Ethnobotanical Leaflets 13: 873-99, 2009.
A Floristic Description of Flora and Ethnobotany of
Samahni Valley (A.K.), Pakistan
Tanveer Hussain and Muhammad Ishtiaq Ch.
Department of Botany
The University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Muzaffarabad, (A.K.) Pakistan
Corresponding authors: E-mail: ;
Issued July 01, 2009
Abstract
The present study reveals a description of floristic features like life form, leaf size spectra and ethnobotany of valley Samahni. This study was carried out during the years 2006-2008, in Samahni valley district Bhimber A.K. (Pakistan), using methods consisting of semi-structured interviews employing a check list of questions, questionnaires, direct observations and biological inventories. It provides information about different local plants and their life form and leaf size spectra. 120 plant species recorded belonging to 46 families. Poaceae is the dominating with 14 members. Among these the most of the plants are used to cure common diseases like diarrhea, earache, fever, jaundice, flu, cough and other skin diseases. Snake bite, wound healing and burning of body part are also treated with local herbs. Many plants are used for multiple purposes like as medicines, food, fodder, fuel, furniture and shelter. Due to deforestation vegetation is eliminating rapidly. But the efforts and knowledge about plant wealth conservation is at initial stages. Megaphanerophytes are dominating followed by therophytes. Hemicryptophytes, Nanophanerophytes and Geophytes come after these respectively. All the types of vegetation depend upon presence of trees. In leaf size spectra Microphyllous are dominant followed by Megaphyllous. This work can be the base for advance research in different fields like phytochemistry, molecular biochemistry and antimicrobial plant secondary metabolites. For further research this ethnobotanical work is very important because it has come into existence with large experience of ancient history.
Keywords: Ethnobotany; Samahni valley; Muzaffarabad; Microphyllous; Megaphyllous.
Introduction
Study area
Samahni is a sub-division of district Bhimber and one of the most beautiful valleys of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Scenic valley of Samahni is guarded by high mountains on all sides, offers breathtaking and mesmerizing natural scenes to its visitors, waterfalls come down mountain slopes as well as streams of crystal clear waters. The mountains across the whole valley dressed in jungles of pine trees add an extra touch to the stunning view. The valley holds a peaceful and calm atmosphere with pollution free environment from one end to the other. This valley is connected both with Mirpur & Bhimber through all weather black top roads.
It is located 17km in the North of Bhimber City and 30km in the North-East of Mirpur. Geographically it is located near 33.05ē latitude and 74.82 ē longitude and falls in sub-tropic zone. The entire valley of Samahni is approximately 55 km long and 10 km wide. It has north facing and south facing high mountains, with 1000 altitude and variable topography. Northern and Eastern North boundary is attached with Indian occupied Kashmir at district Rajory.
visiting sites
Although the whole valley is beautiful and attractive for tourists but some places are especially famous for their watchfulness. Among them Baghser, Jandi Chontra, Peer Gali and Patti hill are remarkable. Indian occupied famous mountain Reech Pahari is also present in valley Samahni.
Hydrography
Many seasonal and permanent streams pass through the valley. The main stream originates form Kaman Gosha Hill in Indian occupied Kashmir. After passing through the valley Samahni, Bhimber and Gujrat it joins the river Chanab. The primary sources of water are springs and rain water.
Topography
The area is mountainous and semi-mountainous. Central semi-mountainous and agricultural fields are surrounded by 1000m high Altitude Mountains. The mountains have steep, gentle and moderate slopes.
Climate
The climate is at variance. The average maximum and minimum temperature is 28.9 ēC and 15.8 ēC respectively. June and July are the hottest months of the year with 38.18ēC and 37.18 ē C average temperatures respectively. Highest temperature recorded during June and July is 40 degree centigrade. December and January are the coldest months of the year with 6.34ēC and 5.22ēC average temperatures respectively. Minimum temperature recorded during December is 3.2 degree centigrade (Table: 1).
Rainfall
The total average rainfall is about 1233mm/ year. Average rainfall is 102.8 mm/ month. High rainfall is recorded in July and August, 264.94 and 255.26 respectively. Rainfall is low in October and November, 31.68 and 16.82 respectively. Hails usually occur in February and March (Table: 1).
Humidity
Humidity remains high in rainy season and in winters. And it remains high at morning time than the evening. The average humidity at morning and evening is 69.0 % and 48.75 % respectively. The highest value of humidity is 83.4, recorded in August at morning. The lowest value of humidity is 29 recorded in the month of May at evening (Table: 1).
Table 1. Measurment of Temperature, Humidity and Rainfall of the Samahni Valley.
Month
|
Temperature ēC
|
Humidity %
|
Rainfall (mm)
|
Max
|
Min
|
At 08:00am
|
At 05:00pm
|
January
|
17.38
|
5.22
|
79.6
|
56.6
|
97.14
|
February
|
20.24
|
8.32
|
74.4
|
52.6
|
138.40
|
March
|
26.42
|
12.84
|
65.2
|
43
|
123.42
|
April
|
32.54
|
17.54
|
52.6
|
32.6
|
44.30
|
May
|
36.62
|
21.98
|
47
|
29
|
46.32
|
June
|
38.18
|
23.38
|
53.6
|
34.4
|
88.04
|
July
|
37.18
|
23.48
|
76.2
|
55.6
|
264.94
|
August
|
33.32
|
22.84
|
83.4
|
67.6
|
255.26
|
September
|
32.74
|
20.64
|
76.6
|
58.2
|
84.48
|
October
|
29.66
|
16.04
|
71
|
49.2
|
31.68
|
November
|
23.8
|
10.74
|
71
|
49.8
|
16.82
|
December
|
18.8
|
6.34
|
77.6
|
56.4
|
42.60
|
Average
|
28.9
|
15.8
|
69.0
|
48.75
|
102.8
|
Ethnobotany
Ethnobotany is the study of the relationship between plants and people: From"ethno" - study of people and "botany" - study of plants. Ethnobotany studies the complex relationships between (uses of) plants and cultures. The focus of ethnobotany is on how plants have been or are used, managed and perceived in human societies and includes plants used for food, medicine, cosmetics, dyeing, and textiles, for building, tools, clothing and social life.
