Artocarpus hirsutus Lam.
Family: Moraceae

Vernacular names:
Kannada: Hebbalasu, Kadu halasu
Malayalam: Ayani, Anjili, Ayini plavu
Sanskrit: Lakucah, Panasah
Tamil: Kattuppala, Aiyini pala, Kurangu pala, Pei pala
Telugu: 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:
National: 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.

Description: A large handsome evergreen tree, 20-40 m tall and 2-3.5 m girth. Bark 1-1.5 cm thick, brownish grey, smooth, lenticellate, pealing into thin flakes exposing red surface; inner bark fibrous. Blaze white turning pinkish yellow. Latex milky white, thick, sticky. Branchlets robust, horizontally drooping, hairy. Leaves simple, alternate, broadly egg-shaped or elliptic. 12-25x 7-15 cm, base rounded or truncate, apex bluntly acute, margin entire and wavy, leathery, with sparsely scattered hairs above, densely hairy below; lateral nerves 7-11 pairs, prominent; lead stalks 3 cm long, hairy. Male and female flowers very minute, numerous, greenish yellow, separately seen in different heads of the same plant in the leaf axils. Male heads cylindrical, about 15 x 1cm, pendulous with age, on about 3 cm long hairy peduncles. Female heads ovoid, about 3 x 1.5 cm. Mature fruits globose to avoid, 10-15 x 8-12 cm, covered by numerous long spine-like projections, ripening orange-yellow. Seeds 1-2 cm long, ovoid, white.

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. These are densely covered with numerous small spine-like projections. Compared to Artocarpus heterophyllus, the flesh edible portion (perianth) is smaller, thinner and ripening yellow.

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

Medicinal Uses: An infusion of the bark is applied to cure small pimples and cracks on the skin. The powdered bark is used to heal sores. Dried leaves are used to treat burboes and hydrocele. Leaves, Fruits as well as bark are used to treat diarrhoea , skin diseases, intrinsic haemorrhoage and poisons.

Phenology:
Flowering & Fruiting: December 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,Bengaluru.

Photocourtesty: K.Ravikumar, FRLHT.

Cayratia pedata (Lam.) Juss. ex Gagnep. var. glabra Gamble
Family: Vitaceae

Vernacular names:
Kannada: Kaama pattige balli
Malayalam: Velutta sori valli
Marathi: Gorpadvel
Sanskrit: Suvaha
Tamil: Pannikkodi, Tiripatakam, Kattu pirandai
Telugu: Gummadi tige

Threat status:
Critically Endangered (B2b,d)- Globally

Habit:Climber.
Habitat: Semi evergreen to evergreen forests.
Altitude: 800 – 2200m

Distribution:
National: Endemic to Southern Western Ghats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Regional: In Kerala, reported only from Palakkad forest in silent valley, where it is locally common. In Tamil Nadu, collected only from Nilgiris. It may possibly occur in the high ranges of Anamalais and Kodaikanal hills. Not available in Karnataka.

Description: A large but week climbing shrub completely hairless. Tendrils leaf-opposed, branched, wiry, coiled. Leaves alternate, pedately 5-7 foliolate, hairless; leaf stalks 2-7 cm long; terminal leaflets elliptic to egg-shaped-lanceolate, 5-12 x 3-6 cm, base rounded or acute, apex acuminate, margin toothed with saw-like teeth, stalk 1-2 cm long; lateral leaflets 2.5-9 x 1.5-5 cm, base unequal, stalk up to 1 cm long. Flowers bisexual, hairless, greenish yellow or yellowish white, about 3 mm across, placed on about 10 cm long branched, axillary corymbs. Berries globose, about 1 cm across, creamy white. Seeds 1-2, flat, semicircular, smooth.

Trade information: The whole plant (fresh/green) was priced at Rs. 2.70/kg. (Kerala, 1993).

Special characters: This plant is totally hairless with pedately lobes leaves.

Mode of propagation: By stem cuttings and seeds

Medicinal Uses: The whole plant of C. Pedata (excluding the roots) has low diuretic activity and has been a reputed remedy for cough, bronchitis, asthma, joint pain and to check uterine reflexes.

Phenology:
Flowering & Fruiting: March to August.

Notes: It can be a possible adulterant or potential substitute to the typical variety. Of high conservation concern due to its endemic nature and narrow distribution range.

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,Bengaluru.

Photocourtesty: K.Ravikumar, FRLHT.

