Polygonatum cirrhifolium Royle and Polygonatum verticillatum (L.) Allioni: Status assessment and medicinal uses in Uttarakhand, India

Polygnatum verticillatum (Linn) All. and Polygonatum cirrhifolium (Wall.) Royle (Liliaceae) growing in the Himalayan region is assigned as vulnerable by International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). To elucidate the status of the plants in the Uttarakhand Himalaya population assessment of the species is done in the study region. The study area is divided into five sites (Kilburry, Jageshwar, Dunagiri, Chaubattia and Aboot mount) in Kumaun division and five sites (Bhavisya Badri, Tangnath, Dayara, Bharsar and Binsor) in Garhwal division. Population is accessed based on frequency, density, abundance and importance value index (IVI) of the plants in per square meter area following Mishra (1986). Threat assessment of species was done through six parameters (that is, habitat preference, distribution range, population size, use pattern, extraction trend and native area. Ethno-medicinal uses of the plants are also documented through interview and gathering with local informers/folk healers. Some conservation strategies are also suggested. Key words: International Health Regulations (IHR), population study, status, quadrat, sampling.