Ethnobotanical knowledge is as old as human civilization but the term ethnobotany was first coined by an American botanist, John Harshberger (1896). Manilal (1989) defines ethnobotany as the term today has come to denote the entire realm of direct relationship between plants and man. According to Arora (1997) ethnobotany in wider context denotes the entire realm of useful relationship between plants and man.
Life Form
Plants were categorized into life form classes after Raunkiaer (1934). Christen Christensen Raunkiaer (1934) a Danish botanist devised a system of Classification of Life-form perennating buds, which carry the plants through the unfavourable seasons of the year. Raunkiaer's system is thus based on the position of the buds, or growing points, which renew plant growth.
Raunkiaer's life form classes are as follows:
I. Phanerophytes: A tall, woody or herbaceous perennial with resting buds more than 25cm above soil level, e.g. deciduous trees and shrubs. Phanerophytes are further divided into megaphanerophytes, mesophanerophytes, microphanerophytes and nanophanerophytes.
II. Chamaephytes: perennating shoots or buds on the surface of the ground to about 25 cm above the surface - these buds can be protected by fallen leaves and snow: low bushes.
III. Hemicryptophytes: perennating buds at the surface of the ground where they are protected by soil and leaves: grasses etc and rosette plants.
IV. Geophytes: perennial buds buried in the ground on a bulb or rhizome, where they are protected from freezing or drying.
V. Therophytes: Annuals, with a complete life cycle from seed to seed during one season, surviving unfavourable periods as seeds.
Other specialized life forms which are not classified on the basis of their perennating organs are Succulents, Halophytes, and Epiphytes etc.
Leaf size spectrum
Oosting (1956) described that leaf size may help to understand the physiology of plant communities. Leaf spectra indicate the relationship of plants with area. There is a consistent variation of leaf, leaf size and texture between individual plants communities, these leaf characteristics also differ with various climatic conditions. Therefore leaf shape and size is an important physiognomic characteristic.
The leaf classes are determined according to Raunkiaers diagram. There are four major classes. The lower limit of the size class is 25 sq. mm and each class is nine times larger than previous class.
Ashby (1963) reported that in desert climate nanophanerophytes taking the form of the characteristic grey spiny brushes, are more numerous while during the brief rainy seasons therophytes spring up and colour the whole landscape. Therophytes slightly increase at high altitudes while the Geophytes also show the same trend.
Batalha, M. A. & Martins, F.R. (2004) used Raunkiaers system to classify the plant from the site of Brazil. The most represented life forms were phanerophytes and hemicryptophytes. The vegetation presents a wide physiognomic variation from grasslands to woodlands. The life form spectrum differed significantly from Raunkiaers normal spectrum.
Chapman, R. R. & Crow, G. E. (1981) evaluated the response of ground cover vegetation to prescribed fire in relation to the life form of individual plant species. Chamaeophytes were most severely affected by fire. Hemicryptophytes varied in their response and geophytes best survived the prescribed burn. Within each life form group variability existed in the modes of regeneration and recovery after burning.
Costa, R. C. (2007) studied the flora and life form spectrum in an area of deciduous thorn woodland in northeastern, Brazil. They encountered 133 species belonging to 47 families. The herbaceous/woody ratio was 1.4. The life-form spectrum was characterized according Raunkiaer's system. The life-form spectrum observed was: therophytes (42.9%), phanerophytes (26.3%), Chamaeophytes (15.8%), hemicryptophytes (12.8%), and cryptophytes (2.3%). The present study indicates that the floristic richness of this biome has been underestimated.
Dastagir G. et al., (2000) studied biological spectrum and did comparison of coefficient of communities between plant communities in Mai Dhani Hill Muzaffarabad. He reported that nanophanerophytes and hemicryptophytes increase as altitude increases while the megaphanerophytes decrease with increase in altitude. The tree layer is thinly dispersed and diversity of species decreased in December as compared to April.
Gorsi M. S. & Shahzad R. (2002) documented the ethnomedicinal importance of Dirkot. They forced to start regeneration work to save the traditional knowledge about plants.
Ishtiaq M. et al., (2006 b) stated that plants are indirectly associated to the culture and tradition of the people. They stated 36 plant species used for the treatment of sexual diseases and birth control rate in Samahni valley. The most of the plants used as decoction and infusions. This data shows the dependent of people in villages for their daily life needs and can provide the basis for further research.
Ishtiaq M. et al., (2006 a) surveyed for the medicinal plants used only for animals. They provided the useful information about veterinary uses of plants. This ethnobotanical data has key role in life, society and economy of the people of the area and more over it can be initiative for phytochemical and pharmacological investigation about these medicinal plants.
Nazir A. & Malik Z. H. (2006) stated the life form of district Kotli. They reported that qualitatively nanophanerophytes are dominant followed by therophytes, hemicryptophytes and megaphanerophytes. Nanophanerophytes were also dominant. They were followed by megaphanerophytes and hemicryptophytes. Therophytes and geophytes were low in number.
Materials and Methods
Frequent visits were made in study area to collect the plants from the different localities of the area. Then their local names and parts used were recorded. To record local names, part uses interviews were conducted with local people in different villages individually. The altitude of the site from where the specimen is collected is taken with the help of Altimeter. Some useful discussions were held with some knowledgeable persons to confirm the information recorded from the informants. The collected specimens were dried and identified at herbarium placed in NARC (National agricultural research council) Pakistan.
