Rare plants of Nepal

Some rare plants of Nepal

There are some rare plants in Nepal, which have directly mentioned in the list of rare plants. These plants are given emphasis for conservation by making provisions for them. Laws have been made to ban illegal collection and export of those plants and their products. Special programs are sometimes launched for awareness and conservation program. Some of the important rare plants are described below;

 

a) Golden Michelia (Champ)

scientific name: michelia champaca, michelia kisopa

General introduction: It is  a perennial tree. It appears evergreen throughout the year. There are two species of Golden Michelia found in Nepal. It has light yellowish-golden-colored flowers with a sweet smell. It has thick branches and leaves creating a distinct shadow below it. Unauthorized collection and export of the Golden Michelia has been banned.

Habitat: Mid-hill region and some parts of the Terai region at an altitude of 600-1500 meters from the sea level.

Height: about thirty meters

medicinal use: Oil extracted from the flowers is used in eye disease and gout arthritis. Its flowers and fruits are utilized as a energetic supplement. Bark is also used for medicinal purpose.

Other use: its timber is used to make furniture.

Reproduction: Sexual: by seeds

Asexual : cutting of branch

 

b) Spike Nard (Jatamashi)

scientific name: Nardostachys grandiflora

General introduction: It is a small herb with reddish-brown roots, reddish-white flowers and a pleasant smell. It Is banned by the law of Nepal to collect illegally and export.

Habitat: Northern high mountains at an altitude of 3000-5000 meters from the sea level.

Other use: Its oil is used to make incense because of its pleasant smell.

Reproduction: Sexual; by seeds

Asexual: by roots

 

c) Serpentina (Sarpagandha)

scientific name: Rauvolfia serpentine

General introduction: It is a small evergreen shrub with long and wide leaves, dry and white stems, white and red flowers and pea-sized fruits, which remain green in the early stage but turn red and black in the later stage. It is also listed as a rare plant of Nepal and banned for illegal collection and export.

Habitat: sal forest of the Terai region and southern hills up to an altitude of 1200 meters from sea level.

Height: About one meter

Medicinal use: Its roots are used in the preparation of medicine for high blood pressure, insomnia (a disorder when one cannot sleep well), and as analgesics (i.e. pain reliever. )

Reproduction: sexual: by seeds

Asexual: Cutting of branch

 

d) The Himalayan Yew (lauth salla)

Scientific name: Taxus wallinchiana

General introduction: This is a perennial tree of pine species. It remains evergreen with pointed, thin and comb-like leaves. It is listed as a rare plant of Nepal and banned for export.

Habitat: At an altitude of 1700-3400 meters from the sea level in the central and western part of Nepal.

Height: About eight meters

Medicinal use: Its leaf is used to prepare medicine to treat the earlier stage of cancer. It is also used in the preparation of Ayurvedic medicines for intestinal diseases, nervous disorders, respiratory infection, headache, diarrhea, blood pressure, etc.

Other use: Its timber is used to make furniture

Reproduction: Sexual: by seeds

Asexual: Through roots and stems

 

e) Doctylorhiza (Panch Aule)

Botanical name: Doctylorized hatagirea

General introduction: This is a small herb with rosy-colored flowers and finger-like roots. This plant is listed under the rare plants of Nepal. Illegal collection and export has been banned in Nepal.

Habitat: At an altitude of 2300-3600 meters from the sea level.

Height: Few centimeters

Medicinal use: Roots are taken as an energy giving medicine.

Reproduction: Sexual: by seeds

Asexual: Through roots. As it reproduces through the roots, some portion of the root is left under the soil for its preservation. Root collection is done every three to four years.

