The document discusses wild orchid conservation efforts in Western Ghats, India. It describes the author's work cultivating and propagating over 3,500 orchid species, including conserving 60 wild orchid species. The author works to propagate species from seeds and return conserved plants back to nature. Government authorities have recognized the author's conservation work. The document also provides details on 16 rare and threatened orchid species found in the Western Ghats.

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POSSIBILITIES OF WILD ORCHID
CONSERVATION.
Sabu VU
Ambalavayal Wayanad,
09747349061

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AIMS OF THE STUDY
Introduction
As you all know the orchids are the largest families of flowering plants and they are
the superstars of the wild flower world. In this short time I would like to bring few
points of wild orchids before you. Preservation biological diversity maintenance of
a well-balanced ecosystem is so essential for our sustainability on this planet Almost
1000 species have been associated for the International Union for conservation of
nature Global Red List to date (IUCN 2017) and an alarming 56.5% of them fall into
the different categories of threat. Major threats include Habitat destruction
unsustainable harvesting of the rare plants. New species are still being discovered,
but named species continue to become extinct. As per the studies it have found that
nearly 76 varieties of wild orchids are available in the Western Ghats. It has been
estimated that many rare species disappear every year due to habitat destruction.
The topic of my dissertation is connecting with the tropical and the native orchid
species too. . My love and affection towards the beauty of nature, especially to
flowers made me and Orchid farmer. I cultivate more than 3,500 species of orchids
and conserve about 60 species of wild orchids in my home garden. My most
important aim was from the outset to propagation of botanical species from seeds,
because we like to maintenance and increase the collection respecting the
importance of genetic variability. The orchid collection of the Botanical Garden has
given an adequate background to the propagation and maintenance of endangered
orchid species considering not only our plant material but for other collectors and
institutions too, because here they can get assistance solving their propagation and
identification problems.
Aims of the experiments 1.
View of the efforts of the conservation of nature the first step meant for saving
orchids working up the different methods of international cooperation and accepting
the legal regulation. Not to be the only response on the human damage the
prohibition, there is always a curiosity in the people observing and taking photos of

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these specialty. The botanical gardens have an important role in this than the place
for the ex situ conservation. The cultivation of orchids in collections is a method for
gene protection and the knowledge about their needs in habitats and botanical
features mean the base of this.
2. Orchids have a very special lifestyle, its evidence also in their reproduction. In
nature orchid seeds, which have no stored food reserves can become plants only the
supporting of mycorrhizal associations. It isn't possibly the germination of seeds
among artificial conditions without the presence of symbiotic fungi (symbiotic seed
sowing) or without the nutrients obtained from the fungus (asymbiotic seed sowing).
The framework and the orchid collection of my home Garden give a base for the
propagation and maintenance of endangered orchids. During my work the most
important material for asymbiotic seed sowing the different seed sources. It's an
important role to clear which sources are reliable.
Why it should be conserved?
All most all type of normal and native orchids are presently available. When rare
plants are protected, distinctive populations of species are preserved along with their
genetic variation within their natural habitat. Because orchids are the most evolved
of all flowering plants, they are very site-specific and need optimum conditions to
thrive in a given ecosystem. The scientific research said that, if orchids are present
in an ecosystem, this is a good indicator of a healthy, functioning ecosystem.
Additionally, many orchid flowers and their habitats are beautiful, and provide
pleasure to those who seek out these unique members of the plant kingdom.
Discovering an orchid growing in the wild is an exciting experience. Once
discovered, the places where these rare, beautiful plants growing area and these
plants are sensitive to disturbance. Just visiting and admiring these plants in the wild
could potentially harm their chances of success. When visiting a site, don't spoil the
anther plants because some orchids can remain underground for several years, so
you may be disturbing the habitat of one plant while stooping to photograph another.
As per my view, year after year of this abuse may eventually destroy some of the
population.

