Ampelocissus indica (L.) Planch
Family: Vitaceae

Vernacular names:
Kannada: Sambara balli, Saariva sambara

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

Habit: Climbing Shrub
Habitat: Semi-evergreen to evergreen forests.
Altitude: 650 – 1200 m.

Distribution:
Global: Peninsular India and Sri Lanka.
National: Western Ghats in Maharashtra (Savantwadi, Konkan & Amboli districts), Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Regional: In Karnataka, rare in evergreen forests of Dakshina and Uttara Kannada districts. In Kerala, reported from the hills of Thiruvananthapuram, Trissur and Calicut districts. In Tamil Nadu, occurs in the hill tracts of Nilgiris and Tirunelveli districts.

Description: A climbing shrub with young parts covered with brown-coloured wool. Stems hollow, cylindrical. Leaves alternate, simple, sometimes rarely shallowly 3-lobed, broadly egg-shaped or sub-orbicular, 10-25x9-20 cm, base deeply heart-shaped, apex acute or acuminate, margin coarsely toothed, hairless above when old, woolly-floccose, on the nerves beneath, 5-7 nerved from base; lead stalks up to 10 cm long. Flowers bisexual, stalkless, minute, about 2 mm across, brownish red, occur in dense clusters or branched cymes; peduncles 6-20 cm long, woolly. Berries globose or ovoid-oblong, about 2 cm long, smooth, juicy, sweet, purple when ripe. Seeds 2-4, 3-angles, smooth, straw-coloured.

Trade information: Local and commercial

Special characters: Plants are covered with dense woolly hairs. Veins beneath the leaves are a stricking pinkish red. The fruits are juicy and resemble grape. This species can easily be differentiated from Ampelocissus araneosa in having unlobed leaves and unbranched tendrils.

Mode of propagation: By seeds.

Medicinal Uses: Juice of the roots is diuretic, aperient and a blood purifier. Used to cure eye troubles and ulcers.

Phenology:
Flowering: March to April
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,Bengaluru.

Photocourtesty: K.Ravikumar, FRLHT.

Aristolochia tagala Cham.
Family: ARISTOLOCHIACEAE

Vernacular names:
Kannada: Dodda ishwari balli
Malayalam: Garuda kodi, Eswara mulla
Tamil: Kozhikkoodu kodi, Periya eswara mooli

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

Habit:Climbing shrub.
Habitat: Semi-evergreen to evergreen forests.
Altitude: 600 – 1400 m

Distribution:
Global: India, Sri Lanka, Western and Southern China and Malaysia.
National: Western & Eastern Ghats of Southern India; also in Tripura, Assam and West Bengal towards northeastern Himalayas.
Regional: Commonly seen in thickets, Shola edges and in disturbed forests of higher altitudes in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Description: A large climbing shrub. Roots stout, brown outside, creamy white inside, strongly aromatic. Branches stout, vertically grooved, hairless. Leaves alternate, egg-shaped-oblong, 15-30 x 6-15cm, based deeply heart-shaped, apex acuminate, margin entire, hairless, papery; 5-nerves arising from the base; leaf stalks 2-4 cm long, often twisted. Flowers bisexual, about 4, in 7-8 cm long axillary lax racemes, distinctly stalked; perianth purplish brown, about 7 cm long, hairless or puberulous outside, sparsely hairy inside, mouth about 1 cm across, with about 5 cm long lip. Capsules globose to pear-shaped, about 4x3 cm, obscurely 6–ridged, dehiscing by 6 sub-woody valves. Seeds numerous, heart-shaped, flat, about 8 mm across, surrounded by distinct white papery sing, brown, hairless.

Trade information: Local and regional. Roots are traded as adulterant to Aristolochia indica under the trade name Ishwarmool, Isroll, Sapsand, Ishwari.

Special characters: This species resembles Aristolochia indica in all aspects but has larger leaves, fruits and long flowers. The leaves almost look like betel leaves. The dehisced mature fruit looks like an inverted parachute. A bite of the root makes the mouth numb.

