Promising Wild Orchids of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and their Conservation

Abstract

Andaman and Nicobar group of islands are one of the three major habitats of orchids in India. A great diversity is observed in the flora of orchids, growing wild in the territory. Considering its importance, a survey was conducted in some potential forest areas of these islands and a germplasm collection of about twenty species of orchids made over a period ofthree years. Someofthe promising species have been listed along with its description, status, occurrence and importance in this paper. The collected germplasm will be very useful in the breeding programme, besides ornamental values.