Status, Threats, Diversity and Distribution of Threatened Medicinal Plants of Kumaun Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India

The Himalaya is characterized by its bio-physical diversity and socio-cultural heritage, traditional systems and an ample quantity of indigenous knowledge. The present study attempts to comprehensively document the diversity of threatened plants of Uttarakhand. A total of 82 species belonging to 45 families, 69 genera of different habits such as herbs (58 species), shrubs (15 species) and trees (9 species) were recorded. Out of 45 families, Asteraceae, Apiaceae and Ranunculaceae (5 species each), followed by Lamiaceae and Orchidaceae (4 species each), Apocynaceae, Asparagaceae, Ericaceae, Liliaceae and Polygonaceae (3 species each) were the dominant families in the region. The present study compilation is aimed to serve as a comprehensive database especially for researchers, conservationists, foresters, pharmaceutical professionals as well as policy makers.