S. P. and A .J. Solomon Raju 2002. Pollination ecology of the Red EPTRI, pp.135-150. Sanders Pterocarpus santalinus (Fabaceae), an endemic and Thammanna and Narayana Rao K 1990. Medicinal plants of endangered tree species, 83(9): 1144-1148. Tirumala, Tirumala Tirupati Devastanams, Tirupati, pp. 131. Roubik D W 1995. Pollination of cultivated plants in the Tropics, FAO Agricultural Services Bulletin, Rome, pp. 118.

Fruits of P.santalinus Pterocarpus santalinus Cycas beddomei Dyer : The Pride Species of Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh Dr. Bharath Kumar Ravuru and GSN Murthy, EPTRI.

Introduction: Habit & Habitat:

The single genus in the family – Cycadaceae, Cycas – is Plants are commonly shrubs or small trees (Palm tree like). made up of about 90 species. They are chiefly distributed Brownish bark, exfoliating in rectangular scales exposing a in Australian and in Indo-Chinese regions (about 30 sp.). yellow under surface, under storey shrubs, some times quite The rest of the species are spread over in South East Asia. large on well-drained soils in Dry deciduous forests, Open hill slopes in Woodland or Savannah habitats, often on specific Citation: soils or substrates.

Cycas beddomei Dyer. Trans. Linn. Soc. London Bot., Ser. Distribution (Regional & Global) : 2, 5:85; 1394:3 FPM. Vern. / Loc. Name(s) : Peritha/ Perritha, Kondaitha. This species is known only as endemic to the Cuddapah, Seshachalam Hill ranges (700-1500 m. a part of Eastern This species has in common with the other Southern Indian Ghats) in Andhra Pradesh, North West of Madras in Eastern , non-pectinate megasporophyll with sub-globular Peninsular India. This genus is also occurs in the Malesian seeds that display a distinctive fibrous layer with in the region, Japan and South-East Asia extending to Micronesia sarcotesta and an attenuate microsporophyll apex. It can be and Polynesia, Madagaskar and East Asia. distinguished by the very narrow leaflets with revolute margins. Conservation Status : Although it is present in considerable numbers, it is noticed Distinguishing characters of the species: that this species faces a number of significant threats. It is ♦ Leaves pinnate or rarely bi-pinnate. well adapted to the rapid recovery even after fire, but frequent ♦ Leaflets with midrib, and no secondary veins. grass fires, natural calamites and human interference which ♦ Leaflets not articulated. are effectively block the reproduction by burning the seeds ♦ Megasporophylls not gathered in cones. and seedlings. 15 TheThe EEasterasternn GGhatshats Vol.9 No. 2, 2003 EPTRI - ENVIS News Letter

Based on the 1997 – IUCN Categories of Red List of Proceedings of the Workshop on Conservation Assessment and Threatened plants and CAMP Workshop (2001) – On Management Planning for Medicinal Plants of Andhra Pradesh. (CAMP), MPCC, Hyderabad, March, 9-11,2001. Medicinal Plants UNDP – FRLHT Project Reports, this Narayana Rao, K.N., Thammanna & K.S.R. Das 1981. Plant Wealth species is placed under: Endangered (E) -Regional (India) of Tirumala, T.T.D. Press. and Critically Endangered (CR)- Globally. Rama Rao, N and A.N. Henry 1996. The Ethnobotany of Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh. India. BSI, Calcutta. Medicinal & Economic Importance: Rangacharyulu, D. 1991. Flora of Chittoor District. Ph.D., Thesis, S.V. University, Tirupati. Schuster, J. 1932. Cycadaceae. In A. Engler.ed. Das.Pflanzen reich. 99 The species have great medicinal value as well as economic 4,10: 1-168. and ornamental importance. They are:- The Pages © 1998- Royal Botanical Gardens- Sydney. The Cycads- Botanical Gardens, Oslo. 12 July, 2001. ♦ Cycas beddomei (Pith) eaten as flour in India. Vedavathy, S. 1992 . Studies on Medicinal Plants of Tirumala and ♦ Male cones of C. beddomei are harvested for medicinal Tirupati, Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh. Ph.D. Thesis. S. V. uses (in Ayurveda System of Medicine). University, Tirupati. ♦ Sago from the pith for flour and bread in India. ♦ Cycad sp. are popular ornamental plants. ♦ C. circinalis the pith is eaten as starch in Western Pacific region. ♦ Cycad sp. are the food source for aborigines in Bowenia.

Bibliography:

Anonymous, 1948-76. The Wealth of India -Raw Materials, Vol.1-11, CSIR, New Delhi. Chopra, R.N., S.N. Nayar and I.C. Chopra 1956. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. CSIR Publications, Delhi. Dyer, R.T. 1965. The Cycads of South Africa. Bothallia. 8: 405-515. Gamble. J.S. 1928. Flora of the Presidency of Madras. Vol.1-3. B.S.I., Calcutta. Jack Campin – Guide to Plant relationships – Cycads (For food allergy & intolrence, identification) Version 11.(1 August, 2002.) Jadhav, S.N., D.K. Ved, Utkesh Ghate, K. N. Reddy & Ch.S. Reddy- Cycas beddomei

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