Results
Table 2. Leaf Size Classes.
S/No.
|
Leaf Size Class
|
Symbol
|
Range
|
-
|
Leptophyll
|
L
|
less than 25 sq. mm
|
-
|
Nanophyll
|
N
|
between 25 sq. mm to 25 X 9 sq. mm
|
-
|
Microphyll
|
Mi
|
between 25 X 9 sq. mm to 25 X 9 X 9 sq. mm
|
-
|
Megaphyll
|
M
|
above 25 X 9 X 9 sq. mm
|
Table 3. Floristic Lists.
S/No.
|
Botanical Name
|
Family
|
-
|
Dicliptra roxburghiana Nees
|
Acanthaceae
|
-
|
Justicia adhatoda L
|
″
|
-
|
Achyranthes aspera L
|
Amaranthaceae
|
-
|
Amaranthus hybridus L
|
″
|
-
|
Amaranthus viridis L
|
″
|
-
|
Celosia argentia L
|
″
|
-
|
Mangifera Indica L
|
Anacardiaceae
|
-
|
Pistacia chinensis Bunge
|
″
|
-
|
Anethum graveolense L
|
Apiaceae
|
-
|
Coriandrum sativum L
|
″
|
-
|
Daucus carota L
|
″
|
-
|
Carissa opaca Stapf ex Haines
|
Apocynaceae
|
-
|
Nerium indicum Mill
|
″
|
-
|
Calotropis procera Alton. F.
|
Asclepiadaceae
|
-
|
Artemisia maritima L
|
Asteraceae
|
-
|
Echinopse cornigerus DC
|
″
|
-
|
Taraxacum officinale Webber
|
″
|
-
|
Xanthium stromarium L
|
″
|
-
|
Bombax ceiba L
|
Bombacaceae
|
-
|
Cordia obliqa Wild
|
Boraginaceae
|
-
|
Cynoglossum lanceolatum Forrsk
|
″
|
-
|
Brassica campestris L
|
Brassicaceae
|
-
|
Brassica napus L. Var. rapa.
|
″
|
-
|
Brassica olaraceae L
|
″
|
-
|
Raphanus sativus L
|
″
|
-
|
Bauhinia variegata L
|
Caeselpinaceae
|
-
|
Cassia fistula L
|
″
|
-
|
Cannabis sativa L
|
Canabinaceae
|
-
|
Chenopodium ambrosidies L
|
Chenopodiaceae
|
-
|
Citrullus colocynthus L Schrad
|
Cucurbitaceae
|
-
|
Cucumis sativus L
|
″
|
-
|
Cucurbita maxima Duch. Ex. Lam
|
″
|
-
|
Cucurbita pepo L
|
″
|
-
|
Luffa aegyptica Mill
|
″
|
-
|
Memordica charantia L
|
″
|
-
|
Praecitrullus fistulosus (Stocks.) Pangalo.
|
″
|
-
|
Trichosnthus angaina L
|
″
|
-
|
Cyperus rotundus L
|
Cyperaceae
|
-
|
Euphorbia caducifolia Hains.
|
Euphorbiaceae
|
-
|
Euphorbia helioscopia L
|
″
|
-
|
Mallotus philippensis Muell Arg.
|
″
|
-
|
Phyllanthus embllica L
|
″
|
-
|
Cicer arietinum L
|
Fabaceae
|
-
|
Phaseolus mungo L
|
″
|
-
|
Fumaria indica (Haussk) Pugsly.
|
Fumariaceae
|
-
|
Juglans regia L
|
Juglandaceae
|
-
|
Mentha arvensis L
|
Lamiaceae
|
-
|
Mentha sylvestris L
|
″
|
-
|
Allium cepa L
|
Liliaceae
|
-
|
Allium sativum L
|
″
|
-
|
Aloe vera L
|
″
|
-
|
Woodfordia fructicosa (L) Kurz
|
Lythraceae
|
-
|
Abelmoschus esculentus L Moench.
|
Malvaceae
|
-
|
Malva sylvestris L
|
″
|
-
|
Malvestrum coromendlianum L
|
″
|
-
|
Melia azedarech L
|
Meliaceae
|
-
|
Acacia modesta Wall.
|
Mimosaceae
|
-
|
Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile.
|
″
|
-
|
Albizzia lebbek (L) Benth
|
″
|
-
|
Albizzia procera Benth
|
″
|
-
|
Broussonetia papyrifera Vent
|
Moraceae
|
-
|
Ficus bengalensis L
|
″
|
-
|
Ficus carica L
|
″
|
-
|
Ficus elastica Roxb.
|
″
|
-
|
Ficus virgata L
|
″
|
-
|
Morus alba L
|
″
|
-
|
Morus nigra L
|
″
|
-
|
Eucalyptus citriodora Parkere
|
Myrtaceae
|
-
|
Psidium guajava L
|
″
|
-
|
Astragalus leucocephalus Grah-ex-Benth
|
Oleaceae
|
-
|
Jasminum humile L
|
″
|
-
|
Lotus corniculata L
|
″
|
-
|
Olea ferruginea Royle
|
″
|
-
|
Papaver sominferum L
|
Papaveraceae
|
-
|
Butea monosperma Lam. Taub.
|
Papilionaceae
|
-
|
Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.
|
″
|
-
|
Pisum sativum L
|
″
|
-
|
Lathyrus aphaca L
|
″
|
-
|
Pinus roxburghii Sargent
|
Pinaceae
|
-
|
Avena sativus L
|
Poaceae
|
-
|
Cynodon dactylon Pers
|
″
|
-
|
Dendrocalamus strictus (Roxb,) Nees
|
″
|
-
|
Heteropogon controtus L
|
″
|
-
|
Hordeum vulgare L
|
″
|
-
|
Pennisetum typhoidum L
|
″
|
-
|
Phragmitis karka Retx
|
″
|
-
|
Saccharum officinarum L
|
″
|
-
|
Saccharum spontaneum L
|
″
|
-
|
Setaria italica (L.) P.Beauv.
