Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr.
Family: Rutaceae

Vernacular names:
Hindi: Bel, Sriphal
Kannada: Bilva patre
Malayalam: Koovalam, Vilvam
Marathi: Bili, Baela
Sanskrit: Bilva, Sriphal
Tamil: Vilvam
Telugu: Bilvamu, Maredu

Threat status:
Vulnerable (A1c)- KA and TN
Not evaluated- KL

Habit: Tree
Habitat: From coastal plains to moist deciduous forests.
Altitude: From sea level to 1200m

Distribution:
Global: India Myanmar and Sri lanka, Widely cultivated in Southeast Asia, Malaysia and tropical Africa.
National: Common throughout India from coastal belt to subtropical western Himalayas and Andaman Islands. Abundant in drier zones.
Regional: Common in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu (wild as well as cultivated). No wild populations recorded in Kerala

Description: A deciduous, thorny tree growing up to 12 m high, Trunk about 50 cm across. Bark grey outside, rough, pealing off irregularly in to small flakes. Blaze yellow. Wood hard, dull white. Branchlets often drooping, with straight, stout, sharp, solitary or paired, about 4 cm long thorns. Leaves alternate; leaflets 3 (rarely 5), egg-shaped to elliptic or oblong-lanceolate, thin, pale green on both surfaces, hairless, base wedge-shaped or rounded, apex tapering into a blunt tip, margin too toothed with minute rounded teeth, terminal leaflets larger, about 13x6.5cm, lateral leaflets smaller, about 7x4 cm; leaf stalks about 6cm long. Flowers bisexual, 3-6 in axillary racemes, about 1.5cm long, greenish white, fragrant. Berried avoid to sub-globose, 5-10x4.8 cm, yellow when mature with woody rind and short neck. Seeds many, oblong, flat, about 1 cm long, embedded in thick orange or flesh coloured mucilaginous sweet pulp.

Trade information: Local, regional and national. Parts traded are root bark, fruits and fruit pulp. Curved or channeled pieces of root bark are sold under the trade name Bilva mool tvak., Dry, peeled, spherical pieces of the fruits (cut in halves or quarters) are sold under the name Belgiri or Bilva phal.

Special characters: Branchlets have prominent axiallary spines and leaflets possess numerous minute gland dots. The fragrant white flowers contain many stamens. Fruits resemble wood-apple. The tender shoots and leaves are quite brittle.

Mode of propagation: By seeds and grafts.

Medicinal Uses: Roots, bark, leaves and fruits are highly medicinal. Roots are one of the ingredients of the drug dasamula arishtam; used in colitis, dysentery, diarrhea, flatulence, fever, vomiting and colic. The root and root bark are used for relieving intermittent fever, thirst and body pain. Leaves are used for treating ophthalmic, deafness, indigestion, piles and jaundice. Leaf juices are used in curing catarrh and fever. Tender fruits are bitter, astringent, ant laxative, digestive, promote digestion and strength, as well as overcome diarrhea and dysentery. Ripe fruits are nutritious, cooling, used in treating indigestion and to improve vision.

Phenology:
Leaf fall: January.
New foliage: February onwards.
Flowering: March to April
Fruiting: Septemeber to December. Fruits of the previous season often persistent.

Notes: A sacred tree often grown in Hindu temples in India. The leaves are used for various rituals.

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.

Operculina turpethum (L.)Silva Manso
Family: Convolvulaceae

Vernacular names:
Hindi: Nisoth, Pitohri
Kannada: Nagadanti, Devadanti
Malayalam: Trikolpakkonna
Marathi: Nishottara
Sanskrit: Trivrit, Tribhandi
Tamil: Sivadai, Pagandrai
Telugu: Tegada

Threat status:
Vulnerable (A1c,d)- KA
Endangered (A1c,d)- KL
Lower Risk near threatened- TN

Habit: Climber
Habitat: Coastal plains to moist deciduous forests.
Altitude: Sea level to 1000 m

Distribution:
Global: Africa, Tropical Asia and Australia.
National: Recorded throughout the warmer parts.
Regional: In Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, recorded in the drier zones but now here abundant. In Kerala, recorded only in the disturbed forests of drier regions.

