A study was carried out in Similipal Biosphere Reserve (SBR) of Odisha for survey and documentation medicinally potent orchids. During the study attention was paid to study the habitat details, ecology, region of occurrence, flowering and medicinal importance of orchids dwelling in SBR. Several herbaria and relevant literatures were consulted for correct identification of the species and documentation as well as validation of medicinal uses of the orchids. A total of 23 species of orchids were enlisted during the study belonging to 14 genera (14 epiphytic, terrestrial and 01 having both terrestrial and epiphytic nature). 

Orchids are not only the most beautiful flower bearing pants having high ornamental value but has also been gifted by nature with high medicinal properties. Orchids are monocotyledonous angiospermic herbaceous plants that are grouped in the family, Orchidaceae, which includes approximately 750 genera and 17, 000 species (Misra et al., 2007). Many orchids possess antimalarial, antibacterial, antiviral and even anticancerous properties (Panda et al., 2015). These properties in medicinal orchids are attributed to a variety of phyto-constituents like alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes etc. (Misra, 2004). The people of ancient India were very well versed with the medicinal importance of orchids as we can find references of various orchids in ancient ayurvedic literatures such as Charak Samhita. In India, the orchids are employed for various therapeutic purposes in different systems of traditional medicine. In the Ayurvedic system of medicine, a group of eight drugs, known as Astavarga, is employed in the preparation of a number of rejuvenating formulations and tonics. Astavarga is an important ingredient of various classical Ayurvedic formulations (Singh and Duggal 2009) like Chyawanprash. Recently, it has been reported that orchid molecules are important in reducing fever, increasing the white blood cell count, curing eye diseases, treating fatigue and headache, and most importantly, as anti-cancer agent. (Bulpitt, 2005). The Similipal Biosphere Reserve (SBR) is the only Bio-sphere Reserve of Odisha State comprising of Similipal National Park and Similipal Tiger Reserve in the district of Mayurbhanj. It lies in between 210 28' to 220 08' North longitude and 860 4' to 860 37' East latitude. The three zones of SBR is consisted of the core zone of 845 Km2, whereas the buffer zone is approximately 2174 Km2 and the transitional zone encircles the buffer area by 10 Km and around 2559 Km2. As a whole, the forest area is approximately 5578 Km2. The forest type is of tropical to subtropical. The SBR serves as an ideal abode of diverse orchid flora comprising of both threatened and endemic. 

Frequent field explorations were undertaken at least three times in a year mostly in winter, summer and monsoon to different parts of SBR to allocate the orchids in their natural habitats and record the information related to thereof. Good quality photographs of orchids were taken along with recording of the flowering and fruiting time along with all other relevant information. Interactions were made with the local tribals and traditional healers to know the possible medicinal use of the orchids and also revalidated with the available literature (Kirtikar and Basu 1935, Chopra et al. 1956, Saxena and Dutta 1975, Agarwal and Ghosh 1985, Satyavati et al. 1987, Warrier et al. 1994-96 and Chandra 1998). Only few flowers were collected whenever necessary, for identification. The species were identified by following recent floras and revisionary works. A list of 23 medicinally important orchids was prepared in tabular format based on botanical name, habit, ecology, locality of occurrence, flowering along with their medicinal uses.

Map. 1. Similipal Biosphere Reserve.

The present study revealed 23 orchids of medicinal importance belonging to 14 genera and 23 species out of which 14 were epiphytes, 08 were terrestrial and 01 was having both epiphytic and terrestrial habit.

Table 1: Medicinal Orchids and their Uses.

Forest Ecology: (DD: Dry Deciduous Forest; MD: Moist Deciduous Forest; SE: Semi Evergreen Forest; E: Evergreen Forest)

S.P. Panda, Z. Mazhar, K. Chakraborty, S. Dasgupta, D. Behera and R. K. Nayak (2024). Some potent medicinal Orchids of Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Odisha, India. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 16(1): 223-227.