J. Phytol. Res. 33(2):207- 223, 2020 ISSN 0970-5767

DIVERSITY OF ENDEMIC SUCCULENT OF NILGIRIS, SOUTHERN WESTERN GHATS, INDIA

MUTHULAKSHMI PECHIAMMAL PECHIMUTHU and RAJENDRAN ARUMUGAM* Phytodiversity Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore- 641 046. Tamil Nadu, India. * Corresponding Author’s Email : [email protected]

The present study was done for the assessment of endemic succulent wealth of Nilgiris. The survey was conducted during 2017 - 2020. The survey in different localities of Nilgiris resulted in identifying a total of 48 succulent flowering plants belonging to 15 families and 27 genera. Among the different families was leading by 35.4% (17 Spp.) of total endemic plant species followed by Balsaminaceae by 27 % (13 Spp.). Five endangered species explored in the genus are Impatiens neobarnesii C. E. C. Fisch., Impatiens pendula Heyne ex Wight & Arn., Impatiens nilagirica C.E.C.Fisch., Conchidium nanum (A.Rich.) Brieger and Gloriosa superba L. It is concluded that there are no previous reports on the endemic succulent flora in the Southern Western Ghats of Nilgiris, India. Hence, the locality should be further analysed to design conservation measures for the management of these endemic species with environmental quality.

Keywords: Conservation, Endemic, Nilgiris, Southern Western Ghats, Succulent.

Introduction north by river Tapti in Gujarat. In the world there are about 17 mega Proportionate levels of endemism increase diversity countries where India is one of the with the increasing geographical area4. mega diversity centres represented by Location of endemic centres are 18,386 species of angiosperms1. There are Agasthyamala, Anamalai - High Ranges, about 4381 endemic species under 1007 Nilgiri-Silent Valley, Waynad- Kodagu, genera and 176 families reported in India. Shimoga-Kanara and Palni Hills. Nilgiri Out of these, about 4303 species are district of Western Ghats is the reason for angiosperms, 12 species are gymnosperms, floristic diversity richness in the Tamil 66 species are pteridophytes respectively2. Nadu. These endemic areas in India have Southern Western Ghats and Eastern recorded a maximum diversity of 2611 flora Himalayas are the two major hotspots for in an area of 2549 sq.km5. The centres in floristic diversity. In a recent compilation3. and around southern regions of Western It is observed that Western Ghats harbours Ghats provide unique edaphic, geological the maximum number of endemics and ideal climatic conditions suitable for represented by 25 – 60% of total endemics luxuriant growth of biodiversity. Thus, this in India. The chain of the Western Ghats region has richer and abundance endemic stretches over an expense of 1600 km north species6. to south, limited in the south by This diversity provides subsistence to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu and in the the human beings in terms of housing,

