Plant Checklist of Sanjay gandhi National park

 

Calanthe triplicata (Willemet) Ames

Description: A robust, evergreen terrestrial orchid with large, pleated leaves and showy white flowers. The plant typically reaches heights of 50–100 cm. Roots / Pseudobulbs: The plant has short rhizomes and pseudobulbs that are small and partially buried. Roots are fleshy and fibrous, emerging from the base. Leaves: Large (up to 60 cm long), basal, lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, prominently plicate (pleated), soft-textured, and bright green. Flowers: Numerous white flowers borne on a tall, erect raceme (inflorescence up to 1 m tall); lip (labellum) is 3-lobed, with central lobe often yellow or orange near the base; spur short. Flowers are fragrant and bloom typically after the monsoon season.

Distribution (World & India): Global: Widespread across tropical and subtropical Asia, Pacific Islands, northern Australia, and parts of East Africa. India: Found in the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Northeastern states, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Altitude range: From near sea level up to ~2,000 m above sea level. Prefers shaded, moist forests and humus-rich soils.

IUCN Status / Conservation: Not currently assessed in detail by IUCN globally, but regionally it may face threats due to habitat loss, deforestation, and over-collection in some parts. Not listed as endangered or threatened at national level in India, though local populations can be vulnerable.

Medicinal Properties & Traditional Uses (in India): Calanthe triplicata is used traditionally in several tribal and folk medicinal systems, especially in Northeast and Southern India. While not a major plant in classical Ayurveda, it is valued locally for specific ailments.

Chemical Constituents: Limited modern phytochemical analysis is available, but species of Calanthe are known to contain: Phenanthrenes and bibenzyl derivatives (common in Orchidaceae); Alkaloids, flavonoids, and various glycosides (reported from related species)

Pharmacological / Therapeutic Effects:

Use	Details / Mode of Use
Wound healing	Crushed fresh leaves applied topically on cuts, sores, and skin infections.
Anti-inflammatory	Used externally to reduce swelling; root paste sometimes applied to inflamed areas.
Fever	Decoction of root or leaves taken for mild fevers in some tribal practices.
Diarrhoea / Dysentery	Root decoction used as an astringent and to ease digestive discomfort.
Snake/insect bite	Folk use includes topical application of leaf paste as a first-aid remedy.
Bone health/fracture aid	In some parts of Northeast India, the plant is used in combination with other herbs to aid bone setting.

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How it’s Used (Preparation, Parts, Varieties): Part used: Mostly roots and leaves. Preparation: Fresh leaf juice or paste applied topically. Root decoctions are used internally in small amounts under traditional guidance. Varieties: No officially recognized varieties, though appearance may vary slightly by region. Taste / Potency: Taste described as mildly bitter or astringent in folk medicine; cooling effect.

Dose/caution: Used in small quantities. Not commonly ingested in large doses; more often used topically. Limited toxicity data is available; precaution is advised. Use typically under the guidance of local traditional healers.

Uses in India (Examples): Used in tribal medicine systems in the Andaman Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, and parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Example practices include: Tribal communities in Arunachal Pradesh: Use root decoction for stomach ailments and wound healing. Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Leaf paste used for skin infections and cuts. Southern India (Western Ghats): Applied in folk bone-healing mixtures with other forest herbs.

Status & Conservation: While not globally endangered, local populations may be at risk due to habitat degradation and overcollection. Orchids are slow to regenerate from seed and are sensitive to microhabitat changes. Conservation through forest protection and habitat restoration is essential. Potential for cultivation exists but is limited by propagation challenges (due to mycorrhizal dependence).