Trillium govanianum

Trillium govanianum (Hindi name: nag chhatri) is a high value medicinal herb belonging to the family Trilliaceae and is mainly distributed from Pakistan to Bhutan between the altitudinal ranges of 2500-4000 metres above sea level across Himalayan region. It is a native species of the Himalayas, usually preferring shady areas in forest for its profused growth.

The plant is a small herb and can be identified by its three leaves in one whorl at the summit of the stem and a solitary, purple flower in the centre. Leaves are broadly ovate, acute and conspicuously stalked.

Over exploitation and uprooting of this medicinal plant from natural habitat, to meet pharmaceutical industry demands has made the made a global threat to the population of nag chhatri with small geographical niche. Its all due to its rhizome which contain trillarin and upon hydrolysis yield 2.5% diosgenin (a corticosteroid hormone)(Chauhan, 1999) which is used for preparation of steroidal and sex hormones.

The government of Himachal Pradesh, J&K, are taking crucial steps to stop illegal trade of Trillium and there are also many police cases behind its large collection and transportation from one place to other.