207

208 Pechimuthu and Arumugam medicine and food. However, the prevailing Nilgiris uphills. The earliest endemic flora natural biological resources have been study on the Nilgiris was conducted by continuously depleting due to intense global Blosco, who explored 82 species in 1970. warming and anthropogenic activities7,8. The Nayar14 reported 11 genera in the Nilgiris. loss of biodiversity, degradation of habitats Mohanan and Balakrishnan15 included 818 destruction modification of natural habitat as endemic species belonging to 11 genera in well as human activities in the ecosystems Nilgiris. Nair and Daniel16 reported 28 are mostly irreversible, ultimately resulting species in the Kundah Range of Nilgiris. in the extinction of species. The Ahmedullah and Nayar17 described International Union for the Conservation of Baeolepis nervosa (Periplocacceae) Nature (IUCN) and the World Wildlife Fund exclusive to the Nilgiris. Mohanan and (WWF) estimated that up to 60,000 higher Balakrishnan15 explored 15 % of threatened plant species could become extinct or nearly orchids in some parts of the Nilgiris region. extinct by the year 2050 if the current trends Narasimhan (2009) has reported 24 taxas as of utilization continues9,10. Some hypothesis strict endemic to the Nilgiris from Tamil of the high level of endemism have climatic Nadu. Krishnakumar et al.18 had given a fluctuations in recent geological time detailed account 641 species of flowering frames, small-scale habitat heterogeneity plants of sholas and grasslands of the peculiar substrates and remarkably fast Nilgiris of which 248 species were endemic. speciation amongst one of the main groups Sharmila et al.19 reported 31 endemic of plants. This area, have been suggested as species are endemic that are explanations for the succulent high level of ethnobotanically important plant taxa speciation as well as endemism. Also level occuring in the Western Ghats of Nilgiri of endemism may vary in the predictable hills. Ravichandran and Karuppusamy20 way along gradients of primary listed 118 endemic species environmental variables such as rainfall, from Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary of the temperature and productivity11. Western Ghats. Prakash et al.21 studied 58 The inherent richness and variability in endemic flowering species on Nilgiris, under floral diversity, succulent species are one of 43 genera and 27 families particularly from the defining elements of this region, such the Gudalur region. Hence the main diversity makes the predictions of responses objectives of the present study is to to environmental changes like increasing document and assess the endemic floristic aridity, thermal stress and drought diversity of the Nilgiris through intensive tolerance12. Species endemism is one of the surveys and knowledge about succulents and criteria for defining biodiversity hotspots for its state of conservation and management setting conservation priorities. Studies on plans before it's lost forever. endemics are useful to understand past Material and methods vegetational history, identify taxonomic Study area: relationships, characterize floristic regions, The Nilgiris district is located in the North determine the optimal design of Western corner of Tamil Nadu state in South conservation units and prioritize India, between 11° 49' 16" N and 76° 73' conservation strategies13. Most of the 37" E, at the junction of the Eastern and localities in Tamil Nadu are underexplored. Western Ghats, the two prominent mountain Therefore, experimental design was carried ranges that run almost parallel to the two out to study the endemic succulent plant coastlines of Peninsular India. The Nilgiri species survey in physiographic provinces of hills are a range of mountains with at least J. Phytol. Res. 33(2):207- 223, 2020 209

24 peaks above 2400 meters in Southern Results and Discussion India where states of Tamil Nadu at the The endemism in the flora of a country or junction of Karnataka and Kerala states. The geographical region provides an important Nilgiri district also forms the part of the insight into the biography of that region and ‘Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve’ (NBR) which is also to the centers of diversity and adaptive the first biosphere reserve set up in India evolution of the floristic components of that under the Indian National Man and region. It was observed that the study area Biosphere Programme. showed 48 endemic succulent plant species Data collection: belonging to 15 families and 27 genera The flowering and fruiting stage of plant (Table-1). Orchidaceae was leading with 17- specimens were collected from Nilgiris species (35.4 %) followed by Balsaminaceae during the month of September 2017 and with 13- species (27%), Melastomataceae September 2020. The plant specimens were with 3- species (6.25%), Gesneriaceae, identified with the help of the local Araceae and Commelinaceae with 2-species floras22-24, available floras, revisions and each (4.16% each) while Lamiaceae, monographs and the conformity of Asparagaceae, Crassulaceae, Apocynaceae, identification was compared with authentic Zingiberaceae, Colchicaceae, Asteraceae, herbarium specimens available at Botanical Liliaceae and Apiaceae showed single Survey of India, Southern Circle, species each (2.08% each) (Fig. 5.). Coimbatore. All the flowering parts of the The genus Impatiens was leading with plant collected for studies were subjected to 13 species (27.08 %), followed by preserve as herbarium specimens based on Habenaria with 7 species (14.58%), the standard instructions (Jain and Rao, Sonerila with 3 species (6.25 %), Arisaema 2009)25. The checklist of endemic plants and Oberonia with 2 species each (4.16 % was confirmed using available pertinent each) while other genus showed only one publications3,25-29. The voucher specimens species (2.08% each) respectively. An were deposited in the Herbarium of the analysis of the habit of the endemic Department of Botany, Bharathiar succulent plant species reveals that amongst University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. the endemics, the herbs dominated more R software was used for graphical than half of the endemic succulents in representation. Nilgiris with 44 species (91.66%) while climbing habit showed 3 species (6.25 %) such as Aeschynanthus perrottetii and Gloriosa superba and shrub were single species Impatiens latifolia (2.08%) (Fig. 6). The habitat diversity distribution was assessed and the 52 % (25 species) of plant species were lithophytes, 27 % (13 species) were terrestrial, 14.5 % (07 species) were epiphytes, 2.08% (1 species) belonged to lithophyte and terrestrial, 2.08% (1 species) were lithophyte and epiphyte and 2.08% ( (1 species) were lithophytes, terrestrial and epiphytic species (Fig. 7.). The study site is known to possess both endangered and