Dipterocarpus indicus Bedd.
Family: Dipterocarpaceae

Vernacular names:
Kannada: Yenna mara, Dhuma, Guga
Malayalam: Kal payin, velayini
Tamil: Ennel maram

Threat status:
Endagered (A1c,d)- Globally

Habit: Tree
Habitat: Tropical semi-evergreen to evergreen forests
Altitude: 300-1000m

Distribution:
National: 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.

Description: A lofty evergreen upper canopy tree, reaching to a height of 30 m or even more. Crown round shaped. Trunk pillar-like, straight, undivided, up to 20 m long and about 4 m girth. Bark 8-10 mm thick, surface yellowish brown, mottled with grey and white, smooth, exfoliating into irregular flakes, brittle, exuding resin when cut freshly. Blaze creamy chocolate yellow. Young shoots with fine and short hairs. Leaves alternate, egg-shaped, 15 to 25 cm x 6-17 cm, tip acute or acuminate, base rounded or slightly heart-shaped, margin entire and wavy, hairless; lateral nerves 10-15 pairs, prominent below, parallel. Stipules covering the terminal leaf buds are egg-shaped, acute, softly hairy, about 2 cm long; leaf stalk 3-5 cm long, hairy. Flowers white with a pink shade, fragrant, about 5 cm across, in 3 to 8 flowered axillary racemes. Stamens numerous, stalks yellow. Fruit is a non-splitting nut, about 1.5 cm across, brown, sub-globose, hairless, enclosed by two enlarged prominent calyx lobes and three smaller ones known as wings. Wings about  12 cm long and 3 cm across, strongly 3-5 nerved.

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.

Medicinal Uses: The Oleoresin is used for treating rheumatic complaints.

Phenology:
Leaf fall: February to March
Flowering: December to March
Fruiting: April 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,Bengaluru.

Photocourtesty: K.Ravikumar, FRLHT.

Diospyros paniculata Dalz.
Family: Ebenaceae

Vernacular names:
Kannada: Karikoomar
Malayalam: Karivella, Kari, LLakatta, Kakka kari maram
Sanskrit: Tinduka
Tamil: Karunthovarai

Threat status:
Vulnerable (A1c)- Globally

Habit: Tree.
Habitat: Moist deciduous to evergreen forests.
Altitude: Up to 1000 m

Distribution:
National: Endemic to western peninsular India.
Regional: Western Ghats in Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. In Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. In Karnataka, occasional in the wet forests of Dakshina Kannada, Chikmagalur and Shimoga districts. Common throughout moist forests in Kerala. In Tamil Nadu, less common in Coimbatore and Nilgiri districts.

Description: A medium sized tree, 10-18 tall and 1-1.5 girth. Bark rough, black, often with grey blotches, about 8 mm thick. Blaze dull yellow. Branchlets angular, pubescent, drooping. Leaves alternate, oblong to lanceolate, 7-20x3-7 cm, base rounded or acute, apex bluntly acuminate, margin entire, leathery, hairless; lateral nerves 5-9 pairs, with prominent reticulations; leaf stalks about 1.5 cm long. Male and female flowers seen in separate trees. Male flowers in branched axillary cymes, shortly stalked, greenish white, about 1 cm across, with a pair of bracts that are egg-shaped-heart-shaped, about 1 cm across, pubescent. Female flowers solitary or in 2-3 flowers axillary cymes, about 1.5 cm across, white, on about 2 cm long stalks and having bracts which are larger than that of male flowers. Calyx 5-lobed, each about 1.5 cm long, with reflexed margin. Corolla about 1 cm long, densely white hairy. Berry sub-globose to ovoid, about 3x2 cm, golden hairy, smooth, green.

Trade Information: Local.

Special characters: Male and female flowers are seen in separate trees. The bracts are conspicuous and the corolla white and hairy. The calyx lobes in the fruit are persistent, distinctly larger and folded backward.

Mode of propagation: By seeds and stem cuttings.

Medicinal Uses: Dried and powdered fruits are used to heal burns. A decoction of fruits treats gonorrhea, biliousness. Also used to clean boils.

Phenology:
Flowering: December to February.
Fruiting: 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,Bengaluru.

Photocourtesty: K.Ravikumar, FRLHT.

Helminthostachys zeylanica (L.) Hook
Family: Ophioglossaceae

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

Habit: Rhizomatous creeping herb.
Habitat: Swamps and marchy areas, rarely on tree trunks and moist rocks.
Altitude: From sea level to 1000 m

Distribution:
Global: Indo-Malaysia to Australia.
National: Found in central and eastern Himalayas and Southern India.
Regional: Recorded in the marshy localities of Kerala from Coast to higher altitudes. In Tamil Nadu it is reported from Kanniyakumari and Nilgiri districts. The report of its occurrence in Karnataka is yet to be confirmed.

