Canarium strictum
Family: Burseraceae

Vernacular names:
Hindi: Kala-damar
Kannada-Hale maddu, Mada dhup, Kari dhoopa
Malayalam: Thelli, Pantham, Kunthirikkam
Marathi: Dhup, Raladhupa
Sanskrit: Mandadhupa, Raladhupa
Tamil: Sambrani, Karunkungilium
Telugu: Nalla rojanamu

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

Habit: Tree
Habitat: Moist deciduous to evergreen forests.
Altitude: 750-1400m

Distribution: Global: Indo-Burma. National: Northeast and southern India.
Regional: Common throughout the western Ghats from moist deciduous to evergreen forests of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. In Tamil Nadu, occasionally seen in the Eastern Ghats of Kolli hills also.

Description: A large resinous tree, reaching 40m tall. Trunk straight, cylindrical, about 4m girth Bark about 1cm thick, rough, greyish brown, exfoliating into small irregular flakes; outer bark brittle and inner bark fibrous, inner surface slimy to touch, exudes gummy sap when cut, which turns black and hard later. Blaze fragrant, dull yellow. Young branchlets densely brown tomentose. Leaves alternate, simply odd-pinnate, large, reaching 1.2m length; leaflets 9-11, egg-shaped-elliptic to egg-shaped-lanceolate, opposite or alternate, 7-30x5-15cm, base unequal and rounded, apex acuminate, margin finely toothed with saw-like teeth, leathery, densely brown tomentose beneath, deep red when young with dense velvety tomentose hairs; lateral nerves 10-20 pairs, very prominent below. Flowers bisexual or polygamous, in shortly branched axillary panicles, about cm long, yellow to dull white, shortly stalked and mildly fragrant. Drupes ellipsoid or oblongoid, 3-5x1.5-2 cm, tapering at both ends, dark blue when ripe. Seeds 1-3

Trade information: Local and commercial. The resin and wood are traded under the name Raldhoop, Kungulium, Kungulepam, Karun Kungilium in Delhi and Madurai markets. Resin sold Rs. 50/kg in Delhi market in 1999.

Special characters: This giant tree with glittering brown hard resin and striking red young foliage covered with dense brown tomentose hairs draws immediate attention of anyone.

Mode of propagation: By seeds.

Medicinal Uses: Decoction or powder of the resin is given orally as a remedy for rheumatism, cough, fever, epilepsy, asthma, syphilis, blood impurities, various poisons, hernia, chronic skin diseases and haemorrage. Also to improve complexion.

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.

Coscinium fenestratum
Family: Menispermaceae

Vernacular names
hindi: Jhar-haldi
Kannada: Maradrashina, Arasina balli
Malayalam: Maramanjla
Marathi: Jhade-halade
Sanskrit: Darvi, Daruharidra
Tamil: Maramanjal
Telugu: Manu-pasupu

Threat status
Critically Endangered (A1a,c,d)- KA, KL & TN

Habit: Large woody climber
Habitat: Moist deciduous to evergreen forests
Altitude: 350-1200m

Distribution:
Global: Indo-Malaya (southern India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and West Malaysia).
National : Western Ghats of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Regional: In Karnataka, occurs in the dense semi-evergreen forests of Coorg, Uduppi, Dakshina and Uttara Kannada districts. In Kerala, found in semi-evergreen and evergreen forests of Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Wynaad, Idukki and Palakkad districts. In Tamil Nadu, occurs in Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli and Nilgiri districts.

Description : A large dioecious woody climber.Bark is thin, greyish and occassionally with irregular vertical fissures. The sap of the stem is watery and deep yellow. Young stems cylindrical with minute dense brown hairs. Leaves are alternately arranged, sub-pelt ate to peltate, broadly egg-shaped with acuminate apex, 15-28x10-24cm, hairless above, white shiny tomentose below, with prominent 5-7 nerves arising at the junction of leaf stalk; lead stalk 8-15cm long, conspiciously swollen at bothe ends. Flowers are stalkless, minute, yellow, about 2 mm long, many seen in clustered heads. The heads number. The fruits are said to be drupes, gobose, about 3 cm across, greenish brown turning yellow when ripe with dense, minute brown hairs. Seeds white.

