The present study deal with identification of rare, endanger and threatened plants in Maruthamalai Hills, part of Southern Western Ghats of Coimbatore District, Tamilnadu. In this investigation 30 rare, endangered and threatened (RET) plant species belongs to 15 families were identified and documented. Names of plants and RET category was gathered from IUCN annual reports and standard research articles. Enumerated plants were categorized in rare, endangered, endemic and threatened, species such as Caralluma bicolor, Terminalia arjuna, Ceropegia juncea, Rubia cordifolia, Celastrus paniculatus, Gloriosa suberpa, Gymnema sylvestres and so on. Finally it has been suggested that the RET medicinal plants are need to be proper conservation and management plans before it lost forever.

The present study was focused on the preliminary phytochemical, antibacterial activity, FTIR and GC-MS analysis of aerial parts of C. juncea. Phytochemical analysis of three extracts showed that the presence of alkaloids, tannins and flavonoids. The methanol extract of aerial parts were found to be exhibit highest zone of inhibition against S. aureus (19.3mm), P. florescence (17.6mm) and K. pneumonia (17.0mm). FTIR analysis of the methanol extract given the major peak observed was at wavenumber 3354.08cm-1 that indicates the presence of O-H Alcohol functional group. 29 components were identified through the GCMS analysis of methanol extract. From results to confirm the fact that C. juncea possesses potential of bioactive compounds which are responsible for the biological activities that is useful for natural health.

Coscinium fenestratum (CF) (Gaertn.) Colebr. is a hard woody climber medicinal plant belongs to the family, Menispermaceae. The plant is commonly known as tree turmeric because the stem content yellow berberine, the major active constituent. The plant is widely available in Western Ghats region but became endangered due to over exploitation and very slow germination rate. Hence, the alternate in vitro tissue culture has established for reduced germination rate and to extract more a mount of plant constituents from the stem callus. Full strength MS medium supplemented with 2, 4-D at 0.1 mg/l and kinetin at 2 mg/l gave callus growth in 46 days and the growth mechanism is observed first time through SEM study of callus. Thereafter, rooting of callus occurred in IBA and kinetin in combinations in half strength MS medium whereas direct rooting of stem occurred with IBA and zinc sulphate (IBA at 2 mg/l and ZnSO 4 at 3 mg/l) supplemented in half strength MS media along with coconut water, within 18 days. Thereafter, extracted callus is identified with TLC, followed by estimated with HPLC and HPTLC and resulted methanol extract of CF showed higher content of berberine than aqueous extract.

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Robiquetia gracilis (Lindl.) Garay a rare orchid species was collected from Anamalai hills, Tamil Nadu, a new report to the flora of the hills. A detailed description with colour photos and relevant notes are provided.