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

Medicinal Uses: Roots are carminative. Leaves are emmengogue and tonic. The entire plant is used to treat colic, fits and bowel complaints. Kani tribes use the roots for sudorification (medicated steam bath) and various dermatological conditions including psoriasis. Fresh or dried roots are administered internally for snake poison; the paste is applied externally on the bitten spot. Also used in bone fracture, indigestion, malaria, rheumatism and toothache.

Phenology:
Flowering: May to July & August to November.
Fruiting: 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,Bengaluru.

Photocourtesty: K.Ravikumar, FRLHT.

Cinnamomum wightii Meisn.
Family: LAURACEAE

Vernacular names:
Kannada: Kadu dalchini
Malayalam: Kattu karuva
Sanskrit: Tejpatra
Tamil: Sempala, Vattadu, Kattu lavangam

Threat status:
Endangered (B2a, b)- Globally

Habit: Tree
Habitat: Shola forests to evergreen forests
Altitude: 900-2600m

Distribution:
National: Endemic to Western Ghats of Southern India.
Regional: A single herbarium specimen collected from Coorg district in the early 19th century (deposited in Kew Herbarium, England) was the only collection from Karnataka. Rarely seen in Eravikulam and Mannavan shola forests in Idukki district and in Silent Valley of Kerala. In Tamil Nadu, frequent in the higher altitudes of High Wavy Mountains, Kodaikanal, Nilgiri and Anamalai forests.

Description: Densely foliaceous shola trees, up to 30 m tall and about 2 m girth. Outer bark smooth, grey, thin; inner bark about 1cm thick, whitish yellow, strongly aromatic. Crown compact, nearly ball shaped. Branchlets slightly 4-angled, hairless. Leaves opposite or alternate, broadly elliptic to egg-shaped, 7-12x3-7 cm, base rounded to truncate, apex acute, leathery, smooth and shiny, bluish grey below, hairless, with 3-5 strong basal nerves, distinctly stalked. Flowers bisexual, about 5 mm long, shortly stalked, yellowish, arranged in 6-10 cm long axillary brown tomentose panicles. Berries ellipsoid, about 1.5 x 1cm, smooth, ripening brown, seated on a fleshy inverted cone-shaped about 1 cm long cup.

Trade information: Local, domestic and commercial

Special characters: This species can be identified by its compact ball-like crown, copper-coloured new foliage and brown tomentose flowering branches. Like other Cinnamon, it has fragrant bark tomentose flowering branches. Like other Cinnamon, it has fragrant bark and leaves, 3-5 strong nerves arising from the base of the leaves and the fruits seated on an enlarged fleshy cup.

Mode of propagation: By seeds and stem cuttings.

Medicinal Uses: Bark, leaves and oil used to treat paralytic disorders, deficiency in digestive power, abdominal disorders, cough, dysuria and gynaecological disorders. Tender fruits, including stalk and calyx, are astringent, aromatic, stimulant and carminative.

Phenology:
Flowering: April to June
Fruiting: From May onwards

Notes: If destructive collection of bark and leaves (adulterated with commercial Cinnamon), is not controlled there may be a serious threat to the existence of this endemic species in a short span of time. Dr. P.V Sharma, in his Dravyaguna Vigyana, says that, apart from bark and leaves, the flower buds are used as medicine, which are known as ‘Kala nagkesar’ (Nattu nagkesar). Nagkesar refers the flower buds of Mesua ferrea.

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 candolleana Wight
Family: EBENACEAE

Vernacular names:
Kannada: Kare mara
Malayalam: Kari
Sanskrit: Nila viruksha
Tamil: Kari maram
Telugu: Jagala ganti

Threat status:
Vulnerable (A1c)- Globally

Habit: Tree.
Habitat: Moist deciduous to evergreen forests.
Altitude: Up to 900 m

Distribution:
National: Endemic to peninsular India.
Regional: Western Ghats in Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Rarely seen in the Eastern Ghats of Mahendragiri hills, Ganjam, Orissa and Northern Circars in Andhra Pradesh. In Karnataka, occasional in the wet forests. In Kerala, fairly common in the moist forests of south and central regions and in sacred groves at lower elevations. No recent collection in Tamil Nadu, though earlier reported from Nilgiris.

