Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

CONSERVATION STATUS OF CITRUILUS COLOCYN THIS (L.) SCHARD. IN GUJARAT STATE

Bonny Pilo, G.P. Senan, Manoj E., Bimal Desal, Mona Dave, Kalpana Thaker, Shilpa Dhuru, Manju Siliwal, Manoj Pardeshi

Abstract

Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schard commonly known as 'Bitter Apple / Wild Gourd', is a medicinally important plant belonging to family Cucurbitaceae. Both the pulp of the fruit and roots are used in curing a number of-diseases. Because of this, it is exploited by Pharmaceutical Industries. It is found growing in the drier parts of India. This paper mainly deals with the distribution of C co/ocynthisin Gujarat, its current status, threats and conservation measures. Different areas of Gujarat State were surveyed and population of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schard., have been studied at all its microhabitat level. Once widely distributed, this plant is now restricted to few localities in Gujarat.