Description: A perennial stout massive climbing shrub on thickets. Branches often angled or winged and twisted. Leaves alternate, usually not lobed rarely shallowly lobed, broadly egg-shaped to heart-shaped, 5-12 x 4-12 cm, base truncate to slightly heart-shaped, apex acute, margin entire, papery, with scattered hairs; lateral nerves 6-8 pairs, lower 2 pairs arising from the base; leaf stalks 3-6 cm long, Flowers bisexual, axillary, solitary or in few flowered cymes, with long stalks, white, funnel-shaped, about 4 cm long and about 3 cm across; bracts and sepals are larger and conspicuous. Capsules depresses globose, about 2.5 x 2 cm, enclosed by enlarged woody calyx-lobes, splitting irregularly or opening at top. Seeds 1-4, black, smooth.

Trade information: Regional, National and Global. Roots are traded as Nisoth or Kaali nisoth; priced at Rs. 17 to 25/kg. (Market Studies, 1999-2000). Commercial samples are sometimes found adulterated with stem pieces of the same species. Substantial quantities of this raw drug are reported to be imported into India.

Special characters: Young stems are often angled or winged. Flowers open after 9 a.m. Fruits are enclosed within the calyx-lobes. Calyx-lobes large, conspicuous, sub-fleshy when young, woody when dry.

Mode of propagation: By seeds.

Medicinal Uses: The roots are purgative, anthelmintic, antipyretic and hepatic stimulant. Used for treatment of bronchitis, obesity, ascites, worms, skin diseases, swellings of lymph glands, inflammation, intermittent fever, leucoderma, ulcers, bleeding piles, tumours, jaundice and opthalmia. Leaf powder is used in the treatment of malarial fever and abdominal disorders.

Phenology:
Flowering & fruiting: October to March.

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.

Schrebera swietenioides Roxb.
Family: Oleaceae

Vernacular names:
Hindi: Mokadi, Nakti
Sanskrit: Muskakah
Tamil: Magalinga maram, pasarai
Telugu: Magalinga, makkam, tondamukkudi

Threat status:
Vulnerable (A1c)- KA
Data deficient- KL & TN

Habit: Tree.
Habitat: Mixed deciduous forests.
Altitude: 500-1000m

Distribution:
Global: Peninsular India, tropical Himalayas and Myanmar.
National: Occurs throughout India especially in the direr zones.
Regional: In Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Common in deciduous forests of lower altitudes. In Kerala, restricted to Cannanore.

Description: Deciduous tree, 10-20m tall. Crown somewhat ball-like. Bark grey, rough, about 8mm thick with man protuberances.Blaze dull white. Branchlets robust, lenticellate. Leaves opposite, compound, odd-pinnate; leaflets opposite, 7-9, elliptic-egg-shaped, 6-10x4-5cm, base unequally gradually tapering, apex acute , margin entire, leathery, hairless above, rarely slightly villous below, with distinct stalks. Flowers bisexual, in terminal and axillary trichotomous cymes, shortly stalked. Corolla wheel-shaped, about 2x1.5cm, white with brown centre, covered with brown glands . Capsules pear-shaped, pendulous, about 5x3cm woody, dotted with rough specks, dehiscing by 2 -valves. Seeds many flat, winged.

Trade information: Local and regional. The bark priced at Rs.2.20/kg. (Kerala, 1993)

Special characters: Flowers covered with brown glands; woody fruits resembling pears; seeds are papery and winged.

Mode of propagation: By seeds and cuttings.

Medicinal Uses: Roots, bark and leaves are useful in treating indigestion, skin diseases, leprosy, diarrhea, anemia, boils, burns and rectal disorders. Bark is uses to treat diseases of throat as well as poisoning. Fruits are used to treat anaemia, bleeding piles and diabetes.

Phenology:
Leaf fall: February to March.
New foliage: March to April.
Flowering: March to June
Fruiting: March onwards, almost persistent.

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.