|
″
|
-
|
Setaria pallidefusca (Schumach) Stapf & C.E. Hubb.
|
″
|
-
|
Themeda anathera Nees Hock.
|
″
|
-
|
Triticum aestivum L
|
″
|
-
|
Zea mays L
|
″
|
-
|
Rumax dentatus L
|
Polygonaceae
|
-
|
Punica granatum L
|
Punicaceae
|
-
|
Ziziphus jujuba L
|
Rhamnaceae
|
-
|
Ziziphus nummularia (Burm.f.) Wight. & Arn.
|
″
|
-
|
Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.
|
Rosaceae
|
-
|
Prunus armeniaca Marsh.
|
″
|
-
|
Prunus persica (L) Batsch
|
″
|
-
|
Pyrus communis L
|
″
|
-
|
Pyrus malus L
|
″
|
-
|
Rosa indica L
|
″
|
-
|
Rubus fruiticosus L
|
Rubiaceae
|
-
|
Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.
|
Rutaceae
|
-
|
Zanthoxylum armatum DC.
|
″
|
-
|
Populus alba L
|
Salicaceae
|
-
|
Dodonae viscosae jacq.
|
Sapnidaceae
|
-
|
Verbascum thapsus L
|
Scrophulariaceae
|
-
|
Capsicum annum L
|
Solanaceae
|
-
|
Datura innoxia Mill
|
″
|
-
|
Lycopersicum esculantum L
|
″
|
-
|
Solanum melangena L
|
″
|
-
|
Solanum miniatum Benth.
|
″
|
-
|
Solanum surattense Burm.f.
|
″
|
-
|
Solanum tuburosum L
|
″
|
-
|
Vitex negundo L
|
Verbenaceae
|
-
|
Viola serpens Wall.ex.Roxb
|
Violaceae
|
-
|
Vitis vitiginea (L.) Theob.
|
Vitaceae
|
-
|
Tribulus terristris L.
|
Zygophyllaceae
|
Floristic Competition of Area
Among 46 recorded families the dominant family of the area is Poaceae with 14 species followed by Cucurbitaceae with 8 species. Family Moraceae and Solanaceae are third in this ranking with 7 species each. Rosaceae stands at forth place with 6 species. Amaranthaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Mimosaceae, Oleaceae and Papilionaceae have 4 species each. Apiaceae, Liliaceae, Malvaceae, Acanthaceae, Anacardiaceae, Apocynaceae, Boraginaceae, Caeselpinaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Myrtaceae, Rhamnaceae and Rutaceae have 3 species each. Acanthaceae, Anacardiaceae, Apocynaceae, Boraginaceae, Caeselpinaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Myrtaceae, Rhamnaceae and Rutaceae have 2 species each. While other 21 families have only 1 species each (Table 4).
Table 4. Floristic Competition of Area.
S/No.
|
Family
|
No. of Species
|
1
|
Poaceae
|
14
|
2
|
Cucurbitaceae
|
8
|
3
|
Moraceae
|
7
|
4
|
Solanaceae
|
7
|
5
|
Rosaceae
|
6
|
6
|
Amaranthaceae
|
4
|
7
|
Asteraceae
|
4
|
8
|
Brassicaceae
|
4
|
9
|
Euphorbiaceae
|
4
|
10
|
Mimosaceae
|
4
|
11
|
Oleaceae
|
4
|
12
|
Papilionaceae
|
4
|
13
|
Apiaceae
|
3
|
14
|
Liliaceae
|
3
|
15
|
Malvaceae
|
3
|
16
|
Acanthaceae
|
2
|
17
|
Anacardiaceae
|
2
|
18
|
Apocynaceae
|
2
|
19
|
Boraginaceae
|
2
|
20
|
Caeselpinaceae
|
2
|
21
|
Fabaceae
|
2
|
22
|
Lamiaceae
|
2
|
23
|
Myrtaceae
|
2
|
24
|
Rhamnaceae
|
2
|
25
|
Rutaceae
|
2
|
26
|
Asclepiadaceae
|
1
|
27
|
Bombacaceae
|
1
|
28
|
Canabinaceae
|
1
|
29
|
Chenopodiaceae
|
1
|
30
|
Cyperaceae
|
1
|
31
|
Fumariaceae
|
1
|
32
|
Juglandaceae
|
1
|
33
|
Lythraceae
|
1
|
34
|
Meliaceae
|
1
|
35
|
Papaveraceae
|
1
|
36
|
Pinaceae
|
1
|
37
|
Polygonaceae
|
1
|
38
|
Punicaceae
|
1
|
39
|
Rubiaceae
|
1
|
40
|
Salicaceae
|
1
|
41
|
Sapnidaceae
|
1
|
42
|
Scrophulariaceae
|
1
|
43
|
Verbenaceae
|
1
|
44
|
Violaceae
|
1
|
45
|
Vitaceae
|
1
|
46
|
Zygophyllaceae
|
1
|
Table 5. Classification of plants According to Life form & Leaf Spectra.