Trade information:
Local, regional, nation and global. In southern India the stem/stem bark of coscinium fenestratum is the accepted source of Daruharidra. It is traded under the name mirmanjal. The northern India, Berberies chitria is the primary source of Daaruharidra.

Special characters: The leaves are sub-peltate to peltate with a striking white colour beneath. The cut stems show unique wheel-like medulary rays, deep yellow in colour. They diverge from center to the periphery. Flowers and fruits are always seen on the older stems.

Mode of  Propagation: By seeds and stem cuttings.

Medicinal Uses : Stem is anti-inglammatory and antiseptic. Used to thred tastelessness, bleeding piles, cough, wounds, ulcers, skin diseases, abdominal disorders, jaundice, liver disorders, intrinsic haemorrhage, diabetes, snake bite, fever and general debility.

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.

Dysoxylum malabaricum
Family : Meliaceae

Vernacular names:
Bile agilu, Bile devadaru
Malayalam: vellagi, Akil
Sanskrit: Agaru
Tamil: Vellaiyagil, Agil

Threat status
Endangered (A1,c,d)-Globally

Habit: Tree
Habitat: Evergreen and semi-evergreen forests
Altitude: 600to 1300m

Distribution: Endemic to western ghats in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Regional: In Karnataka, ocassional in Coorg, Mysore, Shimoga, UttaraKannaga and Chikmagalur districts. Common throughout Kerala. In Tamil Nadu, less common in Coimbatore and Nilgiri districts.

Description : Large trees, reaching 35m tall and around 3m girth, with a straight long cylindrical stem. Bark pale grey, rough, fissured, covered with white warty lenticels, exfoliating into large flakes; outer bark grey. Blaze creamy to white, fragrant. Wood yellow or light orange, hard. Leaves alternate, 30-40cm long, odd-pinnate; rachis angular; leaflets opposite or alternate, 7-11, elliptic-oblong to inverted egg-shaped or lanceolate, 10-23x4-5cm, base unqual, apex acuminate, margin entire, hairless, with short stalks; lateral nerves 9-20 pairs, prominent beneath. Flowers bisexual, in axillary panicles, 5-8mm long, fragrant, white to greenish yellow, distinctly stalks. Panicles 10-20cm long, crowed near the tip of branchlets. Capsules pear-shaped, 5-7cm long, with 4 vertical furrows, bright yellow when ripe, with a brown fleshy rind. Seeds 3-4, blunty 3 -angled.

Trade Information: Local

Special characters: This is a giant tree with long undivided trunk and white bark smelling aromatic when cut fresh. The distinctly angled lead stalk and pear-shaped furrowed fruits are other distinct field characters.

Medicinal Uses: In sidha this plant is known as Agil and used as a substitute for Aquilaria malaccensis. The uses are similar to D.binectariferum. Wood is used to cure rheumatism; wood oil is used in treating ear and eye diseases.

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.

Garcinia Morella
Family : Clusiaceae

Vernacular names:
Hindi: Tamal
Kannada-Devana huli, pon puli, Arsina gurgi
Malayalam-Chigiri, Karukam puli, Pinnar puli
Marathi- Tamala, Mahabala
Sanskrit-Kankustha, Tamala
Tamil: Makki, Solai puli
Telugu-Reval chinni, Pasupuvarne