Fig. 1. Study area map critically endangered species such as 210 Pechimuthu and Arumugam

Impatiens neobarnesii C. E. C. Fisch., of the Western Ghats can be attributed to the Impatiens pendula Heyne ex Wight & Arn., isolation of the Ghats from other moist Impatiens nilagirica C.E.C.Fisch., formations and the prevailing drier climatic Conchidium nanum (A.Rich.) Brieger and conditions in the surrounding areas34. Gloriosa superba L. Previous work with the endemic The parts of the succulents plant survey of Thadagamalai range of the diversity was assessed, Leaves and tubers Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu has succulents was found to be the most showed that the 25 plant species were found common in the study area with 27 % (each to belong to rare, endangered threatened 13 Spp.) followed by 12.5 % (06 Spp.) were (RET) categories35. A RET climber was leaves succulents, 8.33 % (04 Spp.) were identified in Southern, Western Ghats by pseudobulbs, 8.33 % (04 Spp.) were Sarvalingam and Rajendran36 have reported petiole, peduncle, leaf, 4.16 % (02 Spp.) 33 species of climber plants from Southern were rhizome, 4.16 % (02 Spp.) were Western Ghats, India. According to petiole, peduncle, tuber and 2.08 % each Subbaiyan et al. 37 about 30 RET species (01 Spp. each) were peduncle, leaf and stem, surveyed in the Maruthamalai hills of the petiole and peduncle, bulb were each one Western Ghats categorizing 6 endemic species and this was the least common (Fig. species. Schmiedel et al.38 have published 8). on the vegetative dynamic in the endemic Similar study conducted by Bellard rich quartz field in the succulent Karoo in et al.30 showed that a loss of approximately response to recent climatic trends of South one third of all endemic species within the Africa. succulent Karoo (819 species) was due to Conclusion climate change under emissions scenario. Species endemism is one of the criteria for The two major threats suggested to justify defining biodiversity hotspots for setting their potential impact were land conservation priorities. A total of 34 degradation and global climatic change. endemic plant species belonging to 13 Biome level approaches underestimate the families and 27 genera were found to be risk of species diversity loss from climate referred for their occurrence in Nilgiri hills. change impacts in the Succulent Karoo The family diversity showed that biome because of the large number of Orchidaceae was leading by 48%. The narrow range endemics that would likely substrate diversity showed that lithophytes suffer significant range dislocation with were dominant with 65%. A majority of the changing conditions31. genus belonged to genus Impatiens. The Similarly, Thomas et al. 32 suggested succulent diversity showed that leaf that global warming is likely to be the succulent was dominant with 29 %. This greatest threat in most regions. Their results data highlights that the knowledge is scarce concluded that migration scenarios were on the conservation status of the endemic also important in influencing extinctions. component of the Southern Western Ghats The result of Myers et al. 33 suggested that of Nilgiris district. Based on the results, it is the habitat loss in the hot spots were due to concluded that there is a need for an the presence of rapid rates of migration. intensive survey of the entire area of Tamil Several endemic plant species are being Nadu, the part of Western Ghats to further documented for their occurrence and assess the total endemic plant species for distribution in the Western Ghats. The high their in-situ and ex- situ conservation. degree of endemism in the evergreen forests J. Phytol. Res. 33(2):207- 223, 2020 211

Fig. 2 a. Oberonia brunoniana Wight b. Impatiens pseudo-acaulis Bhaskar c. Habenaria barnesii Summerh. ex C. E. C. Fisch.d. Impatiens nilagirica C.E.C.Fisch. e. Coelogyne nervosa A. Rich. f. Habenaria brachyphylla (Lindl.) Aitch.

