Of about 1350 species of orchids, belonging to 186 genera reported from India; Northeast India sustains the highest number with about 856 species. Amongst them, 34 species of orchids are identified among the threatened plants of India and as many as endemic to different states of this region. Out of the eight orchid habitat regions in India, the two most important areas namely; the Eastern Himalayas and the North Eastern Region fall within the political boundaries of North Eastern Region. Terrestrial orchids are located in humus rich moist earth under tree shades in North Western India. Western Ghats harbour the small flowered orchids. Native endangered and rare orchid species are used as genetic resources for unique germplasms, crop improvement program and herbal medicines.
L.C. De*
ICAR-NRC for Orchids, Pakyong, Sikkim (737 106), India
De, L.C., 2020. Varietal wealth in orchids. Biotica Research Today 2(4), 40-46.
De, L.C., Maitra, S., 2019. Floriculture and Landscape Gardening. Pointer Publisher, Jaipur, Rajasthan (ISBN: 978-81-7132-907-6). p. 254.
Nayar, M.P., Sastry, A.R.K., 1990. Red Data Book of Indian Plants. Botanical Survey of India Volume III.
Singh, F., 1990. Indian orchids. Indian Horticulture 35(1), 14-15.