ETHNOBOTANICAL SURVEY AND ECOLOGICAL DISTRIBUTION OF DIPTERACANTHUS PROSTRATUS (POIR) NEES (ACANTHACEAE) IN SOUTHERN INDIA

Dipteracanthus prostratus (syn. Ruellia prostrata), a prostrate herb of the Acanthaceae family, is widely distributed across various habitats in India. Although traditional botanical literature and herbal practitioners have long recognized its medicinal value, comprehensive documentation of its ethnobotanical uses and ecological distribution in the Southern Indian landscape remains limited. This study aims to document indigenous knowledge associated with D. prostratus, including local medicinal uses, vernacular names, preparation methods, and cultural significance among tribal and rural communities of Southern India. In parallel, we map its ecological distribution across diverse ecosystems (deciduous forests, scrubland, and shaded plains), assess habitat preferences, and analyze environmental correlates of its occurrence. Field surveys, structured questionnaires, and ecological niche assessments were conducted across key districts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. This work provides critical baseline data to inform conservation strategies and supports the scientific validation and sustainable utilization of this under-studied medicinal species.