212 Pechimuthu and Arumugam

Fig. 3. a. Impatiens gardneriana Wight b. Arisaema translucens C.E.C.Fisch. c. Bulbophyllum kaitiense Rchb.f. d. Habenaria rariflora A.Rich e. Ceropegia pusilla Wight & Arn. f. Sonerila speciosa Zenker

J. Phytol. Res. 33(2):207- 223, 2020 213

Fig. 4. a. crispa Lindl. b. Conchidium nanum (A.Rich.) Brieger c. Habenaria heyneana Lindl.d. Impatiens tenella Heyne ex Hook. f. e. Impatiens modesta Wight. f. Habenaria cephalotes Lindl. 214 Pechimuthu and Arumugam

Table 1. List of endemic succulent species of the Nilgiris, Southern Western Ghats. S.NO. Binomial Name Family Habit Habitat Parts of Distributio Endemic status References succulents n 1. Aeschynanthus Gesneriaceae Climber Epiphtyte Leaf Avalanche Endemic to Krishnakumar et al., perrottetii A. DC. Western Ghats 2013 2. Aerides crispa Lindl. Orchidaceae Herb Lithophyte Leaf Coonoor Endemic to Singh et al., 2015 Western Ghats 3. Anisochilus Lamiaceae Herb Lithophyte Leaf Pakkasuran Endemic to Suddee and Paton, dysophylloides Benth. hills Nilgiris 2009. 4. Anoectochilus elatus Orchidaceae Herb Terrestrial Rhizome Coonoor Endemic to Sameer Patil and Lindl. Southern India Lakshminarasimhan, 2017 5. Arisaema leschenaultii Araceae Herb Terrestrial Petiole Avalanche Endemic to Sharmila et al., 2014 Blume- /Lithophyte Peduncle Southern Western Tuber Ghats 6. Asparagus fysonii Asparagaceae Climber Terrestrial Tuber Avalanche Endemic to Singh et al., 2015 Macbr. Southern Western Ghats 7. Arisaema translucens Araceae Herb Terrestrial Petiole Thaishola Endemic to Tamil Singh et al., 2015; C.E.C.Fisch. Peduncle Nadu Prabhukumar et al., Tuber 2017 8. Bulbophyllum kaitiense Orchidaceae Herb Lithophyte Pseudobul Thaishola Endemic to Singh et al., 2015; Rchb.f. b Southern Western Nayar and Sastry, Ghats 1988; Singh et al., 2019; Jeevith et al., 2019 9. Ceropegia pusilla Wight Apocynaceae Herb Lithophyte Tuber Avalanche, Endemic Singh et al., 2015; & Arn. Usimalai (Karnataka, Nayar and Sastry, Kerala, 1988; Singh, 2015 Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu) 10. Coelogyne nervosa A. Orchidaceae Herb Lithophyte Pseudobul Coonoor : Endemic to Singh et al., 2015; Rich. b Usimalai Southern Western Singh et al., 2019; J. Phytol. Res. 33(2):207- 223, 2020 215

Ghats Krishnakumar et al., 2013 11. Curcuma neilgherrensis Zingiberaceae Herb Lithophyte Rhizome Naduvattam Endemic to Krishnakumar et al., Wight Western Ghats 2013 12. Cyanotis fasciculata Commelinaceae Herb Terrestrial Leaf Coonoor Endemic to India Singh et al., 2015; (B.Heyne ex Roth) Stem Nandikar and Gurav Schult. & Schult.f. 2014.

13. Conchidium nanum Orchidaceae Herb Epiphyte Pseudobul Avalanche Critically Singh et al., 2015; (A.Rich.) Brieger b Endangered Singh et al., 2019; Jeevith et al., 2019 14. Dictyospermum Commelinaceae Herb Terrestrial Stem Naduvattam Endemic to Krishnakumar et al., ovalifolium Wight Western Ghats 2013 15. Epithema carnosum Gesneriacaeae Herb Terrestrial Stem Gudalur Endemic to Krishnakumar et al., Benth. Western Ghats 2013 16. Eria pauciflora Wight Orchidaceae Herb Lithophyte Pseudobul Thaishola Endemic to Singh et al., 2015; b Southern Western Singh et al., 2019; Ghats Krishnakumar et al., 2013 17. Gloriosa superba L. Col Climber Terrestrial Tuber Coonoor Endangered Sarvalingam and chicaceae Rajendran, 2016 18. Gynura nitida DC. Asteraceae Herb Terrestrial Stem Ooty: Endemic to Krishnakumar et al., Manjur Western Ghats 2013 19. Habenaria brachyphylla Orchidaceae Herb Terrestrial Tuber Coonoor : Endemic to Singh et al., 2015; (Lindl.) Aitch. Usimalai Southern Western Singh et al., 2019; Ghats Krishnakumar et al., 2013 20. Habenaria rariflora Orchidaceae Herb Lithophyte Tuber Coonoor: Endemic to Singh et al., 2015; A.Rich Thaishola Western Ghats Singh et al., 2019; Krishnakumar et al., 2013 21. Habenaria barnesii Orchidaceae Herb Terrestrial Tuber Mukurthi Endemic to South Abraham and Vatsala, Summerh. ex C. E. C. National India 1981; Nayar and 216 Pechimuthu and Arumugam