S/No.
|
Botanical Name
|
Family
|
Altitude
|
Local Name
|
Habit
|
Leaf Type
|
Life form
|
-
|
Dicliptra roxburghiana Nees
|
Acanthaceae
|
680m
|
Kaloo
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
Th
|
-
|
Justicia adhatoda L
|
″
|
720m
|
Baikar
|
Shrub
|
M
|
NP
|
-
|
Achyranthes aspera L
|
Amaranthaceae
|
750m
|
Puthkanda
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
H
|
-
|
Amaranthus hybridus L
|
″
|
720m
|
Ganhar
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
H
|
-
|
Amaranthus viridis L
|
″
|
680m
|
Chulair
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
H
|
-
|
Celosia argentia L
|
″
|
680m
|
Tandoola
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
Th
|
-
|
Mangifera Indica L
|
Anacardiaceae
|
700m
|
Amb
|
Tree
|
M
|
MP
|
-
|
Pistacia chinensis Bunge
|
″
|
960m
|
Kakoh
|
Tree
|
Mi
|
MP
|
-
|
Anethum graveolense L
|
Apiaceae
|
720m
|
Soye
|
Herb
|
L
|
Th
|
-
|
Coriandrum sativum L
|
″
|
720m
|
Dhania
|
Herb
|
N
|
Th
|
-
|
Daucus carota L
|
″
|
720m
|
Gajar
|
Herb
|
L
|
Th
|
-
|
Carissa opaca Stapf ex Haines
|
Apocynaceae
|
850m
|
Garanda
|
Shrub
|
Mi
|
NP
|
-
|
Nerium indicum Mill
|
″
|
760m
|
Gandeera
|
Shrub
|
Mi
|
NP
|
-
|
Calotropis procera Alton. F.
|
Asclepiadaceae
|
700m
|
Ak
|
Shrub
|
M
|
NP
|
-
|
Artemisia maritima L
|
Asteraceae
|
680m
|
Chaoo
|
Herb
|
N
|
Th
|
-
|
Echinopse cornigerus DC
|
″
|
680m
|
Kandiari
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
H
|
-
|
Taraxacum officinale Webber
|
″
|
680m
|
Hand
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
H
|
-
|
Xanthium stromarium L
|
″
|
680m
|
Jojra
|
Herb
|
M
|
Th
|
-
|
Bombax ceiba L
|
Bombacaceae
|
760m
|
Simbal
|
Tree
|
Mi
|
MP
|
-
|
Cordia obliqa Wild
|
Boraginaceae
|
700m
|
Lasoora
|
Tree
|
M
|
MP
|
-
|
Cynoglossum lanceolatum Forrsk
|
″
|
760m
|
Leendra
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
H
|
-
|
Brassica campestris L
|
Brassicaceae
|
700m
|
Sarsoon
|
Herb
|
M
|
Th
|
-
|
Brassica napus L. Var. rapa.
|
″
|
680m
|
Gongloo
|
Herb
|
M
|
Th
|
-
|
Brassica olaraceae L
|
″
|
680m
|
Gobhi
|
Herb
|
M
|
Th
|
-
|
Raphanus sativus L
|
″
|
680m
|
Moolee
|
Herb
|
M
|
Th
|
-
|
Bauhinia variegata L
|
Caeselpinaceae
|
960m
|
Kalyar
|
Tree
|
Mi
|
MP
|
-
|
Cassia fistula L
|
″
|
880m
|
Amaltas
|
Tree
|
M
|
MP
|
-
|
Cannabis sativa L
|
Canabinaceae
|
680m
|
Bhang
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
H
|
-
|
Chenopodium ambrosidies L
|
Chenopodiaceae
|
680m
|
Bathua
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
Th
|
-
|
Citrullus colocynthus L Schrad
|
Cucurbitaceae
|
690m
|
Tumma
|
Herb
|
M
|
Th
|
-
|
Cucumis sativus L
|
″
|
700m
|
Kheera
|
Herb
|
M
|
Th
|
-
|
Cucurbita maxima Duch. Ex. Lam
|
″
|
700m
|
Dabri
|
Herb
|
M
|
Th
|
-
|
Cucurbita pepo L
|
″
|
700m
|
Kaddoon
|
Herb
|
M
|
Th
|
-
|
Luffa aegyptica Mill
|
″
|
700m
|
Tori
|
Herb
|
M
|
Th
|
-
|
Memordica charantia L
|
″
|
700m
|
Karela
|
Herb
|
M
|
Th
|
-
|
Praecitrullus fistulosus (Stocks.) Pangalo.
|
″
|
680m
|
Teenda
|
Herb
|
M
|
Th
|
-
|
Trichosnthus angaina L
|
″
|
700m
|
Parul
|
Herb
|
M
|
Th
|
-
|
Cyperus rotundus L
|
Cyperaceae
|
840m
|
Madani Gass
|
Herb
|
L
|
H
|
-
|
Euphorbia caducifolia Hains.
|
Euphorbiaceae
|
700m
|
Danda
Thor
|
Shrub
|
N
|
NP
|
-
|
Euphorbia helioscopia L
|
″
|
740m
|
Dodal
|
Herb
|
N
|
Th
|
-
|
Mallotus philippensis Muell Arg.
|
″
|
900m
|
Kambeela
|
Tree
|
M
|
MP
|
-
|
Phyllanthus embllica L
|
″
|
870m
|
Aamla
|
Tree
|
L
|
MP
|
-
|
Cicer arietinum L
|
Fabaceae
|
690m
|
Chana
|
Herb
|
N
|
Th
|
-
|
Phaseolus mungo L
|
″
|
690m
|
Dal Mong
|
Herb
|
M
|
Th
|
-
|
Fumaria indica (Haussk) Pugsly.
|
Fumariaceae
|
690m
|
Papra
|
Herb
|
L
|
Th
|
-
|
Juglans regia L
|
Juglandaceae
|
900m
|
Akhrot
|
Tree
|
M
|
MP
|
-
|
Mentha arvensis L
|
Lamiaceae
|
700m
|
Poodna
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
H
|
-
|
Mentha sylvestris L
|
″
|
770m
|
Jangli Poodna
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
H
|
-
|
Allium cepa L
|
Liliaceae
|
680m
|
Piaz
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
G
|
-
|
Allium sativum L
|
″
|
680m
|
Thom
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
G
|
-
|
Aloe vera L
|
″
|
680m
|
Kanwar
Gandal
|
Shrub
|
M
|
NP
|
-
|
Woodfordia fructicosa (L) Kurz
|
Lythraceae
|
840m
|
Thawi
|
Shrub
|
Mi
|
NP
|
-
|
Abelmoschus esculentus L Moench.
