Rare Aquatic Plant in Malabar Holds Chemical Compounds for Medicine

A conservation effort has focused on Periya Polathali, a rare aquatic plant found only in specific villages of northern Malabar. The plant, known scientifically as Crinum malabaricum, is currently facing an extremely serious threat of extinction. Researchers found that the plant's tubers contain galantamine, a chemical compound utilized in the manufacture of medicines for Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease.

The plant's unique chemical composition gives it potential value for bioprospecting within the pharmaceutical industry. The Pilicode grama panchayat Biodiversity Management Committee initiated the protection efforts for the species. The plant also serves as a vital part of the local ecosystem, providing food for larvae and breeding habitats for fish.