Context:
Cycas circinalis is on the verge of extinction in the northern part of the Kerala state after being hit by an unknown and fast spreading plant disease.
Relevance:
GS III: Species in News
About Cycas circinalis
Common Names:
- Popularly known as Eenthu Pana in Kerala.
- Referred to by various names such as Mund isalu (Kannada), madana kama raja (Tamil), and Malabari supari (Marathi) in different states.
Taxonomy:
- Belongs to cycads (family Cycadaceae), one of the world’s most endangered plant groups.
- Cycads originated 300 million years ago during the Carboniferous period, making them the oldest extant group of seed plants.
Features:
- Evergreen palm-like tree, reaching heights of up to 25 ft.
- Typically found in dense, seasonally dry scrubby woodlands in hilly areas.
- Facultative deciduous in extremely dry conditions.
- Similar to areca nut, Eenthu Pana requires complete dryness for preparation, posing a challenge as it is usually harvested in the rainy season.
- Bears fruits after 40 to 50 years in most cases.
Geographical Distribution:
- Indian endemic species restricted to the Western Ghats, present in states like Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and the south of Maharashtra.
Endemism:
- Among the nine recognized cycad species in India, six are endemic.
Applications:
- Serves as a nutraceutical plant for several indigenous communities in the Western Ghats.
-Source: The Hindu
