STRATEGIES FOR CONSERVATION OF RET MEDICINAL PLANTS OF SOUTH INDIA

Abstract

India is rich in medicinal plants diversity. The RET (Rare, Endangered and Threatened) medicinal plants which have been identified by IUCN are to be conserved by both  in-situ and ex-situ methods. Ex-situ conservation of medicinal plant species is a complementary action to conserve the genetic diversity of prioritized medicinal plants. It is especially desirable in case of species where wild populations have dwindled to critical levels. In the present study, six potential RET medicinal plants viz.  Decalepis hamiltonii, Gloriosa superba, Holostemma-ada-kodien, Salacia reticulata  andTinospora sinensis found in South India were explored, collected and conserved for sustainable utilization. The specific objectives of the study was to explore the status and distribution of the above RET species in the North and Coastal Tamil Nadu. A total of thirty three plants with a maximum of fifteen in Gloriosa superba, eight in Decalepis hamiltonii, four each in Holostemma-ada-kodien  andSalacia reticulata  and two in Tinospora sinensis  were collected and their growth parameters were recorded. In  Gloriosa sp., flowering and fruiting were observed and the seeds were collected from different accessions. Based on the observations, data base was generated for documentation.