 

f) Cordyceps (Yarsagumba)

Scientific name: Cordyceps sinensis

General introduction: It is a seasonal fungi plant, which grows on the back of a specific species of caterpillar. As the cordyceps grows on the back of caterpillar, people think that it is a half plant and a half-animal. But, the reality is that these two creatures are different. Cordyceps is a parasitic plant, which absorbs the necessary nutrients from the body of its host to the caterpillar. In the winter season, when the caterpillar dies, the plant portion remains fixed to the soil. Unauthorized collection and export of Cordyceps has been banned in Nepal as it has been listed as a rare plant:

Habitat: Meadows of the mountain region at an altitude of about 3000-4200 meters from the sea level.

Height/Length: Five to eight centimeters

Medicinal use: It is an effective energy-giving plant. It is used in the treatment of weakness, infirmities and impotence. It is taken with honey and milk for more effectiveness.

Other Use: It is a good source of income. Its price in the market is very high. People can get permission for its collection. Many people in the mountain region are utilizing the Cordyceps as a source of good income.

Reproduction: It is a minor plant of fungi group. It reproduces by the process of sporulation or production of spores. Those spores germinate if they get attached to the back of the host of the caterpillar.

 
Conservation Measures of Rare Plants

Conservation of rare plants is a must for the conservation of the environment and ecosystem. We are also a part of the ecosystem. Imbalance of any one element in the ecosystem results in harm and hazard to us, too. In order to carry out conservation programs of rare plants, the following measures can be taken:

a) Research and identification of rare plants

First of all, we must identify rare plants, which have decreased in number. In order to identify such rare species, appropriate research works are necessary with scientific techniques.

b) Information and awareness of importance and knowledge of rare plants

Conservation of rare plants needs information about rare plants. Such information includes the habit, habitat, environmental status and their role in the ecosystem, which are considered for formulating appropriate methods of conservation.

c) Controlled consumption about rare plant products

Rare plants may have medicinal and economical values. There must be controlled consumption of such rare plants. Production of seeds and other vegetative propagations should not be disturbed by the collection and utilization of such plants.

d) Control of over-grazing

Over grazing causes depletion of many rare plants. When there is excessive grazing by domestic animals, plants cannot grow up to maturity and produce seeds. Young plants are plucked out from soil and roots die earlier without undergoing vegetative reproduction and development into new offspring. Therefore, there must be controlled grazing of domestic animals on the grasslands and in forests.

e) Control of fire in forests and grasslands

Fire is a destructive event in many forests. Sometimes fire extends over very wide areas and destroys many plants as well as animals. Fire destroys young badly. It also destroys trees and climber plants too. Therefore, fire should be controlled in the forests and grasslands. Special attention should be given for the prevention of fire in the forests and grasslands. In order to prevent fire in the forests and grasslands, there must be awareness programs and laws for forest conservation.

f) Formulation and implementation of laws

Some laws and acts have been made for the conservation and protection of rare plants. The forest Act, 2059 BS has made same provision for the conservation of plants in the forests. Laws and acts regarding import and export also have banned rare plants and plant products. Such laws should be implemented effectively.

g) Use of economic and religious value of rare plants

We can conserve some of the rare and valuable plants by utilizing religious values and myths. The Banyan, Peepal, Tulsi, Rudrakshya and other plants which are connected with Hindu religion are not destroyed by Hindus. In the same way, some rare plants can be cultivated and preserved for their economic values.

The Cordyceps in the mountain region has been a good source of the income in some places of mountain and northern hilly region. People try to conserve it for future production and to make it a regular source of income.

h) Conservation of Ex-situ and In-situ

i. Ex-situ conservation of rare plants

It is the conservation of man-made or artificial habitat of rare plants. Ex-situ conservation method is followed especially in the conservation of very rare and endangered plants.

Establishment of a nursery, promotion of gardens, plantation of the rare plants in parks, promotion of the tradition of using rare plants in home decoration, etc. are included in this method.

ii. In-situ conservation of rare plants

It is the conservation of natural habitat of rare plants. In such a habitat, plants grow, develop and reproduce naturally. It includes protection of the natural habitat of rare plants. Establishment of national parks, conservation of forests and watershed areas, conservation of water resources for conservation of aquatic plants, etc. are included in this method.