Artocarpus hirsutus Lam.
Moraceae
Kan: Hebbalasu, Kadu halasu
Mal: Ayani, Anjili, Ayini plavu
San: Lakucah, Panasah
Tam: Kattupula, Aiyini pala, Kurangu pala, pei pala
Tel: Adavi panasa

Threat status: Vulnerable (A1c,d)- Globally

Habit: Tree
Habitat: From coastal forest to moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests.
Altitude: up to 1200 m

Distribution: Endemic to Western Ghats and the Malabar coast.
Regional: Common in the mountain belts in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Often planted in moist regions of southern India.

Trade information: Local and commercial. The timber and fruits are locally traded.

Special characters: Easily distinguished from the common jack fruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) by the smaller almost spherical fruits. Theser are densely covered with numerous small spine-like projections.
Compared Artocarpus heterophyllus, the fleshy edible portion (perianth) is smaller, thinner and ripening yellow.

Mode of propagation:
By seeds, cutting and air layers.

Information compiled from the publication: Ravikumar K. and Ved D.K.(2000), 100 Red Listed Medicinal Plants of Conservation Concern in Southern India, Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions,Bangalore.
Photocourtesty: K.Ravikumar, FRLHT

Baliospermum montanum (Willd.) Muell.Arg.
Family: Euphorbiaceae

Vernacular nameL
Hin: Danti, Hakum
Kan: Kadu haralu, Nagadanti
Mal: Nagadanthi
Mar: Danti, Hakum, Sapidi
San: Danti, Anukula, Nagadanti, Nikumbha
Tam: Pei amanakku, Neeradi muthu, Nagadanti
Tel: Kondamudam, Nelajidi, Kanaka pata

Threat status
Vulnerable (A1c,d) – KA & KL
Data deficient: TN

Habit: Undershrubs
Habitat: Moist deciduous to semi-evergreen forests
Altitude: 100 – 850 m

Distribution: Global: Indo-Malaysia. National: Almost throughout the moist hilly regions from sub-Himalayan tract to Deccan peninsula.
Regional: Fairly common as undergrowth in the disturbed moist forests of Karnataka and Kerala. No recent collections in Tamil Nadu, though earlier reported in the forests of Coimbatore.

Trade information:
Local, regional and nations. The roots are sold under the name Dantimool or choti danti.

Special characters: The leaves are larger at the base and smaller towards the top. One important field character is the pair of glands at the basal portion of each lead. Flowering spikes posses female flowers at the base and male flowers near the apex.

Mode of  Propagation: By stem cuttings and seeds.

Calophyllum apetalum Willd.
Clusiaceae

Vernacular names:
Kan: Irai, Kal punne, Kirihonne
Mal: Cheru punna, Manja punna, Attu punna
Marathi: Bobbi
San: Jothish mathi
Tam: Siru pinnai

Threat status
Vulnerable (A1c)- Globally

Habit: Tree
Habitat: Along the riverbansk (riparian) of moist deciduous to evergreen forests and backwaters along west coast low elevations

Altitude:
Up to 1300 m

Distribution: Endemic to peninsular India. Regions: common along the banks of watercourses of western Ghats in Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu; also along west coast low elevations of KErala.

Trade Information: Local and commercial

Special characters: The dull yellow bark shows deep vertical boat-shaped cracks and exudes a dull white fluid. Juvenile leaves are greenish pink. Flowers have no petals. Fruits are egg-shaped and red when ripe.

Mode of propagation: By seeds

Cinnamomum macrocarpum Hoook.f.
Lauraceae

Vernacular names:
Kan: Kadu dalchini, Lavanga patre
Mal: Karuva
San: Tamalapatra
Tam: Periya lavanga pattai
Tel: Talisapatramu

Threat status
Vulnerable (A1c,d) Globally

Habit: Tree
Habitat: Moist deciduous to Shola forests

Altitute: 600 – 1800 m

Distribution: Endemic to Western Ghats of Southern India. Regional: In Karnataka, occurs in dense wet forests of Belgaum, Coorg, Hassan, Kolar, Uttat Kannada, Shimoga and Chikmagalur districts. In Kerala, fairly common in Palakkad, Idukki, Pathanamthitta and Thiruvananthapuram forests. In Tamil Nadu, common in the Western Ghats of Coimbatore, Nilgiri, Tirunelveli and Madurao districts.

Cinnamomum sulphuratum Nees
Lauraceae Vernacular names
Kan: Pinga dalchinni, Matta dalchinni
Mal: Kattu karuva
Tam: Kattu lavagam

Threat status:
Vulnerable, Globally

Habit: Tree

Habitat: Moist deciduous to Shola forests

Altitude: 600 – 1800 m

Distribution: Endemic to Western Ghats of southern India. Regional: In Karnataka, common in wet deciduous to evergreen forest of upper Ghats of Hassan, Coorg, Chikmagalur and Mysore districts. In Kerala, fairly common in Palakkad, Thiruvananthapuram, Wynaad, Pathanamthitta and Thrissur districts. In Tamil Nadu, occasional in dense forests of Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Kanniyakumari, Madurai and Nilgiri districts.

