<b style="">Ecological status of medicinal and other economically important plants in the Shola understories of Nilgiris, the Western Ghats</b>

Abstract

Sholas being a high species rich forests of Nilgiris, harbour many plant species of economic importance also. Documentation of flora with their economic uses and the identification of ecological status are the most essential part in the conservation programmes. For this purpose in the present study, the understories of 11 sholas namely, Ebbenadu, Governor shola, Honnathalai, Kammand, Kolacombi, Kodappamand, Korakunndah, Kothagiri terrace, Longwood shola, Thiashola and Wenlockdown were selected in Nilgiris, the Western Ghats. The results of the study revealed that out of 131 species enumerated, 88 have been recognized as economically important. Among them the species such as<b> </b><b style=""><i>Achyranthes bidentata</i> Blume</b><i>, <b style="">Acmella calva</b></i><b style=""> (DC.) R.K. Janesan</b><i>, <b style="">Arisaema leschenaultii</b></i><b style=""> Blume</b><i>, <b style="">A. tortuosum</b></i><b style=""> (Wall.) Schott</b><i>, <b style="">Asparagus fysoni </b></i><b style="">Macbr.</b><i>, <b style="">Centella asiatica</b></i><b style=""> Urban</b><i> </i>and <b style=""><i>Gaultheria fragrantissima</i> Wall. </b>are suggested for cultivation and conservation so as to reduce the pressure upon wild population.