Assessment of Morphology, Ecology, and Distribution Pattern of Malaxis muscifera (Lindl.) Kuntze in Western Himalaya
摘要
Malaxis muscifera (family Orchidaceae) is an herbaceous plant utilized in the preparation of several Ayurvedic formulations like Jivani yaghrita, Mahakalyan ghrita, and Chyavanprash etc. The species is placed in the CITES Appendix II category because of unsustainable harvesting, anthropogenic pressure, habitat fragmentation and recent climate alteration events. However, the population and ecological status of M. muscifera have not been studied systematically in Uttarakhand to date. In the present study, attempts were made to explore and assess the population status of M. muscifera in Uttarakhand. The highest density (1.1 ind/m2) and contiguous distribution pattern (A/F 0.275) were recorded in the Madhmaheshwar population, while a low density (0.2 ind/m2) and contiguous distribution pattern (A/F 0.2) were observed in Sem Mukhem population among all studied sites. Likewise, Oak–Rhododendron forests and grassy slopes were found to be suitable habitats for the growth and development of M. muscifera. A comparative assessment of morphological characteristics demonstrated maximum plant height (32.46 ± 4.80 cm) in Dronagiri population. Likewise, maximum leaf length (11.19 ± 0.81 cm) and leaf width (5.80 ± 0.2 cm) of the plants were recorded in Sundardhunga and Phurkiya populations, respectively. Neighbor-joining (NJ) cluster analysis and principal component analysis exhibited the Madhmaheshwar population as the best performing population based on ecological and morphological characteristics. Findings from the study showed that M. muscifera has very low availability in the wild and therefore requires both in situ and ex situ conservation strategies for the conservation and management of this valuable species in nature.