Fisch. Park Sastry, 1988; Singh et al., 2019; 22. Habenaria richardiana Orchidaceae Herb Lithophyte Tuber Kotagiri Endemic Western Singh et al., 2015; Wight Ghats Singh et al., 2019; Jalal and Jayanthi, 2012.

23. Habenaria longicornu Orchidaceae Herb Lithophyte Tuber Kotagiri Endemic to Singh et al., 2015; Lindl. Peninsular India Singh et al., 2019; Jeevith et al., 2019 24. Habenaria heyneana Orchidaceae Herb Lithophyte Tuber Mukurthi Endemic to Singh et al., 2015; Lindl. National Western Ghats Singh et al., 2019; Park Singh Jalal and Jayanthi, 2018. 25. Habenaria cephalotes Orchidaceae Herb Lithophyte Tuber Mukurthi Endemic to South Singh et al., 2015; Lindl. National India Singh et al., 2019; Park Krishnakumar et al., 2013 26. Heracleum Apiaceae Herb Lithophyte Tuber Sholur, Endemic to Krishnakumar et al., sprengelianum Wight & Usimalai Western Ghats 2013 Arn. 27. Kalanchoe grandiflora Crassulaceae Herb Lithophyte Leaf Sholur Endemic to Singh et al., 2015; Wight & Arn. Southern Western Krishnakumar et al., Ghats 2013 28. Impatiens latifolia L. Balsaminaceae Shrub Lithophytes Stem Naduvattam Endemic to Krishnakumar et al., Southern Western 2013 Ghats 29. Impatiens pendula Balsaminaceae Herb Terrestrial/Li Stem Avalanche, Critically Singh et al., 2015 Heyne ex Wight & Arn. thophyte/Epi Yellanalli to Endangered phyte Ooty road 30. Impatiens modesta Balsaminaceae Herb Epiphyte / Petiole Upper Endemic to Singh et al., 2015; Wight. Lithophyte Peduncle bhavani and Southern Western Krishnakumar et al., naduvattam Ghats 2013 31. Impatiens levingei Balsaminaceae Herb Lithophyte Leaf Lamb’s Endemic to Singh et al., 2015; J. Phytol. Res. 33(2):207- 223, 2020 217

Gamble ex Hook. f. Petiole Rock Shola Western Ghats Krishnakumar et al., Peduncle forest. 2013 32. Impatiens clavicornu Balsaminaceae Herb Lithophyte Leaf Mukurthi Endemic to Singh et al., 2015; Turcz. Petiole National Western Ghats Krishnakumar et al., Peduncle Park, 2013 Avalanche 33. Impatiens nilagirica Balsaminaceae Herb Lithophyte Leaf Avalanche Endangered Nayar and Sastry, C.E.C.Fisch. Petiole 1988 Peduncle 34. Impatiens minor (DC.) Balsaminaceae Herb Terrestrial Stem Pandalur Endemic to Singh et al., 2015; Bennet Peninsular India Krishnakumar et al., 2013; Jyosna et al., 2011 35. Impatiens tenella Heyne Balsaminaceae Herb Lithophyte Stem Naduvattam Endemic to Singh et al., 2015; ex Hook. f. Western Ghats of Jyosna et al., 2011 Tamil Nadu and Karnataka 36. Impatiens gardneriana Balsaminaceae Herb Lithophyte Stem Pandalur Endemic to Krishnakumar et al., Wight Southern Western 2013; Singh et al., Ghats 2015. 37. Impatiens goughii Wight Balsaminaceae Herb Lithophyte Stem Naduvattam Endemic to Singh et al., 2015; Western Ghats Krishnakumar et al., 2013 38. Impatiens neobarnesii C. Balsaminaceae Herb Epiphyte Bulb Mukurthi Endangered Nayar and Sastry, E. C. Fisch. National 1988 Park 39. Impatiens orchioides Balsaminaceae Herb Epiphyte Tubeous Mukurthi Endemic to Singh et al., 2015; Bedd. root National Western Ghats Krishnakumar et al., Park 2013 40. Impatiens pseudo- Balsaminaceae Herb Lithophyte Leaf Mukurthi Endemic to South Singh et al., 2015; acaulis Bhaskar Petiole National India Bhaskar, 2012. Peduncle Park 41. Malaxis intermedia (A. Orchidaceae Herb Lithophyte Stem Lamb’s Endemic to Singh et al., 2015; 218 Pechimuthu and Arumugam