Cycas circinalis L.
Family: Cycadaceae

Vernacular names:
Hindi: Jangli madan must ka phul
Kannada: Mund isalu, Goddu eechalu
Malayalam: Eentha pana
Marathi: Malabari supari
Sanskrit: Hintalah
Tamil: Madana kama raja, Salaparai, Eentha panai
Telugu: Rana gucca, Per ita, Madana kamakshi

Threat status:
Critically Endangered (A1c,d)- KA and TN
Vulnerable (A1c)- KL

Habit: Tree
Habitat: Deciduous to semi-evergreen forests, mostly in tall grasslands and woodland savannahs.
Altitude: Up to 1000m

Distribution:
Global: East tropical Africa, Madascar, Peninsular India, Sri Lanka and Malasia.
National: Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Regional: Common in Western and Eastern Ghats in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Description: A slow-growing palm like evergreen tree, reaching 5-12 m tall. Roots thick, dark brown, Coral like arranged as a bead. Trunk straight, cylindrical, Unbranched, brown, with persistent leaf scars. Leaves 1-3m long, pinnately arranged; leaflets opposite, 60-100 pairs, linear, 20-30cm long, about 1 cm wide, single nerved, apex acuminate, margin entire, shiny, hairless; lead stalk 40-60 cm long, hairless, stout with few short stout slightly curved spines at base. Male and female flowers found in separate plants in the form of 'cones'. Male cones consist of numerous compactly arranged fleshy leaf-like structures, bearing the 'seeds; which are 2-4 in each megasporophyll, egg-shaped, hard about 5x3 cm hairless, smooth, brownish yellow.

Trade information: Local and regional. The pith is sold in Virudhunagar market (Tamil Nadu) under the name Pei eechchai.

Special characters: Readily recognized by its similarity to the date palm tree (Phoenix spp.). Male cones seated at the apex of the tree, look like a pineapple. During spore dispersal male cones emit an unpleasant odour, choking the breath and causing allergy.

Mode of propagation: By seeds and suckers.

Medicinal Uses: Seeds are used as aphrodisiac as well as to improve the sperm production. Bark and seeds are used as a poultice for sores and swellings. Tender leaves relieve flatulence and vomiting. Powdered endosperm is used to relieve burning sensation and general debility.

Phenology:
Flowering & fruiting: November to February.

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.

Oroxylum indicum (L.) Benth.ex Kurz
Family: Bignoniaceae

Vernacular names:
Hindi: Arlu, Urru, Sauna
Kannada: Alangi, Bunepaale, Pathangani
Malayalam: Palakappayyani, Vella Pathiri
Marathi: Titu, Ulu
Sanskrit: Syonakah
Tamil: Achi, Pana, Pei maram, Vanga maram, Peru vaagai
Telugu: Dundilamu, pampini, Nemalli chettu

Threat status:
Vulnerable (A1c)- KA
Endangered (Alc)- KL
Data Deficient- TN

Habit: Tree
Habitat: Dry Deciduous to moist deciduous forests.
Altitude: 75-1000 m.

Distribution:
Global: India, Sri lanka, Myanmar, Myanmar, Malaysia and Malacca.
National: Occurs throughout the warmer parts of India.
Regional: In Karnataka, recorded in moist deciduous forests of Chikmagalur, Dakshina and Uttar kannada, Udupi and coorg districts. In Kerala, recorded in the lower Ghats of Cannanore, Palakkad and Nilambur. In Tamil Nadu, reported only from the extreme west of the Thekkady forests.

Description: A medium sized deciduous tree, growing 5-10m tall, about 75cm girth. Bark about 6 mm thick, rough, surface brownish grey. Blaze yellowish green. Wood Yellowish white, soft. Branchlets robust, with prominent corky lenticles, hairless. Leaves opposite, 2-3 pinnate, 1-1.8m long; each pinnae opposite; leaflets 3-9, odd-paired, each egg shaped -elliptic, 7-15x5-8cm, base unequal, rounded or sometimes heart-shaped, apex acuminate, margin entire, hairless. Flowers bisexual, in large erect terminal racemes; peduncle stout, robust, up to 1m long calyx up to 3 cm long, dark purple, bell-shaped; corolla reddish purple outside, pinkish yellow inside, about 5 cm across, tube about 8 cm long. Capsules large, flat, linear, 50-100x8-10 cm, brown, tapering at both ends, hairless. Seeds many, 5-7x2.4 cm, rectangular, flat, winged all around except the base.

Trade information: Local and regional. Root bark constitutes the drug Shyonaaka that is sold under the trade name Shyonaaka mool chaal or Sonapaathaa mool chaal. The material is sometimes adulterated with stem bark of the same species. A commonly used substitute, in Rajasthan and Gujarat, is the root bark of Ailanthes excelsa, known as Aruka or Arlu.

Special characters: This tree can easily be recognized in the filed by its 2 to 3 branched large leaves, strikingly large purplish flowers and huge sword-like flat woody fruit.

Mode of propagation: By seeds and root Suckers.

