Family: Meliaceae

Vernacular Names:
Hindi - Harin hara
Kannada - Mullu muttaga, Rohithaca
Malayalam - Chemmaram
Sanskrit - Rohitaka
Tamil - Chemmaram, Vellai kongu, Pechambagai, Melampuluvam
Telugu - Chevamanu

Threat Status:
Data Deficient - TN
Vulnerable (A1c) - KA & KL

Habit: Tree
Habitat: Most deciduous to evergreen forest.
Altitude: 700-1500m.

Distribution:
Global - India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
National - Occurs almost throughout India except north and northwestern regions.
Regional - Common in higher altitudes of Western Ghats and occasional in the Eastern Ghats of Southern India.

Description: Trees growing 8-20 m tall with umbrella shaped crown.Bark smooth, about 5 mm thick, ashy brown, often mottled with green, reddish inside. Branchlets robust, often with small scurfy scales. Leaves alternate, odd-pinnate, 20-70 cm long; leaflets 9-15, opposite or sub alternate, oblong-lanceolate to egg shaped oblong, 9-15 opposite or sub alternate , oblong-lanceolate to egg-shaped-oblong, 8-25x4-10cm, base unequal, apex abruptly acuminate, margin entire, leathery, hairless with distinct stalks; lateral nerves 12-17 pairs. Flowers unisexual, stalkless, dull-white; male flowers in branched spike which are shorter than male spikes; both the spikes are usually drooping. Capsules globose to pear-shaped, 3-4 cm across, smooth, shiny, yellow when ripe, splitting into 3-4 valves. Seeds 2 or 3 covered with scarlet aril.

Trade Information: Local and commercial. The stem bark is commonly traded as Roheda Chaal or Rohitaka or Rakta rohida. Priced at rs.20/kg (Mumbai Market, 1999-2000) Rs 80/kg (K.R Keshava Murthy)

Special Characters: Leaves are crowded at the end of branchlets. Flowering and fruiting spikes are distinctly longer and droop. Dehiscing capsules are yellow and the fleshy aril is scarlet.

Mode of Propagation: By seeds.

Medicinal Uses: The bark is used to treat enlargement of liver, spleen and abdominal complaints. Seed oil is applied in sores and as a liniment in rheumatism. Bark is used for treating tumors.

Phenology:
Flowering & Fruiting - September to November and January to Jul

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.

Family: Celastraceae

Vernacular Names:
Hindi - Malkungi
Kannada - Karigonne, Bhavanga beeja, gangunde kayi, Kangili balli
Malayalam - Palulavam, Valulavam, Cheru punna
Sanskrit - Jyotismati, Pitataila, Kanguni
Tamil - Vaaluluvai
Telugu - Gundumeda, Maner tiga

Threat Status:
Lower Risk Near Threatened - KA & TN
Vulnerable: (A1c,d) - KL

Habit: Climbing shrub to large woody climber.
Habitat: Dry deciduous to semi-evergreen forests.
Altitude: Plains to 1300m

Distribution:
Global - Indo-Malaysia to China and Australia.
National - Occurring throughout the country in Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Regional - Common throughout southern states, more abundant in drier hill tracts.

Description: A large woody climbing shrub. Bark brown, thin. Branchlets hairless, with many distinct minute white dots called lenticels. Leaves alternate, egg shaped to oblong-elliptic, about 5-15x2-8 cm, base round, apex acuminate, margin toothed with rounded teeth, hairless; lateral nerves 5-8 pairs, slender; leaf stalks about 3 cm long. Flowers unisexual, about 6mm across, greenish white, collected in terminal paniculate cymes; panicles 5-30cm long, pendulous. Capsules sub-globose, 5-10 mm across, smooth, yellow when mature, transversely wrinkled, dehiscing by 3 valves. Seeds 1-6, ellipsoid or avoid, about 6x3 mm, yellowish brown enclosed in crimson-red aril.

Trade Information: local, commercial and global. Seeds are sold under the trade name maalkangani, maalkankani beej, jyothish mati and valuluvai. The seeds are often confused with those of Cardiospermum halicacabum and Duranta spp. Priced at Rs. 50 to 110/kg (market studied, 1999-2000)

Special Characters: The branchlets are prominently lenticellate. Capsules expose scarlet, arillate seeds.

