Abstract

Endemics are taxa confined to narrow phytogeographical ranges because of their isolation by geographical (spatial) or temporal (genetic, adaptive, etc.) barriers. Western Ghats of India which is often compared to 'oceanic islands' in terms of its phytogeographical characteristics is the abode of several endemic angiosperms (flowering plants), many of which are either economically potential or wild relatives of cultivars and other useful plants. Therefore, ensuring the continued survival of endemics not only of the Western Ghats region but also throughout the globe, is a matter of great concern form economical, ecological and conservation points of views. Eventhough there is no authentic estimate of the endemics of the Western Ghats supported by field data, it is expected that out of the 4000 taxa of angiosperms found in the region, about 1932 species are endemic in nature, which comes to about 48 of the total floristic elements of the region. Kerala with its rich and diverse