Ecological status of three Angiosperms (Alysicarpus bupleurifolius var. hybridus DC, Hibiscus hoshiarpurensis and Ceropegia bulbosa Roxb. var lushii) in Punjab (India)

Abstract

Around the world, several plant species are fighting for their survival in the new urbanized world to which they are not adapted to and these species face a significant risk of extinction in the near future. Such species are categorized as “threatened species” in the IUCN redlist. In India, there are several herbaceous plant species that are getting pushed to those zones of existence and the scenario is no different in the northwestern state of Punjab where changes in the land cover use has been challenging the survival of several plant species including a few natives. This article focuses on existing knowledge base on the three angiosperm species in Punjab, Alysicarpus bupleurifolius var. hybridus DC and Hibiscus hoshiarpurensis and Ceropegia bulbosa Roxb. var lushii, that have been identified by Punjab Biodiversity Board as threatened in the state. It is important to understand here that comprehensive information on geographic distribution, ecology and threats to these species is lacking on global databases and even the threat status is apparently ambiguous. Alysicarpus bupleurifolius var. hybridus DC, which has been identified as endemic herb in the state, is listed as endangered species by Punjab Biodiversity Board, however the variety itself has not yet found its place in the IUCN redlist. The species, Alysicarpus bupleurifolius, is listed as the Least Concern species in the IUCN red list. Similarly, the global IUCN status of Hibiscus hoshiarpurensis, another herb identified as endemic to the state, is not known however the species is listed as threatened by the Punjab Biodiversity Board. According to The Plant list (database maintained by The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Missouri Botanical Garden), the plant species status is still unresolved. Ceropegia bulbosa Roxb. Var lushii, that has a distribution in a few states of India, has been identified as threatened on regional scale however the species has not yet been assessed for the IUCN Redlist.