Description: A creeping rhizomatous herb. Rhizomes up to 1 cm diameter, cylindrical, tuberous, covered with small pale brown rounded scales and with thick fleshy roots; leaf stalk single, cylindrical, hairless, pale brown below, greenish above, about 30 cm long, 5-8 mm width, produced every year from the same rhizome. Leaf blade (lamina) round shaped in outline, up to 30 cm in diameter, ternately divided, each branch 3-lobed, with short stalks. Each lobe oblong-lanceolate, about 13x3 cm, base wedge-shaped, apex acute, margin slightly wavy with narrow pale brown membranous border, pale green, hairless, papery; main nerve (costa) shallowly grooved above and raised; lateral nerves forked once or twice, free, parallel, ending at the margin. Fertile branch solitary, arising from the base of the lead blade bearing about 7 cm long spike, which contains many crested clusters of sporangia. Sporangia (reproductive organs contain spores) are seen in groups of 4, minute green.

Trade Information: Local. Fresh rhizomes are reportedly sold at Rs. 30.00 kg in local markets.

Special characters: A herbaceous, not – flowering fern with short creeping horizontal rhizomes and ternately branched leaves. This plant is propagation through powdery spores, produced in specialized structures called ‘Sporangia’.

Mode of propagation: By rhizome.

Medicinal Uses: Leaves are aperient, intoxicant, anodyne and used to relieve sciatica. Rhizomes used to cure dysentery, catarrh, malaria, as an antidote for snake poison and as a tonic. Decoction of the rhizome is used to treat impotency. Leaf juice reportedly relieved blisters on the tongue.

Phenology:
Sori appears: October to December.

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,Bengaluru.

Photocourtesty: K.Ravikumar, FRLHT.

Humboldtia vahliana Wright.
Family: Caesalpinaceae

Vernacular names:
Malayalam: Korathi, Karappongu
Sanskrit: Jelavedesa
Tamil: Neer vanchi, Athu vanji

Threat status:
Endangered (B1 & 2c)- Globally

Habit: Tree.
Habitat: Along watercourses of semi-evergreen to evergreen forests.
Altitude: 300-1000m

Distribution:
National: Endemic to southern Western Ghats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Regional: In Tamil Nadu, only old records from Nilgiri and Tirunelveli districts. In Kerala, found occasionally in the Malabar region, Pathanamthitta and Thrissur districts. Not reported from Karnataka so far.

Description: Medium sized trees, 7-15 m tall, about 1.2 m girth. Bark smooth, about 5 mm thick, dark brown mottled with white. Blaze whitish. Wood lightbrown, moderately hard. Branchlets hairless, drooping. Stipules egg-shaped, 1.5-2.5’ 0.7 cm long, apex acute, with a kidney-shaped appendage, green. Rachis 1-1.5 cm long, cylindrical. Leaves alternate, pinnately compound; leaflets 6-10, opposite, distinctly stalked, oblong-lanceolate, leathery, 10-25 ' 4-6 cm, base rounded, apex acuminate, margin entire, hairless. Flowers bisexual, in axillary racemes, 2.5-3 cm, long, white, stalked. Peduncle of racemes about 15 cm long, velvety. Pods flat, oblong, leathery, 15-20 x 3.5-5 cm, dull brown, tapering at both ends, yellowish brown pubescent. Seeds 3-4, compressed.

Trade Information: Local.

Special characters: This species can easily be recognized by the persistent, broad, green and conspicuous egg-shaped stipules, attractive white flowers and velvet-hairy long fruits.

Mode of propagation: By seeds and stem cuttings.

Medicinal Uses: Bark is used for treating ulcers, biliousness, leprosy and epilepsy.

Phenology:
Flowering & 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,Bengaluru.

Photocourtesty: K.Ravikumar, FRLHT.