Trade information: The aromatic leaves and bark are substituted/ adulterated with the commercial cinnamom (Cinnamomum Zeylanicum). The destructive collection poses a serious threat to existing wild population of this endemic species. This is a major conservation concern.

Special characters: The young branch lets, leaves, peduncles, floral stalks and perianth are densely covers with yellowish brown tomentose hairs. Apart from this, like any other cinnamom, it has fragrant bark and leaves, 3 distinct basal nerves in the leaves and the fruits seated on an enlarged fleshy cup.

Mode of propagation: By seeds, cuttings and divisions of old rootstocks

Decalepis hamiltonii Wight & Arn.
Periplocaceae

Vernacular names:
Kan: Magadi beru
Mal: Nannari
San: Sariba, sveta sariva
Tam: Mahali kizhangu, Mavilinga kilangu, Peru nannari
Tel: Neemam theega (chenchu tribes), maregu geddalu

Threat status:
Endangered (A1c,d)– Globally

Habit: Woody climber

Habitat:  In open rocky slopes and rocky cervices of dry to moist deciduous forests

Altitude: 300 – 1200 m
Distribution: Endemic to central peninsular India. Regional: Fairly common in the dry hill tracts of Eastern and western Ghats in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. In Kerala, few plants have been noticed (Dr. N Sasidharan, 1998) in the deciduous belt of Marayur, Chinnar, Idukki district.

Trade Information: Local, regional and national. Roots are traded price per kg Rs. 40 to 60 (1998-1999 Delhi Kirana; Bangalore Market); Rs. 48 (1998-1999, Madurai large scale trader); Rs. 11.43 (1196, Girijan Co-op. Soc., Andhra Pradesh). In Southern India, roots are commonly used to substitute Hemidesmus indicus (Anantmool). Prices at Rs. 40 to 60/kg (market Studies, 1999-2000)

Special characters: This is mototypic genus. Roots are long, fleshy and aromatic. Plants, when bruised, exude white sticky watery latex. Dried fruits shrink and remain thus till next season.

Mode of propagation: By seeds, stem cuttings and root suckers.

Embelia ribes Burm.f.
Myrsinaceae
Vernacular Names:
Hind – Vayvidang, Baba rang
Kann: Vaayu vilana, Hulimeese
Mal: Vizhal
Mara: Vyavadinga
San: Vidanga
Tam: Vivilangam, Vaivelangam
Tel: Vaividungalu

Threat Status
Vulnerable: (A1c,d)- KA & TN
Lower Risk near threatened – KL

Habit: Woody climber (Liana)

Habitat: Evergreen to semi-evergreen forests

Altitude: 400 – 1900m

Distribution: Global: India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and South China. National : Throughout India mostly in the hill tracts (Central Himalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu). Regional : Common in the wet forests of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Trade information: Local, regional and global. Globular mature fruits (dull red and brown colour) are traded under the name vidanga, Baibaranga. Priced at Rs. 60 to 250/kg. (Market studies, 1999-2000). The common adulterant is the fruit of Myrsine Africana.

Special characters: Drooping branchlets with many white prominent lenticels; leaves with minute perforations along the midrib beneath, tasting sour. Pepper-sized fruits have many distinct vertical lines.

Mode of Propagation: By seeds and stem cuttings.

Hedychium coronarium Koenig
Zingiberaceae

Vernacular name:
Tam: Seemai kitchili kizhangu, Karppura ver, Cantrina mooligai

Threat status
Lower Risk near threatened – KA & KL
Lower risk least concern – TN

Habit: Rhizomatous herb

Habitat: Along streamside and marshy areas in higher altitudes

Altitude: Global: India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myannur and Malaysia
National: Found in Eastern Himalayas of sikkim, Darjeeling district of West Bengal, Assam as well as in Southern India. Regiona: Common along damp localities of higher altitudes in the western and Eastern Ghats in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Widely naturalized in Tropical America. Commonly grown as an ornamental plant in many parts of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Trade information : Local, regional and nations. This plant is an adulterant of Hedychium spicatum whose rhizomes are traded under the name kapur kachari.

Special characters: This robust plant usually appears in clumps. The basal portion of each lead has two finger-like projections called ‘ligule’. Sterile male floral parts are modified into attractive petal-like structures. The long fragrant flowers, conspicuous floral bracts and reddish fruits are other striking characters.

Mode of propagation: By rhizomes and seeds.

Holostemma ada-kodein Schult.
Asclepiadaceae

Vernacular names:
Hindi: Chirvel, Ranimaoi
Mal: Adakodiyan, Adapathian
Mar: Gaganthjuti, Palkhevel
San: Jivanti
Tam: Palaikkirai
Tel: Dudipala tige, Pala gurugu, Bandi guru vinda teega

Threat status
Vulnerbale (A1c)- KA
Endangered – (A1c,d) – KL
Lower risk near threatened – TN

Habit: A creeping tuberous shrub

Habitat: Dry and moist deciduous forests

Altitude: 600 – 1000m

Trade information: Local and regional. High quantity consumption for Ayurvedic formulations. Roots are high price (Rs. 100/kg) and used as jeevanti in southern India especially in Kerala. It herbal concentrate under the name adapathuyan kizhangu, was priced at Rs. 147.45/kg (Kerala, 1998)

Special characters: The flowers are attractive, resembling Calotropis gigantean (madar). Fruits are thick, more or less boat-shaped in outline. Sometimes all plant parts exhibit a pink tinge. Roots taste sweet.

