Endemic orchids of Northeast India

Abstract

The northeastern states of India are the treasure house of biological wealth of the country. They are a high-priority area for investment of the world’s leading conservation agencies. In this chapter, efforts have been made to review the endemic orchid flora available within the political boundaries of these states. There are 127 species, and 6 varieties belonging to 52 genera are endemic to this region. Of these, 79 (62.2%) species are epiphytic, 40 species (31.49%) are terrestrial, and 7 (5.51%) species are holomycotrophic (saprophytic). The highest concentration lies in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. Interestingly, these states are very rich in orchid genetic resources. Threat assessment for the majority of orchid flora occurring in this region has not been made yet. The orchid flora of this region need to be assessed based on the latest IUCN criteria. Priority for conservation should be decided. Research efforts need to be directed at understanding population biology, population genetics, ecology, and mass multiplication technology for protection of these species in nature as well as bringing them into cultivation.