Hydnocarpus alpina Wright.
Family: Flacourtiaceae (Bixaceae)

Vernacular names:
Kannada: Torathi, Sanusotti
Malayalam: Mala maravetti, Pinervetty
Marathi: Kastel
Tamil: Athu chankalai, Malai vattai, Oily maram

Threat status:
Vulnerable (A1c,d)- Globally

Habit: Tree.
Habitat: Semi-evergreen to evergreen forests especially along stream banks and in moist valleys.
Altitude: 1000 2000 m

Distribution:
National: Endemic to southern India.
Regional: Western Ghats in Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. In Karnataka, there are old records of its presence from Hassan and Dakshina Kannada districts only. It is fairly common in the Ghats of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Description: Medium sized trees, 10-20 m tall. Outer bark about 5 mm thick, smooth, black, mottled with grey; inner bark pinkish cream. Young branchlets hairless, drooping. Leaves alternate, entire, elliptic oblong to oblong-laceolate, 6-25 x 2-9 cm, base acute, apex acuminate, hairless; lateral nerves 7-10 pairs, prominent; leaf stalks 7-15 mm long. Male and female flowers are separately seen in the same plant. Male flowers are clustered in the leaf axils, about 2 cm across, 2-4 in a group, borne on a golden-hairy stalk, greenish white; female flowers usually single in leaf axils, around 2 cm across, dull yellow. Berries globose, 5-7 across, smooth, brownish hairy, with a woody rind. Seeds 10-12 embedded in white pulp.

Trade Information: Local, regional and national. Seeds are mixed with Hydnocarpus pentandra.

Special characters: Bark emits a mild acid smell when freshly cut. Young leaves are reddish pink.

Mode of propagation: By seeds and grafts.

Medicinal Uses: The fruits and seeds are used as a substitute for Hydnocarpus pentandra. These are heavily traded for oil extraction. The seed oil is used in the treatment of leprosy.

Phenology:
Flowering: November to February.
Fruiting: March 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,Bengaluru.

Photocourtesty: K.Ravikumar, FRLHT.

Moringa concanensis Nimmo ex Dalz. & Gibson.
Family: Moringaceae

Vernacular names:
Hindi: Sajana
Kannada: Nugge
Malayalam: Murinna
Marathi: Sajana, Muwa
Sanskrit: Sigru, Madhusigru
Tamil: Kattu murungai, Kari murungai
Telugu: Adavi muunaga, Konda munaga

Threat status:
Not Evaluated- KA, & KL
Lower Risk least concern- TN

Habit: Tree
Habitat: Hills of deciduous belt.
Altitude: Up to 700 m

Distribution:
Global: India and West Pakistan.
National: Restricted to Maharashtra, Goa, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Regional: In Tamil Nadu, locally abundant in the hill tracts of deciduous belts in Coimbatire, Dharmapuri, Dindigul, Madurai, Nilgiri, Salem, South Arcot, Theni, Thiruvannamalai, Tiruchirapalli, Virudhaunagar districts. Common in the drier regions of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. Not recorded in Karnataka and Kerala

Description: Deciduous trees, 8-20 m tall, about 2 m girth. Wood soft, white. Bark about 1.5 cm thick, rough, corky, vertically irregularly fissured, cement-white, easily brittle, exuding coulourless, watery juice becoming jelly-like and turning yellowish brown and hard on exposure. Blaze whitish, smooth, and fibrous. Braches cylindrical, warty, easily broken and densely minutely tomentose. Leaves about 100 x 80 cm, doubly pinnate; rachis jointed; primary pinnae 5-8 pairs, opposite; secondary pinnae 4-6 pairs, opposite; leaflets opposite, egg-shaped to elliptic, 1-3 x 1-2 cm, papery, shortly stalked, base rounded, apex rounded or deeply notched, margin entire, pale green above, blue-green below. Flowers bisexual, irregular, about 0.5 cm across, white with purple streaks, arranged in axillary divaricate tomentose about 30 cm wide panicles, mildly fragrant; floral stalks up to 1 cm long, distinctly jointed. Capsules elongated, slightly 3-angled, woody when mature, about 60 cm long and about 2 cm wide, splitting by 3 –valves. Seeds numerous, 3-angled, about 2 x 1.5 cm, with white papery marginal wings.

Trade information: Local and regional. The bark reported to be an adulterant to Strychnos nux-vomica.

Special characters: Mostly resembles the (edible) drumstick tree but easily distinguished in having deep fissured barks. Very bitter, largely spreading doubly pinnate leave and white flowers with purple streaks are other distinguishing characters.

Mode of propagation: Stem cuttings and seeds.