|
Malvaceae
|
690m
|
Bhindi
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
Th
|
-
|
Malva sylvestris L
|
″
|
680m
|
Sonchal
|
Herb
|
M
|
H
|
-
|
Malvestrum coromendlianum L
|
″
|
690m
|
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
H
|
-
|
Melia azedarech L
|
Meliaceae
|
720m
|
Dharek
|
Tree
|
Mi
|
MP
|
-
|
Acacia modesta Wall.
|
Mimosaceae
|
700m
|
Klah
|
Tree
|
L
|
MP
|
-
|
Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile.
|
″
|
680m
|
Kikar
|
Tree
|
L
|
MP
|
-
|
Albizzia lebbek (L) Benth
|
″
|
740m
|
Sree
|
Tree
|
L
|
MP
|
-
|
Albizzia procera Benth
|
″
|
700m
|
Sree
|
Tree
|
Mi
|
MP
|
-
|
Broussonetia papyrifera Vent
|
Moraceae
|
720m
|
Jangli toot
|
Tree
|
M
|
MP
|
-
|
Ficus bengalensis L
|
″
|
780m
|
Bohr
|
Tree
|
M
|
MP
|
-
|
Ficus carica L
|
″
|
870m
|
Tussa
|
Tree
|
M
|
MP
|
-
|
Ficus elastica Roxb.
|
″
|
680m
|
Rubber plant
|
Tree
|
M
|
MP
|
-
|
Ficus virgata L
|
″
|
740m
|
Phakwar
|
Tree
|
M
|
MP
|
-
|
Morus alba L
|
″
|
720m
|
Shehtoot
|
Tree
|
M
|
MP
|
-
|
Morus nigra L
|
″
|
720m
|
Toot
|
Tree
|
M
|
MP
|
-
|
Eucalyptus citriodora Parkere
|
Myrtaceae
|
680m
|
Safeda
|
Tree
|
Mi
|
MP
|
-
|
Psidium guajava L
|
″
|
770m
|
Amrood
|
Tree
|
M
|
MP
|
-
|
Astragalus leucocephalus Grah-ex-Benth
|
Oleaceae
|
920m
|
Kathi
|
Shrub
|
N
|
NP
|
-
|
Jasminum humile L
|
″
|
790m
|
Chamba
|
Shrub
|
Mi
|
NP
|
-
|
Lotus corniculata L
|
″
|
800m
|
Makhan Booti
|
Herb
|
N
|
H
|
-
|
Olea ferruginea Royle
|
″
|
880m
|
Kao
|
Tree
|
M
|
MP
|
-
|
Papaver sominferum L
|
Papaveraceae
|
700m
|
Post
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
Th
|
-
|
Butea monosperma Lam. Taub.
|
Papilionaceae
|
800m
|
Chichra
|
Tree
|
M
|
MP
|
-
|
Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.
|
″
|
750m
|
Tahli
|
Tree
|
M
|
MP
|
-
|
Pisum sativum L
|
″
|
680m
|
Matar
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
Th
|
-
|
Lathyrus aphaca L
|
″
|
750m
|
JangliMatar
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
Th
|
-
|
Pinus roxburghii Sargent
|
Pinaceae
|
840m
|
Cheer
|
Tree
|
L
|
MP
|
-
|
Avena sativus L
|
Poaceae
|
700m
|
Gandail
|
Herb
|
N
|
Th
|
-
|
Cynodon dactylon Pers
|
″
|
680m
|
Khabal
|
Herb
|
L
|
H
|
-
|
Dendrocalamus strictus (Roxb,) Nees
|
″
|
680m
|
Bans
|
Tree
|
Mi
|
MP
|
-
|
Heteropogon controtus L
|
″
|
700m
|
Kana
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
NP
|
-
|
Hordeum vulgare L
|
″
|
700m
|
Jo
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
Th
|
-
|
Pennisetum typhoidum L
|
″
|
700m
|
Bajra
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
Th
|
-
|
Phragmitis karka Retx
|
″
|
740m
|
Babyoon
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
H
|
-
|
Saccharum officinarum L
|
″
|
680m
|
Ganna
|
Shrub
|
Mi
|
Th
|
-
|
Saccharum spontaneum L
|
″
|
680m
|
Kahi
|
Herb
|
N
|
H
|
-
|
Setaria italica (L.) P.Beauv.
|
″
|
690m
|
Kangni
|
Herb
|
N
|
Th
|
-
|
Setaria pallidefusca (Schumach) Stapf & C.E. Hubb.
|
″
|
770m
|
Bhari ghas
|
Herb
|
L
|
H
|
-
|
Themeda anathera Nees Hock.
|
″
|
680m
|
Saryala ghas
|
Herb
|
L
|
H
|
-
|
Triticum aestivum L
|
″
|
690m
|
Kank
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
Th
|
-
|
Zea mays L
|
″
|
700m
|
Mak
|
Herb
|
M
|
Th
|
-
|
Rumax dentatus L
|
Polygonaceae
|
690m
|
Jangli Palak
|
Herb
|
M
|
H
|
-
|
Punica granatum L
|
Punicaceae
|
780m
|
Daruna
|
Tree
|
Mi
|
MP
|
-
|
Ziziphus jujuba L
|
Rhamnaceae
|
740m
|
Jand
|
Tree
|
Mi
|
MP
|
-
|
Ziziphus nummularia (Burm.f.) Wight. & Arn.
|
″
|
740m
|
Koken ber
|
Tree
|
Mi
|
MP
|
-
|
Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.
|
Rosaceae
|
820m
|
Lokat
|
Tree
|
M
|
MP
|
-
|
Prunus armeniaca Marsh.
