Jornal de Biodiversidade e Espécies Ameaçadas

Conservation Status of Cornus macrophylla: An Important Medicinal Plant from Himalaya

Abstract

Saira H, Bibi Y, Ilyas N, Iqbal M, Hussain M, Saeed M, Mazhar R, Zahoor M, Shaheen S and Safdar I

Cornus macrophylla is important traditional and endangered plant species of western Himalaya. In Pakistan it is found in Nandiar and Hillian sub-valleys of district Battagram in range of 1800-3000 m. It is also present in China, Japan, Afghanistan, and India from 1500-2700 m. C. macrophylla stem bark contains flavonoide ontents. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN), red list C. macrophylla lies in vulnerable category. However, C. macrophylla exists beneath criteria D of critically endangered species in Pakistan as only 47 full-grown plants were bring into being in diverse parts of district Battagram. There are a various threats behind the decrease in C. macrophylla number in western Himalayan which may include deforestation, over-exploitation and climate changes. Conservation strategies are required to protect plants of C. macrophylla. The fruit of C. macrophylla is being used for different ailments like malaria, allergy, infections, inflammation, diabetes, cancer and as lipid peroxidative so an effort should be taken to conserve this significant plant species with promising medicinal properties.