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MATERIAL AND METHODS
I heard about the wild orchid importance and necessity in the world to
protect the plants. Wild orchid plants are beautiful gifts of nature growing in
diverse habitats around the world. While many orchids grow in tropical or sub-
tropical environments, many have adapted to harsh climates, including more in the
Western Ghats s. While many orchids grow in tropical or sub-tropical
environments, many have adapted to harsh climates, including more in the
Western Ghats. Read on for more native orchid plant, and I learn the growing native
orchids may be a good idea.
Wild orchids are very tiny, unlike the large, colorful ornamental hybrids seen
in cities and gardens. The majority of wild orchids in the Western Ghats are plants
with tiny flowers. The presence of wild orchids in an ecosystem is a good indicator
of a healthy ecosystem. It is impossible to tell exactly how many species of wild
orchids still live in their natural habitats. New species are still being discovered, but
named species continue to become extinct. As per the studies it has found that
nearly 72-76 varieties of wild orchids are available in Wayanad. It has been
estimated that hundreds of species disappear every year, usually because of
habitat destruction.
The Importance of wild Orchids Conservation
This planet is a treasure trove that hosts a plethora of unique species of flora and
fauna. This rich biodiversity, in addition to maintaining life on Earth, has evolved to
produce numerous indicators that reveal the ecological health of the planet. We
may neglect certain day-to-day plants, but many of them often hold untold
mysteries of nature. Among all, the charming wild orchids are one of the most
understudied flowering plants. In Western Ghats hosts thousands of these diverse
plant species, expanding our knowledge of orchids is of utmost importance.
The Wild orchids have incredible ability to adapt to new conditions and ecosystems
that other plants cannot survive. Therefore, this makes them one of the most
successful families of plants. Meanwhile, this ensures their growth and survival, the
chances of diversification or the formation of new species are also high. In other
words, orchids are very sensitive to changes in climate and ecosystems. The

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biological, material and cultural value of biological diversity conservation for
present and future generations is an important reason for conserving it today.
For coming future, this provides an opportunity to use orchids as a tool to study
the changes in ecosystems, environment, and climate.
Wild Orchids are sensitive to even the slightest disturbance to their habitat. With
the tremendous pressure on natural resources, particularly forest resources,
orchids and their habitats are constantly under threat, so the caring of the native
plants is very very important.
The conserved native orchid after the propagation the part of augmented wild
orchids back to planting near to the mother plant area without damaging the
environment and observing several months about the growth also documenting
the plant details. (Picture 02).
(Picture 02)
The District Principal Krishi Officer, Krishi Vigyan Kendra and Regional Agricultural
Research Station (RARS) Ambalavayal paid a visited and expressed his homage for
my work. The involvement of the government authorities popularized about my
garden to more and more people. Articles and videos started circling in social media
which escalated enquiries regarding wild orchids. "Agricultural Technology
Application Research Institute (ATARI)" selected for the Progressive contact farmer,
2021 for the conservation of wild orchids (Picture 03).The Farm Information Bureau
(FIB) under the Kerala State Agriculture Department, Farmers welfare departments
covered video about the importance of the wild orchids on December 2022.

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STOCK EXAMINATION OF RARE AND THREATENED ORCHIDS
Vanda Testacea
Vanda testacea
Vanda testacea is a species of orchid occurring from the Indian subcontinent to
Indochina at the elevations of 500 to 2000 meters. It is an epiphytic perennial. It
flowers in 6-20 flowered racemes. Flowers are yellow with a blue lip. Flowering
occurs between Januarys to May.
Cymbidium Aloifolium.
Cymbidium Aloifolium.
Cymbidium aloifolium, the aloe-leafed cymbidium, is a species of orchid found in
Asia, especially China and Southeast Asia from Burma to Sumatra. It can be found
growing between rocks or on another plant. Flowering occurs between Januarys to
May.

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Pholidota imbricata,
Pholidota imbricata,
Pholidota imbricata, commonly known as the common rattlesnake orchid or
necklace orchid, is a plant in the orchid family and is a clump-forming epiphytic or
lithophytic with crowded pseudobulbs. Flowering occurs between March and May.
luisia zeylanica
luisia zeylanica
Cylindrical-Leaf Luisia is an erect, clustered orchid found growing on trees. Stem
is up to 20 cm long. Leaves are 4-10 cm long, round in cross-section, pointed at tip,
fleshy, sheathing at base. Flowers are borne in condensed racemes, in leaf-axils.
Oblong. Cylindrical-Leaf Luisia is found in South Asia. In India it is found in Tamil
Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. Flowering occurs between March-August.