Description: Medium sized trees, 8-15 m tall, about 90 cm girth. Bark about 5 mm thick, surface black, smooth. Wood light pink with grey streaks. Branchlets sparsely hairy. Leaves alternate, oblong, 6-18x3-7 cm, base rounded or sub-truncate, apex shortly acuminate, margin entire, hairless, leathery, shiny nerves 8-10 pairs, indistinct; leaf stalks about 1 cm long. Flowers unisexual: male flowers in dense axillary clusters, pale yellow, about 8 mm across, densely yellowish brown tomentose flowers stalkless, in axillary clusters, greenish yellow. Berries conical or ovoid, pointed at apex. About 2.5 cm long, orange-yellow, hairy when young, hairless when ripe, smooth, shiny. Seeds 4, oblong, flat, shiny with wrinkles.

Trade Information: Local.

Special characters: This species can be recognized by its dark coloured bark and densely yellowish brown hairy stalkless flowers (male & female). They are separated and seen in separate trees. Fruits are egg-shaped with wood calyx-cup.

Mode of propagation: By seeds.

Medicinal Uses: A decoction of root bark is used to cure joint pain and swelling.

Phenology:
Flowering & 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.

Kingiodendron pinnatum (Roxb. ex DC.) Harms
Family: CAESALPINIACEAE

Vernacular names:
Kannada: Yenna mara, Chou-paini
Malayalam: Kiyavu, Shurali
Tamil: Madayan sambrani, Koda palai

Threat status:
Vulnerable (A1c)- Globally

Habit: Tree.
Habitat: Semi-evergreen to evergreen forests.
Altitude: 500-1200 m

Distribution:
National: Endemic to Western Ghats in southern India (Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu ).
Regional: In Karnataka, locally abundant in Hassan, Coorg, Dakshina Kannada and Chikmangalur districts. In Kerala, recorded all along the Ghats. In Tamil Nadu, occasionally recorded in higher altitudes of Kanniyakumari and Tirunelveli districts.

Description: A lofty evergreen tree, reaching a height of 40 m and a girth of 3 m. Trunk straight, unbranched up to 15 m tall. Bark about 5 mm thick, rough, surface dark brown mottled with green, dull red inside, exuding dark sticky resin when cut. Branchlets cylindrical, lenticellate, hairless. Leaves alternate, odd-pinnate, up to 30 cm long; rachis 10-15 cm long, swollen at base; leaflets 3-7, alternate, elliptic or elliptic-oblong to egg-shaped-lanceolate, 5-15 x2.5-7 cm base rounded, apex acute or bluntly long acuminate, margin entire, shiny, hairless, distinctly stalked; lateral nerves 4-6 pairs, prominently joining along the margin. Flowers bisexual, small, about 5 mm across, dull yellow, mildly fragrant, densely arranged in axillary cylindrical paniculate racemes; racemes 10-15 cm long; petals absent. Pods obovoid-oblong, 3-5 x 2-3 cm, turgid, woody, compressed, brown, lenticellate, hairless, apex shortly beaked. Seeds 1, brown, ellipsoid, flat, hard, about 3 x 1.5 cm.

Trade Information: Local.

Special characters: The giant nature of this tree, bark exuding dark resin when cut, small greenish white flowers (without petals) and turgid woody single seeded pods are distinguishing field characters.

Mode of propagation: By seeds.

Medicinal Uses: The oleoresin is reportedly used for treating gonorrhea, rheumatism and as a dressing for sores of elephants.

Phenology:
Flowering: January to March; July.
Fruiting: May to July; October.

Notes: Endemic plants of the Indian region (Vol. 1. p 93. 1987) by M. Ahmedullah & M.P. Nayar records its presence in Deccan and Eastern Ghats also which seems to be an error on account of mistaking Hardwickia binate as H. pinnata. The latter is a synonym of Kingiodendron pinnatum. Hardwickia binate is a different species occurring in drier zones.