Mode of Propagation: By seeds and stem cuttings

Medicinal Uses: The stem bark is used as an abortifacient and brain tonic. Leaf sap is a good antidote for opium poisoning. Seeds are stimulant, diaphoretic, diuretic, and tonic, appetizer, anti-inflammatory and used for abdominal disorders, leprosy, pruritus, skin diseases, paralysis, asthma, leukoderma, cardiac debility, inflammation, amenorrhea and fever. Also used to stimulate the intellect and sharpen memory

Phenology:
Flowering - February to April.
Fruiting - May 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,Bangalore.

Family: Apocynaceae

Vernacular Names:
Kannada - Chandra hoovina balli
Malayalam - Belutta kaka kodi, Appuppan thadi
Sanskrit - Murva, Morala

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

Habit: Moist deciduous to evergreen forest
Habitat:
Altitude: 600 – 1200m

Distribution:
Global - India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Malaysia.
National - Occurs in the Western Ghats in Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and the tropical Himalayan belt of Megalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
Regional - In Karnataka and Kerala, occasional almost throughout the moist zones of higher altitudes. In Tamil Nadu, earlier reported only from Nilgiris.

Description: A large woody cliber. Bark grey, thin, lenticellate, exuding white sticky thick latex. Branchlets densely tomentose. Leaves opposite, broadly egg-shaped-orbicular or elliptic, 15-25x12-20 cm, base deeply heart-shaped-orbicular or elliptic, 15-25 x12-20 cm, base deeply heart-shaped, apex shortly acuminate, margin entire, pubescent above and densely tomentose beneath; lateral nerves about 10pairs, distinct, arching along the margins with prominent reticulations; leaf stalks 1.5-2.5 cm long, stout, tomentose. Flowers bisexual, arranged in long peduncles terminal cymes; corolla wheel –shaped, about 10cm across, with about 5 cm long tube, white with yellow throat, turning light yellow, fragrant, Follicles usually in pairs, each about 30x2 cm, linear, woody, slightly 4 angled, hairless. Seeds many, avoid, each 2 cm long, hairless, with about 4.5 long white-coloured hairs known as ‘coma’

Trade Information: Regional. Reportedly the roots are traded in Kerala under the name Perum Kurumba. The dried roots are traded in Kerala under the name Perum Kurumba. The dried roots priced at Rs. 2.40/kg (Kerala, 1993)

Special Characters: All parts of this plant exude sticky milky latex when bruised. Mature stem at lower regions exfoliate into prominent flakes called ‘cork’. Flowers are large fragrant white while fruits are long and paired. Inside the basal portion of the calyx tube is a ring of glands.

Mode of Propagation: By seeds and stem cuttings.

Medicinal Uses: The parts and their uses are similar to Marsdenia tenacissima. Roots are bitter , laxative and used in skin diseases, leprosy, scabies, constipation, syphilis, indigestion, hyperacidity, cardiac debility, diabetes, jaundice, cough, bronchitis and intermittent fever. Also controls acute kapha and vata as well as cures vomiting and purifies blood.

Phenology:
Flowering - January to April
Fruiting - 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.

Family: Droseraceae

Vernacular Names:
Malayalam - Theepullu
Tamil - Kosu otti

Threat Status:
Endangered (A1c,d) - KA & TN
Vulberable (A1c,d) - KL

Habit: Herb.
Habitat: Along open grassy slopes and moss-clad dripping rocks of higher altitudes.
Altitude: 800-2200m

Distribution:
Global - Indo-Malaysia, China to Japan and Australia.
National - Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Regional - Usually found along exposed grassy slopes and near wet moss clad dripping rocks of higher altitudes in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Description: A delicate erect tuberous herb, 10-20 cm tall, occasionally branched near the top. Tubers round, smooth, solid, reddish, about 1 cm across. Leaves are of two types: the lower leaves are spoon-shaped and arranged in whorls just above the soil surface; the upper leaves are alternate, crescent-shaped, peltate, about 5 mm across, with many tentacular projections. Tentacles are about 3 mm long, stalked, with sticky glands at tip that secretes sticky glistening liquid and arranged along the leaf margins; leaf stalks very slender, 1-2 cm long, curved. Flowers bisexual, about 1 cm across, white, usually 2-8 in terminal and lateral racemes, which are about 5 cm long. Capsules globose, about 6 mm across.

