Endangered and

Endemic Species of
Plants
EXTINCT SPECIES : When there are no more individuals of
that species alive anywhere in the world - the species has
died out.

ENDANGERED SPECIES : Species which has been

categorized as very likely to become extinct if not
protected and conserved.

ENDEMIC SPECIES : Species whose habitat is restricted to a

particular region.
Western Prairie
Fringed Orchid/
Platanthera
Praeclara 
ABOUT WESTERN PRAIRIE FRINGED ORCHID

Platanthera praeclara, known as the western

prairie fringed orchid and the Great Plains
white fringed orchid, is a rare and
threatened species of orchid native to North
America

❑Appearance - Both orchids produce flower

stalks up to 47 inches tall. Each stalk has
up to 40 white flowers about an inch long.
The western prairie fringed orchid's
flowers are somewhat larger than those of
the closely related eastern prairie fringed
orchid.
 Why are the Prairie Fringed Orchids
Threatened?
❖ Habitat Loss or Degradation - The greatest
threat to the prairie fringed orchids is
habitat loss, mostly through conversion to
cropland. Competition with introduced alien
plants, filling of wetlands, intensive hay
mowing, fire suppression, and overgrazing
also threatens these species
❖ Collection - These orchids have been
collected because of their rarity and beauty.
❖ Pesticides and Other Pollutants - The prairie
fringed orchids depend on hawkmoths for
pollination. Any threat to these insects, such
as the use of insecticides, is a threat to the
prairie fringed orchids.
What is Being Done to Prevent Extinction of the
Prairie Fringed Orchids?

❖ Listing - The prairie fringed orchids were added to

the U.S. List of Endangered and Threatened
Wildlife and Plants on September 28, 1989.

❖ Recovery Plan - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

is developing recovery plans that describes actions
needed to help this plant survive. The Service
approved the recovery plan for western prairie
fringed orchid in 1996.

❖ Research - Researchers are studying the prairie

fringed orchids to find the best ways to manage
for the orchids and their habitat.
 ❖ Habitat Protection - Where possible, the
orchids' habitat is being protected and habitat
is improved with a variety of management
techniques. In Illinois, seed was dispersed on
some public lands that had good habitat but no
orchids. Subsequently, orchids bloomed on at
least one of those sites. Private landowners,
government agencies, and conservation
organizations are helping conserve these
species.

❖ Public Education - Public education programs

have been developed to raise awareness of the
orchids' plight.
Pterocarpus Santalinus
(Red Sandalwood)
 What you need to know about the Red
Sandalwood
⮚ The Red Sandalwood is a tree which is listed as
endangered by the IUCN.
⮚ The wood at the center of the trunk (heartwood)
is used as medicine for treating digestive tract
problems, fluid retention, and coughs; and for
“blood purification”.
⮚ Very effective in removing sun tan.
⮚ It’s powder form can be made into a face pack to
nourish the skin and give a radiant complexion.
⮚ In manufacturing, red sandalwood is used as a
flavoring in alcoholic beverages.
What you need to know about the Red Sandalwood(more details)

⮚ It is a species of Pterocarpus native to India.

⮚ It is only found in south India in Kadapa, Chittoor, mostly in
the hilly region of Nepal, in Pakistan and in Sri Lanka.
⮚ In India sandalwood is one main and lucrative market for
smugglers as a high price is paid for this wood in China. This
increased the growth of the underground market in India.
⮚ It is a light-demanding small tree growing to 8 m tall with a
trunk 50–150 cm diameter. It is fast-growing when young
⮚ It is not frost tolerant, being killed by temperatures of -1 °C.
⮚ The leaves are alternate, 3–9 cm long, trifoliate with three
leaflets.
 Oh, Even more details

• It is a light-demanding small tree growing to 8

m tall with a trunk 50–150 cm diameter. It is
fast-growing when young.
• It is not frost tolerant, being killed by
temperatures of -1 °C.
• The leaves are alternate, 3–9 cm long,
trifoliate with three leaflets.
The causes which lead to the endangerment of the species

• Pterocarpus santalinus is listed as an Endangered

species because of overexploitation for its timber in
South India.
• The tree growth is extremely slow and takes decades
to gain thickness.
• It is easy to carve and a tonne of the wood fetches
between Rs. 20 to Rs 40 lakh in the international
market.
• As per the estimates of Andhra Pradesh forest
department, 3,000 tonnes of Red Sanders is illegally
removed from its forests every year.
 To prevent extinction of the
Red Sandalwood
• The trade rules were made stringent
internationally for the endangered species.
• Conservation of Habitat in the Eastern Ghats.
• Spreading awareness about the
endangerment of the species and the need to
conserve it.
• Using White Sandalwood instead of red since
they both have the same medicinal and
aesthetic traits.