Abstract
Paris polyphylla Smith is an important medicinal plant that is considered vulnerable in many parts of the world. The species exhibits poor adaptability to changed environment and susceptible to climatic conditions for reproductive vigor. During the present study the species was studied in four different natural niches as well as synthetic habitats to check the adaptability to artificial conditions, its morphological and physiological characters and its interaction in its community so that conservation strategies could be worked out. The present study indicates that P. polyphylla exhibits healthy growth as well as reproduction in undisturbed area with canopy covers over 80%. The plant grows in well-drained rich humus soil and grows well with certain key associated species such as Quercus species, Taxus baccata, Aconitum species, Eupatorium adenophorum, Smilax species etc. Many plants were non-flowering and more than 60% were found non-flowering in its habitat during its flowering season in any particular year. There are clear morphological changes as the flowers stages from pre-fertilization to post-fertilization. Arrangement of anthers in two whorls shows a distinct and unique floral display. Light is an important factor during seed setting and less than 50% shade lowers the seed productivity very significantly. Predators such as slugs and snails are found on the plant. Urgent conservation and new innovative ways are necessary to propagate this economically important plant to ensure its continuity.
Highlights
Plant reproductive biology and phenological studies are important for understanding and knowing the plant in itsHow to cite this paper: Deb, C.R., Jamir, S.L. and Jamir, N.S. (2015) Studies on Vegetative and Reproductive Ecology of Paris polyphylla Smith: A Vulnerable Medicinal Plant
In order to locate the species whose population is very thin, knowledge of the associated species is very important to locate the species of interest whose population otherwise is very difficult to locate
Paris polyphylla is an economically important medicinal plant and the species is under severe threat
Summary
Plant reproductive biology and phenological studies are important for understanding and knowing the plant in itsHow to cite this paper: Deb, C.R., Jamir, S.L. and Jamir, N.S. (2015) Studies on Vegetative and Reproductive Ecology of Paris polyphylla Smith: A Vulnerable Medicinal Plant. Plant reproductive biology and phenological studies are important for understanding and knowing the plant in its. (2015) Studies on Vegetative and Reproductive Ecology of Paris polyphylla Smith: A Vulnerable Medicinal Plant. American Journal of Plant Sciences, 6, 2561-2568. Paris polyhylla is categorized as sparse [4] in India but it is listed under vulnerable category in Nepal [5]. Paris polyphylla is an important medicinal plant containing saponin steroids polyphyllin D, dioscin and balanitin 7 [6]. Rhizome of the plant is used as antihelmintic, antispasmodic, digestive stomachic, expectorant and vermafuge [5], scabies, rashes, or itching problems [7], to treat liver cancer [6]. The roots are fed to cattle with diarrhea and dysentery [5]
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