Trade Information: Local, regional and global. The plant extract is traded.

Special Characters: This perennial insect-eating plant differs from its relative Drosera indica in having pea-sized tubers, hairless stems, crescent-shaped leaves and larger white flowers. The plant stains the drying paper red when preparing herbarium specimens.

Mode of Propagation: By tubers, seeds, divisions and leaf cuttings.

Medicinal Uses: This plant is used in Siddha and Folk medicine. Leaves are used to cure blisters as well as antisyphillitic and tonic.

Phenology:
Flowering - June to September.
Fruiting - August 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,Bangalore.

Family: Fabaceae

Vernacular Names:
Kannada - Antu bele gida
Malayalam - Muvila
Sanskrit - Saliparni
Tamil - Muvilai pachilai, Kodi ottai, Aadai oW
Telugu - Muyakuponna

Threat Status:
Lower Risk Near Threatened - TN
Vulberable (A1c,d) - KA & KL

Habit: Erect sub-shrubs with straggling branches.
Habitat: From scrub jungles in plains to moist deciduous forests at higher altitudes.
Altitude: Plains to 600 m

Distribution:
Global - Tropical regions of Africa and Asia.
National - Seen in the drier zones of southern states.
Regional - Common in scrub jungles and dry forests of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Description: An erect undershrub, up to 1.5 m tall. Branchlets straggling, week, clothed with dense sticky hairs. Leaves alternate, 3-foliolate (rarely 4-foliolate), papery, densely villous; leaf stalk 2-5 cm long, hairy, swollen at base; terminal leaflets egg-shaped-rhomboid, about 8 x 7 cm, base rounded, apex acute; lateral leaflets oblong-egg-shaped, about 5 x 4 cm, base wedge-shaped, apex acute, margin with fringed hairs. Flowers bisexual, about 8 mm long, pink or rose, distinctly stalked, clustered in 10-20 cm long terminal racemes. Pods linear-oblong, about 2 x 0.5 cm, flat, with distinct beak at tip, covered with dense sticky hairs. Seeds 4, kidney-shaped, shiny.

Trade Information: Local and regional.

Special Characters: An unique feature of this plant is the sticky nature of leaves and fruits due to sticky glandular hairs.

Mode of Propagation: By seeds and stem cuttings.

Medicinal Uses: Roots constitute an important ingredient of the well-known Ayurvedic formulation Dasamoola aristam. Used to relieve biliousness, rheumatism, breathing difficulties, excessive heat, fever, diarrhoea, asthma, heat diseases, worms and piles.

Phenology:
Flowering - September to January.
Fruiting - February to April.

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.

Family: Achariaceae

Vernacular Names:
Kannada - Chal moogra yenne mara, Suranti, Mirolha kai
Malayalam - Marotti, Neeratti
Marathi - Kadu-Kavata, Kantel
Sanskrit - Garudaphala, Tuvrak
Tamil - Maravattai, Neeradi-muthu
Telugu - Adi-badam, Niradi

Threat Status:
Vulberable (A1c,d) - Globally

Habit: Tree.
Habitat: Along the watercourse from moist deciduous to semi-evergreen forests.
Altitude: Up to 850m

Distribution:
National - Endemic to Southern India.
Regional - Common in the Western Ghats in Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Description: Trees, 10-25m tall. Trunk often fluted. Bark about 5mm thick, smooth, easily brittle, brownish grey, mottled with white patches. Blaze creamy yellow. Young branchlets brown, pubescent. Leaves alternate, elliptic-lanceolate to elliptic-oblong, 5-20x3-8 cm, base rounded, apex acuminate, margin toothed with saw-like teeth, dark green and shiny above and paler beneath, minutely hairy along midrib and veins above when young; lateral nerves 5-6 pairs; leaf stalks up to 1 cm long, minutely golden hairy. Male flowers 3-6 in a cluster, green, about 6 mm across. Female flowers solitary, about 1 cm across. The floral stalks about 8 mm long, golden hairy. Fruits globose or obovoid, 5-7 cm across, beaked at apex tomentose, sometimes vertically 5-ridged. Seeds 15-20, embedded in pulp, about 2 cm long, slightly angled.