Medicinal Uses: The roots are one of the ingredients of the well known Ayurvedic formulation dasa moola, which is used asn anti-inflammatory, appetizing, digestive, carminative, antiperiodic, tonic, anthelmintic. Also used for treatment of inglammations, sprains, hiccough, cough, asthma, bronchitis, indigestion, diarrhea, dysentery, gout, vomiting, leucoderma, wounds, rheumatoid arthritis and fever. Leaves are reportedly used for the treatment of ulcers and headache. Tender fruits are useful in treating cough, bronchitis, indigestion and leucoderma. Mature fruits are used in the treatment of intestinal worms, bronchitis and bleeding piles. The seeds are purgative.

Phenology:
Flowering: September to November.
Fruiting: December to July.

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.

Terminalia arjuna (Roxb. Ex DC.) Wight & Arn.
Family: Combretaceae

Vernacular names:
Hindi: Arjuna
Kannada: Bilee matthi, Neeru matthi
Malayalam: Neer maruthu, Vella maruthu
Marathi: Sanmadat
Sanskrit: Kukubha, Nadisarja
Tamil: Marudha maram, Vellai maruthu, Kula maruthu, Neer mathi
Telugu: Erra maddi, Tittu maddi, Tell maddi

Threat status:
Lower risk near threatened- KA and KL
Lower Risk least concern- TN

Habit: Tree
Habitat: In moist deciduous forests mainly along watercourses.
Altitude: Up to 1400 m

Distribution:
Global: India and Sri Lanka.
National: Common throughout India.
Regional: Fairly common along river banks and secondary deciduous forests in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Frequently planted along highways.

Description: A large handsome deciduous tree, 20-40m tall, 2-7m girth. Trunk often buttressed with many irregularly shaped large knot-like structures called 'galls'. Bark smooth, pinkish grey, pealing off into stiff thin layers; inner bark smooth and white, 6-8 mm thick, flesh-coloured when cut, exuding red resin that turns black on exposure. Blaze pink. Wood very hard, brown. Branchlets minutely hairy, robust, drooping. Leaves alternate or sub-opposite, elliptic-lanceolate or oblanceolate, 7-20x4-8cm, base rounded or slightly heart-shaped, apex rounded or acute, margin minutely toothed with rounded to saw-like teeth, hairless, leathery; lateral nerves 15-18 pairs; leaf stalks up to 1.5cm long with two glands near the base of the leaf blade. Flowers bisexual, about 4 mm across, yellowish green, mildly fragrant, aggregated in 7-10 cm long branched axillary spikes. Drupes distinctly 5 angles and 5 winged, 4-6x2-3cm, woody, brown when ripe.

Trade information: Stem bark is sols as Arjuna chaal. Barks of a number of species of Terminalia are used as adulterants.

Special characters: The presence of galls on stems, leaves, flowers and fruits; strikingly smooth white second layer of the bark exuding a red resin; presence of two glands at the base of the leaf, leaves turning pinkish yellow when old and the broadly winged woody fruits are unique characters.

Mode of propagation: By seeds and stump planting.

Medicinal Uses: Bark is used as cardiac tonic. Bark powder/decoction is used to treat heart diseases, bone fractures, skin diseases, polyuria, white discharge, giddiness, fever, leprosy, worms, excessive thirst, wounds, diarrhea and intrinsic haemorrhage. Fruits used externally to heal chronic ulcers.

Phenology:
Flowering: March to June.
Fruiting: June onwards, persisting almost throughout the year.

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.

Piper longum L.
Family: Piperaceae

Vernacular names:
Hindi: Pipli
Kannada: Hippali
Malayalam: Thippali
Marathi: Pimpli
Sanskrit: Pippali, kana
Tamil: Thippili
Telugu: Pippallu

Threat status:
Not evaluated- KA
Lower Risk near threatened- KL
Endangered (A1c,d)- TN

Habit: Sub-scandent herb.
Habitat: Moist deciduous to evergreen forests.
Altitude: 500-1500m

Distribution:
Global: Indo - Malaysia.
National: Recorded in the moist tropical zones of eastern Himalaya and other hilly regions of several states. Believed to be a native of northeastern India. Cultivated in several places.
Regional: Common in the western ghats in Kerala and rare in Tamil Nadu. Not reported from Karnataka.