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.

Utleria salicifolia Bedd.
Family: PERIPLOCACEAE

Vernacular names:
Malayalam: Mahali kizhangu (Malasar, Kadar & Muthuvan tribes- Kerala)
Tamil: Utleer (Kadar tribes-Anamalai)

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

Habit: Shrub.
Habitat: Open rocky slopes and crevices adjacent to evergreen forests and grasslands.
Altitude: 600-1750 m

Distribution:
National: Endemic to southern Western Ghats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Regional: In Kerala very few individuals were recorded near Irumbupalam in Thiruvananthapuram, Nelliyampathi hills in Palakkad and Marayoor forest in Idukki district. Originally this species was collected from Poonachi, Tarakadavu Vallye in Anamalai hills, Coimbatore district. Dr. K.M Matthew (1999) noticed a single clump in Pambar Shola, Kodaikkanal hills. Not available in Karnataka.

Description: Profusely branched compact deciduous erect shrubs, growing up to 2 m tall. Roots tuberous, bead-like and aromatic. Bark grey, papery. Branchlets hairless, with prominent and persistent lead-scars. Latex milky, copious, sticky and thick. Leaves usually crowded towards the end of branchlets, sometimes arranged in opposite or in whorls, linear-lanceolate, 7-14 x 1-2 cm, base wedge-shaped, apex acuminate, margin wavy or sometimes toothed with minute rounded teeth, hairless; lateral nerves about 35 pairs, closely parallel; leaf stalks up to 3 cm long. Flowers bisexual dichotomously branched cymes, about 5 mm across, greenish yellow, shortly stalked; peduncles up to 8 cm long. Follicles-2, lanceolate, divaricate, about 5 x 1 cm, smooth, smooth, hairless. Seeds several, egg-shaped, thin, flat, with a cluster of white hairs at the tip.

Trade Information: Not known.

Special characters: Branchlets with prominent and persistent leaf-scars. Leaves crowded towards shoot apices. Greenish yellow flowers with purplish staminal columns. Follicles often with red tinge. A unique monotypic genus.

Mode of propagation: By seeds and stem cuttings.

Medicinal Uses: Malasar and Kadar tribes in Kerala use pickled tuber chips for treating intestinal ailments and bleeding due to ulcers. Decoction of tubers is used in the treatment of debility due to tuberculosis. Dried tuber powder is used for treating asthma and skin diseases.

Phenology:
Flowering & Fruiting: June 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.

Eulophia cullenii (Wight) Blume.
Family: ORCHIDACEAE

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

Habit: Tuberous herb.
Habitat: On the exposed grassy slopes of higher altitudes.
Altitude: 1000-2000 m

Distribution:
National: Endemic to Western Ghats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Regional: Very rare in Kerala, seen near Agastyarkudum in Agastyarmalai, In Tamil Nadu, only old records from Anamalai and Palani hills. Not reported from Karnataka.

Description: Terrestrial, tuberous, hairless herbs, growing to 50 cm tall. Tubers underground, stout, about 3 cm long, about 1 cm across, tuber-like. Leaves 2-3, oblong- lanceolate, 20-30 x 4-12 parallel nerves which are arising from the base. Flowers bisexual, 4-6 cm long, bright yellow, arranged in 25-50 cm long racemes, distinctly stalked. Each flower is subtended by a single, persistent, prominent scaly projection called ‘bract’. The lip of the flower is more or less tongue-shaped, 3–lobed at apex. Capsules ellipsoid, ribbed, smooth, numerous powdery brown seeds.

Trade Information: Local.

Special characters: Leaves appearing usually after the flowers.

Mode of propagation: By tuberous rhizomes.

Medicinal Uses: Rhizomes are used in Folk medicine by Kani tribes in Agastiyarmalai, Kerala. The rhizomes of its relative Eulophia campestris, a northern Indian species, are used as tonic and aphrodisiac and also for treating stomatitis, cough and heart disorders.

