ABSTRACT
Global distribution of the species is recorded in India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Within Indi, it is seen in the southern states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh up to an altitude of 1,600 m. Based on the survey and exploration as well as herbarium and literature studies, about 1,500 species of flowering plants and few hundreds of Pteridophytes, Bryophytes, Lichens and Fungi have been identified as threatened. Most of the metals and minerals also require herbs for their purification and incineration processes. Depletion of forest area and medicinal plants finally lead to the disappearance of classical prescriptions from the clinical practices and industry is being subjected to a critical situation to process even their proprietary medicines.
