Rare and Endemic Orchids of Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve, South Western Ghats, India

Abstract

Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve (ABR) in the southern Western Ghats, is considered a significant biogeographical hotspot area of the world. High rates of endemism and recent discoveries from this area show that, ABR is an “Evolutionary Ecotone.” The hills and valleys of ABR are a repository of endemic orchids. A set of field studies in association with secondary data collection and interpretation of “Endemic orchids of Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve” has yielded several interesting specimens. This study resulted in the enumeration of 64 rare and endemic elements. A detailed checklist, descriptions, images, IUCN status and conservation measures of these species are presented here.