Phenology:
Flowering & Fruiting: March to May.
Fruiting: March to May.

Notes: Included in the negative list of exports notified by Govt. of India (notification 2 (RE-98) dt 13.4.98, 1997-2002).

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.

Vateria indica L.
Family: DIPTEROCARPACEAE

Vernacular names:
Hindi: Kahruba, Safed damar
Kannada: Bili dhupa, Dhupada mara, Beltha paini, Gugguli
Malayalam: Payin, Vellappayin, Vellakundirikkam
Marathi: Ral
Sanskrit: Dhupa, Ajakarna
Tamil: Vellai kunthrikam, Vellai kungiliyam, Dhupa maram, Vallei
Telugu: Dupadamanu

Threat status:
Vulnerable (A1c)- Globally

Habit: Tree
Habitat: Moist deciduous to evergreen forests, especially along watercourses.
Altitude: Up to 1200 m

Distribution:
National: Endemic to Western Ghats in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Regional: In Karnataka, common throughout coastal forests and the windward side of Ghats; also planted along highways. In Kerala, abundant near stream banks of moist forest. In Tamil Nadu, reported from evergreen forests of Coimbatore and Tirunelveli districts.

Description: A large handsome evergreen resinous tree, reaching 25 m tall. Trunk about 3 m girth. Bark smooth, about 1 cm thick, whitish grey blotched with green, bitter and acrid in taste, peeling off into round flakes. Blaze dull brown. Wood white, hard. Young branchlets drooping, with minute star-shaped hairs. Leaves alternate. Elliptic-oblong, 10-25 x 5-10 cm, base heart-shaped or rounded, apex acuminate, margin entire, leathery, hairless; lateral nerves 12-14 pairs, stout and parallel. Stipules prominent. Flowers bisexual, about 2 cm across, white, slightly fragrant, arranged in panicles. Panicles robust, multi-branched, up to 15 cm long, drooping. Capsules egg-shaped, 4-6 x 2-4 cm, pale brown, fleshy, hard when dry, splitting by 3 –valves when ripe. Seeds single.

Trade information: Local and regional. Timber is traded for softwood industry and resin for medicinal industry as well as preparation of varnishes and incense. Resin is traded as Piney Resin, White Dammar or Dhupa.

Special characters: Exudate of the bark is sticky. Young branchlets covered with minute star-shaped hairs. The new flush of foliage is bright red or copper-coloured; lead stalks swollen at the tip. Ripe fruits are viviparous (germination in the mother plant itself before falling).

Mode of propagation: By seeds.

Medicinal Uses: The resin is used for the treatment of cough, asthma, leprosy, skin eruptions, crack infection, whitlow, wounds, ulcers, gonorrhea, dysentery, anemia, chronic bronchitis, tubercular glands, diarrhea and ringworm. The fatty oil is antibacterial and is useful in controlling chronic rheumatism.

Phenology:
Leaf Fall: March.
New Leaves: April to May.
Flowering: January to April.
Fruiting: May 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.

Garcinia indica (Thouars) Choisy
Family: CLUSIACEAE (Guttiferae)

Vernacular names:
Hindi: Kokam
Kannada: Murgina huli mara, Murgal
Malayalam: Punam puli
Marathi: Katambi, Kokam, Ratamba
Sanskrit: Amlavetasa, Tintidika, Vrksamla
Tamil: Murgal

Threat status:
Vulnerable (A1c, d) - Globally

Habit: Tree.
Habitat: Coastal to evergreen forests.
Altitude: 50-1000 m

Distribution:
National: Endemic to Western Ghats in Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala and also along coastal forests of Maharashtra, Goa and Kerala.
Regional: In Karnataka, occurs along the windward side of Western Ghats in Dakshina Kannada, Coorg, Chickmagalur, Shimoga and Uttara Kannada districts. In Kerala, only old records from Wynaad. In Tamil Nadu, absent in wild but planted in Nilgiris. In Maharashtra, common along the entire coastal forest and Western Ghats. Abundant almost throughout Goa. Commonly cultivated for its fruit.