Description: A slender sub-scandent herb, branchlets erect, straggling or sometimes climbing , hairless, with swollen node and those of creeping branches with roots are lower nodes. Leaves alternate, variable in shape usually egg-shaped-heart shaped, 7-15x4-6cm, base heart-shaped and unequal, apex acute to acuminate, margin entire, hairless, lower leaves with long stalks and upper ones without stalk; lateral nerves 5-7 arising from the base. Male spies erect, 2-7cm long, greenish yellow, fleshy, yellow. Fruiting spikes cylindrically oblong, about 4x1 cm.Berries globose, about 2 mm across, partly sunken in the rachis. Compactly arranged, red turning black when ripe.

Trade information: Local, regional and global. Roots and rhizomes are sold under the trade name pipplamool. Stem pieces are also found as an adulterant. Mature but unripe fruiting spikes are also used as a drug and traded under the name Bara papal, Chota papal or long pepper. Priced at Rs. 150 to 180/kg (Market studies, 1999-2000).

Special characters: The habit of this species is unique. The only piper species which does not show typical climbing habit. Erect fruiting spikes are another important character for easy identification.

Mode of propagation: By seeds, stem cuttings and tillers.

Medicinal Uses: Roots and fruiting spikes are used in treating diarrhea, indigestion, jaundice, utricaria, abdominal disorders, hoarseness of voice, asthma, earache, wheezing, chest conjestion, throat infections, worms and sinusitis. This is one of the ingredients in the Siddha medicine 'trikadugu' Also considered a rejuvenating plant.

Phenology:
Flowering & Fruiting: September to November: March to June

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.

Embelia tsjeriam-cottam(Roem. & Schult.)DC.
Family: Myrsinaceae

Vernacular names:
Hindi: Babrang, Bhingi
Kannada: Vaivaling
Malayalam: Vilal
Marathi: Ambati, Kokla
Sanskrit: Bidanga, Vidanga
Tamil: Vaivilangam, Kakkandankai

Threat status:
Vulnerable (A1c, d)- KA, KL & TN

Habit: Straggling shrub
Habitat: Deciduous to semi-evergreen forests.
Altitude: 600-1600 m

Distribution:
Global: India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
National: Southern states of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andra Pradesh.
Regional: common in the moist forests of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Description: A large woody scandent or straggling shrub (rarely erect shrub). Branchlets densely covered with prominent lenticels, hairless. Bark with thin cracks, brown, exuding resin. Wood red, exhibiting prominent wheel-like medullary rays when cut. Leaves alternate, elliptic, 5-12x2-6 cm, papery, base acute, apex acuminate, margin entire or slightly toothed with triangular teeth, hairless, dark green above, often purplish green below; lateral nerves and reticulations prominent; lead stalks up to 1 cm long. Flowers bisexual greenish white or yellow, about 5 mm across, arranged in 4-7 cm long axillary racemes. Fruits globose, about 6 mm across, smooth, red when ripe.

Trade information: Local, regional and global. Dry fruits and seeds of Embelia ribes are found mixed in the market samples of Embelia tsjeriam-cottam.

Special characters: Leaves, when seed against the light, Show numerous minute gland-dots; often with pinkish red tinge at basal side; sour in taste. Basal portion of the stem occasionally seen with spine like projections, which are actually axillary branches devoid of leaves during summer.

Mode of propagation: By seeds.

Medicinal Uses: Since the seeds have same medicinal properties of E.ribes they are substituted.

Phenology:
Leaf fall: December to January.
Flowering: February to March.
Fruiting: April to July.

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.

Salacia oblonga Wall.ex Wight & Arn
Family: Hippocrateaceae

Vernacular names:
Tamil: Ponkoranti, kadal azhinjil

Threat status:
Vulnerable (A1c)- Globally

Habit: Climbing shrub
Habitat: Moist deciduous to evergreen forests.
Altitude: 700-1500m

Distribution:
Global: Southern India and Sri Lanka.
National: Western Ghats in Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, rarely seen in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh.
Regional: In Karnataka, occasional in Kodagu district. In Kerala, fairly common in Thrissur, Idukki and Kollam districts. In Tamil Nadu, reported only from Tirunelveli, Coimbatore and Nilgiris hills.

