Diversity and Phytosociological analysis on medicinal plants

We assessed medicinal plants for sustainable utilization and conservation in Maredumilli area located in Rampachodavaram Forest Range in north-central region of the Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh India. Thirty quadrates of size 20 x 20 m for trees 5 x 5 m for shrubs and climbers and 1 x 1 m for herbs were laid down randomly for assessing medicinal plants. A total of 317 plant species belonging to 249 genera and 95 families were identified from the study area. Many of these medicinal plants have been found to be rare and thus need urgent conservation. We suggest Maredumilli area is suitable for in-situ conservation of medicinal and other economically and ecologically important plant species. Moreover threatened plant species need to be conserved in ex-situ sites like botanical parks and experimental gardens.