Description: Slender trees, 4-10 m tall, with drooping branches. Wood greyish white. Bark light brown, thin and smooth. Blaze bright yellow. Branchlets sub-cylindrical, slender, hairless. Leaves opposite, 5-10 x 2-5 cm, inverted egg-shaped-oblong to elliptic-lanceolate, narrowed at base, rounded or shortly acuminate at apex, shiny, dark green; lateral nerves 7-18 pairs, prominent. Male and female flowers are separated, fleshy, stalked, orange-yellow. Male flowers 4-8 in a cluster, about 1.2 cm long; female flowers solitary, terminal. Berries spherical, 3-4 cm across, wine brown or purple or pinkish orange, with persistent calyx lobes; fruit pulp white with red tinge, acidic, fleshy. Seeds 5-8, flat, smooth, shiny and brown.

Trade Information: Local, regional, national and global. Large scale export of ‘Garcinia extract’ from India has been recorded in recent years. The fruit rind is sold in different markets under the name Kokam, priced at Rs. 120/kg. (market studies 1999-2000). The seed extract is also traded under the name Kokamtel, priced at Rs. 120 to 170/kg. (Mumbai Market study, 1999-2000).

Special characters: Juvenile leaves are pinkish red. Fruits are not ribbed.

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

Medicinal Uses: The seed butter is used as a remedy in scrofulous diseases, dysentery, mucous diarrhoea and externally applied for excoriations, chaps, fissures of lips and as a substitute for spermaceti. The ripe fruit is anthelmintic and cardiotonic. Root bark, fruit and seed oil are used to cure piles, sprue, abdominal disorders, mouth diseases, cardiac diseases plus worm infestation.

Phenology:
Flowering: November to February
Fruiting: May 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.

Valeriana leschenaultii DC.
Family: Valerianaceae

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

Habit: Herb
Habitat: Grasslands and margins of shola forests. Altitude: 1000 – 2200 m

Distribution:
National: Endemic to Southern Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu.
Regional: Rarely seen along the moist grassy slopes and in shady areas of Shola forest margins in Nilgiri, Coimbatore and Madurai districts. So far not reported form Karnataka and Kerala.

Description: Erect perennial herbs, up to 1 m tall. Stem without hairs, simple or sparingly branched, many ribbed, hollow inside. Leaves opposite, having two forms: lower leaves simple, egg-shaped-lanceolate, about 15 x 10 cm, base heart-shaped, apex acute, margin entire or slightly wavy, sparingly pubescent, with 5-15 cm long stalk; upper leaves smaller, oblanceolate, about 7 x 3 cm, occasionally lobed, with short stalk. Flowers bisexual, numerous, minute, about 5 mm across, very shortly stalked, in terminal branched corymbose cymes, pink. Fruits are called as ‘achenes’, egg-shaped-oblong, about 4 mm long compressed, hairless, 4-6 ribbed, crowned with few feathery hairs at apex.

Trade information: Not known.

Special characters: This plant shows two different forms: one growing along exposed grassy slopes possessing stunted plant parts and the other found along shady areas of marginal sholas exhibiting a robust life form. It may lead anyone to mistake this variant crowded near the ground and cauline leaves present on the stem.

Mode of propagation: By seeds.

Medicinal Uses: Dried rhizomes of Valeriana officinalis, a European species, are valued in the western herbal industry as tranquilizer in cases of nervousness and hysteria. Other species of Valeriana are also known contain similar active principles. V. leschenaultii could also be a source of such active principle.

Phenology:
Flowering & Fruiting: June to September.

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.

Garcinia travancorica Bedd.
Family: CLUSIACEAE (Guttiferae)

Vernacular names:
Malayalam: Mala pongu
Tamil: Malam punku

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

Habit: Tree.
Habitat: In evergreen and shola forests.
Altitude: 1000 - 1600 m

Distribution:
National: Endemic to southern Western Ghats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu..
Regional: In Kerala, occasional in Agastiarkudum and Ponmudi hills in Thiruvananthapuram district and Shenduruny Wild Life Sanctuary in Kollam district. In Tamil Nadu, rare in Agasthiarmalai range of Kanniyakumari and Tirunelveli forests. Few trees have been planted in Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Bangalore.

