Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
(eISSN: 2229-4473)
Population status and ethnobotanical uses of an endangered and medicinally important orchid, Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D.Don) Soo in Ladakh, Northwestern Himalayas, India
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Research Articles | Published: 29 April, 2026
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Keywords: Ladakh, Cold desert, Ethnomedicine, Himalayas, Endangered
Abstract
Dactylorhiza hatagirea is a highly valued medicinal orchid of the Himalaya, widely used in traditional healthcare for treating cold, cough, fever, and as an aphrodisiac, yet its natural populations are declining due to increasing anthropogenic pressures. The present study aimed to assess the population structure, habitat preferences, and ethnobotanical uses of D. hatagirea across three major valleys of Ladakh. Field and ethnobotanical surveys were conducted at 15 sites representing diverse habitats. Results revealed that the species shows a strong preference for high-moisture environments including moist alpine meadows, riverine belts, and moist sloping grasslands. The population densities ranging from 1.16 to 1.96 individuals m⁻² in Nubra Valley, 1.20–2.53 individuals m⁻² in Drass Valley, and 0.33–3.03 individuals m⁻² in Suru Valley. The A/F ratios indicated largely random distribution patterns, except for one site in Suru Valley where a regular pattern was observed, and one way ANOVA showed significant variation in density among sites (F(14, 30) = 2.21, p = 0.034). Further PCA suggested that relatively undisturbed habitats support higher population densities. Considering the significant threats posed by overexploitation, habitat degradation, overgrazing, and landscape modification, urgent site-specific conservation and management interventions are necessary to protect D. hatagirea while sustaining traditional healthcare practices and meeting future pharmaceutical demands. Moreover, the development and implementation of in-situ propagation techniques are crucial for conserving this medicinally important terrestrial orchid, as such strategies can help alleviate pressure on wild populations and support long-term species survival.
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Author Information
Orchid Laboratory, Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India