Trade Information: Local, regional and national. Oil from seeds of several species of Hydnocarpus are traded as Chalmoogra oil Fresh seeds a recorded a price of Rs. 16/kg (Kerala 1993).

Special Characters: Its occurrence along water courses, Leaves with saw-toothed margin and brown tomentose ridged woody fruits are important field characters.

Mode of Propagation: By seeds.

Medicinal Uses: The seed oil is used in the treatment of leprosy, rheumatics arthritis, worms, diabetes, body swellings and other skin diseases.

Phenology:
Flowering & Fruiting - November to January; February 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.

Family: Zingiberaceae

Vernacular Names:
Hindi - Chandramula
Kannada - Kacora
Malayalam - Kaccuri, Kacholam
Marathi - Kapurkachri
Sanskrit - Chandra Mulika, Karcurah, Sathi
Tamil - Kacholam
Telugu - Candramula

Habit: Perennial herb.
Habitat: Low altitude
Altitude: Up to 700m

Distribution:
Global - Indo-Malaya.
National - Cultivated throughout India.
Regional - Its occurance in the wild in Southern India is considered doubtful. Cultivated as an inter crop in coconut gardens in Kerala. Occasionally cultivated in gardens, parks and home yards as an ornamental

Description: A perennial, handsome, hairless, aromatic, stemless herb with tuberous rhizomatous rootstock. Rhizomes many, vertical, compactly arranged, more or less egg-shaped, around 4 cm across, dull yellow outside, fleshy and white inside, very fragrant, producing white fleshy roots. Leaves usually 2 or more, spreading flat on the ground, egg-shaped-round, 6-12x5-11 cm, base sheathing, apex acute to round, margin entire and wavy, thin, deep green, hairless; leaf nerves many, parallel; leaf stalks very short, with many vertical lines. Flowers bisexual, clustered in the leaf axills, white with purplish spots, about 6 cm long, highly fragrant. The lip of the flower looks like an inverted egg-shaped and deeply 2 – lobed. Capsules oblong, dehiscing by 3 valves. Seeds with fleshy covering called ‘aril’.

Trade Information: Local, regional and global. The plant drug ‘Khulangan’ exported in large quantities perhaps includes rhizomes of this species. The rhizomes are also used as a substitute for Hedychium spicatum, in southern India, under the trade name Kapur kachari, prices at Rs. 90 to 160/kg (Market studies, 1999-2000)

Special Characters: A very fragrant herb. Stems absent. Leave few lying flat on the ground. Flowers white, fragrant with a purple spot on each side of the lip.

Mode of Propagation: By rhizomes.

Medicinal Uses: The powered rhizome is given for cough and pectoral affection.

Phenology:
Flowering - April to June.
Fruiting - June onwards

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.

Family: Sapotaceae

Vernacular Names:
Hindi - Mahva, Mohva
Kannada - Hippe mara, Ippi, Erappe
Malayalam - Iluppa
Marathi - Moha, Mahuwa
Sanskrit - Madhuka, Madhukam
Tamil - Iluppai, Natu Iluppai
Telugu - Ippa

Threat Status:
Lower Risk least concern - TN
Not Evaluated - KL
Vulnerable (A1c) - KA

Habit: Tree.
Habitat: Coastal plains to deciduous forests.
Altitude: Up to 1000m

Distribution:
Global - Peninsular Indi and Sri Lanka (doubtful in Myanmar).
National - Warmer parts of India and Tropical Himalayas.

Description: A large deciduous tree, 10-30 m tall and about 3 m girth.

Bark about 1 cm thick, rough, brownish-grey with many vertical furrows, pealing-off into about 5 mm thick flakes, exuding white sticky thick latex. Blaze reddish pink. Wood red, close-grained. Leaves alternate, usually crowded at the ends of branchlets, linear-lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, 10-18x2-4 cm, slightly leathery, base and apex acute, margin entire, hairless, distinctly stalked; latery nerves 14-16 pairs. Flowers bisexual, axillary and solitary, 1.5-2 cm long, with prominent stalk; corolla sub-fleshy, with 2 rows of petals, cream-coloured, fragrant. Berried un equally ovoid or ellipsoid, about 5x2 cm, with narrow tips, fleshy, with brown hairs. Seeds 1-3, ellipsoid, about 5x2cm, with narrow tips, fleshy, with brown hairs. Seeds 1-3 ellipsoid, about 3x1 cm, black, smooth and shiny; inner part (kernel) whitish yellow, flat, fleshy.