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Eria mysorensis
Eria mysorensis
Epiphytic herbs, pseudobulbs ovoid, swollen, compressed, reddish-brown. Leaves 2
to many at the apex of pseudobulbs, oblong-lanceolate, mucronate, to 15 x 3 cm.
Inflorescence from between the leaves Flowering occurs between Januarys to May.
Foxtail orchid India
Foxtail orchid India.
Rhynchostylis retusa (also called foxtail orchid) is an orchid, belonging to the Vanda
alliance. The inflorescence is a pendant raceme, consisting of more than 100 pink-
spotted white flowers. Flowering occurs between Januarys to May.

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Oberonia Mucronata.
Oberonia.
Oberonia, commonly known as fairy orchids,is a genus of flowering plants in the
family Orchidaceae. Orchids in this genus are epiphytic or lithophytic plants with
the leaves arranged fan-like, overlapping at the base and spreading near the tips.
Large numbers of tiny, short-lived, cup-shaped, non-resupinate flowers are arranged
on an arching flowering stem that emerges from the base of the uppermost leaf.
There are about 240 species occurring from tropical and southern Africa to the
Pacific. Flowering occurs between Januarys to May.
Cleisostoma tenuifolium.
Cleisostoma tenuifolium.
Tender Leaf Closed-Mouth Orchid is a miniature sized, warm growing epiphyte, 20-
30 cm long, with an erect stem completely enveloped by leaf bearing sheaths. Leaves
are many, linear, pointed, gradually narrowing below into the clasping base leaves.
The plant blooms in the spring and summer on an erect, 5 cm long, raceme-like,
several flowered inflorescence. Flowers are yellow. Tender Leaf Closed-Mouth
Orchid is found in India, Ceylon and Thailand.

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Fox brush Orchid.
Fox brush Orchid.
Aerides, known commonly as cat's-tail orchids and fox brush orchids, is a genus
belonging to the orchid family. It is a group of tropical epiphyte orchids that grow
mainly in the warm lowlands of tropical Asia from India to southern China to New
Guinea, The plant blooms in the spring and summer.
Dendrobium macrostachyum.
Dendrobium macrostachyum
Dendrobium macrostachyum, commonly known as the fringed tree orchid, is a
species of epiphytic orchid with long, narrow pseudobulbs that lose their leaves as
they mature, and up to three whitish to lime green flowers with a hairy labellum. It
is native to Australia, tropical Asia and eastern Malesia. Flowering occurs from
December to March.

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Coelogyne cristata Orchid,
Coelogyne cristata
Coelogyne cristata is an epiphytic orchid that comes from cool, moist areas of the
eastern Himalayas and Vietnam. Its genus name Coelogyne originates from two
Greek words,Coelogyne cristata has many short stems, which holds the fragrance
inside the flower ,white with a yellow spot on the lip. Its leaves are deep green and
narrow, long. Bulbs are the size of walnuts.This orchid blooms in the late winter.
Dendrobium eriiflorum.
Dendrobium eriiflorum
Found in Assam India, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Myanmar and Malaysia at elevations
of 800 to 2000 meters in subtropical valleys as a small sized, warm to cool growing
epiphyte on tree branches in bright light with clustered, fleshy at the base, attenuate
above, yellow stems enveloped by loose sheaths and carrying up to 9, deciduous,
oblong or lance late, obtuse leaves that blooms in the late summer and fall on a erect
to arching, 1.6 to 3.2" [4 to 8 cm] long, laxly, several [6 to 8] flowered inflorescence
with upside down flowers that open simultaneously.

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Gastrochilus,
Gastrochilus,
Found in the eastern Himalayas, Assam India, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Yunnan
and Hainan China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra and the Philippines in
evergreen lowland forests or primary montane forests at elevations of 200 to 2300
meters as a medium sized, cold to hot growing monmopodial epiphytic orchid with
a very short stem carrying strongly falcate, linear-lance late, acutely, unequally
bilobed apically leaves that blooms in the fall and winter on a very short to 2" The
lip is white with a bright yellow central patch and is fringed.
Cystorchis
Cystorchis
Cystorchis is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It has
21 currently accepted species native to New Guinea, Southeast Asia, and the islands
of the western Pacific.