|
″
|
700m
|
Khubani
|
Tree
|
M
|
MP
|
-
|
Prunus persica (L) Batsch
|
″
|
800m
|
Aaru
|
Tree
|
M
|
MP
|
-
|
Pyrus communis L
|
″
|
700m
|
Nashpati
|
Tree
|
M
|
MP
|
-
|
Pyrus malus L
|
″
|
900m
|
Saib
|
Tree
|
M
|
MP
|
-
|
Rosa indica L
|
″
|
680m
|
Gulab
|
Shrub
|
Mi
|
NP
|
-
|
Rubus fruiticosus L
|
Rubiaceae
|
820m
|
Aakhra
|
Shrub
|
M
|
NP
|
-
|
Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.
|
Rutaceae
|
680m
|
Lemoon
|
Tree
|
Mi
|
MP
|
-
|
Zanthoxylum armatum DC.
|
″
|
700m
|
Timbar
|
Shrub
|
Mi
|
NP
|
-
|
Populus alba L
|
Salicaceae
|
700m
|
Popular
|
Tree
|
M
|
MP
|
-
|
Dodonae viscosae jacq.
|
Sapnidaceae
|
800m
|
Sanatha
|
Shrub
|
Mi
|
NP
|
-
|
Verbascum thapsus L
|
Scrophulariaceae
|
720m
|
Gidar tambacco
|
Herb
|
M
|
H
|
-
|
Capsicum annum L
|
Solanaceae
|
720m
|
Surkh Murch
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
Th
|
-
|
Datura innoxia Mill
|
″
|
700m
|
Dhatura
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
H
|
-
|
Lycopersicum esculantum L
|
″
|
680m
|
Tamater
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
Th
|
-
|
Solanum melangena L
|
″
|
720m
|
pattha
|
Herb
|
M
|
H
|
-
|
Solanum miniatum Benth.
|
″
|
750m
|
Kach Mach
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
H
|
-
|
Solanum surattense Burm.f.
|
″
|
700m
|
Mokari
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
H
|
-
|
Solanum tuburosum L
|
″
|
680m
|
Aalu
|
Herb
|
M
|
G
|
-
|
Vitex negundo L
|
Verbenaceae
|
720m
|
Bana
|
Shrub
|
Mi
|
NP
|
-
|
Viola serpens Wall.ex.Roxb
|
Violaceae
|
870m
|
Banafsha
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
H
|
-
|
Vitis vitiginea (L.) Theob.
|
Vitaceae
|
820m
|
Dakh
|
Herb
|
M
|
H
|
-
|
Tribulus terristris L.
|
Zygophyllaceae
|
680m
|
Bhakra
|
Herb
|
Mi
|
H
|
Key: L = Leptopohyll, N = Nanophyll, Mi = Microphyll, M = Megaphyll, MP = Megaphanerophytes, NP = Nanophanerophytes, H = Hemicryptophytes, G = Geophtes, Th = Therophytes
Table 6. Graphic Representation of Life Form Spectra.
Megaphanerophytes are dominant with 38 species followed by Therophytes with 36 species. Nanophanerophytes are small in number while geophytes are rare with 3 species.
S/No.
|
Life form class
|
No. of Sp.
|
%age
|
1
|
MP
|
38
|
31.6
|
2
|
NP
|
15
|
12.5
|
3
|
H
|
27
|
22.5
|
4
|
G
|
03
|
2.5
|
5
|
Th
|
37
|
30.8
|

Table 7. Graphic Representations of Leaf Size Spectra.
Microphyllous leaf type plants are leading with 52 species followed by megaphyllous plants with 47 species. Nanophanerophytes are small in number with 9 species.
S/No.
|
Leaf Class
|
No. of Sp.
|
%age
|
1
|
L
|
12
|
10
|
2
|
N
|
09
|
7.5
|
3
|
Mi
|
52
|
43.3
|
4
|
M
|
47
|
39.2
|

Table 8. Rare Plants.
S/No.
|
Botanical Name
|
Family
|
Local Name
|
1
|
Bauhinia variegata L
|
Caeselpinaceae
|
Kalyar
|
2
|
Cordia obliqa Wild
|
Boraginaceae
|
Lasoora
|
3
|
Ficus bengalensis L
|
Moraceae
|
Bohr
|
4
|
Juglans regia L
|
Juglandaceae
|
Akhrot
|
Table 9. Major vegetables of the Area.
S.No.
|
Botanical Name
|
Family
|
Local Name
|
-
|
Abelmoschus esculentus L Moench.
|
Malvaceae
|
Bhindi
|
-
|
Allium cepa L
|
Liliaceae
|
Piaz
|
-
|
Allium sativum L
|
Liliaceae
|
Thom
|
-
|
Amaranthus hybridus L
|
Amaranthaceae
|
Ganhar
|
-
|
Amaranthus viridis L
|
Amaranthaceae
|
Chulair
|
-
|
Bauhinia variegata L
|
Caeselpinaceae
|
Kalyar
|
-
|
Brassica campestris L
|
Brassicaceae
|
Sarsoon
|
-
|
Brassica napus L. Var. rapa.