Threat status
VVulnerable (A1c)-KA & TN

Habit: Tree
Habitat: Moist deciduous to evergreen forests
Altitute: 650-1300m

Distribution:
Global: India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Malacca.
National: Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and the Northeast Assam and Megalaya.
Regional: Common in the Western Ghats in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Description : Trees, 7-15m tall, with spreading branches and dense crown. Wood yellow mottled, hard. Bark brownish grey, thin, about 5 mm thick, smooth, exuding brilliant, dark yellow, sticky, thick latex. Balze yellow. Branchlets 4 angled, hairless, horizontal. Leaves opposite, elliptic-egg-shaped, about 7-15x4-8cm, base acute, apex rounded to shortly acuminate, margin entire, hairless, shiny; lateral nerves 8-15 pairs, unequally parallel, obscure; leaf stalks up to 1 cm long, stout, thickened at base. Male, female and bisexual flowers are separated, succulent, stalked, pinkish red. Male flowers 2-3 together in leaf axils and an old branches, about 8mm long, faintly fragrant; female flowers axillary, soliraty, equal to or larger than male flowers. Berries 1.5-2.5cm across, globose or rarely avoid, hairless, shiny, smooth, stalkless, pinkish brown when ripe; pulp sweer, acidic. Seeds 1-4, kidney-shaped to avoid, laterally compressed, brown

Trade Information : Local and regional. The resin/exudate was priced at Rs,629.40/kg . (Kerala, 1993)

Mode of propagation: By seeds and grafts

Special characters: Easily identified by its smaller globose fruits.

Medicinal Uses : Commonly called Svarnaksiri indicating the golden yellow juice. It is light bitter tonic, astringent and enthelmintic. Cures dropsy, hydragogue, drastic cathartic, rheumatism, constipation, dysentery, colic and other intestinal affections. The golden yellow exudate is used for treatign blisters, indolent ulcers, leprosy and other skin infections. Seeds are used to relieve cough, catarrh affections of the throat, pulmonary mucous membrane and asthma. Seed oil is applied externally to ulcers, herpetic eruptions and other skin diseases. All parts of the plant reportedly antibacterial activity.

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.

Gymnema khandalense
Family : Asclepiadaceae Vernacular names
Not known

Threat status:
Endangered (B1 & 2a,b,d,e)- Globally

Habit: A large woody climber

Habitat: Deciduous to moist deciduous forests

Altitude: 500-600m

Distribution: Endemic to Western Ghats in Maharashtra and Kerala. Regional: The first recorded collection of this species is from Khandala Ghat, Maharashtra. Subsequently it has been recored in few other localities of Pune and Raighad districts. In Kerala, a single collection is reported from Vazhachal semi-evergreen forests in Thrissur district by Dr. N. Sasidharan. Not reported from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Description: Large woody elegant climbers. The basal stems about 30cm girth, cylindrical. Bark ashy brown, distinctly marked with wing like ridges of cork. Young branchlets yellowish green, densely pubescent, older ones with many lenticels. Stems and branchlets with plenty of white sticky latex. Leaves opposite, broadly egg-shaped to elliptic-oblong, 7-15x6-10cm, base truncate to rounded, apex acute to acuminate, margin entire, slightly leathery, densely orange-yellow pubescent, margin entire, slightly leathery hairless when mature; lateral nerves 5-6 pairs; lead stalks 1-4cm long, densely hairy. Flowers bisexual about 5 mm across, yellow, shortly stalked, arranged in axillary umbellate cymes. Follicles cylindrical, 7-10cm long, 0.3-0.6cm across, gradually tapering towards apex, straight or curved, greenish-brown, pubescent. Seeds about 12, avoid, about 12x4mm, flat, winged along margin with about 4 cm long white silky hairs at apex.

Note: It is of major conservation concern due to its narrow endemic and disjunct distribution.

Trade information: A possible, potential substitute for Gymnema sylvestre.

Special characters: The bark exhibits wing-like thick projections. All parts of the plant possess milky latex. The peduncles are always shorter than the lead stalks.

Mode of propagation: By stem cuttings and seeds

Medicinal Uses : Leaves may possess the same medicinal properties as that of Gymnema sylvestre, which is widely used for the treatment of diabetes and poisonous bites.