Medicinal Uses: The medicinal properties of M. Concanensis and the commonly cultivated M. Oleifera (drumstick) are considered similar. Root and root bark of M. Oleifera is considered useful for the treatment of paralysis, intermittent fever, abscess, epilepsy, rheumatism, fainting and giddiness. Stem bark is abortifacient and fruits are used for curing liver and spleen disease, joint pains and paralysis. Flowers are used as aphrodisiac. Seed oil is used for treatment rheumatism. Gum is used for treating dental and ear problems.

Phenology:
Leaf Fall: January
New Foliage: April to May
Flowering & Fruitng: February to August. Dried fruits persist almost throughout the year.

Notes: Since the leaves and fruits are very bitter they are not consumed by humans and cattle.

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,Bengaluru.

Photocourtesty: K.Ravikumar, FRLHT.

Nothapodytes nimmoniana (Graham) Mabb.
Family: Icacinaeae

Vernacular names:
Kannada: Durvasane mara
Marathi: Kalgur, Kalagaura, Ghanera
Tamil: Arali, Perum pulagi, Kal kurinji

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

Habit: Tree.
Habitat: Moist deciduous to evergreen and Shola forests.
Altitude: 400-2200 m

Distribution:
Global: India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Formosa, Malaysia and China.
National: Assam, West Bengal Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Regional: Recorded in moist forests of Western Ghats in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. In Maharashtra it is reported from Mahabaleshwar and Raigad districts.

Description: Small trees, 3-8 m tall. Bark smooth, grey, wrinkled, about 5 mm thick. Branchlets slightly angled, corky, with prominent leaf scars. Leaves alternate, slightly leathery, broadly egg-shaped to acuminate, margin entire, hairless above, thinly hairy beneath, crowded at the ends of branchlets; lateral nerves 8-10 pairs; leaf stalks 3-6 cm long. Flowers bisexual, creamy yellow, foul smelling, about 5 mm across, in terminal corymbose cymes; petals hairy inside. Drupes oblong to ellipsoid, about 2 x 1 cm, smooth, purplish black when ripe. Seeds single.

Trade Information: Wood chips of this species were reportedly exported (1994) for extraction of CAMPTOTHECIN. Herbal extract of its wood having trade name Ghanera, is traded (Chemiloids, Vijayawada)

Special characters: Nerve axils below the leaves have a dot-like structure called ‘domatia’. Flowers emit an unpleasant odour and ripe fruits resemble ‘jamun’ (Syzygium cumini) fruits.

Mode of propagation: By seeds and stem cuttings.

Medicinal Uses: Medicinal use is not reported in any of the codified systems of Indian medicine or in the Folk traditions. Modern usage is reportedly for obtaining COMPTOTHECIN which is being employed for the treatment of tumours.

Phenology:
Flowering: April to June
Fruiting: August to October

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,Bengaluru.

Photocourtesty: K.Ravikumar, FRLHT.

Piper mullesua Buch.-Ham. Ex D.Don.
Family: Piperaceae

Vernacular names:
Hindi: Cab
Kannada: Cavya
Malayalam: Kattu kuru mulagu
Sanskrit: Gaja pippali, Cavyah
Tamil: Kattu thippili
Telugu: Sevasu

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

Habit: Climbing Shrub
Habitat: Specific to higher altitudes of evergreen to shola forests. Altitude: 1300 – 2400 m

Distribution:
Global: India, Nepal and Bhutan.
National: Recorded from Himachal Pradesh, Uttat Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Regional: In the Western Ghats of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Description: A much-branched woody climber, trailing on trees and rocks and rooting like ‘ivy’ plant. Lower branchlets tomentose, corky, rooting at nodes and have white small egg-shaped leaves; upper branches have larger leaves. Leaves alternate, usually egg-shaped-elliptic to lanceolate, 3-10 x 2-4 cm, base acute, apex bluntly acuminate, margin entire, hairless, shortly stalked, 3-5 nerved from base. Male and female flowers in separate spikes, minute, greenish yellow. Male spikes 3-6 cm long, erect, slender and cylindrical. Female spikes globose-oblong, erect, about 1x0.5 cm. Fruiting spikes globose-ovoid, about 2 x 1 cm. Berries ovoid, about 2 mm across, smooth, green turning orange-red when ripe.

Trade information: Local and regional. Fruiting spikes have striking similarity to Piper longum, hence there is every possibility of its admixture with the latter.

Special characters: Both male and female spikes are erect. Fruiting spikes are globose-ovoid.

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

Medicinal Uses: Roots and fruiting spikes are used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine similar to Piper longum.

Phenology:
Flowering: April to July.
Fruiting: August to October.

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,Bengaluru.

Photocourtesty: K.Ravikumar, FRLHT.