|
Brassicaceae
|
Gongloo
|
-
|
Brassica olaraceae L
|
Brassicaceae
|
Gobhi
|
-
|
Capsicum annum L
|
Solanaceae
|
Surkh Murch
|
-
|
Celosia argentia L
|
Amaranthaceae
|
Tandoola
|
-
|
Chenopodium ambrosidies L
|
Chenopodiaceae
|
Bathua
|
-
|
Cucumis sativus L
|
Cucurbitaceae
|
Kheera
|
-
|
Cucurbita maxima Duch. Ex. Lam
|
Cucurbitaceae
|
Dabri
|
-
|
Cucurbita pepo L
|
Cucurbitaceae
|
Kaddoon
|
-
|
Daucus carota L
|
Apiaceae
|
Gajer
|
-
|
Dicliptra roxburghiana Nees
|
Acanthaceae
|
Kaloo
|
-
|
Luffa aegyptica Mill
|
Cucurbitaceae
|
Tori
|
-
|
Lycopersicum esculantum L
|
Solanaceae
|
Tamater
|
-
|
Memordica charantia L
|
Cucurbitaceae
|
Karela
|
-
|
Pisum sativum L
|
Papilionaceae
|
Matar
|
-
|
Praecitrullus fistulosus (Stocks.) Pangalo.
|
Cucurbitaceae
|
Teenda
|
-
|
Raphanus sativus L
|
Brassicaceae
|
Moolee
|
-
|
Solanum melangena L
|
Solanaceae
|
pattha
|
-
|
Solanum tuburosum L
|
Solanaceae
|
Aalu
|
-
|
Trichosnthus angaina L
|
Cucurbitaceae
|
Parul
|
Table 10. Major fruits of the Area.
S.No.
|
Botanical Name
|
Family
|
Local Name
|
1
|
Carissa opaca Stapf ex Haines
|
Apocynaceae
|
Garanda
|
2
|
Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.
|
Rutaceae
|
Lemoon
|
3
|
Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.
|
Rosaceae
|
Lokat
|
4
|
Ficus carica L
|
Moraceae
|
Tussa
|
5
|
Ficus virgata L
|
Moraceae
|
Phakwar
|
6
|
Juglans regia L
|
Juglandaceae
|
Akhrot
|
7
|
Mangifera Indica L
|
Anacardiaceae
|
Amb
|
8
|
Morus alba L
|
Moraceae
|
Shehtoot
|
9
|
Morus nigra L
|
Moraceae
|
Toot
|
10
|
Phyllanthus embllica L
|
Euphorbiaceae
|
Aamla
|
11
|
Pistacia chinensis Bunge
|
Anacardiaceae
|
Kakoh
|
12
|
Prunus armeniaca Marsh.
|
Rosaceae
|
Khubani
|
13
|
Prunus armeniaca Marsh.
|
Rosaceae
|
Khubani
|
14
|
Prunus persica (L) Batsch
|
Rosaceae
|
Aaru
|
15
|
Psidium guajava L
|
Myrtaceae
|
Amrood
|
16
|
Punica granatum L
|
Punicaceae
|
Daruna
|
17
|
Pyrus communis L
|
Rosaceae
|
Nashpati
|
18
|
Pyrus malus L
|
Rosaceae
|
Saib
|
19
|
Rubus fruiticosus L
|
Rubiaceae
|
Aakhra
|
20
|
Vitis vitiginea (L.) Theob.
|
Vitaceae
|
Dakh
|
21
|
Ziziphus jujuba L
|
Rhamnaceae
|
Jand
|
22
|
Ziziphus nummularia (Burm.f.) Wight. & Arn.
|
Rhamnaceae
|
Koken ber
|
Table 11. Cereal crops.
S.No.
|
Botanical Name
|
Family
|
Local Name
|
1
|
Cicer arietinum L
|
Fabaceae
|
Chana
|
2
|
Hordeum vulgare L
|
Poaceae
|
Jo
|
3
|
Papaver sominferum L
|
Papaveraceae
|
Post
|
4
|
Pennisetum typhoidum L
|
Poaceae
|
Bajra
|
5
|
Phaseolus mungo L
|
Fabaceae
|
Dal Mong
|
6
|
Setaria italica (L.) P.Beauv.
|
Poaceae
|
Kangni
|
7
|
Triticum aestivum L
|
Poaceae
|
Kank
|
8
|
Zea mays L
|
Poaceae
|
Mak
|
Table 12. Fuel wood and Furniture Plants.
S.No.
|
Botanical Name
|
Family
|
Local Name
|
1
|
Acacia modesta Wall.
|
Mimosaceae
|
Klah
|
2
|
Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile.
|
Mimosaceae
|
Kikar
|
3
|
Albizzia lebbek (L) Benth
|
Mimosaceae
|
Sree
|
4
|
Albizzia procera Benth
|
Mimosaceae
|
Sree
|
5
|
Astragalus leucocephalus Grah-ex-Benth
|
Oleaceae
|
Kathi
|
6
|
Broussonetia papyrifera Vent
|
Moraceae
|
Jangli toot
|
7
|
Carissa opaca Stapf ex Haines
|
Apocynaceae
|
Garanda
|
8
|
Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.
|
Papilionaceae
|
Tahli
|
9
|
Dodonae viscosae jacq.
|
Sapnidaceae
|
sanatha
|
10
|
Eucalyptus citriodora Parkere
|
Myrtaceae
|
Safeda
|
11
|
Ficus carica L
|
Moraceae
|
Tussa
|
12
|
Ficus virgata L
|
Moraceae
|
Phakwar
|
13
|
Mallotus philippensis Muell Arg.
|
Euphorbiaceae
|
Kambeela
|
14
|
Melia azedarech L
|
Meliaceae
|
Dharek
|
15
|
Morus alba L
|
Moraceae
|
Shehtoot
|
16
|
Morus nigra L
|
Moraceae
|
Toot
|
17
|
Olea ferruginea Royle
|
Oleaceae
|
Kao
|
18
|
Pinus roxburghii Sargent
|
Pinaceae
|
Cheer
|
19
|
Pistacia chinensis Bunge
|
Anacardiaceae
|
Kakoh
|
20
|
Populus alba L
|
Salicaceae
|
Popular
|
21
|
Woodfordia fructicosa (L) Kurz
|
Lythraceae
|
Thawi
|
Table 13. Plants used as Fodder.
S.No.
|
Botanical Name
|
Family
|
| |