Description: A large woody climbing shrub; branchlets cylindrical, densely sprinkled with lenticels, hairless. Leaves opposite, oblong or elliptic-oblanceolate, 7-15x3-5cm, base acute, apex acute or acuminate, marging toothed with rounded to saw-like teeth, hairless; lateral nerves 7-9 pairs, prominent; leaf stalks 5-10mm long. Flowers bisexual, about 5 mm across, greenish yellow, seen in shortly stalked axillary clusters, usually 3-6 together. Drupes sub-globose or pear-shaped, 5-6 cm across, orange-red when ripe. Seeds 1-6, angled, embedded in fleshy pulp.

Trade information: Local and regional

Special characters: The attractive pear-shaped orange-red fleshy fruits are striking characters.

Mode of propagation: By seeds.

Medicinal Uses: The stem bark is considered useful in treating polyuria, diabetes, excessive thirst, discoloured spreading patches on the skin. diarrhea and fever. Root bark is used for treatment of gonorrhea, rheumatism and skin diseases.

Phenology:
Flowering & Fruiting: December to May

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.

Smilax zeylanica L.
Family: SMILACECEAE (Liliaceae)

Vernacular names:
Hindi: Jangli ashbha, Ramdatun
Kannada: Kadu hambu thaavare
Malayalam: Kareelanchi
Marathi: Goatvel
Sanskrit: Vana madhusnahi
Tamil: Kattu kodi
Telugu: Sitapa, Kondaguruva tige

Threat status:
Lower Risk near threatened- KA
Vulnerable (A1c)- KL
Lower Risk least concern- TN

Habit: Prickly climbing shrub
Habitat: Climbing on thickets and forest edges in deciduous to shoal forests.
Altitude: 500-1800m

Distribution:
Global: India to Malaysia and China.
National: Recorded in the tropical and subtropical hills from Himalayan region in the hill tracts of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Description: A prickly, tendril climber. Tendril usually two, arising on either side of the leaf stalk. Prickles short, bent, scattered on the stem. Leaves alternate, broadly egg-shaped to elliptic, 6-12x4-8 cm, base rounded to rarely slightly heart-shaped with a narrow leaf sheath, apex rounded to acute, sometimes notched, margin entire, hairless, leathery; nerves 3-7, arising from the base of the leaf; leaf stalks 1-3 cm long twisted. Male and female flowers are separated, seen in the same plant, arranged in axillary 1-3 branched umbels, greenish white, about 6 mm long, 8 mm across, distinctly stalked. Berris globose, about 8 mm across, shiny, smooth, hairless, green turning red and becoming black when ripe.

Trade information: Local and regional

Special characters: Prickly stems, betel-like leaves, prominent 3-7 basal nerves in the leaves, flowers and fruits borne on characteristic umbels are important field characters.

Mode of propagation: By seeds.

Medicinal Uses: Roots used for the treatment of vernereal diseases, skin troubles, sores, swellings and abscess. Also applied for rheumatism and pains in the lower extremities.

Phenology:
Flowering & Fruiting: June to August; October to January.

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.

Acarus calamus L.
Family: ACORACEAE (Araceae)

Vernacular names:
Hindi: Bajai, Gora-bach, Vasa Bach
Kannada: Baje
Malayalam: Vayambu
Marathi: Vekhand
Sanskrit: Bhutanashini, G%mi, Jatila
Tamil: Vasambu
Telugu: Vasa, Vadaja

Threat status:
Data Deficient- KA
Endangered (A 1 c,d)- KL
Vulnerable (A 1 c)- TN

Habit: Rhizomatous herb
Habitat: Semi-aquatic and marshy localities.
Altitude: Up to 2400 m

Distribution:
Global: Asia, southeast USA, widely naturalised throughout northern hemisphere notably in Europe.
National: Almost throughout the country, often cultivated.
Regional: Wild populations are noticed in certain hill tracts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. In Karnataka it is seen only under cultivation.

Description: A perennial aromatic herb with creeping rhizomes. Rhizomes semi-succulent, cylindrical, about 2 cm diameter, whitish inside when freshly cut, strongly aromatic, growing horizontally up to 2 m long, with remains of scaly old leaves and also with many roots. Roots up to 50 cm long, dense, fibrous, white, sub-fleshy, vertically growing. Leaves equitant, arising from the nodes of the rhizome, ensiform, 45-180 cm long and 0.75-3 cm wide, green, flat, ribbon-like, strongly aromatic, hairless, shiny. Flowersbisexual, small, light brown, densely and compactly arranged in an erect, cylindrical, column-like structure called spadix, which is arising laterally from the leaf. This spadix is free from the leafy, hood-like structure called spathe, which is about 15 cm long, pale green. Berries oblong. Seeds few.