Description: A medium sized tree, 7-15 m tall. Wood yellowish white, hard, heavy with small brown-streaked heartwood. Bark 5-6 mm thick, surface brown, rough, exudes yellow sticky latex when cut. Blaze yellow. Branchlets bluntly 4-angled, shiny. Leaves opposite, linear-oblong or slightly spoon-shaped with backward folded margins, 8-10 x 1.5-2.5cm, acute at base, rounded at apex, hairless, leathery, dark green above, pale beneath; lateral nerves slender, many, horizontal, closely arranged; leaf stalks 6-18 mm long. Male, female & bisexual flowers are separately seen in the same plant, orange-yellow, fleshy. Male flowers 2-6, in terminal cymes, about 1 cm across, white with numerous stamens. Female flowers terminal and axillary, slightly larger than male flowers. Berries 3-5 x 1.5-2.5 cm, oblong, flattened, purplish brown when ripe, ending into a short, thick style with a board, imbricate stigma which is about 8 mm across. Seeds 1-2, about 3 x 1.5 cm, brown, smooth, shiny.

Trade Information: Local.

Special characters: The yellow sticky latex from the bark, backwardly folded and slightly spoon-shaped leaves and oblong fruits are striking characters.

Mode of propagation: By seeds.

Medicinal Uses: Stem bark and fruits are reportedly used as medicine by the members of Kani tribe.

Phenology:
Flowering & Fruiting: May to September

Notes: This is a narrow endemic species having restricted distribution. Other species of this genus possess many medicinal properties.

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.

Heliotropium keralense Sivar. & Manilal
Family: BORAGINACEAE

Vernacular names:
Malayalam: Telkkatta

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

Habit: Herb.
Habitat: Moist localities in fields, open wet places, distributed forests and long the banks of water-bodies.
Altitude: From sea level to 300 m.

Distribution:
National: Endemic to Kerala.
Regional: Calicut, Malappuram and Thrissur districts. Reported from marshy localities in and around Calicut, near wet open places of Canoli in Nilambur forests and in disturbed forests of Poringal, Thrissur. Not reported from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Description: An erect sub-succulent herb, up to 30 cm tall. Branchlets profusely hairy throughout. Leaves alternate or sub-opposite, egg-shaped, up to 10 x 6 cm, base wedge-shaped and decurrent on leaf stalk, apex rounded or acute, margin sub-entire, hairless above, sparsely strigose hairy below on nerves, membranous; lateral nerves 4-6 pairs, forking near margins; leaf stalks up to 9 cm long. Flowers bisexual, arranged in 12-18 cm long terminal or lead opposed scorpioid cymes, 3-4 mm long, 2-3 mm across, white, wheel-shaped, villous hairy. Fruits consist of 4 nutlets combined in 2 pairs, ribbed, about 4 mm across, sparsely hairy, with a distinct beak at apex.

Trade information: Local.

Special characters: Profusely hairy herbaceous plant having a special type of flowering spike, which resembles the tail of a scorpion. The flowers are white and uniformly arranged on one side of the flowering stalk.

Mode of propagation: By seeds.

Medicinal Uses: This species may possess medicinal properties similar to Heliotropium indicum which is used to treat ulcers, sores, wounds, skin diseases, insect stings, rheumatism, cough, bronchitis, fever, ringworm, eye diseases, gonorrhoea and as abortifacient.

Phenology:
Flowering & Fruiting: December to June

Notes: This species is closely allied to the more commonly availbale Heliotropium indicum. Therefore, Heliotropiumkeralense could be a potential substitute/adulterant to Heliotropium indicum. Moreover, being an endemic species so far recorded only from Kerala, it deserves prime conservation concern.

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.