Habitat characteristics and ecological status of Paeonia emodi Wallich ex Royle: A high value medicinal plant of West Himalaya

In the present study, the habitat characteristics and ecological status of Paeonia emodi Wallich ex Royle a high value Himalayan medicinal plant were examined using field investigations in a part of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, India. We surveyed 14 possible habitats occupied by P. emodi. Among them the species was recorded from 3 habitats under the canopy of Quercus floribunda and Mixed Oak deciduous forest. Based on phytosociological study, the density of P. emodi ranged from 1.6 to 2.4 individuals/m² and frequency from 76 to 80%. Moreover, the result revealed localized distribution of target species in the wild. Considering these preliminary results, more research in possible habitats of the species in different region would clearly give an understanding of its ecology including habitat specificity.