Rich.) Seidenf. Rock Shola Southern Western Singh et al., 2019; forest. Ghats Jeevith et al., 2019 42. Ophiopogon intermedius Liliaceae Herb Terrestrial Tuber Thaishola Endemic to India Krishnakumar et al., D.Don 2013 43. Oberonia brunoniana Orchidaceae Herb Epiphyte Leaf Gudalur Endemic to Singh et al., 2015; Wight Southern Western Singh et al., 2019; Ghats Krishnakumar et al., 2013 44. Oberonia verticillata Orchidaceae Herb Epiphyte Leaf Sholur Endemic to Singh et al., 2015; Wight Western Ghats Singh et al., 2019; Singh Jalal and Jayanthi, 2018. Jalal, 2019 45. Seidenfadeniella rosea Orchidaceae Epiphyte Stem Avalanche Endemic to Jeevith et al., 2019 (Wight) C.S. Kumar Southern Western Ghats 46. Sonerila speciosa Melastomataceae Herb Lithophyte Stem Sholur Endemic to Singh et al., 2015; Zenker Southern Western Krishnakumar et al., Ghats 2013 47. Sonerila versicolor Melastomataceae Herb Lithophyte Stem Naduvattam Endemic to Singh et al., 2015 Wight. Southern Western Ghats 48. Sonerila rheedei Wall. Melastomataceae Herb Terrestrial Peduncle Gudalur Endemic to Singh et al., 2015 Southern Western Ghats J. Phytol. Res. 33(2):207- 223, 2020 219

Fig. 5. Distribution of endemic succulent species based on families

Fig. 6. Distribution of endemic succulent species based on its habit

220 Pechimuthu and Arumugam

Fig. 7. Distribution of endemic succulent species based on its habitat

Fig. 8. Analysis parts of succulents distribution in endemic succulent plant species

J. Phytol. Res. 33(2):207- 223, 2020 221

Acknowledgement Lamoreux JF, Mittermeier CG, Pilgrim The first author highly thankful to the JD and Rodrigues ASL, 2006, Global Department of Botany, Bharathiar Biodiversity Conservation Priorities. University for the necessary facilities to Sci. 313, 58-61. carry out the stusy. A great thankful to the 9. Etkin NL, 1998, Indigenous patterns of Director, Botanical Survey of India, conserving biodiversity: pharmacologic Southern Regional Circle, Coimbatore, implications. J. Ethnopharmacol. 63, Tamil Nadu for providing herbarium 233-245. consultation. The authors are grateful to the 10. Phani Kumar G, Kumar R, Chaurasia OP Divisional forest officers and their staffs, and Bala Singh S, 2011, Current status The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu for the all the help and potential prospects of medicinal during the studies. The first author is plant sector in trans- Himalayan grateful to the University Research Fellow Ladakh. J. Med. Pl. Res. 5, 2929-2940. (URF) for financial support. 11. Burke A, 2005, Endemic plants of the References arid succulent karoo in Namibia: 1. Bhati HV, 2019, One world one sun one towards hypotheses for their grid: a (modi) fication in India’s evolution. Ecography. 28, 171-180. environment. Jindal Global Law 12. Hoffman M, Carrick PJ, Gillson L and Review. 10, 73-90. West AG, 2009, Drought, climate 2. Singh P and Dash SS, 2014, Plant change and vegetation response in the Discoveries. Botanical Survey of India, succulent karoo South Africa. South Kolkata. Afric. J. Sci. 105, 54–60. 3. Singh P, Karthigeyan K, Lakshmina 13. Dhar U, 2002, Conservation implications Rasimhan P and Dash SS, 2015, of plant endemism in high-altitude Endemic Vascular Plants of India. i-ixvi Himalaya. Curr. Sci. 141-148. 1-339 Botanical Survey of India, 14. Nayar MP, 1980, Endemic fl ora of Kolkata. Peninsular India and its significance. 4. Behera MD, Kushwaha SPS and Roy PS, Bull. Bot. Surv. India. 22, 12 – 23. 2002, High plant endemism in an Indian 15. Mohanan M and Balakrishnan NP, 1991, hotspot–Eastern Himalaya. Biodivers. Endangered orchids of Nilgiri Conserv. 11, 669-682. Biosphere Reserve, India. In: 5. Sharma BD, Shetty V, Vajravelu E, Proceedings of the symposium on rare, Kumari GR, Vivekanathan K, endangered and endemic plants of the Chandrabose M and Subbarao GV, Western Ghats. Kerala Forest 1977, Studies on the flora of Nilgiris, Department-Wildlife Wing, Tamil Nadu. Biol. mem. Thiruvananthapuram. 6. Volga VR, Ratheesh Narayanan MK and 16. Nair NC and Daniel P, 1986, The Anil Kumar N, 2013, Endemic trees of floristic diversity of the Western Ghats Western Ghats A check list from and its conservation, a review. Proc. Wayanad district, Kerala, India. Int. J. Indian Acad. Sci. (Anim. Sci./Plant Pl. Animal Environ. Sci. 3, 2-3. Sci.) Suppl. 127- 163. 7. Pimm SL, Russel GJ, Gittleman JL and 17. Ahmedullah M and Nayar MP, 1986, Brooks TM, 1995, The Future of Endemic Plants of the Indian Region. Biodiversity. Sci. 269, 347-350. Bot. Surv. India. Calcutta. 8. Brooks TM, Mittermeier RA, Da Fonseca GAB, Gerlach J, Hoffmann M, 222 Pechimuthu and Arumugam

