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Essay on Characteristics and Morphology of Dendrobium

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Orchidaceae, the second largest plant family, is the most diverse and highly evolved amongst angiosperms which constitute about 40% of the monocotyledonous taxa. The recent taxonomical studies imply that distinctly named varietal number of orchids fall very close to a total of 19,000 comprising 800 genera and 25,000 species (Lahaye et al., 2008). Orchids mostly comprise of epiphytes whose greatest diversity occurs in tropical and sub-tropical regions. India has a rich heritage of wild orchids in the world. It is estimated that nearly 1,600 species are found in India which constitute approximately 10% of world orchid flora. High humidity and low temperature accompanied by good rainfall makes Assam, Manipur, Western Ghat regions of the …show more content…

Within endemics, common terrestrial species with smaller flowers were identified. The regression analysis for orchids showed that rarity and inflorescence length contributed significantly to species discovery. Clearly, as evidenced by the recent spurt of discoveries in the Western Ghats, increased effort must be made to search for those orchid groups known to have higher levels of endemism. Strategic plans must be made to enable the accelerated discovery and conservation of endemic and rare species, followed by medicinal evaluation of both well-known and lesser known Dendrobium species.

Dendrobium species are commercially priced high due to its ornamental and medicinal value. In India, traditionally Dendrobium ovatum juice from stem have been in use for patients suffering from constipation and as an analgesic; whereas Dendrobium macrael is used for treating seminal discharges and snake bites. Many studies have demonstrated the beneficial activities of Dendrobium components like antioxidant, immune stimulating and antitumor potential (Ye and Zhao, 2002). Bruised leaves of Dendrobium teretifolium and young canes of Dendrobium discolor are used to relieve pain. Bulbs of Dendrobium speciosum is used as emergency food by Australian aborigines.
The crude Chinese drug called ‘Shi Hu’ is prepared from dried stems of Dendrobium which is widely used as an antipyretic, tonic to improve digestion, rehydration and to increase white cells in the blood. Of the

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