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Plocoglottis
Plocoglottis
Plocoglottis is a genus of orchids (family Orchidaceae), native to Southeast Asia and
to various islands from the Andaman Islands to the Solomons, Flowering in April–
October.
Cypripedium Montanum,
Cypripedium
Cypripedium montanum is a member of the orchid genus Cypripedium. It is
commonly known as large lady's slipper, mountain lady's slipper, white lady's
slipper as well as moccasin flower. This latter is also the common name of
Cypripedium acaule. Flowering in April– October.

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Bulbophyllum careyanum
Bulbophyllum careyanum
Carey's Bulb-Leaf Orchid is an epiphytic orchid found in the Himalayas and
Vietnam in evergreen lowland forests. The plant has remote, spherical to oblong,
lightly grooved pseudobulbs with a single apical, oblong to linear oblong, leaf. The
plant blooms in the winter and spring on a basal, stout, brown, up to 23 cm long,
lateral to hanging, many flowered inflorescence. The inflorescences are covered with
many lance-shaped, brown bracts and carry foul smelling flowers with lance-shaped
floral bracts. Found Flowering: November.
Vanda pumila,
Vanda pumila
Vanda pumila is a small-sized species native to Asia. Although plants can reach a
good size, they bloom when they’re quite small, and the white or cream colored
flowers are long-lasting and fragrant. This species is hard to find and, let’s face it,
absolutely adorable. Flowering in April– October

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Polystachya concreta.
Polystachya concreta.
Polystachya concreta, commonly known as the Yellow Helmet Orchid, is a species
of orchid native to tropical and subtropical America, Africa and Asia. Flowering in
April– October.
Liparis viridiflora
Liparis viridiflora
Green-Flowered Liparis is a variable, small to medium sized, hot to cold growing
orchid found growing on trees, ground or rocks, occuring in broadleaf, evergreen,
lowland forests on highly eroded, stratified limestone cliffs and bluffs. Liparis is
found in the Himalayas and South India. . Flowering in April– October.

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Oberonia caulescens.
Oberonia caulescens.
Found on trees or rocks in forests at elevations and miniature to small sized, cool to
cold growing epiphyte or occasional lithophyte with winged stems carrying 4 to 5,
linear-ensiform, acute to acuminate, slightly fleshy, sessile, jointed leaves that blooms
in the spring through fall on an axillary, erect, subdense, verticillate towards the base,
terete, winged, many flowered inflorescence.
Angel orchid
Angel orchid
Found in southern India in lateritic plateaus and mountain grassy slopes at elevations
of 100 to 1200 meters as a miniature to small sized, hot to cool growing lithophyte
with 1 to 2 globose to ellipsoid tubers giving rise to a short stem carrying 1 to 2, basal,
flat against the substrate, coriceous, deep grass-green above, pale green beneath, 8
to 12 nerved, subopposite, orbicular-ovate, acute leaves that blooms in the spring and
summer on a terminal, erect, 2 to 8" [5 to 20 cm] long, longitudinally ribbed, few
flowered inflorescence and carrying mildly fragrant flower

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Acampe rigida
Acampe rigida
Found in, India, Nepal, Sri Lankha, western Himalayas, and the Philippines in tropical
valleys on shady cliffs on karst limestone outcrops and or on trees at the forests edge
at elvations of 300 to 800 meters as a large to giant sized, hot growing lithophyte or
occasional epiphyte with a stout, often branched stem carrying thick, stiffly ascending,
unequally yet minutely bilobed apically leaves that blooms in the spring and summer
on an erect, axillary, shortly branched, 6" [15 cm] long, stout, few to several flowered
inflorescence with fleshy flowers.
Porpax fibuliformis
Porpax fibuliformis
Found in northeastern India, Sikkim, Thailand and Laos at elevations of 300 to 500
meters as a mini-miniature sized, hot growing epiphyte with densely clustered,
depressed-lenticular pseudobulbs enveloped by a membrane that forms a reticulate
cage-like structure and carrying 2, apical, erect, oblanceolate to elliptic, subacute,
weakly reticulate, many veined, sessile, minutely ciliolate margined leaves that blooms
in the fall on a short, axillary, 2 flowered inflorescence.