18. Krishnakumar N, 2013, Flowering Plants 29. Nayar TS, Sibi M and Rasiya Beegam R, of Sholas and Grasslands of the Nilgiris. 2014, Flowering Plants of The Western pp 1-562 Ghats, India Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical 19. Sharmila S, Kalaichelvi K and Rajeswari Botanical Garden and Research M, 2014, Certain endemic and Institute, St. Joseph’s Press, ethnobotanically important plants of Thiruvananthapuram. Vol, 1&2. thiashola, Manjoor, Nilgiris South 30. Bellard C, Leclerc C, Leroy B, Bakkenes Division, Western Ghats. Int. J. Pharm. M, Veloz S, Thuiller W and Courchamp Sci. Rev. Res. 27, 314-318. F 2014, Vulnerability of biodiversity 20. Ravichandran V and Karuppusamy S, hotspots to global change. Global Ecol. 2016, Check list of Endemic flowering Biogeogr. 23, 1376-1386. plants of Western Ghats from 31. Midgley GF, Hannah L, Millar D, Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Rutherford MC and Powrie LW, 2002, Tamilnadu, India. J. Biol. Rec. Assessing the vulnerability of species 0042016, 36-51. richness to anthropogenic climate 21. Prakash L, Anbarasu C and change in a biodiversity hotspot. Glob. Balasubramanian P, 2017, Endemic Ecol. Biogeogr. 11, 445-451. Flowering plants of Gudalur Forest 32. Thomas CD, Cameron A, Green RE, Division, Western Ghats. Tamil Nadu. Bakkenes M, Beaumont LJ, Collingham Indian J. Forest. 40, 409-412. YC and Hughes L, 2004, Extinction risk 22. Gamble JS, 1915-1936, Flora of the from climate change. Nat. 427, 145– Presidency of Madras. Vols. I-III. 148. Adlard & Sons Ltd., London. 33. Myers N, Mittermeier RA, Mittermeier 23. Nair NC, Henry AN, Kumari GR and CG, Da Fonseca GA and Kent J, 2000, Chithra V, 1983, Flora of Tamil Nadu, Biodiversity hotspots for conservation India. Coimbatore: Botanical Survey of priorities. Nat. 403, 853-858. India, Southern Circle. 34. Varghese AO and Menon 24. Matthew KM, 1983, The Flora of the ARR, 1999, Ecological niches and Tamilnadu Carnatic. Parts (1-3) amplitudes of rare, threatened and Rapinat Herbarium, Tiruchirapalli. endemic trees of Peppara Wildlife 25. Jain SK and Rao RR, 2009, Hand Book Sanctuary. Cur. Sci. 76, 1204–1208. of Field and Herbarium Methods, New 35. Sivakamasundari KS and Parthipan R, Delhi. 2015, Survey on the RET-listed 26. Ahmedullah M and Nayar MP, 1987, Medicinal Plants in Thadagamalai Endemic Plants of the Indian Region. Range of Kanyakumari District, Vol. 1. Peninsular India. Botanical Tamilnadu. J. Biodivers. Endanger. Survey of India, Calcutta. Species, 3, 1-4. 27. Nayar MP and Sastry ARK, 1988, Red 36. Sarvalingam A and Rajendran A, 2016, data book of Indian Plants Botanical Rare, endangered and threatened (RET) Survey of India Calcutta, Deep Printers, climbers of Southern Western Ghats, New Delhi. Vol.1 & 2. India. Rev. Chil. de Hist. Nat. 89, 1-5. 28. Nayar MP, 1996, Hot Spots of Endemic 37. Subbaiyan B, Samydurai P, Prabu MK, Plants of India. Nepal and Bhutan. Ramakrishnan R and Thangapandian Tropical Botanical Garden and V, 2014, Inventory of rare, endangered Research Institute, Thiruvananthauram, and threatened (RET) plant species in India. Maruthamalai hills, Western Ghats of J. Phytol. Res. 33(2):207- 223, 2020 223