Trade Information: Local, regional and national. Seeds and flowers are sold under the name Mohwa seed and Mohwa flower. Procurement price of Rs. 139/kg was recorded for the fry flowers (Bangalore 1998)

Special Characters: Bark exuding sticky milky latex, new flesh of leaves pinkish red, flowers emitting a blend of sweet and unpleasant odour, fleshy fruits resembling sapota and fruits often eaten by bats. The trunk is commonly infected with ‘gali’ formation seen in the form of irregularly shaped ball-like structures.

Mode of Propagation: By seeds, coppices, grafts and buddings.

Medicinal Uses: Bark is used for treatment of rheumatic disease, fever, itching, diarrhea, haemorrhage, ulcers and boils. A poultice of this plant is used for treatment of eczema, ulcers and swellings. Hot poultice of leaves is used to relieve sprains and fractures. Flowers are used to quench thirst and prevent cough. Initial product of distillation of fermented flowers is used as tonic in fevers. Baked flowers and Sesamum seeds are used to treat cough and cold. Seed oil is used in the treatment of skin disease

Phenology:
Flowering - February to April
Fruiting - April to June
Leaf Fall - December to January.
New Foliage - January 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.

Family: Orchidaceae

Vernacular Names:
Hindi - Sthala Padma, Sthala kamal
Malayalam - Orila tamara, Nila tamara, Kal tamara
Sanskrit - Padma karini
Tamil - Orilai thamarai

Threat Status:
Endangered (A1c) - TN
Lower Risk Near Threatened - KA
Vulnerable (A1c) - KL

Habit: Tuberous terrestrial herb.
Habitat: In humid shady localities of dense forests.
Altitude: 300-900m

Distribution:
Global - Indo-Malaysia, Pacific and Australia.
National - Recorded in the Himalayan region and Southern India.
Regional - Occasional in the higher altitudes of Western Ghats in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Rare in Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh.

Description: Terrestrial single-leaved herbs, with underground tubers.
Tubers spherical to egg-shaped, 1-2cm across, white, fleshy. Leaf single, more of less round-shaped, 10-25 cm diameter, base deeply heart-shaped, apex rounded to acute, margin wavy and coarsely toothed, hairless, green with purple shade on both surface and with prominent 9-15 ribs from the base; leaf stalk 10-20 cm long, greenish purple, with a distinct groove in the middle . Flowers usually 3-5 or even more, bisexual, greenish yellow, about 2 cm long, confined at the tip of 20-30 cm long flowering scapes. Lip 3 lobed, white with purplish veins and yellowish throat.

Trade Information: Local and regional. Tubers may be adulterated with other Nervilia species. Tubers were priced at Rs.3.50/kg (Kerala 1993)

Special Characters: This curious orchid draws immediate attention by its single, round shaped and long stalked leaf jutting above the soil surface. The leaf nerves on the upper surface forms distinct furrows. Leaves and flowers not appearing simultaneously, is a unique character of this ephemeral orchid.

Mode of Propagation: By tubers.

Medicinal Uses: Tubers used in postnatal treatments.

Phenology:
Flowering & 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.

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

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

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 northern eastern Himalayas.
Regional - Commonly seen on thickets, Shola edges and in disturbed forest 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, 15-30x6-15cm, base 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, hairless or puberulous outside, sparsely hairy inside, mouth about 1 cm across, with about 5 cm long lip. Capsules globose to pear-shaped, about 4x3cm, obscurely 6 ridges, dehiscing by 6 sub-woody valves. Seeds numerous, heart-shaped, flat, about 8 mm across, surrounded by distinct white papery wing, 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 longer 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 bittern spot. Also used in bone fracture, indigestion, malaria, rheumatism and toothache.

Phenology:
Flowering - May to July and 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,Bangalore.