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Bulbophyllum Odoratissimum
Bulbophyllum odoratissimum
Bulbophyllum odoratissimum is a species of orchid in the genus Bulbophyllum,
Multiple-growth plants. Found in Assam, eastern Himalayas and India, in evergreen
lowland forests and primary montane forests This is one of the few Bulbophyllum that
actually smells good! Sweet fragrance. These plants grow very well. Blooms in the
spring and summer on a basal.
Pteroceras teres
Pteroceras
Pteroceras is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It is
native to China, the Indian Subcontinent, and Southeast Asia. And lower montane
forests, warm to cool growing epiphyte with an unbranched stem carrying resupinate,
fragrant, short-lived flowers.

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Podochilus Khasianus
Podochilus Khasianus
Found in the eastern Himalayas, Assam, Bangladesh and in forests along streams on
trees as a miniature to small sized, hot to cool growing epiphyte with subterete, tufted,
ascending, leafy stems enveloped completely by sheaths and carrying many,
distichous, slightly dark brown when dried, narrowly oblong to narrowly oblong-
lanceolate, often more or less falcate, somewhat fleshy, articulate, incurved margins,
acuminate to acute apically, narrowing below into the amplexicaul, tubular base
leaves that blooms in the summer on a terminal or lateral; flowered inflorescence with
ovate-lanceolate.
Oberonia Falcata
Oberonia Falcata
Found in the eastern Himalayas, in tropical valleys as a mini-miniature to small sized,
cool growing epiphyte with a flexuose stem enveloped completely by imbricating leaf-
bearing sheaths carrying 5 to 6, linear-ensiform, falcate leaves that blooms in the
summer and early fall on an erect, subverticillate, terete, densely many flowered
inflorescence with lanceolate, acute, hyaline, erose floral bracts.

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Vanda Spathulata
Vanda Spathulata
Found in southern India and Sri Lanka in low brush at elevations as a large sized, hot
growing, vine-like, scrambling terrestrial and as such is singular in the genus with long,
leafy stems carrying distichous, recurved, coriaceous, reddish green, sometimes
spotted on the upper surface, unequally bilobed leaves taht blooms in the spring and
again in the fall on axillary to lateral.
Praecoxanthus aphyllus
Praecoxanthus aphyllus
Praecoxanthus aphyllus, commonly known as leafless orchid, is the only species of the
flowering plant genus Praecoxanthus in the orchid family, Orchidaceae and is endemic
to the south-west of India. Plants in flower lack a true leaf, although those plants that
are not flowering do possess a green leaf.

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Oberonia Falconeri
Oberonia Falconeri
Falconer's Oberonia is an orchid which grows hanging underneath the branches of its
host plant. Leaves are lance-shaped, 3-8 cm long, with pointed tips. Flowers are born
in slender raceme, 5-15 cm long. Greenish- yellow flowers, 1.5 mm across, are spirally
arranged. Sepals and petals are 1.2 mm, yellow. Greenish yellow lip is 2 mm, 3-lobed
- mid lobe 3-5 times as long as lateral lobes. Falconer's Oberonia is found in the
Himalayas, as well as in Western Ghats. Flowering: September-October.
Dendrobium ovatum orchids,
Dendrobium ovatum
The Dendrobium ovatum orchid is endemic to the Western Ghat region of Southern
India and flowers in winter, from November to February.

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Dendrobium herbaceum Lindl
Dendrobium herbaceum Lindl
The Dendrobium herbaceum Lindl orchid is endemic to the Western Ghat region of
Southern India, The white colored flowers of this sympodial orchid usually bloom in
the months of January-May.This bushy leafless epiphyte with its inflorescence having
innumerable flowers sitting high on trees being the highlight helping in identification
of this species. The typical size of the flower is less than a centimeter in width and
when observed closely the greenish lip or labellum is seen.
Dendrobium aqueum
Dendrobium aqueum
Dendrobium aqueum is a species of orchid endemic to southern India. It is found in
the upper reaches of Western Ghats. The white colored flowers of this sympodial
orchid usually bloom in the months of January-May

