Forester Jai Prakash has spotted the endangered orchid eulophia dabia (eulophia campestris) which is valued for its medicinal properties from the jungles of Chilla range in Haridwar.
The Forestry Research Institute chief conservator of forests (Biodiversity and Research) SK Singh said that this rare plant which is also called Saalam Mishri, is about a foot high and has white flowers.The bulbs of this plant are valued for medicinal properties which are also mentioned in the Ayurveda texts. This medicinal herb is used for blood purification, as a general tonic and for treating sexual disorders. Singh said that he was first informed about the sighting of this plant at Chilla range by Jai Prakash.
"I visited the site and issued instructions for facilitating protection of this endangered flora," he said, while adding that efforts are also being made to find this plant at Haridwar, Kotdwar and other areas.It is worth mentioning here that the saalam mishri plant is a very rare plant which is not cultivated but grows in the wild from where it is harvested for its use in traditional medicinal preparations.