Dwindling Numbers of Eremostachys superba Royle ex Benth. in its Type Locality: Mohand (Dehradun)

Abstract

An assessment of Eremostachys superba (Lamiaceae) was done in the type locality of Mohand (Dehradun) for its gradual decrease in the number from 100 to 25 in the last decades and only 7-9 plants at present. A regular visit has revealed that no flowering has been observed in the area from past two years and due to this no breeding has taken place which could result in further decrease in the number of the plants. The plant mainly breeds through cross pollination and no other population exists in the nearby area. But as no flowering has been observed in the area, the chances of self fertilization is also nil and it means that no propagation is taking place in the area. Further trampling of the plant by cattle grazing in the area has caused deterioration of the existing plants. The experiments carried out in the laboratory indicate that the seeds produced by the selfing have very poor germination percentage. As there is no other nearby population in the area, all the seeds that were produced in the earlier decades might have been the result of selfing and hence could not germinate under natural conditions. This strongly indicated occurrence of inbreeding depression and loss of fitness of the offspring right from the stage of germination, which is harmful for the perpetuation of the species and thereby leading to its rarity and making its conservation a challenge.