Swertia chirayita
Middle Hills · High Mountains
A bitter mountain herb used for fever. Many hill families earn real money growing it — which is why growing it matters more than digging it.
At risk
Contents
Plants of Nepal
Ecosystem
Climate change
Environment-friendly behaviour
Taking too much
Some plants are worth a lot of money as medicine. When people dig up every single one, none are left to make seeds for next year.
6
Plants this affects
Taxus wallichiana
High Mountains · High Himal & Trans-Himalaya
A slow, dark mountain tree whose bark contains a medicine used to treat cancer. That discovery nearly wiped it out.
In real danger
Nardostachys jatamansi
High Mountains · High Himal & Trans-Himalaya
A high-mountain herb with a hairy root that smells deeply of earth and wood. It has been traded across Asia for two thousand years.
Almost gone
Dactylorhiza hatagirea
High Mountains · High Himal & Trans-Himalaya
A small purple orchid whose root looks like a tiny human hand — five fingers, which is exactly what its name means.
Almost gone
Senegalia catechu
Terai · Siwalik (Chure)
A thorny tree of dry riverbeds. Its heartwood is boiled down to make katha, the brown paste used in paan.
Doing okay
Juniperus indica
High Mountains · High Himal & Trans-Himalaya
A low, tough shrub burned as incense in mountain homes and monasteries. Its smoke smells like cold clean air.
Doing okay