Salacia reticulata Wright.
Family: Hippocrateaceae

Vernacular names:
Kannada: Ekanayakam
Malayalam: Ekanayakam, Ponkoranti
Sanskrit: Vairi Ekanayakam
Tamil: Ekanayakam, Ponkoranti, Koranti
Telugu: Anukuda chettu

Threat status:
Endangered (A1c,d)- KA
Data deficient- KL
Not evaluated- TN

Habit: Large scandent shrub.
Habitat: Coastal to evergreen forests.
Altitude: Sea level to 1000 m

Distribution:
Global: Southern India and Sri Lanka.
National: Karnataka, Kerala and Southern Orissa.
Regional: In Karnataka, rare in semi-evergreen forests of Western Ghats. In Kerala, reported from the coastal forests of Kollam, western Ghats of pathanamthitta and idukki districts. Not reported from Tamil Nadu.

Description: A large, straggling, woody shrub with dichotomous branching. Bark smooth, greenish grey, thin, white inside. Young branchlets hairless, dark green, cylindrical, occasionally lenticellate. Leaves opposite, elliptic – oblong, 6-12 x 3-6 cm, base acute, apex abruptly acuminate, margin toothed with minute rounded teeth, leathery, hairless, shiny; lateral nerves about 7 pairs, prominent beneath; leaf hairless, shiny; lateral nerves about 7 pairs, prominent beneath; leaf stalks 5-10 mm long, green. Flowers bisexual, 2-8 clustered in leaf axils, about 5 mm across, stalked, greenish white or greenish yellow. Drupes globose, 3-6 cm across, tuberculate, pinkish orange when ripe. Seeds 1-4, almond-like.

Trade Information: Local and regional. The root bark is sold under the name Ekanaayakam / Ponkorandi at Rs. 7.50 to 12/kg. (Kerala, 1999)

Special characters: The dichotomous branches and attractive lemon like pinkish orange fruits with tuberculate surface are striking characters.

Mode of propagation: By seeds.

Medicinal Uses: Roots are used for treatment of diabetes, bleeding piles, gonorrhea, inflammation, leucorrhoea, leprosy, skin diseases, wounds, ulcers, indigestion, flatulence, colic and spermatorrhoea.

Phenology:
Flowering: February to April
Fruiting: April to August

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,Bengaluru.

Photocourtesty: K.Ravikumar, FRLHT.

Symplocos racemosa Roxb.
Family: Symplocaceae

Vernacular names:
Hindi: Lodh
Kannada: Bala doddli, Lodhra
Malayalam: Pachotti
Marathi: Lodhra
Sanskrit: Rodhra
Tamil: Vellilathi
Telugu: Lodduga

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

Habit: Tree.
Habitat: Semi-evergreen to shola forests.
Altitude: 700-2200 m

Distribution:
Global: South and southeast Asia.
National: Western peninsular India, northeastern states (Assam and Megalaya).
Regional: Common in high altitude wet forests of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Description: Medium sized trees, 10-15 m tall, about 1 m girth. Branchlets hairless. Leaves alternate, elliptic-oblong, 8-15 x 3-6 cm, base wedge-shaped to rounded, apex acute to acuminate, margin toothed with rounded to saw-like teeth, obscurely recurved, papery, hairless, distinctly stalked; lateral nerves 8-11 pairs. Flowers bisexual, shortly stalked, in 6-17 cm long axillary racemes, about 1 cm across, white with pink tinge, fragrant. Drupes ellipsoid to ovoid, about 1.5 x 0.6 cm, hairless, ripening dark blue, turning yellow when dry. Seeds 1-2, oblong.

Trade information: Local, regional and national. Bark traded as Lodhal / pathaani lodha/Lodhar at Rs.15 to 40/kg. (Market studies, 1999-2000). Stem bark of S. crataegoides and S. cochinchinensis subsp. laurina used as substitutes.

Special characters: Fragrant white flowers and attractive blue fruits are distinguishing characters.

Mode of propagation: By seeds and stem cuttings.

Medicinal Uses: Stem bark is used to treat haemorrhage, acne and pimples, leucorrhea, wounds, skin disorders, plant poisons, ascites, hoarseness of voice, fever, menstrual disorders, liver diseases, menorrhagia, bowel complains, ulcers and to give firmness to spongy and bleeding gums.

Phenology:
Flowering: October to December
Fruiting: January 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,Bengaluru.

Photocourtesty: K.Ravikumar, FRLHT.