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Dendrolirium ferrugineum
Dendrolirium ferrugineum
Found in India and Bhutan at elevations of 800 to 1800 meters as a small sized, warm
to cool growing epiphyte with a thick creeping rhizome giving rise to stem-like,
cylindric, 5 noded, branched pseudobulbs enveloped by sheaths and carrying 2, apical,
narrowly oblong-elliptic to elliptic, acute to subacuminate, coriaceous, gradually
narrowing below into the grooved, petiolate base leaves that blooms in the spring on
a basal, racemose, tomentose, to 6.4" [to 16 cm] long, laxly 5 to 10 flowered
inflorescence enveloped by lanceolate, acuminate, tomentose sheaths and has ovate,
acute, reflexed, tomentose floral bracts.
Cymbidium finlaysonianum,
Cymbidium finlaysonianum
Cymbidium finlaysonianum is a species of Cymbidium found in Asia. Plants are found
growing on large trees and old rubber trees, rockey cliffs, and in limestone soil in South
East Asia, Plant should be grown in warm areas with medium light. Pot with bark and
perlite. Plant prefers dry periods between watering. Reduce watering during the
winter. Water about once a week. Plant can also be mounted.This plant grows
outdoors in full sun. On tree stumps under monsoon rains from November to end of
February

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Papilionanthe vandarum
Papilionanthe vandarum
Papilionanthe vandarum is native to Northeast India near Myanmar. In India, this
orchid, which is one of the most chilling species of this genus. It is a large sized, cool
growing, erect to pendant growing epiphyte that forms large masses of branching,
hanging, flexuous stems carrying suberect, terete, acuminate, sulcate 13-18 cm long
and 0.3 cm in diameter leaves with the leaf bases being longitudinally grooved.
Rhynchostylis retusa
Rhynchostylis retusa
Rhynchostylis retusa is an orchid, belonging to the Vanda alliance. The inflorescence
is a pendant raceme, consisting of more than 100 pink-spotted white flowers. The
plant has a short, stout, creeping stem carrying up to 12, curved, fleshy, deeply
channeled, keeled, retuse apically leaves and blooms on an axillary pendant to 60 cm
(24 in) long, racemose, densely flowered, cylindrical inflorescence that occurs in the
winter and early spring. It is famous for its use as an hair-ornament worn by Assamese
women during folk dance Bihu on the onset of spring

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Rigid Aeridesas
Rigid Aeridesas
Rigid Aeridesas is a miniature to small sized, hot growing orchid growing on trres. It
has a short stem carrying rigidly leathery narrow leaves. The plant blooms in the spring
and summer on an axillary, stout, erect to ascending, rarely branched, dull purple,
furrowed inflorescence, up to 20 cm long. The inflorescence is densely many flowered,
carrying fragrant flowers pale purple flowers. Rigid Aerides is found in the Western
Ghats.
Dendrobium lindleyi
Dendrobium lindleyi
Dendrobium lindleyi (is a relatively small species of epiphytic orchid from the
mountains of Southeast Asia. Native to deciduous forests from northeast India
Western Ghats, it produces spectacular showers of golden flowers.

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Luisia tenuifolia
Luisia tenuifolia
Slender-Leaved Luisia is an orchid which grows on trees. Stem is long slender, leaves
4-7 inches long. Flowers are few, large, with petals narrow, twice as long as the ovate
concave sepals, yellowish-green, stained with red. Slender-Leaved Luisia is found in
the Western Ghats.
Coelogyne nervosa
Veined Coelogyne
Veined Coelogyne is a small to medium sized, cool to cold growing epiphyte with
flowers that are extremely attractive with pristine, velvet-like white and the glowing
orange/yellow in the center. The flowers are about 5 cm across and very fragrant..
Pseudobulb are subglobose to ovoid, wrinkled. Veined Coelogyne is found in Western
Ghats and Myanmar in lower and upper montane forests.

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Birch Luisia
Birch Luisia
Birch Luisia is an orchid up to 40 cm tall, growing on trees. Leaves are 15-25 cm long,
2 mm wide, linear, blunt. Flowers are brownish, in leaf-axils, lateral sepals oblong-
lance shaped, blunt, keeled, 3-veined. Petals are linear, somewhat pointed, blunt, 3-
veined; lip 16 x 7 mm, elliptic-oblong, tip 2-lobed, with 2 lateral smaller, fleshy ridges
on the lip. Birch Luisia is found in Peninsular India. Flowering: July-September.
Cottonia Peduncularis Bee Orchids
Cottonia Peduncularis Bee Orchids
Cottonia is a monotypic genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae:
the only known species is Cottonia peduncularis. It is native to India and Sri Lanka, The
inflorescence is noticed to be wiry and growing quite long. Sometimes reaching to
length of 3-4 feet. Presence this long inflorescence helps in identifying this species
even when it is not in flower.

