Question

The plant species on the verge of extinction due to over-exploitation is-
(a) Centella
(b) Podophyllum
(c) Gloriosa
(d) All of the above

Answer 1

Species of plants, animals, and other organisms undergo extinction, i.e., the death of every last individual of the species, due to multiple reasons. One of the reasons is over-exploitation where the species has been cultivated or used much beyond their rate of regeneration. Plants that have been used for their medicinal or other properties by large populations tend to be vulnerable.

Complete answer:
- The International Union of Conservation of Nature classifies Podophyllum as Critically Endangered as it is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
- Deforestation leads to habitat loss and additionally results in habitat fragmentation and isolation of suitable habitats.
- The Podophyllum is commonly known as the mayapple or American mandrake.
- Almost the entire plant is highly toxic when consumed. The plant produces podophyllotoxin, from which two drugs, etoposide, and teniposide, are derived which have applications in chemotherapy.

So, the correct answer is ‘ Podophyllum ’.

Additional Information:
- The plant has also been used as an emetic, cathartic, antihelminthic, and an escharotic agent.
- Centella , commonly known as pennywort, is a herbaceous, perennial plant native to the wetlands of Asia. It is used as a medicinal herb. It comes under the ‘Least Concern’ category.
- Gloriosa , commonly known as fire lilies or flame lilies, is a genus of toxic plants that were considered to be extinct but was found alive in the last decade.

Note:
- Various other plants that are nearing extinction due to deforestation and over-cultivation are different orchid species, Atropa acuminata, Skimmia anquetilia, etc.
- As of 2019, at least 571 species of plants have gone extinct in the wild, since the 1750s.