Project funded via the Global Botanic Garden Fund. Project completed: 2019

Development of an Ex-situ Conservation Garden of the threatened Western Ghats endemic genus ‘Humboldtia’Vahl (Family Fabaceae– Caesalpinioideae).

Project partner: M.S. Swaminathan Botanical Garden (MSSBG) of theM. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), Wayanad

Project goal

Ex-situ conservation is one of the methodologies for study and conservation of threatened species. One of the most effective ways of conservation is harnessing the horticultural potential of the threatened plants and thus popularizing them among public. The general role of botanic gardens in plant conservation has been widely accepted since the 1970s and many threatened plant species are now in well documented living collections and seed banks.

The recalcitrantnature of the seed of this particular genus Humboldtia makes it unsuitable for storing in conventional seed bank. Species of this genus are not well represented in ex-situ collections. It is therefore necessary to improve this representation and develop propagation protocols to enable population reinforcement in-situ. Thus, through this programme/ project we expect to achieve the long term goals of increasing the area of occupancy and extend of occurrence of the genus Humboldtia and in turn enhance the biota related with its various species.

The main objectives of the project are:

1. Propagation and multiplication of selected five species of Humboldtia for proper
   conservation
2. Establish a garden of Humboldtia genus at M S Swaminathan Botanical Garden
   (MSSBG)
3. Educate the public about the species endemism and its importance through the
   conservation of selected genus
4. Develop a nursery of the genus Humboldtiaspecies for insitu and exsitu conservation

Key achievements

The project successfully established a Humboldtia garden at the M S Swaminathan Botanical Garden by planting six species of this genus viz., H.bourdillonii Prain, H.brunonis Wall, H. decurrens Bedd. ex Oliver, H.sanjappae Sasi. & Sujanapal, H.vahliana Wight. and Humboldtia unijuga Bedd. var. trijuga Joseph & Chandr.

A total of 2813saplings of Humboldtia was produced at MSSBG nursery and out which 2400 were distributed.

Apart from the establishment of Humboldtia garden at MSSBG, we extended the conservation efforts to the public places. The seedlings of six species in Humboldtia were planted at various public places. Along with the saplings an indicator board explaining the importance of the species were also placed. Moreover, these species will be planted at various places at Western Ghat region as part of MSSBG’s program of restoration of sacred groves and other tree conservation efforts.