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Wild Orchids conservation initiatives.
Wild Orchid collection activities are concerning about the part of conservation. The
identification of specific orchid habitats that are endangered is a chief concern. The
greater public awareness and responsible for managing and administering natural
orchid habitats is a necessity. Further, encouraging to studies and public to know
the importance of wild orchid in the environments is one of its top priorities. The
orchid family displays a diversity matched by few other plant families. Such
important diversity can only be protected by actions at the local level. By providing
accurate information in a timely fashion, I am vigilant and active in the conservation
of sensitive habitat. Protection of the wild orchid species and genera that are truly
"threatened" or "endangered" based on the most accurate available scientific and
technical information and data. Ensuring a diverse genetic pool of orchids in both
natural habitats and under artificial cultivation.
Finally, I reached my activity named as “Collection conservation & augmentation”.
One of the main threats or the reasons for the declining number of native
orchids is habitat destruction and fragmentation. This happens due to land-use
changes for various activities and it is not only the orchids which are threatened
here, the associated flora and fauna are also in decline. Fragmentation of habitats
results in loss of species, change in processes such as pollination, and they may not
support an assemblage of species. Overexploitation has also been a major threat,
especially the rare native orchid’s l. So I thought they have to conserve the native
orchid species in importance.
Growing Native Orchids Of the many native orchid species growing in Western
Ghats s, nearly 60 percent are listed as endangered or threatened on the state level.
This means that removing wild orchid plants from their habitat is not only
destructive but may be illegal. While most native orchids have never been
abundant, they are more challenged than ever before, primarily to habitat loss and
climate changes in specific microclimates. So I collected all the endangered or
threatened wild orchids. This native orchid that made too available in my yard to
the public and the students’.

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I am observed that many of the coffee plantations and the some of the estate
harbor numerous orchids, and when the trees are either pruned or felled for
various reasons, in all probabilities you have seen the last of these orchids. I
understood that the lack of concern and absence of rehabilitation program in such
cases is a death knell for those orchids. First of all, to conserve something, we
should know what we have and where we have it that is the major challenge and
taking timely actions to conserve of the wild orchids. Considering the orchid wealth
of the Western Ghats, which extends to the nearby the states of Kerala. I aim to go
the conservation of orchids in the nearby region. The role of the conservation
should be to develop a protocol and mass multiplication of identified species. Also,
establish good knowledge about the importance of native orchid in Public through
face to face.
Habitat destruction is the biggest threat to wild orchids. More orchid species exist
in rainforests than in other regions, and millions of acres of rainforest are destroyed
every year for timber, farming, mining, and other development. I observed that
many orchids are fallen due to wind, rain, storms, and human activities. Once fallen,
they cannot survive without the support of a tree. “I started putting them back on
trees. I sheltered all these under an umbrella named as WILD CROWN (Picture 01).

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(Picture 01)
I also collected some plants grown on rocks and rock fissures. Some bloomed,
others still alive with us and made me curious for observation about their lifestyle
and so now those are precious with my hands. My committed effort with reference
to identification and conservation of wild orchids in my Districts and nearby areas.
I am sheltering more than 54 species of wild orchids and doing conservation ,
multiply and put the wild orchids back to its native without any damage to the
environment in an around Wayanad.
Strategies were adopted for control the overexploitation of the resources
The worst crime against native orchids is poaching, the human exploration of the
forest and new construction. Some are dissatisfied with seeking orchids to view in
their natural environment and transplant these plants to their yards or Sell them to
nurseries for a high price because they don't know the proper care and the
importance of the native orchids. Obviously, most of the orchids are destroyed
because of those improper handling of the plants, but other detrimental effects
may be less obvious. First of all, removing plants from their natural habitat doesn’t
allow anyone else to enjoy their beauty. Secondly, since orchid habitats are so
sensitive, they typically die several years after being transplanted into a garden.

