Medicinal Plant Garden

Conscinium fenestratum.

Conscinium Fenestratum.

MSSRF, CAbC had initiated medicinal plant conservation programme since 1998 in Wayanad with the aim of conserving and revitalising traditional healthcare practices. The centre conducted studies on medicinal plants in Wayanad district and documented more than 629 species in which 27 species face threat of extinction and 68 species are of Western Ghats endemic. The documentation of ethno-botanical practices of tribal communities of Wayanad District is another important achievement. Ethno-botanical studies show that major five tribal communities use over 300 medicinal plant species for their primary healthcare and traditional veterinary practices. MSSRF has taken effort to conserve these species in a garden. It spreads over more than two hectares of land and conserves and exhibit 449 species of medicinal plants reported from South Western Ghats. This includes medicinal trees, herbs, shrubs, tubers and climbers. There are 44 endemic and 20 threatened medicinal plant species conserved in the garden. Along with the conservation activities centre has been initiated various programs like awareness classes, medicinal plant ex-situ garden and primary health care training programs for the selected groups of Wayanad District.

Dhanwanthari medicinal plant exhibitory at MSSBG