Family: Araceae

Vernacular Names:
Kannada - Dodda thippali
Malayalam - Anai thippili, Gaja thippili, Elithadi
Marathi - Ganeshkanda
Sanskrit - Sphotya bhujangam
Tamil - Anai pirandai, Anai thippili, IIatti mara vazhai
Telugu - Enugan alleru

Threat Status:
Lower Risk least concern - KL
Lower Risk Near Threatened - TN
Vulnerable (A1c) - KA

Habit: Large semi-epiphytic climbing shrub.
Habitat: Wet lowland forests from deciduous to evergreen.
Altitude: 500-1700m

Distribution:
Global - Southern India and Sri Lanka.
National - Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Regional - Common in moist forests of Eastern and Western Ghats in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Introduction in many gardens as an ornament.

Description: A lofty semi-epiphytic climbing shrub, with stout clinging roots. Stems cylindrical, dark green, sub fleshy, about 10 cm girth, shiny, smooth, hairless, rooting at nodal regions. Leaves alternate, arranged in two rows, broadly elliptic to oblong, 18-45x12-26 cm, base rounded and unequal, apex shortly cuspidate, unlobed, or perforate or pinnately lobed, with many parallel nerves; leaf stalks 15-40cm long, swollen and with a sheath at base, deeply grooved on the upper surface. Flowers bisexual, minute greenish yellow, numerous, compactly packed in a special structure called ‘spadix’, which is cylindrical and about 8x2 cm. Spadix is partially covered by a hood like structure known as spathe oblong, twisted, 7-14x4-6 cm, apex acuminate, greenish yellow. Berries numerous, small, many-seeded, red when ripe.

Trade Information: Local and regional. The whole plant was priced at Rs.1.05/kg (Kerala, 1993).

Special Characters: Predominantly seen climbing on large trees found along watercourses. The robust sub –fleshy stems, giant dissected leaves, numerous minute flowers seated on erect sub-fleshy rod-like structures (spadix) covered by prominent spathes are notable field characters.

Mode of Propagation: By stem cuttings, roots and air-layers.

Medicinal Uses: Used for treatment of snakebites and scorpion stings. Stems used for treating ulcers, pain in the colon, abdominal tumours and also in bronchipathy. Kani tribes in Kerala orally administer the stem juice to cure ascites, inflammation of spleen and liver.

Phenology:
Flowering - August to November
Fruiting - January onwards

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.

Family: Apocynaceae

Vernacular Names:
Hindi - Chota chand
Kannada - Sarpagandha
Malayalam - Sarpaganthi, Amalpori
Marathi - Harki
Tamil - Sarpaganthi, Sivan amalpodi
Telugu - Patalaganthi, Sarpaganthi

Threat Status:
Endangered (A 1 c,d) - KA, KL & TN

Habit: Undershrub
Habitat: Moist deciduous to evergreen forests.
Altitude: 500 - 1200 m

Distribution:
Global - India, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.
National - Moist tropical hills of different states of India.
Regional - Fairly common in moist deciduous forests in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Description: Herbs to undershrubs, 0.5-2 m tall. Stems woody at base. Rootstock thick and woody. Bark ashy white, thin. Latex watery. Branchlets hairless. Leaves 3-4 in a whorl or sometimes opposite, elliptic or oblanceolate, 8-16 x 3-5 em, base gradually tapering, apex acuminate, margin entire, papery, hairless, with distinct stalk; lateral nerves 8-15 pairs, faintly seen. Flowers bisexual, in terminal or axillary umbellate cymes, white with pale purple shade, about 2 x 1 em. Drupes united in their lower half, stalkless, fleshy, ovoid, about 7 mm long, hairless, shiny, purplish black when ripe. Seeds 1, ovoid.

Trade Information: Local, regional and global. Roots are sold under the trade name Sarpagandha at Rs.11 0 to 150/Kg. (Market studies 1999. 2000). Sometimes, roots of R. tetraphylla, R. densiflora and R. micrantha are found mixed in the market samples.

Special Characters: This species can at once be recognized by its whorled leaves at each node, red-coloured calyx and floral stalks and the corolla tube slightly bulging in the middle. Fruits turn green to red and finally ripening to purplish black.

Mode of Propagation: By seeds and stem & root cuttings.

Medicinal Uses: This plant has hypnotic and sedative effects. Roots are used for treatment of giddiness caused by high blood pressure. Also used as an antidote to snake poison; especially efficacious in rat bites. Root powder is used for treatment of mental disorders, abdominal disorders, insanity and poisons. Leaves used to treat opacities of the cornea.

Phenology:
Flowering & Fruiting - March to June; 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,Bangalore.