Rare Dipcadi concanense plant revived in Konkan after over a century

Pics/By Special Arrangement

In times when ecosystems are being ravaged, a small, delicate white-flowered herb might restore some of your faith in humanity. The Dipcadi concanese, which had virtually vanished from the wild for over a century, has made a remarkable comeback in the Konkan region, offering fresh hope for the conservation movement associated with rare plant species in the Western Ghats.

According to a study published in the Journal of the Indian Botanical Society, researchers have successfully revived populations of Dipcadi concanense, a critically endangered plant once considered "possibly extinct in the wild" after a decade-long conservation effort in Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and parts of Goa.

The research was carried out by Amit B Mirgal, Anup Deshpande, Satish N Narkhede, Rajesh P Gunaga, Sidanand V Kambhar and K Kotresha.

Thought to only exist in literature - no more

The species had survived only in botanical records and scientific literature before being rediscovered in Ratnagiri. Between 2014 and 2024, researchers surveyed lateritic plateaus across the Konkan region and documented 23 fragmented populations in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts, along with an isolated population near Mopa in North Goa.

The herb flower has given a lot conservationists new hope

The study found that Dipcadi concanense survives only under highly specific ecological conditions influenced by the Konkan's monsoon climate. The plant also relies on local hawk moths for pollination, while its seeds disperse only over short distances, limiting its natural spread and recovery.

What do researchers have to say?

Researcher Dr Amit Mirgal, an environmental consultant, reiterates the importance of fieldwork. "The revival of Dipcadi concanense is a remarkable conservation success from the Konkan lateritic plateaus, showing what long-term ecological research, habitat restoration, and persistent fieldwork can achieve," he said.

He also mentions that in order for this work to be sustainable, funding is essential, "As we now move from recovery to expansion, I strongly feel that this work deserves sustained financial support so that community-led restoration, nursery development, monitoring, and habitat stewardship can be scaled up and secured for the future. With the right funding and local participation, this rare Western Ghats species can move from survival toward long-term expansion," he adds.

Conservationists with local authorities have been monitoring the comeback of the Konkan Dipcadi and making sure the area remains protected and secure

Dr Anup Deshpande a botanist, lauds the work undertaken as well. "This represents one of the finest examples of successful conservation efforts for a plant species. The achievement is the outcome of sustained, long-term research conducted both in laboratory and field conditions," he said. The work is far from over: "Further investigations, including detailed studies on pollination biology, soil characteristics, and other ecological parameters, would contribute to the development of more robust conservation strategies. Many other threatened plant species require similar conservation initiatives, and this study can serve as an exemplary model for future conservation programs," he added.

The breakthrough that was the game-changer

To restore the species, scientists experimented with direct seed sowing and in-situ soil transfer on lateritic plateaus near Dapoli.

While direct seed sowing showed initial success before stabilising, surviving plants began regenerating naturally, particularly in shaded habitats.
The most significant breakthrough came through in-situ soil transfer, where topsoil containing intact bulbs from genetically healthy populations was relocated. The technique resulted in flowering rates of up to 80 per cent at some restoration sites and triggered fresh regeneration.

By identifying genetically rich populations at Kombe, Kurdhe, and Mopa, researchers have also created a scientific roadmap for conserving the species in the future.

Ecological significance of the species

The ecological significance of Dipcadi concanense extends far beyond single species conservation and is expected to act as a vital catalyst for the biodiversity of the Konkan lateritic plateaus.

As a specialised monsoon geophyte (plants that live more than two years and survive under harsh conditions by storing energy and water in specialised underground organs), its mass blooming exhibits a critical mutualistic relationship with nocturnal hawkmoths, relying on them for cross-pollination.

This concentrated seasonal flowering significantly boosts the local abundance of nocturnal pollinators, creating a powerful spillover effect that directly benefits adjacent agricultural lands and orchards, ensuring the robust pollination of crucial regional cash crops like mangoes and cashews.

Furthermore, these floral clusters anchor a dense, interconnected food web on the rocky terrain. The nutrient-rich foliage serves as a vital feeding ground for diverse insect larvae, while beetles and spiders actively utilise the microhabitats for shelter and hunting.

This thriving insect population subsequently draws insectivorous birds and regional reptiles. which depend heavily on this seasonal protein surge to sustain their breeding cycles.

By serving as a foundational primary producer, the revival of this critically endangered herb triggers a vital ecological domino effect, completing the trophic cycle and rejuvenating the entire biodiversity matrix of the Konkan's fragile plateau ecosystem.