Botanical name

Acorus calamus Linn.

Synonym(s)

Nil

Family

Araceae

Vernacular name(s)

Vasakommu, Vasa

Trade name(s)

Bach, Vasa, Vaja

Taxonomic status

Species

Habit

Perennial Herb

Forest Type & Microhabitat

Moist deciduous, Marshy

Global distribution

India, Sri Lanka, Entire N. Hemisphere

Regional distribution (Andhra  Pradesh)

Visakhapatnam (Araku valley),

Srikakulam (G.Madugula, Kowsalya metta near Mandasa,  Medava – Polla near Donubay, Pilli budara singi.)

Altitude range (m)

250 – 1 000

Range (km2) (Extent of occurrence)

Small Pockets + 500

Area of occupancy (km2 )       

+ 50

 Population trends –

a.        % decline

b.        Time period

 

> 10%

10 Years (3 Generations)

No. of locations

Fragmented No. 7

No. of mature Individuals

< 5 000

DATA QUALITY:

General Field Studies

QUALIFIER:

Inferred

UNCERTAINTY:

Range of opinion

Recent field studies

 

Dr. Hara Sriramulu & Dr. Venkaiah (Oct. 2000),

Dr. N. Venugopal & Dr. K. Hemadri (Dec. 2000),

Mr. Sanyasi Rao (Nov. 1999)

Threats

Hm, I, T, L

Trade

Local, Regional

Other comments

In situ Conservation Needed, Since the plant is widely cultivated, the natural Populations are not exposed to any threat.

Status assigned (IUCN)

EN

Criteria based on

B2 a, b (iii)

CITES

--

IWPA

--

Recommendations:

--

a.        Research & Management

b.        P.H.V.A.

c.         Cultivation or Captive program recommendations

d.        Level of difficulty

e.        Existing cultivation

T, Hm

No

Level – 1

 

Least difficult

350 Acres under Cultivation

Sources (Published data) :

Flora of Srikakulam, Sacred Groves of A.P.

Red status in neighboring States

(if assessed)

DD – Karnataka, EN – Kerala, VU – Tamilnadu, NA – Maharashtra

Contiguity of Distribution with neighboring States (areas)

 

Yes Orissa

Estimated proportion of global presence in the region under assessment (% / range)

 

< 1%

Compilers

Dr. K. Hemadri, Dr. M. Venugopal, Dr. M. Venkhaiah, Dr. Hara Sriramulu,

Dr. Vijay Kumar, Mr. Sanyasi Rao, Mr. Ganapahi, Ms. Nancy.

 

Reviewers

Prof. R.V.R. Raju, Dr. R.V. Reddy, Dr. P. Ashok, Dr. Ellis, Mr. Muniratnam,

Mr. Krishna Rao, Mr. Sivaraj, Ms. Pratima, Ms. Supria