Mode of propagation: By seeds and root tubers.

Dipterocarpus indicusBedd.
Dipterocarpaceae

Vernacular names:
Kan: Yenne mara, Dhuma, guga
Mal: Kal Payin, Velayini
Tam: Ennei maram

Threat status
Endangered- Globally

Habit: Tropical semi-evergreen to evergreen forests

Altitude: 300-1000m

Distribution: Endemic to Western Ghats in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Regional: In Karnataka, frequent in semi-evergreen forests of Hassan, Coorg, Dakshina and Uttara Kannada districts. In Kerala, common throughout the Ghats. In Tamil Nadu, recorded only from Tirunelveli.

Trade information: Local

Special characters: The straight and long trunk, round canopy cover, large leaves, prominent stipules, pendulous attractive and fragrant white flowers and long winged fruits are striking field characters.

Mode of propagation: By seeds

Information compiled from the publication: Ravikumar K. and Ved D.K.(2000), 100 Red Listed Medicinal Plants of Conservation Concern in Southern India, Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions,Bangalore.
Photocourtesty: K.Ravikumar, FRLHT

Garcinia gummi-gutta(L.)Robson
Clusiaceae

Vernacular names:
Hin: Bilatti-amli
Kan: Upagi mara, Simai hinase
Mal: Kodam puli, Meen puli, Perum puli
Mar: Dharambe
Tam: Penam puli, Kodakka puli
Tel: Sima chinta

Threat status
Lower risk near threatened-Globally

Habit: Semi-evergreen forests

Distribution: Endemic to Western Ghats in Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Regional: In Maharashtra, occurs in Bombay and the Konkan region of Goa. In Karnataka and Kerala, common throughout the Ghats. In Tamil Nadu, occasional in the Western Ghats of Coimbatore, Nilgiri and Tirunelveli districts and also colleted in the Eastern Ghats (Melagiris) of Dharmapuri district. Also cultivated in many parts of Southern India.

Trade information: Local, regional, national and global. Large scale export of 'Garcinia extract' from India, has been recorded in recent years. Fruit pulp is used as a condiment (substitute for Tamarind in Kerala). Fruit rind is marketed in large quantities (Rs. 60 to 70/-per kg). It is mixed with Garcinia indica and sold as Kokam.

Mode of propagation: By seeds, stem cuttings and grafts

Special characters: The yellow sticky latex from the bark, sour tasting leaves and distinctly grooved fruits are striking field characters.

Information compiled from the publication: Ravikumar K. and Ved D.K.(2000), 100 Red Listed Medicinal Plants of Conservation Concern in Southern India, Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions,Bangalore.
Photocourtesty: K.Ravikumar, FRLHT

Santalum album L.
Santalaceae

Vernacular names:
Hin: Chandan
Kan: Srigandha
Mal: Chandanam
Mar: Chandan, Krishna chandana
San: Chandana, Bhadrashri
Tam: Sandanam, Chandanam
Tel: Chandanam, Hari chandanam, Srigandham

Threat status
Vulnerable in Karnataka and Endangered in Kerala and Tamil nadu.

Habit: A partial root parasitic tree

Habitat: Plains, foothills and slopes of dry deciduous forests

Altitude: 50-1400m

Distribution: Medium sized trees, growing 6-15m tall. Bark dark-grey, rough, about 0.5cm thick, with irregular and indistinct vertical fissures, Heartwood brownish yellow and sweet scented. Sapwood white, odourless. Branches hairless, drooping. Leaves opposite rarely alternate, elliptic egg-shaped, 4-8X2-3cm, base rounded to acute, apex acute, margin entire, shiny, hairless, slightly leathery, dull bluish green below, distinctly stalked. Flowers bisexual, borne in axillary paniculate cymes, about 6 mm across, brownish-purple, mildly fragrant. Drupes globose, 1-1.5cm across, with a persistent ring at top, smooth, shiny, fleshy, ripening purplish black. Seeds 1, white.

Trade information: Local, regional, National and global. The pieces of heartwood are traded as Chandana or safed chandana at Rs. 80 to 650/kg (market studies, 1999-2000)

Mode of propagation: By seeds

Special characters: Chocolate-coloured flowers and purplish black spherical fruits are striking field characters apart from the highly scented heartwood.

Information compiled from the publication: Ravikumar K. and Ved D.K.(2000), 100 Red Listed Medicinal Plants of Conservation Concern in Southern India, Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions,Bangalore.
Photocourtesty: K.Ravikumar, FRLHT