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.

Hydnocarpus macrocarpa
Family : Flacourtiaceae

Vernacular names:
Malayalam-Mala Kummatti
Tamil- Malai maravattai

Threat status:
Endangered (A1c)-Globally

Habit: Tree

Habitat:  Semi-evergreen to evergreen forests

Altitude:500-1500m

Distribution: Endemic to southern Western Ghats in tamil Nadu and Kerala. Regional: In Tamil Nadu, reported only in the hills of Kanniyakumari and Tirunelveli districts. In Kerala, recorded in Nilambur, Sholayar, Kollam, Palakkad and Ponmudi hill ranges. Not recorded in Karnataka.

Description :A medium sized tree, 6-15m tall. Outer bark dull brown, inner bark pale-purplish brown. Branchlets minutely yellow hairy. Leaves alternate, oblong to elliptic-lanceolate, 15-30x6-10cm, apex abruptly acuminate, base rounded and unequal, margin entire, shiny and dark green; lateral nerves about 7 pairs, prominently raised below; lead stalks 1-2cm long, hairy. Male, female and bisexual flowers are separated, foul smelling; male flowers few, borne on a short stalk of older stems. Fruits spherical, about 15cm across, dark brown, densely velvety hairy with woody rind. Seeds about 50, egg-shaped, dark brown.

Trade Information: Local, regional and national. Seeds are mixed with that of H. pendtandra

Special characters: This tree can at once be recognised by its larges leaves and ball-like fruits.

Mode of propagation: By seeds.

Medicinal Uses : The seed oil is used to cure skin diseases and leprosy.

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.

Myristica malabarica
Family : Myristicaceae
Vernacular Names:
Hindi: Van jayphal
Kannada: Kanage, Dhodda jaye kaayi;
Malayalam: Pannam panu, Kattu jathi, Chorapali;
Sanksrit: Malati;
Tamil:Pathiri, Kattu jaathi kaai;
Telugu: Rampatri

Threat Status
Vulnerable (A1,c,d)-Globally

Habit: Tree

Habitat: Evergreen forests

Altitude: 100-800m

Distribution: Endemic to Western Ghats in Karnataka and Kerala.
Regional: In Karnataka, occurs in evergreen forests of lower altitudes in Dakshina kannada, UttaraKannda, Shimoga and Udupi districts. In Kerala, fairly common in the evergreen forests of lower Ghats. Not reported from Tamil Nadu.

Description: A medium sized dioecious evergreen tree, growing 10-17m tall and about 1.5m girth. Bark greenish-black, smooth, with projected lenticels, about 1 cm thick, partially fibrous, red inside, exuding deep red watery juice when cut fresh. Wood yellowish brown, tinged with grey, moderately hard. Branchlets hairless. Leaves alternate, linear-oblong or elliptic-oblong, 8-16x3-5cm, base rounded, apex acute, margin entire, hairless, glossy, leathery, distinctly stalked; lateral nerves 8-14 pairs, slender, faint. Male and female flowers seen in separate trees. Male flowers clustered at the end of branches of panicles, with slender stalks, 5-6mm long, creamy white, more or less hairless. Female flowers in small fascicles, ovoid, about 6mm long, dull yellow. Capsusles solitary or in pairs, cylindrcially oblong, 5-9x3-5cm, brown tomentose. Seeds single, completely covered by golden yellow or red-cloured fleshy aril.

Trade information: Local and regional. A possible adulterant to Myristica fragrans. The mace of Myristica malabarica commercially known as Rampattari is often adulterated with the true Jaatipatri (Myristica fragrans). Kernels are sometimes mixed with those of M. fragrans, the true source of Jaaiphal.

Special characters: The bark exudes deep red watery juice when cut. Fruits are cylindrical, brown tomentose, splitting vertically by 2 valves, exposing seeds completely covered with brightly coloured dissected aril.