Trade information: Local, regional and global. This drug consists of whole dried rhizomes or transversely cut pieces obtained by peeling. It is sold at Rs.20 to SO/Kg. (Market studies, 1999-2000). It is traded under the name Bacha or Ghorbacha. Roots of Alpinia galanga and Aconitum spp. are sometimes erroneously supplied in place of Vacha. The commercial material is adulterated with the rhizomes of Costus speciosus.

Special characters: This gregarious herb is confined to marshy localities. It has strongly aromatic leaves and rhizomes.

Mode of propagation: By rhizome cuttings.

Medicinal Uses: The rhizome has a strong smell, is acrid and bitter, capable of improving memory power and intellect. It is useful in improving digestion, clearing speech and curing diarrhoea, dysentery, abdominal obstruction, epilepsy, headache, wound, colic, piles, acid gastritis, heart, eye, ear and mouth diseases. It cures infantile fever, cough, bronchitis, asthma, hysteria and chronic rheumatic complaints. Administering a paste of the rhizome in ghee to infants is one of the first post-natal rituals of Indian mothers as it is believed to help develop intellect of the infant.

Phenology:
Flowering: March to April.
Fruiting: June to August. Generally the flowers and fruits are rarely seen.

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.

Gloriosa superba L.
Family: COLCHICACEAE (Liliaceae)

Vernacular names:
Hindi: Karihari, Languli
Kannada: Karadi kannina gadde, Huliyuguru, Sivasakthi balli
Malayalam: Mentonni, Ventoni
Marathi: Karianag, Nagkaria
Sanskrit: Langali, Agnisikha
Tamil: Kanvali poo, Kaandal, Kalappai kizhangu
Telugu: Kalappa gadda, Potti dumpa, Adavi nabhi

Threat status:
Vulnerable (A1c,d)- KA & KL
Lower Risk least concern- TN

Habit: Climber
Habitat: Sea level to semi-evergreen forest in a wide range of habitats except desert.
Altitude: Sea level to 1500 m

Distribution:
Global: Africa, India, Indo china, Malaysia and Australia.
National: Occurs throughout the country going up to subtropical Himalayan region.
Regional: Present in a wide range of habitats in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Description: A herbaceous climber, Root stock tuberous, cylindrical, 15- 25X2.5-4 cm, pointed at both ends, 'V' or 'L' shaped, fleshy, white; roots fibrous or in whorls, egg-shaped-lanceolate, stalkless, about 5-15X2-4 cm, base heart-shaped, apex produced into a coiled tendril, margin entire, hairless, papery; lateral nerves parallel. Flowers bisexual, axillary, solitary or somewhat sub-corymobose at the ends of branches, 8-10 cm across, floral stalk 6-14 cm long with relexled apex. Perianth lobes 6, oblong-lanceolate, about 6x1cm, with crisply wavy margins, greenish at first, then yellow, passing through orange and scarlet to crimson colour. Capsules ellipsoid-oblong compressed, with warty projections, straw-coloured.

Trade information: Local, regional and global. The drug traded regionally consists of transversely cut pieces of fresh or dried tubers. Tubers are priced at Rs. 35 to 80/kg (Market studies, 1999-2000). Seeds are traded regionally and globally and recorded prices of Rs. 240 to 360/Kg. (Market studies, 1999-2000). Sliced rhizomes of costus specious are often found as adulterants.

Special characters: A handsome herbaceous climbers, Climbing by means of leaf tendrils. Tubers are distinctly plough-shaped. Flowers are very attractive with varying colours from green, orange-yellow to crimson red.

Mode of propagation: By tubers and Seeds.

Medicinal Uses: The tuberous roots are useful in curing inflammations, ulcers, scrofula, bleeding piles, white discharge, skin disease, leprosy, indigestion, helminthiasis, snake bites, baldness, intermittent fever and debility. Roots are given internally as an antidote for snake poison. Considered useful in promoting labour and expulsion of the placenta. If consumed in large doses, it is highly poisonous, it causes vomiting, purging, stomachache and burning sensation. Seeds are used for relieving rheumatic pain and as a muscle relaxant.

Phenology:
Flowering: October to January
Fruiting: March to July

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.