Elephantopus scaber L. An Exotic Element in Indian Forests

Abstract

The present work is an outcome of thorough autecological study of Elephantopus scaber L. which is an exotic element in Indian flora that has turned out to be an ethnomedicinal plant with therapeutic reputation through interactions with the tribal communities dwelling in the forests. The species was found to get well naturalized in Indian forests, especially in the dry deciduous Sal forests. The species is a native of Mexico which might have gained entry into India probably in the form of seeds. Possibly they were inadvertently introduced along with seedy cereal crops like wheat, maize, barley, etc. in the northern part of the country. They had escaped into wilderness of dry deciduous forests in north spreading subsequently in other regions that sustain such type of forest.