Ecology and conservation concerns of Indianthus virgatus (Marantaceae): An endemic species of the Western Ghats-Sri Lanka Biodiversity Hotspot

Indianthus virgatus (Roxb.) Suksathan & Borchs., a monotypic species of Marantaceae endemic to the Western Ghats-Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot, holds important ecological, ethnobotanical, and conservation value. The present study aimed to understand the ecology of I. virgatus and to assess its current distributon, threats, and conservation needs. We compiled species’ distributon data from herbarium records, online repositories, taxonomic literature, supplemented with field surveys (2023-2025), and ground validation across its range in the Western Ghats. Results indicate that Indianthus populations are generally small (10-50 m²) and fragmented, occurring in wet forest ecosystems and along plantation boundaries at elevations of 100-1,200 m. Phenological observations show that the species flowers year-round, with peak flowering during the monsoon. Major threats include habitat loss from agricultural expansion, plantation development, and road constructon, compounded by competton from invasive species. While Indianthus is classified as Critically Endangered in Sri Lanka, its global conservation status remains unassessed by the IUCN Red List. This study provides baseline ecological, taxonomic, and distributonal information, highlighting the species’ vulnerability and underscoring the urgent need for conservation measures, including habitat protecton, community engagement, and a formal global IUCN Red List assessment.