Rare Plants of Nepal

Nepal is famous for wildlife and nature. Nepal has some plants which are found only in some places of world, and mostly in Nepal. There is a need of exploration of those plants. They are:

1. Golden Michelia (Champ)

Golden Michelia is of two types; one is bigger and other is smaller. They are found in the Mid-Hills of Nepal. It usually grows in the altitudinal places from 600 to 1,500 meters.

Golden Michelia can grow about 30 meters height. It is an evergreen plant. It is attractive and beautiful. The trunk of Golden Michelia is smooth and ash in color. Oily and green leaves cover the tree. It gives Yellow type flowers that have a sweet smell. It has many small and big branches.

It is an excellent plant for making furniture. The flowers and fruits of this plant are used for many medical purposes.

2. Spike Nard (jatamasi)

Spike Nard is found in High Hills of Nepal at the altitude of 3000 to 5000 meters. Its distribution is scattered and thinly populated. It is an erect and perennial small plant. Its shape is full of tissues that make like a net of hairs.

Spike Nard produces flowers. Its flowers are reddish-white color. Its roots are used to make oil that gives sweet smell. The oil is used in Ayurvedic medicine. It is useful it the diseases such as cholera and epilepsy. It is also used for the heart diseases.

3. Serpentina

Serpentina is a protected plant and restricted to export. It grows at an altitude of 1200 meters of Nepal. Its habitat is therefore some parts of Terai and Hilly Region. The forest of Sal provides habitat for Serpentina. Its stem seems dry and white. Its leaves are long and broad. In summer season it produces white and red bunches of flowers. Its fruit seems like gram. Its roots are used to make medicine.

Such medicines are for treatment of blood pressure and relieve of pain. It is also used to fall in a long sleep.

4. Himalayan Yew

Himalayan yew is protected plant. It is found at an altitude of 1700 to 3400 meters of Nepal. Generally, the mid and west parts of Nepal are the habitat for Himalayan Yew. It belongs to the Pine Species. They seem like comb and their fruits are poisonous. This plant contains such an element that can cure immature cancer disease.

5. Yarsagumba

Yarsagumba is restricted for collection, distribution, selling and exporting. It is lower plant of Fungi group. It is actually a plant, but in winter it moves from place to place like a Caterpiller! In summer, it again turns into a grass. It doesn’t have stem, leaves, flowers and fruits. People believe this plant gives them energy and is beneficial for health.