Eugenia singampattiana Beddome: a critically endangered medicinal tree from Southern Western Ghats, India

Abstract

Eugenia singampattiana Beddome is an important medicinal plant commonly known as Jungle Guava, restricted to Agasthyamalai phyto-geographical region, in Southern Western Ghats. This species is commonly used in the treatment of asthma, giddiness, body pain, rheumatism and also good source of alkaloids, coumarins and catechins. Due to habitat loss and over exploitation, natural population of the species is depleting at an alarming rate and is already enlisted as critically endangered by IUCN. The present review is focused on distribution, population status, silvicultural aspects and medicinal importance of Eugenia singampattiana. Since the species is having high utilization potential with restricted distribution, large scale restoration and in situ conservation at species level is an urgent need.