Status of Two Threatened Astavarga Herbs, Polygonatum cirrhifolium and Malaxis muscifera, in West Himalaya: Conservation Implications

Populations of Polygonatum cirrhifolium (Wall.) Royle and Malaxis muscifera (Lindl.) Kuntze are restricted to small pockets and are subject to destructive harvesting (rhizomes/pseudobulbs) from wild. Being under high threat categories considering habitat specificity, population size, utilization and extraction trends, both the species need conservation interventions. This study in Kumaun West Himalaya reveals that in the case of P. cirrhifolium the maximum density (6.33 individual/m2) was reported for the Burphu population, whereas for M. muscifera the maximum density (1.75 individual/m2) was reported for Kathaliya population. No significant (p < 0.05) relationship was found between altitude and studied phytosociological parameters and morphological parameters in both the targeted species. Principal component analysis-based analysis identified population of Gagar (P. cirrhifolium) and Kathaliya (M. muscifera) to be best performing populations and moist habitat is appropriate for the growth and development of these species. These populations can, therefore, be used for mass propagation and cultivation to meet the demand for commercial purposes.