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The actual logical basis for the individualistic hypothesis is primarily based on gradient analyses in
which plant species are mostly found to be distributed independently along the environmental
gradients. However, continua along gradients are correlative patterns and do not exactly identify the
processes of continuum occurrence, and thus not necessarily be precluded the possibility of
interdependent interactions within plant communities. Euphorbia fusiformis, a rare medicinal
geophytic herb of the family Euphorbiaceae was found to be grown with 20 associated plants in a
very small patch (1 sq. km) of a lateritic dry deciduous forest of Eastern India. Interspecific
covariance analysis using Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient and its supportive interspecific
association using multiple species case model of Euphorbia fusiformis with its other co-existed
plants along with their detailed analysis of community structure was performed to understand
whether any interdependent interaction in the community exists or not. The study reveals a strong
positive covariance in abundance of E. fusiformis and other 5 associated plant species (Buchanania
lanzan, Phoenix acaulis, Pavetta indica, Madhuca latifolia and Hemidesmus indicus) existed in the
community that supports true possibilities of strong positive interaction among these plants within
the community. The present study indicates that co-existence of the population of B. lanzan, P.
acaulis, P. indica, M. latifolia and H. indicus would be helpful in facilitating to increase the
population size of E. fusiformis during ex- situ conservation programs. Moreover, this highly
specific, less distributed medicinal herb (belong to CITES II category) may be regenerated with
viable population in the same type of edaphic and climatic conditions when the positively co-varied
plant species associated with it are well maintained.
Keywords: Co-existed plants, Interspecific covariance analysis, medicinal plant, conservation.