Abstract

Heracleum candicans wall, a Himalayan native and cosmopolitan medicinal plant species being a potential source of Xanthotoxin, has great demand in drug industries. Rampant unsustainable commercial harvesting coupled with other biotic pressures synergistically posed a severe threat to its existence in natural habitats and thus, registered as endangered species of Himalayan region. We assessed this species for its occurrence and availability in natural habitats and especial emphasis was given to understand inter-population variability in this plant with regard to morphological characteristics, biomass and seed germination behavior. Six populations lying along attitudinal gradients (2200 - 3700 m above mean sea level) in two geographically distinct valleys (Parvati and Kullu) in district Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India, were assessed. Results revealed that the species occurs in different habitats, most preferably in rocky crevices, open dry slopes, humus rich moist areas and along water channels, indicating its wide adaptability and thus, arouses high possibilities for its cultivation in a range of agro-climatic conditions. In spite of endangered status, the plant density is well enough in study area. Further, the species exhibits a high degree of inter-populations variation (P < 0.05) prominently in seed size (seed length and width), biomass and germinability which ranged from 14.67 - 82.33% across populations. Based on the assessment, elite population was identified for mass multiplication and cultivation. Overall, the implications of these results in strengthening existing propagation protocol and agro techniques and in formulating effective conservation measures for overall sustainability of the species have been suggested.

Key words: Patrala, medicinal herb, occurrence, availability, conservation, seed, morphology, biomass, germination and Himalaya.