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Not only does this kill the individual plant, it also destroys its chances for
reproduction. Otherwise, we need to create the natural climate in our yards.
The presence of wild orchids in an ecosystem is a good indicator of a healthy
ecosystem to the world. Orchids are highly evolved plants, with each species
developed to thrive in its particular site. Even small disturbances of the habitat can
have a huge effect on resident orchids. Most orchid collectors believe that habitat
destruction is the biggest threat to wild orchids. More orchid species exist in
rainforests than in other regions, and millions of acres of rainforest are destroyed
every year for timber, farming, mining, and other development. Unfortunately,
many collectors rush to harvest all available specimens of wild orchids in any area
they fear is threatened, which only guarantees that those particular species will
become extinct in the wild.
Orchids were potted in tree trunks according to the size of the plants. Plants were
grown fixed to coconut husk, tree trunks, etc. Charcoal pieces, dried coconut husks,
broken bricks etc. were also used as a potting medium. Holes were put in Orchid
pots so that roots are allowed to grow out. The collected orchids were then planted
in the garden, and the tree trunks. We named the planted wild orchid tree trunks
as wild crown.
So long as climate change does not make conditions unsuitable for species,
conserving the habitats where orchids and, for epiphytes, their host trees grow
should be treated as the highest priority, and some countries have established
reserves specifically for orchids. The relationship between epiphytic orchids and
their host trees, and made public aware about the special attention to rare orchids
of different species through the expertise.
Suggestions for the plant conservation,
My focus on collection conservation and augmentation of natural habitat of wild
orchids and their preservation. I have identified and restored about 60 species of wild
orchids in my home garden. Restored orchids were tagged and cared over about 16
months. The success rate of restored orchids was 90%. My project of then rightly
suggested rescue and Restoration of Fallen orchids is a conservation tool for our
habitats. Preventing the orchid’s loss which resulting in natural and anthropogenic

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disturbances. This amazing results were presented in many local Medias and also
shared in many floors of teachers and students. At this moment I would like to
suggest to educate the public about biodiversity in ecosystems and the threats they
face and opportunities to restore its conservation and importance.
 In-situ Conservation
 Ex-situ Conservation
 All the varieties of rare plants should be identification and conserved in a
scientific manner.
 Publicize initiative to all institutions that promote the protection and
restoration of biodiversity.
 Prevention of Poaching and hunting of wild plants.
 Deforestation should be strictly prohibited.
 The endangered species of plants should be conserved in their nature as well
in artificial habitats.
 Increase the number of botanical gardens and parks without spoiling the
natural habitat.
 The rare species of slow growing plant should be identify and increase the
number of such plants through the tissue culture techniques.
 Encourage and support local government initiatives that protect habitat and
address the threats to biodiversity
 Educating the public about the importance of biodiversity, in the ecosystem
and the threats and the opportunities to restore and conserve
 Reduce the waste and promote the recycling of consumer goods.
Future aspect
Orchid diversity can be saved from extinction only if earnest measures are undertaken
on a war footing for conserving their natural habitats. Extensive study is still needed
before orchid species can be completely recommended for part of biodiversity and
therapeutic purposes. Medicinal orchids have received very little attention in terms of
commercial cultivation. Only with human assistance can species that have been
threatened as result of human actions survive. Plant tissue culture might be one of
most effective alternatives for reducing strain on medical orchid populations and

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ensuring their long-term viability Till now, only some the Wild (Life) Protection Act,
1972, restricting collection from forests. All the species of the Orchidaceae family
should be included in the Act for better protection. Orchids must be protected through
in situ and ex situ conservation for long-term survival in their natural habitats. Orchid
seed banks and germplasm banks should be established. By creating orchid
conservation areas, tourists, college students and local people can be made aware of
this plant wealth and its significance. With the support of the stakeholders, it may be
easy to conserve this rare plant wealth.
The need for Wild Orchid conservation is paramount if we are obliged to hand over
the planet to future generation with rich and wildly fascinating Orchid Legacy that we
all enjoy today. Without effective conservation actions the process of threat will
continue and the survival of orchids resulting in their fate will be and inevitable
extinction.