Tamilnadu, South India. Our Nat. 12, Nilgiris, Western Ghats, India. Biol. 37- 43. Forum – An Int. J. 11, 41-46. 38. Schmiedel U, Dengler J and Etzold S, 44. Singh RK, 2015, Lectotypifications of 2012, Vegetation dynamics of some Indian Ceropegia (Apocynaceae: endemic‐rich quartz fields in the Ceropegieae). Phytotaxa. 197, 157-160. Succulent Karoo, South Africa, in 45. Jalal JS and Jayanthi J, 2012, Endemic response to recent climatic trends. J. orchids of peninsular India: a Veg. Sci. 23, 292-303. review. Journal of Threatened Taxa. 4, 39. Suddee S and Paton A, 2009, A revision 3415-3425. of Anisochilus Wall. ex 46. Nandikar M D and Gurav R V, 2014, A Benth.(Lamiaceae). Kew Bulletin. 64, revision of the genus Cyanotis D. Don 235-257. (Commelinaceae) in India. Taiwania. 40. Sameer Patil and Lakshminarasimhan, 59, 292– 314. 2017, Ecological Niche Modelling of 47. Abraham A and Vatsala P, 1981, Anoectochilus elatus Lindl. An Introduction to orchids with illustration Endemic South Indian Jewel Orchid and description of 150 South Indian using GIS. Annual conference of Indian Orchids.Tropical Botanical Garden and Association of Angiosperm Taxonomy Research Institute, Thiruvanathapuram, and International Symposium on Plant India. Systematics: Priorities and Challenges. 48. Singh Jalal J and Jayanthi J, 2018, An RSR -7. updated checklist of the orchids of 41. Prabhukumar KM, Tarun Chhabra, Maharashtra, India. Lankesteriana. 18, Aloor Jose Robi, Raveendran 23-62. Jagadeesan, Chandrasseril Narayanan 49. Jalal JS, 2019, Diversity and distribution Sunil and Indira Balachandran, 2017, of orchids of Goa, Western Ghats, Rediscovery of Arisaema translucens India. Journal of Threatened Taxa. 11, (Araceae) and notes on A. 15015-15042. tuberculatum, two strict endemics of 50. Jyosna R, Dessai N and Janarthanam M Nilgiris, India Phytotaxa. 306, 085– K, 2011, The genus Impatiens 090. (Balsaminaceae) in the northern and 42. Singh S K, Agrawala D K, Jalal J S, parts of central Western Ghats. Dash S S, Mao A A and Singh P, 2019, Rheedea. 21, 23-80. Orchids of India - A Pictorial Guide. 51. Bhaskar V, 2012, Taxonomic Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata. 548 monograph on Impatiens L. pp. (Balsaminaceae) of Western Ghats, 43. Jeevith S, Kunhikannan C, Rajasekar C South India The Key Genus for and Samydurai P, 2019, A Checklist of Endemism. Centre for Plant Taxonomic Orchids of Shola and Grasslands of Studies, Bangalore.