Abstract

In the submergible and catchment areas of the proposed Pooyamkutty hydro-electric project, situated in the Idukki district of Kerala state, there are seven species of South-West Indian endemic species of the genus Psychotria L. (Rubiaceae) . Many of them are species not located after type collection and almost all of them are now very rare in the area. It is also significant to note that this part of the Western Ghats where the project is proposed to be implemented is found to be the largest habitat of endemic Psychotrias in the whole of Western Ghats and also Peninsular India. The paper enumerates those South-West Indian endemic species of Psychotria in the Pooyamkutty project area with notes on their distribution and conservation status