Mode of Propagation: By seeds and stem cuttings

Medicinal uses: Aril of the seeds is used to check cough, bronchitis, fever and burning sensation. Fat obtained from the seeds relieves pain in muscles, sprains and sores.

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.

Nilgirianths ciliatus
Family : Acanthaceae

Vernacular name:
Hindi: Karvi;
Malayalam: Karim kurunji;
Sanskrit:Sahacarah;
Tamil: Chinna kurunji, Kurunji

Threat status
Endangered (A1c,d)-Globally

Habit: Under shrub

Habitat: n partial shady places and along the edges of moist deciduous to evergreen forests

Altitude: 130-1000m

Distribution : Endemic to southern India. Regional: Recorded in the Western Ghats in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Description: Profusely branched undershrubs, 0.5-1.5m tall. Bark thin, greenish grey, smooth. Stem woody at base, marked with many vertical lines. Branchlets hairless, lenticellate. Leaves opposite, elliptic-lanceolate, 10-20x4-9cm, base wedge-shaped, apex acuminate, margin toothed with rounded to saw-like teeth, papery, distinctly stalked; lateral nerves 5-6 pairs, raised above. Flowers bisexual, stalkless, funnel-shaped, 1.5-2cm long, white with purple blotches inside, arranged in axillary spikes. Spikes oblong or clavate, unbranched, 2-4cm long, hairless, bent. Capsules ovoid, about 1.5cm long, beaked at apex, hairless. Seeds 4, compressed, hairless.

Trade information : Local and regional. Roots priced at Rs.2.75/kg.(Kerala, 1993). It is traded under the name Shahacarah.

Special characters: Completely hairless plants, throat of the flower with distinct white hairs, curved spikes and distinctly jointed peduncles are important field characters.

Mode of propagation: By seeds and stem cuttings

Medicinal Uses : This plant is one of the accepted sources of Ayurvedic drug Sahacarah. Roots used in the treatment of neurological disorders such as paraplegia and sciatica. Also helps in healing ulcers, glandular swellings, poisonous affections, itching, leprosy, other skin diseases, cough, oedema, toothache, gum diseases and strengthening of the nerves.

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.

Ochreinauclea missionis
Rubiaceae

Vernacular names:
Malayalam: Attu vanji, Neer vanji;
Tamil: Athu vanji, Neer vanji;

Threat status
Vulnerable (A1c)-Globally

Habit: Tree

Habitat: Along the banks of streams and rivers of moist forests

Altitude:80-800m

Distribution : Endemic to Western Ghats in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Regional: In Karnataka, recorded in Hassan, Coorg, Udupi, Dakshina and Uttara Kannada districts. In Kerala, occurs occasionally in the forests of Nilambur and Thrissur. In Tamil Nadu, reported only from the riparian habitat in the forests of Kanniyakumari district.

Description : Trees, 8-20m tall. Bark smooth, brown, with vertical irregular indistinct cracks, about 8mm thick. Wood dark yellow, moderately hard. Blaze white. Leaves opposite, elliptic-oblong to lanceolate, 10-18x4-6cm, base acute, apex rounded to acute, hairless, glossy, leathery; lateral nerves 10-15 pairs; leaf stalks 4-7 mm long. Flowers bisexual, numerous, about 5 mm long, greenish yellow, fragrant, aggregated in 2-4cm across axillary globose heads. Peduncles about 2 cm long with 4 minute leaf-like structures called 'bracts' near the base. Fruits fused into a fleshy globose mass, small.

Trade information: Not reported to be in Trade

Special characters: The branching pattern of this tree is unique in having almost horizontally drooping branches of one season more or less crowded at one place of the main trunk resembling Terminalia catappa. Flora heads resemble small tennis ball. It is a typical riparian vegetation tree.

