Evaluation of Horticultural Potential and Standardization of Cultivation Practices in the Less Exploited Wild Species, Gymnostachyum febrifugum (Acanthaceae), Endemic to Southern India

Abstract

More than 70% of the ornamental plant species grown in Indian gardens are of exotic origin, which directly or indirectly affect the existence of indigenous vegetation of the country. In the exploration to find out the possibilities of the still to be exploited indigenous species in gardens, Gymnostachyum febrifugum Benth. a herbaceous plant endemic to southern Western Ghats of India, is systematically evaluated here for its aesthetic potential. Very poor percentage of seed germination was found the major cultivation constrain. The highly condensed stem restricts vegetative propagation also. A successful vegetative propagation method using single noded stem sections and node splits with single axillary buds is developed. Being vegetative propagation means, it also helps to retain the selected desirable qualities uniformly through generations.