Rehabilitation approach for Eugenia singampattiana Beddome -: an endemic and critically endangered tree species of southern tropical evergreen forests in India

Eugenia singampattiana Beddome is one of the endemic and threatened tree species of southern Western Ghats in Peninsular India with medicinal value. After more than 112 years since Beddome's collection, the species could be recollected from the same locality in evergreen forests of Singampatti and Papanasam Reserved Forests in Tamil Nadu. The endemic zone of this species is located in the surroundings of the Hope lake at Kalakad Mudandurai Tiger Reserve (17th Tiger Project of India) in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu. The threatened status of E. singampattina is reassessed in this article. Botanical description, growth habit, phenology, morphological features, silvicultural characters and medicinal properties are provided. Its natural distribution zone, places of endemism, the phytogeographic parameters of the area of provenance are described with related maps. Immediate need to protect and propagate this critically endangered species is emphasized and its methods of artificial reproduction are elaborated. Finally, conservation measures recommended to stop further erosional process of the species are discussed.