Mode of propagation: By stem cuttings and air-layers

Medicinal Uses : Stem bark is reportedly used in the treatment of constipation, leprosy, rheumatism and ulcers. Root and root bark are employed to threat rheumatism and ulcers. Root and root bark are employed to treat rheumatic and paralytic affections, general anasarca, skin diseases, dropsy, eye diseases, constipation, piles, jaundice, fever, oedema and hepatic and haemophilic disorders (Ref: Red data book of Indian plants, Vol.3.p.222, 1990)

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.

Pterocarpus santalinus
Fabaceae

Vernacular names:
Hindi: Lal chandan, Rakta-chandan;
Kannaga: Agaru, Honne;
Malayalam-Patrangam, Tilaparnni;
Marathi-Tambada chandana;
Sanksrit: Rakta chandana;
Tamil-Ratha sandanam, Chenkunkumam, Sivappu chandanam, Sandana vengai;
Telugu-Agaru gandhami, Yerra chandanamu, Rakta chandanamu;

Threat status
Critically Endangered (A1c,d) Globally

Habit: Tree

Habitat: The drier, hilly zones of dry deciduous forests

Altitude: 500m

Distribution: Endemic to the Eastern Ghats of Cudappah, Nellore, Chittoor and Prakasam districts of Andhra Pradesh. Also recorded in the adjoining regions of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Regional: In Karnataka, reported from Deverayandurga, Sandur and Karpakapallu MPCAs. In Tamil Nadu, reported from the drier zones of Chengalpattu, Salem and Dharmaputi districts. Wild status of these population needs verification. Commonly planted as monoculture and also as an ornament.

Description : Trees about 12m height. Bark blackish brown, 1-1.5cm thick, deeply cleft into rectangular plates by deep vertical and horizontal cracks. Blaze pale yellow with numerous pink streaks exuding copious red sticky thick gum. Branchlets drooping, hairless. Leaves 3 foliolate, 10-18 cm long; rachis swollen at base; leaflets usually 3, rarely 4 or 5, broadly egg-chaped or orbicular, 7-12x4-8cm, base round or slightly heart-shaped, apex rounded or deeply notched, margin entire, leathery, shiny, hairless, distinctly stalked. Flowers bisexual, stalked, in axillary simple or sparingly branched racemes, yellow, about 2 cm long, fragrant. Pods unequally orbicular, flat about 5x4.5cm including the wing, gradually narrowed into a short tip which is about 1 cm long. Seeds 1 rarely 2, more or less kidney-shaped, 1-1.5cm long, smooth, reddish brown.

Trade information: Local, regional, nations and global. Pieces of wood priced at Rs. 20 to 78/kg. (Market studied, 1999-2000) Heartwood of Adenanthers pavonina and Caesalpinia sappan is sometimes seen as adulterant/substitute.

Special characters: The prominent, crocodile-backlike bark exudes blood-red thick gum when freshly cut. Leaflets are 3, glossy, dark green. Fruits are compressed, circular and winged with an apical beak.

Mode of propagation: By seeds

Medicinal Uses : One of the ingredients of Triphaladya ghrta, used to cure chornic fever. The heartwood is rubbed with water, honey, ghee and oil, applied as collyrium to alleviate defects of vision. Also used for treating skin diseases, bone fracture, leprosy, spider poisoning, scorpion sting, hiccough, ulcers, general debility and mental aberrations. Wood paste applied on boils and other skin eruptions, infections, inflammation and on forehead to relieve headache. Decoction of fruits is used to cure chronic dysentery; also used by Kani tribes to check dermatological conditions including psoriasis. Wood and bark brew taken orally relieves chronic dysentery, worms, blood vomiting, weak vision and hallucination. Wood powder is used to control haemorrhage, bleeding piles and inflammation.

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.

Amorphophallus commutatus
----

Vernacular names:
Malayalam: Kattu chena;

Threat status
Vulnerable (A1c)- Globally

Habit: Cormous herb

Habitat : Along open forest edges of mosist deciduous to semi-evergreen

Altitude : 50-850 m

Distribution: Endemic to western ghats, Regional: Occasional along the marginal forests of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala states. In Karnataka, earlier record from evergreen forest in Kemmangundi hills and Uduppi regions. In Kerala, occasional in Nilambur and Thrissu forests. So far not recorded from Tamil Nadu.

