Common threatened medicinal plants of Odisha, India: diversity, traditional uses and conservation perspectives

Odisha, located on the eastern coast of India, is recognized as one of the floristically rich states of the country owing to its varied physiography, climate and cultural traditions. The state harbours a remarkable diversity of medicinal plants that form the backbone of traditional healthcare systems such as Ayurveda, folk medicine and indigenous healing practices. However, increasing anthropogenic pressures, habitat loss, overexploitation, climate change and lack of sustainable management have pushed many valuable medicinal plant species towards threatened categories. The present study provides a comprehensive account of some common threatened medicinal plants of Odisha, India, with particular emphasis on their habit, family affiliation and traditional medicinal uses. Based on secondary data compiled from published literature, highlighting some threatened tree, shrub, herb and climber species such as Saraca asoca, Rauvolfia serpentina, Pterocarpus santalinus, Cycas species and several others that play a crucial role in human health and local livelihoods. The study discusses methodological approaches for documenting threatened medicinal plants, analyzes their ethnomedicinal significance and evaluates conservation challenges. Future research directions and conservation strategies were proposed to ensure sustainable utilization and long-term survival of these invaluable biological resources.