Abstract

SURVEY AND ENUMERATION OF ANOECTOCHILUS ELATUS LINDL AND DENDROBIUM AQUEM LINDL - THREATENED MEDICINAL ORCHIDS OF KOLLI HILLS (EASTERN GHATS) TAMIL NADU, INDIA.

Dr. H. David Raja*

ABSTRACT

The present research work mainly deals with the current status and distribution range of Anoectochilus elatus Lindl and Dendrobium aquem Lindl in the selected places of Kolli Hills of Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu. Anoectochilus elatus and Dendrobium aquem are under severe pressure of their survival due to various kinds of anthropogenic activities. Both orchid populations were drastically reduced in Kolli Hills. Based on the earlier literature reports four places were selected for survey study. During the survey study, the phenology of both orchids also were observed in various sites. Among the four selected places, Kulivalavu and Sholakadu regions having high range of plant distribution, but still these sites are under huge pressure due to continuous man made activities and habitat fragmentations. This study would be very useful to formulate the conservation strategies to protect the threatened condition of orchids of Kolli Hills.

Keywords: Anoectochilus elatus, Dendrobium aquem, Kolli Hills, Survey, Phenology.