Description : Herbs up to 1.5m tall, with tuberous corms. Corms depressed-globose, 3-7 cm across, brown outside, creamy inside. Leaf with 3 primary divisions, each division again lobed, giving rise to many leaflets; leaflets elliptic, base acute, apex heart-shaped-acuminate, membranous, hairless; the lateral nerves of leaflets about 45oC angle with main nerve; leaf stalk up to 50cm long, cylindrical, fleshy, hairless and smooth. Flowers are unisexual, minute, brownish yellow, numerous, placed in the upper half of the spadix and female flowers below and they are separated by neuter flowers, which are sterile. Spadix cylindrical, apex narrowed to a long tail-like appendage, partially covered by a hood-like structure known as 'Spathe'. Spathe egg-shaped-lamceolate, about 45X18cm, apex extending into a long tail, reddish brown, hairless. Peduncle sout, up to 1.5m tall, hairless, cylindrical, green blotched with irregular brown patches, sub-fleshy. Beries numerous, about 8 mm across, shiny, red when ripe.

Trade information: Local

Mode of propagation: By corms

Special characters: Plants are leafless when they are flowering. The solitary lead is very large, in turn highly dissected into many leaflets. The stalks of the lead and spadix are fleshy, cylindrical, speckled with green, brown and white patches. The tips of both spathe and spadix terminate in a long cylindrical tail.

Medicinal Uses : Tuberous corms are used to treat piles, tumours and cysts.

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.

Janakia arayalpathra
Periplocaeceae

Vernacular names:
Not known

Threat status : Critically endangered (B1 &2c,d) – Gloabally

Habit: Tuberous shrub

Habitat: Grasslands and open rocky slopes

Altitude: Above 1000m

Distribution: Endemic to southern Western Ghats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Regional: In Kerala, reported from the grassy slopes of Kursumalai near Boneccord estate, Thiruvananthapuram districts as well as in Kollam district. In Tamil Nadu, reported only from the exposed rocky slopes of Kaniyakumari and Tirunelveli districts. Not recorded in Karnataka.

Description : A perennial hairless tuberous shrub, 1-2 m tall, exudes milky latex when bruised. Roots about 30cm long, seen in clusters, thick, fleshy, aromatic, forming a bead-like structure. Branches slender, spreading. Leaves opposite, broadly egg-shaped-lanceolate, 5-9x2-3.5 cm, base narrowed, apex acuminate, margin entire, hairless, with long stalk; lateral nerves about 17 pairs, close set, joining along the margin. Flowers bisexual, about 3 mm across, in 3-4cm long axillary cymes, pale yellow. Follicles in pairs, cylindrical, narrowing towards apex, with a central groove, each about 5x0.6cm long, hairless, shiny. Seeds many avoid, about 5 mm long, flat, with a tuft of hairs at the tip.

Notes : It is a monotypic endemic genus with the species having narrow and restricted distribution. Recently the genus Janakia has been suggested to be merged with Decalepis (Kew Bulletein 1994) based on common characters between both. It resembles Ulteria Salicifolila (also a monotypic and endemic to southern Western Ghats) but differs in having long stalked, broadly egg-shaped-lanceolate leaves and sparsely branched shorter inflorescence.

Trade information: Local only

Mode of propagation: By seeds and stem cuttings

Special characters: This plants confined to rocky slopes at higher altitudes. Entire plant shows a pinkish shade. Tubers are fleshy, aromatic and leaves are shiny resembling those of the 'Peepul' tree (Ficus religiosa) 'Arayalpathra' in sanskrit means the leaves of Peepul. The cymes are always shorter than the lead stalks.

Medicinal Uses : Local tribes use the tubers to cure stomachache.

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.