Table 3 Ecology and status of priority species as obtained from survey
From: Ecological status of high altitude medicinal plants and their sustainability: Lingshi, Bhutan
Species | Location | Plants per m−2 | Altitude range (m) | Aspects | Associated species | Vegetation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dactylorhiza hatagirea | Lingshi, Naro | 0.4 | 3654–4629 | N- to NE | Bistorta macrophylla, Anemone rivularis and Nardostachys grandiflora in the Lingshi area, and with Aconitum orochryseum in Naro | Found in grassland (often with scattered Rhododendron, Salix and/or Juniperus) and dense herbaceous vegetation | Concerning |
Rhodiola crenulata | Yangtay, Chewla, Yakla, Boeza and Chewphu | 0.4 | 4685–5060 | SE- [through S] to NW- facing | Delphinium glaciale, Meconopsis horridula, Saussurea goaggypiphora, Chrysosplenium nudicaule, Eriophyton wallichii and Pleurospermum amabile | Found in grassland and other herbaceous vegetation on high-altitude boulder slopes with scree and moss | Occurred in very few sites |
Meconopsis horridula | Rocky slopes | 0.56 | 4466–5058 | SW- to NW-facing | Chrysosplenium nudicaule, Rhodiola crenulata, Saussurea gossypiphora and Eriophyton wallichii | Found in scree and patches of grasses, herbs and mosses | |
Meconopsis simplicifolia | Slopes and in valley b | 0.6 | 4022–4895 | Rubus sp. and Rhodiola sp | Found in shrubby vegetation and woodland | Patchy with high demand and scarce | |
Gentiana urnula | 1.3 | 4605–5035 | NW-facing | Eriophyton wallichii, and was also found with Gentiana urnula, Cremanthodium reniforme and Meconopsis horridula | Found in steep scree slopes (small-to medium-sized stones—mainly reddish sandstone) | ||
Fritillaria delavayi | 1.4 | 4466–4759 | SW- to W-facing | Eriophyton wallichii and often with Corydalis dubia and Gentiana urnula | Found in scree slopes | Scarce and difficult to collect | |
Corydalis dubia | 1.45 | 4294–5039 | SW- to NW-facing | Eriophyton wallichii, Cremanthodium reniforme, Fritillaria delavayi and Saussurea gossypiphora | Found in Grassland | Under threat | |
Neopicrorhiza scrophulariflora | Relatively widespread | 2.9 | 4060–4821 | N- to NE | Rhododendron anthopogon, Bistorta macrophylla and Thalictrum reniforme | Found in Rhododendron scrub and in small woodland clearings, often on mossy ground | |
Corydalis crispa | 3.3 | 3834–4851 | Polygonum sp. Eriophyton wallichii, Tanacetum nubigenum, Erysimum bhutanicum and Phlomis rotata | Found in fine and shallow gravels | |||
Delphinium glaciale | Boeza, Chewla and Lolung (Chewphu) | 4.5 | 4953–5060 | Commonly SE- to SW- but also NW-facing | Rhodiola crenulata, and also occurs with Eriophyton wallichii, Gentiana urnula, Stellaria decumbens and Saussurea spp | Found in scree slopes | Depleted |
Veronica celiata | Grazed grassland | 5.3 | 3774–4629 | SW- to SE-facing (or NE-facing) | Pedicularis oliverina, Anemone rivularis, Geranium pratense and Thermopsis barbata | Found in grazed grassland, sometimes with scattered Rhododendron and Juniperus | Occurs restricted, difficult although high value harvest seed sets |
Aconitum orochryseum | Churki, Sepchu, Walethang and Geshoy | 6.9 | 4191–4526 | SW-NW | Geranium refractum, Bistorta macrophylla, Pedicularis siphonantha | Found in heavily grazed grasslands | |
Saussurea gossypiphora | Scattered patches | 8 | 4516–5060 | Not specific | Chrysosplenium nudicaule, Meconopsis horridula, Rhodiola crenulata, Bistorta macrophylla, Corydalis dubia and Eriophyton wallichii | Found in grassland and other herbaceous vegetation on high-altitude boulder slopes with scree and moss | Collected by very few people |
Chrysosplenium nudicaule | Chewla, Yakla and Chewphu | 8.13 | 4455–5060 | Steep slope (NW to SW) | Meconopsis horridula, Saussurea gossypiphora and Rhodiola crenulata | Found in grassland and occasionally Rhodendron | |
Nardostachys grandiflora | Open grassland | 8.9 | 3824–4664 | NE-facing lesser degree E- and SE-facing | Bistorta macrophylla, Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Morina nepalensis, Onosma hookeri | Found in open grassland but also among sparse Rhododendron scrub | |
Onosma hookeri | Grassland with scattered Juniperus | 15.9 | 3813–4296 | SW- to SE-facing | Pterocephalus hookeri, Bistorta macrophylla, Anemone rivularis and Nardostachys grandiflora | Found in grassland with scattered Juniperus | Patchy and confined to narrow altitude range |