Floristic Elements Depletion at Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India with Special Reference to the Threatened Medicinal Flora

Largely plant-based, traditional medicinal systems continue to provide primary healthcare to more than three-quarters of the world’s population. Plant-derived medicines are used in all cultures and, as such, plants have always played a key role in healthcare. Traditional medicines are widely used across India. Scientific knowledge of these uses varies with some regions, such as Eastern Uttar Pradesh state, India, being less reported. The plants being used are increasingly threatened by a variety of pressures and are being categorized for conservation management purposes. The present study describes the floristic elements depletion of Prayagraj district, Uttar Pradesh, India, with special reference to the threatened and endangered medicinal plant species. Altogether, 27 such floral species have been recorded in this study, facing different levels of threats of the genera - Asparagus, Argyreia, Ceropegia, Chlorophytum, Costus, Gloriosa, Rauvolfia, Urginea etc., which are in immediate danger of extinction and need protection and rehabilitation. Keywords: Biodiversity, Threatened flora, Traditional medicine, Prayagraj